Page 59 of The Hunter

I reached for him instinctively, steadying him with a hand between his shoulder blades. His body trembled violently beneath my touch.

“The nearest hospital is three hours away,” he gasped as he fought to catch his breath.

“Three hours?” I stared at him. “Why would anyone live this far from civilization?”

He slumped back, his eyes barely open. “That’s a question for another day, princess,” he managed to say through his chattering teeth.

“You might not have any blood left in three hours.”

“Looks like it’s your lucky day. When you leave, take the Jeep. It’s better navigating these mountain roads in this kind of weather.”

“You need stitches,” I continued, ignoring his statement. “You obviously have a concussion. You could have internal bleeding.”

“Just promise me one thing before you abandon me out here.” His eyes cracked open again, bleary and unfocused. “Take Cato with you. Look after him. He’ll look after you, too.”

I blinked, taken aback by his statement. He was injured. Cold. Disoriented. Yet, his sole concern was of his dog.

I studied him again. But unlike all the other times I was around him, Ireallylooked at him. Blood-streaked and pale. Shivering. Eyes glazed with pain. And yet still trying to ensure someone else would be okay.

I was right. He definitely wasn’t the monster he claimed to be.

“Cato will be fine. And so will you.” My voice softened, barely audible over the wind.

As I moved closer, my hand grazed the inside of his thigh, and his breath caught.

“I sprained my ankle,” he murmured, a sly smirk tugging on his lips. “Not my dick. But if you want to keep checking to make sure?—”

“You’re definitely concussed if you’re making dick jokes.”

“I used to be great at dick jokes. A real connoisseur.”

I shouldn’t have smiled, but I couldn’t help myself. I liked him like this.

“I’m going to help you walk,” I said softly. “We’ll take it slow. Okay?”

He nodded.

“Do you need my help standing?”

“Maybe.” A hint of vulnerability washed over his expression. “Everything’s a bit blurry right now.”

“I’ll help steady you.”

I moved to his side, slinging his arm over my shoulder. I was easily a foot shorter than his imposing frame, but I didn’t let that stop me. Bracing myself, I helped him rise, inch by agonizing inch.

“Are you ready to walk a few steps?” I asked, my breath ghosting in the space between us.

“Sure.”

We took a step. Then another. Cato remained by Henry’s side every step of the way.

“If you need a break, tell me. Same if you get too lightheaded or dizzy. I don’t need you falling on top of me and injuringme, too.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you.” He tried to waggle his brows but only managed a grimace. “Me on top of you.”

He probably wouldn’t remember anything he said later. Which meant he probably wouldn’t remember anythingIsaid, either.

“Truthfully, I prefer being the one on top.”