Page 74 of Huntress Unleashed

“Can I help with anything?” Robert asked. “I’m so sorry all of this has happened to you.”

“You can tell Mom and Dad what is up, just in case they hear on the news that a hunter—me—has been murdered. Oh, I wonder if this case will be reported in the news.”

“Probably so to make it more official sounding and hopefully prove to the hunters that you are really dead, if they aren’t having the house watched,” Dane said. “Though Patrick might have to get the police chief’s approval.”

“Okay, well, while you get your car, I’ll pack up my things and Robert, can you clean up the patio? If you’re up to it.”

“I am.” Then Robert got a bucket, soap, and a mop and carried them out to the back patio.

Jacqueline kissed and hugged Dane. “I never expected anything like this to happen.”

“I know. It’s unreal. I sure didn’t either.” He gave her a heartfelt hug back and kissed her thoroughly. “Are you going to be all right if the hunters send someone else here to investigate your place in the meantime?”

“Yes. Robert’s here with me and you’re only a telepathic call away. Besides, I can just leave and join you also. I’m off to pack then.”

“I’ll return soon.” Then Dane and Jacqueline shared another kiss and he vanished.

She was so glad she had met him. She loved the way he wanted to take care of her. Since leaving home, she had never felt that way. Certainly not with Van. She realized how truly self-absorbed he was.

She finished packing some bags and Robert came up to her bedroom to help her take them downstairs.

“For whatever difference it will make, I got a call from a friend of Van’s who said he was no longer dating anyone,” Robert told her as he carried two of her heaviest suitcases downstairs.

She beat him downstairs by reappearing there with her laptop and a couple of smaller bags in hand.

Robert smiled. “I will never get used to you doing that.”

“Yeah. It’s a pretty neat ability. So Van’s not dating…for sure?”

“That’s what he said. He said Van feels he can’t be with another huntress for a while.”

“Maybe later?”

“Who knows? I haven’t had anything to do with him since he ditched you.”

Jacqueline was surprised to hear it. Robert had been friends with Van, and they’d been like brothers really.

Robert gave her a hug. “Yeah, really, I’m sorry for being such a jerk.”

“Thanks for admitting that to me.” She gave him a warm hug back. She loved her brother, but once she had been turned, it was like her whole family had abandoned her. “Oh, I have to see if you cleaned up the patio enough.”

He snorted.

She laughed. “Hey, I know you.”

“I’ve gotten better about it.”

But she wasn’t taking his word for it. She went out and he followed her. When she found how clean it was, she was surprised. “Wow, you did a great job.”

“Thanks. Coming from you, that’s a big deal.”

She laughed. “Well, maybe you’ve changed.”

“I know how much you like to keep things clean, so I worked extra hard on it. Particularly so you wouldn’t have to be reminded what the blood was there for.”

“Well, I appreciate it.”

Then Dane was in the living room, calling out, “I’m here.”