Page 123 of Hunted

“So where are they now?”

“They were all arrested. One of them was killed when he tried to run, but the others are facing multiple life sentences. The attacks on us weren’t the only ones they were able to link them with.”

Wow. Richard, Frank, the mercenaries. All the real threats against us were gone.

“That was… quick. Reece?” I ask, leaning forward and placing my hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay? I know you weren’t keen on this plan.”

“I feel… okay. I mean, I’m not happy about it. It’s more like… Relief? If that makes sense?”

“Yeah, I understand that. We don’t have to constantly look over our shoulders anymore.”

“Well, at least not for mercenaries. I have a feeling the paparazzi will be around for a while,” Bower says with a smirk. “I’ve got something for you,” he adds, leaning down and lifting up a familiar bag from between his feet.

“Is that mine?” I ask, wondering where I left it.

“It was in evidence; they released it to us today.”

“That was fast,” I say, pulling the bag into my lap.

“It’s good to know people,” Reece says from the front.

I trace my finger at the bullet hole in the bag and frown as I stick my finger through it. “You guys said he tried to shoot me and something blocked the bullet, bruised me, and knocked me out. I never asked what it was.” I was more concerned with the fact that Reece’s dad had tried to murder me.

I reach into the bag as Bower sighs beside me. “We didn't want you to be upset, but I’m afraid someone you care about did get shot.” I can hear the sarcasm in his tone, so it doesn’t worry me, and when I pull my rock out of my bag, I understand why.

“Steve! You’ve been shot!” I trace my finger over the small hole where the bullet must have been removed, positioned right through the center of the “e.” “You have a bullet wound. Everyone’s gonna think you’re so cool now.”

I don’t know what I’m saying, I’m just mumbling nonsense as I think about how close that bullet was to killing me.

“You saved me.” I kiss the top of my rock and hug him tightly to my chest. “My hero.”

“What do I have to do to get a kiss and hug from you like that?” Bower asks with a smirk.

“You only have to ask,” I tell him as I turn to face him, pulling his lips down to mine. Steve tumbles to the floor, and I leave him there.I have more important things to kiss now.

The kiss starts to turn heated, and he pulls back with a groan, resting his forehead on mine. “I missed you, Tink.”

“You mean you missed my kisses. You’ve been with me pretty much twenty-four seven since I was in the hospital.”

“Not the same,” he grumbles, kissing me again as I try not to giggle at his clinginess. I love how much they all want to be around me; I feel the exact same way about them.

When we finally pull away from each other, so we don’t get too carried away, he places his arm around my shoulders, and I lean against his side and look out the front window.

AC/DC is playing quietly on the radio, making me smile. They always seem to put that on when we’re driving, and I love it. It gives me that feeling of familiarity and helps remind me that I’m not new to living on the mainland. That I had a life here before Richard tried to take it all away.

Kingsley grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. When I peek over at him, he smiles and winks then turns back to the road ahead. I give his hand a squeeze and take a deep breath as a new level of calm washes over me.

I know I need more time to get used to living here. Large crowds, busy traffic, and thunderstorms are still things I want to actively avoid. But it’s the enjoyment of all those moments between that tells me I can be happy here, with my four men.

“Hey, wasn’t that our exit?” I ask, realizing we’re on a part of the highway we don’t normally take.

“We wanted to show you something,” Reece says as he looks back over his shoulder at me. From the twinkle in his eye, I can tell it’s a good thing, whatever it is.

“Oh! Is it a surprise?!” I ask in excitement. I’m learning to love surprises from my guys. They always seem to think of the best stuff. It’s not like I don’t have money. Reece set me up with my own bank account and money he claims belongs to me from my inheritance. But I love seeing the things they come up with for me.

I’m not really sure how all the financial stuff works, with my father and grandfather's estate going to Richard when we were all gone. But I’m not worried, Reece has been taking care of me my whole life. Even when we were thirteen, he was looking after me, escorting me home right to my front door, even though I had my own driver, or spending extra time on the parts of our homework that I didn’t understand.

It’s why I’ve felt so safe with him since he stepped foot on that island and back into my life. I knew he was going to pick back up right where he left off. No matter how much he changed over the years, he was still my best friend.