Page 38 of Theirs to Hunt (Girls Like Us #1)

Chapter thirty-eight

R ae thinks she’s subtle, but her tells are obvious. The toss of her hair. The way she orders tequila when she usually sips wine. The outfit that dares come closer and risk it.

Tonight isn’t about fun. It’s about fury. And I’m all in.

The club is humid, sweat and lights and too many bodies crushed together. But I thrive in chaos. I throw myself into the crowd with Rae hot on my heels, dancing like it’s my job, burning off questions I’m not ready to ask.

About Rae.

Or the man I can feel watching me, making it harder not to think about him.

He’s here.

I feel him before I see him. A thread of heat pulls tight along the back of my neck, drawing my attention to the upper level. And sure enough, there he is. Standing like he carved himself from the dark. Eyes locked on me.

Anonymous .

He hasn’t given me his real name. He showed up about a month ago and inserted himself into my life. No idea what he does, only that he appears when least expected. Always when needed.

Supplies for Rae. A ride for the guy I stitched up behind my building. I could have lost my license for that. But I couldn’t look at someone bleeding out and not help, even if he had made all the wrong choices.

And him? The way he looks at me, like I am a mystery he intends to solve, it short-circuits every defense I have. He always knows what I need before I even say it.

I try not to think too hard about how. Or why.

He just shows up. And for now, maybe that’s enough.

He doesn’t hide. Doesn’t flinch when I finally meet his gaze. Only watches. Unreadable. Almost respectful. Almost.

I break eye contact first. Because if I don’t, I’ll go to him.

And I can’t. Not yet.

Not until I know if he’s here to guard or devour.

Rae leans in, her breath hot in my ear. “Friend of yours?”

I don’t answer. Not because I don’t want to. Because I’m not sure.

But I can feel it in my chest.

Whatever this is, it’s just getting started.