Page 52 of Hunt Me (The Skulls #1)

Fauna

‘I f it ’ s not what you want to do, then that ’ s fine. We can continue with the original plan. I don ’ t want to do this if we aren ’ t all in. ’ I tell the girls, and I mean every word of it.

We have been in it together for far too long for a man to separate us, even if it ’ s a man that I don ’ t want to be without.

‘ We ’ ve already talked it through Faun, ’ Amelia says as she twirls her long black hair between her fingers. ‘ We want to go with them. ’

‘ You all do? ’ I ask, surprised they ’ ve already made up their minds.

‘ Isla needs somewhere safe. The baby deserves to have that. ’

Luna steps in, ‘ plus the whole mess with her baby daddy and her brother — that from the noises both of you were just making, you ’ re fucking — has made for an interesting show. It ’ s like an episode of a soap. ’

‘ We ’ re done searching, Faun. ’ Isabella admits.

‘ Isla? ’ I ask.

She sighs, rubbing her bump. ‘ They are right. Ru is an annoying prick, but he ’ d never put me in danger. If he says we will be safe there, then I believe him. ’

I nod and knock on the wall to signal for Ruaridh and the other Skulls to enter. Liam ’ s gaze instantly finds Isla ’ s, but she does not look his way.

‘ We ’ ve decided to trial it. See if we like the stadium and the people in it. ’ I say to the three of them, not committing us to anything.

‘ Whatever you wish, ’ Ruaridh nods.

‘ And we will pull our weight, ’ I add.

He smirks, ‘ I would expect no less from such a fierce group. ’

‘ I ’ m making no promises, Ruaridh. ’

‘ I know, little deer. ’

‘ Let ’ s pack up then, ’ I say to the women who have been there for me time and time again. The women who have each put their trust in me over the years and I mentally vow not to let them down again.

They leave to collect their things, and when Isla is the last to exit, Liam steps to follow her. Vish stops him with a gentle tug, and they leave to stand at the exit of the building, talking in whispers.

Ruaridh brings me into his chest and places a kiss on the top of my forehead. ‘ I can ’ t wait for you to meet the others. You will love the stadium; you all will. ’

‘ I hope they like it. I ’ m worried they are just doing this for Isla and me. ’

‘ And if they are? You have looked out for them. Now it ’ s their opportunity to help you both. These are my people, I ’ m responsible for them, and I swear to you Fauna I will not let anything happen to you or your people. ’

‘ They are your people, huh? ’

‘ For some reason they choose to follow me. ’

I watch his expression, startled at his confession. Ruaridh ’ s the leader of The Skulls?

‘ It didn ’ t feel right to tell you before now. I ’ m sorry, though, for not being honest sooner. ’

‘ Well…’ I think of what to say. ‘ I guess it ’ s kind of sexy, ’ I giggle, holding onto him.

‘ I ’ m going to spoil you rotten, baby, just you wait. ’ Ruaridh promises on a kiss.

I giggle wrapping my arms tightly around him.

‘ And I will never stop hunting you, my mischievous little deer. ’

The End