Page 31 of The Hunter

God help me.

“Tomorrow, then?” he taunted.

I glared. “Don’t push your luck.”

“I’ve learned that luck’s for people who have something to lose.”

“That’s not you?” I pressed.

He slowly shook his head. “That’s not me, Mrs. Kane.”

My spine instantly stiffened. “Donotcall me that,” I declared with venom in my voice as I shoved past him, my legs heavy and sluggish.

I’d barely made it ten feet when warmth suddenly blanketed my shoulders.

His jacket.

“Wrong way,” he murmured, his words brushing the back of my neck like a secret. “Mrs. Kane.”

I turned to glare at him again, but he was already walking, his dog at his side, the void where his touch was seconds ago causing a chill worse than any threat of hypothermia.

I cursed him. I cursed myself.

Then I followed.

Chapter Fourteen

Henry

I hurried Ariana inside, quickly igniting the gas fireplace. The flames crackled in the stone hearth, but she barely noticed. She moved like a ghost, slow and shivering with a vacant expression. I carefully helped her sit on the couch a few feet from the blaze, crouching in front of her. When I peeled her socks off, my jaw tightened at the sight of her feet, her toes blue from the cold.

“Dammit,” I muttered, more to myself than her.

This was my fault.

I’d watched her on the monitors as she crept through the cabin, eyes wide with confusion. I saw her hesitation when she reached the front door. Then I watched her make a run for it.

And I let her go. Let her run straight into the snow, knowing she was only wearing a thin t-shirt. Knowing she wasn’t wearing any shoes.

I should have stopped her right away.

But I was intrigued. Wanted to see how she handled the maze of trees and wilderness I was forced to learn like the back of my hand when I was a child.

“We need to get these wet clothes off you,” I insisted, my fingers brushing the hem of her shirt.

In a heartbeat, she snapped out of whatever trance she was it, her hand clamping around my wrist, her skin frigid against mine.

“I c-can…” She paused, fighting off another shiver. “I can do it myself,” she rushed out. “D-do you have something I can change into?”

I straightened and ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. I’d messaged Blake earlier to arrange some clothes and other necessities for her. They wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow. Some of my mom’s clothes would probably fit, even if they were a little big, but that was a line I wasn’t ready to cross.

Not today.

Probably not ever.

“You’ll have to wear my stuff for now while I put your clothes in the wash.” I peeled my Henley over my head.

She stared at the shirt in my outstretched hand. Then her eyes moved to my bare chest before snapping back up to meet my gaze.