Page 70 of Haunting the Hunter

Cade looks over both of their faces. “What the fuck is this?”

Calli winces at Cade’s sharp tone. “It’s nothing.” She tries to brush it off, but Cade isn’t stupid.

He sees her reaction. Big brother has put the pieces together.

He storms over to Jack and shoves him against the front door with a loud thud.

Oh, this is going to befun.

“Is there something going on with you two?” he says, clearly holding back his rage.

“Nothing. I swear—” Jack speaks, but Cade interrupts him.

“I know you well enough to know when you’re fucking lying, Jack. What. The. Fuck. Is going on with you two.” Cade’s voice is low, measured.

“I’m telling the truth. We are just friends.”

“You don’t look at your fucking friends like that!” Cade says with a growl, his voice louder now.

“Fuck, will you two stop? Jack and I had a thing years ago when we first met, butnothingis going on now, Cade. We are just friends.”

“Probably not the best thing to say, my dear.”

Cade turns toward Jack, swinging an uppercut to his jaw. Jack immediately falls to the floor, rubbing his face.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Cade? What the hell!” Jack screams.

“That’s the least you deserve.” The look in his eyes screams betrayal. “How far did it go?” Cade says, looking down at Jack.

Jack rubs his bloody nose, not responding.

“How far!”

“We were both kids—and it was a long time ago, Cade. Can we please not get into this right no—” Calli tries to speak up, but Cade cuts her off.

And by the look on his face, she all but answered his question.

“After all these years I’ve trusted you with her, to keep Calli safe, and you went behind my back?”

Jack stands, back against the door. “That’s all I’ve ever tried to do. I swear to God I never—”

“You are the closest thing I have to a friend! How fucking could you? And to hide it from me, for years! I could forgive you if I thought you actually loved her, but I fucking know you!”

“I do love her!” Jack says, pausing. Cade’s eyes widen.

I can feel Calli’s shock from his confession. I thought it was pretty obvious by how he looks at her.

“I’ve loved her since the day we met. But I knew that wasn’t what she needed from me, and I know I’m not good for her.” He drops his head. “I’m sorry.”

The look of disgust on Cade’s face says more than words ever could. Anger, resentment, sadness. I almost feel sorry for the guy. ButI gotta say, watching him lay out that little shit was more satisfying than I thought it would be. Maybe I won’t have to kill him after all.

“Cade…” Calli says, reaching out.

“Don’t.” He turns quickly, walking over to the steps.

She shrinks back, looking at Jack as her brows pull together with a look of concern. I can feel her mind reeling, attempting to find the right words where there are none.

Cade turns, looking both of them over with a cold expression before walking down the steps and disappearing behind the house.