Page 104 of Hunter

Hunter exchanged a knowing look with the vampire.

“What?” Willa asked. “What’s going on?”

Hunter took a deep breath and gave a closed smile. “He, uh, he told Kade.” He paused, aware of how crazy it was for the vampire to go after the witch. “He told him he’d bring Ilsbeth back.”

“Bring her back where?” Willa’s voice grew louder, her gaze pinned on Viktor.

“I’ll be fine,” he replied, not answering her question.

“Bring her back where?” she repeated.

“To Samantha. I’m literally the messenger. Pick up package.” Viktor shrugged with a laugh. “A deadly package. Witchy. Kinda hot sometimes. Whatever. You get my meaning.”

“Why doesn’t she get her herself?” Willa demanded.

“He’ll be okay,” Hunter assured her.

“No, no. He actually might not be okay. He’s our friend. What we just did together…” She exhaled loudly and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Again. He’s our friend. Friends don’t let friends fly off with witches. No. He’s not going.”

“But sweetheart…”

“I just said no. Did you hear me over there in the back? That’d be you, vampire. Not going.”

“Ah dear pet, it’s sweet of you to be concerned but I can handle myself. I’m hundreds of years older than even you, Princess.”

“Sweet my ass.” She turned to her mate. “Are you going to just let him go? Come on. You’re an Alpha. I’m your mate. I’m a fucking princess. We’ve got to stop him.”

“Wills…he has an obligation to Kade. Just like we have to the pack. I know it’s not the same but it’s family.”

“But he didn’t sire Kade. Or Luca.” She cocked her head in thought. “Did he sire Luca?”

“No but his brother did. That’s his family. And Logan’s mine. And Dimitri. Ilsbeth laid down some bad mojo. She gets what she gives.”

“I know,” her voice softened, sadness in her eyes. “But he’s our family too. I have a bad feeling about this. I know she saved our lives, but she was vulnerable then. She’s not now. You saw her in that mansion of hers. Somehow, I don’t know how but she’s regained her power. What if she doesn’t want to go? What if she goes and she hurts Samantha?”

“I have to trust that if Sam is asking for him to bring her back, she knows full well what she’s getting into. And Viktor knows what he’s doing.” Hunter turned his focus to Viktor. “You do know what you’re doing, right?”

“One hundred percent.” He smiled broadly. “I’m going to ask her first. Nicely. Say pretty please. I’m going to get in close proximity. Hmm…”

“What?” Hunter asked.

“Perhaps I’ll kiss her.”

“You’re fucking crazy, you know that?”

“Just a thought. As much as I’d like to plan out every little detail, I simply can’t. I’ll float the idea and if she says no, then I’ll go for seduction.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Willa asked, her lips drawn tight, not finding amusement in his answer.

“I’ll simply give her a tap and then we’re off. Easy peasy. I’m in. I’m out.”

“He’s gotta do this, sweetheart. I don’t like it either but at the same time, Ilsbeth fucked some shit up back in New Orleans and New York. It’s not right that she got off with no consequences. It’s not our place to get in the middle of it anyway.”

Willa sighed. “I know you’re right. It’s just I don’t feel right about it.” She paused and settled her gaze on Hunter. “Hey, do we still have that knife? I think we should bring it just in case.”

“It’s in the living room there. If any shit goes down tonight, I want you to shift to wolf and get the fuck out of there. Just run as fast as you can, okay? I’ll deal with her and any demons. Got me?”

“But I can’t just leave you there. No, I…”