Page 3 of Theirs to Hunt (Girls Like Us #1)

Chapter three

I walked up to my father and caught his glance.

A quick upward flick, then the faintest shake of his head. Message received.

Every part of me wanted to argue, to go after Reagan and end this tonight, but he was right. She was running. Scared. And Genevieve, that absolute idiot, probably gave her the wrong idea. Nerves, stupidity, or greed. Most likely all three.

I should never have trusted her with this. She dots her fucking i’s with hearts. When I told her to befriend Reagan and report back, I meant observe. Quietly. Not shove her into this world and let the others sniff around what’s ours.

I’ll admit it. The mask Reagan wore tonight was perfect. Just not here. Not for this. But I was short on options. Reagan is well liked. Careful about who she lets in. None of her coworkers would have sold her out without warning her first .

“Dad,” I say low, scanning the trees, “I take responsibility. I should have known Genevieve wasn’t cut out for this, but she was easy to place.

I was too rushed. I used an amateur instead of being patient and finding someone who understood what this required.

And now she’s dragged Reagan here when she was never supposed to be. ”

Genevieve swapped her at the last minute. Probably didn’t even read the damn profile. We’re lucky you had that client meeting here at the estate. If we hadn’t been on site, no one would have stopped what was coming.

A beat of silence.

“They would have hunted her tonight,” I say. “Blind. Unaware. Terrified.”

He exhales through his nose, jaw clenched.

“If she hadn’t bolted, Emerson would have walked her through it. She would have had a choice and could have opted out. Now she has entered our game early, but based on everything you found out about her, she will be worthy.”

I nod and glance toward the branches above. Slow. Long enough for her to feel it if she’s watching. Let her wonder if I saw her.

“That’s not how this works,” I murmur. “Not with her. When she’s hunted, she’ll know exactly who is stalking her. And she’ll want it.”

His jaw tightens again. He will deal with Genevieve. She did what we needed, but she’s a liability now. She will be transferred back to our California headquarters, effective immediately. Far enough to be out of sight. Out of our way.

“She was never supposed to be here,” I say again, quieter this time. “Genevieve forced it. But we’re here now. She’s safe.”

For tonight.