“Yes. They may or may not work for Vincent, but I have a feeling they do. It’s too much of a coincidence them showing up now after I’ve told him no, and he’s already threatened to use you against me. He must have figured out who you were and sent them.”

I frown and can feel the depth of my scowl scrunch on my forehead.

“So, they’re not actual paparazzi, just guys he sent to freak me out?”

“No, they probably are paparazzi. Pretty much all are elves. They’re well suited to be inconsiderate pricks.”

The slight relief I just felt is already dissipating. I wasn’t hallucinating, and they weren’t just random guys sent to force Hunter to sell his land. They’re legit paparazzi taking real photos that’ll soon be posted on real gossip sites.

Panic starts to rise in me again, and Hunter notices. He takes my clenched hand in his and threads my fingers through his just like they were not ten minutes ago as we walked down the street without a care in the world. The action soothes me enough to focus on his face and not run away and hide in a closet.

“Don’t worry, Lottie. I’ll take care of it. We’ll find the guys and get the photos before they have a chance to post them anywhere. And even if they do, Ginger will make sure they disappear within seconds. She doesn’t let anything slip through the cracks.”

“Ginger? What would Ginger do?”

He cocks his head at me in confusion. “Didn’t she tell you what she does?”

“No.”

“Ginger is our computer hacker. She monitors the internet and removes anything that mentions Snowberry or non-humans that may lead to people coming here and investigating,” he explains.

I suppose that makes sense. How else could they manage to remain off maps and every online search engine? That’s why Luna suggested I come here. Though I had no idea Ginger was so tech savvy.

“I need to call my brother. I need his help on this one. Are you okay here by yourself for a minute?”

I nod. I may be a puddle of a person right now, but I can handle sitting alone for a few minutes. It’d probably do me some good to pull myself together.

Chapter 31 – Hunter

There are many reasons I’ve wanted Lottie in my house and in my bed; hiding out from elf paparazzi was not one of them. Leaving her in the care of my sister barely half an hour after the incident in front of the Ugly Mug was also not on my to-do list. But I have to. Ryder and I are going back into town to find Vincent and/or the photographers and beat a little—perhaps a lot—of sense into them.

Ginger did a quick cursory search online before I left, but none of the photos have appeared yet. Which means either they haven’t had the chance to upload them, or Vincent has them. Either way we’re going to find out who has them and repossess them.

The fact that strangers can follow people around taking their pictures without their permission and sell them to gossip sites is beyond baffling. Why haven’t they outlawed this kind of crap yet? Isn’t it an invasion of privacy?

Ryder is just sliding out of his truck when I pull up to Town Hall. We don’t know where Vincent is at this moment, so we planned to meet here to see if we could run down his location. Tap into the gossip network and check in with his deputies. Someone’s always got an eye out in town.

I haven’t seen my brother around much lately, though I suppose that could be my fault. Spending so much time with Lottie, I have been neglecting some—okay, probably all—of my other duties. A male with his mate in his sights and senses doesn’t see much beyond until the bond is satisfied. I don’t think I’ve been to my office in multiple days.

Nodding at my brother, we both stride up the steps and into the white brick building. We had intended to visit Ryder’s office first to reach out over the radio but we both stop in the main entry that splits to either side. On the left is the mayor’s office, and on the right is the sheriff’s. Both offices have glass windows leading into them, allowing for an open and welcoming space. Through the windows to my office, I spot a gaggle of men sitting in the lobby chairs. Unfamiliar men, not locals. Most of them elves. Not to mention their stink wafting through the cracks, invading my senses and trying to wash away the lingering scent of Lottie.

Both Ryder and I growl simultaneously, redirecting our path straight to my office. When I enter, none of the men stand, but Levi does, quickly rounding his desk and intercepting us before I reach my office door.

“I was just about to call you. Thesegentlemenshowed up without an appointment and wouldn’t reschedule. They insisted on waiting. There’s a few already in your office,” he adds, his head hanging shamefully for letting people enter my office while I wasn’t present.

I grip his shoulder and squeeze, offering him my best semblance of a smile while desperately trying to bite back my growing anger—not at him, but at the others.

I had plans to rearrange Vincent’s face, which is best not done with witnesses. Not that I expect repercussions from my actions; no one but his men would care. But the possibility of a humanseeing is far greater right in the middle of my office in Town Hall.

Not sparing a second glance at the thugs occupying my lobby, I burst through my office door to find Vincent and, no doubt, his second-in-command, lingering inside. Vincent leans in to closer inspect a family photo hanging on the wall as the other male sits stoically in one of the guest seats, staring straight ahead. I would think he were inept and incompetent were it not for the deer-like ears protruding from his ruddy brown hair, twitching and rotating towards the sound of my loud entrance. A nymph with animal attributes. Higher hearing and reflexes, good for surveillance.

“Is this your lovely sister?” Vincent inquires, pointing to the framed photo. “She is even more delectable than I remember.”

Crossing the room to place myself on the opposite side of my desk, a sign of position and power, I stomp my feet to emphasize my displeasure with his unannounced presence. Even though it saves me the trouble of hunting him down, the hunt is the most satisfying part.

“Thank you for saving me the trouble of finding you, Vincent. You may not hear this very often, but you’re just the man I wanted to see.”

Vincent’s smirk grows wicked as he turns from the photo and focuses on me. “I thought you may want to speak with me. Decided it best if I just came to you.”