Page 29 of V for Vilified (Hunter V #4)

I Don’t Need You, But I Want You

C ash was oddly quiet, but I picked up on his anxiety. Or at least, that was what I’d identified it as after being around his emotions for nearly two weeks. He’d been unsettled since Aram showed up in frozen time, so I wasn’t sure if the boys being here were what bothered him or Aram.

Jo was her usual cool self. Nothing seemed to bother her after I’d successfully reversed time. It was nice how much confidence she had in my ability to take on a horde of enemies.

That made one of us.

The encounter with Aram had shaken me up in ways I didn’t want to admit. I could use my ability on him, sort of, but I definitely knew I’d never be able to hurt him. Worse, I didn’t want to.

A terrible part of me was frantic to see that evil bastard again.

The bond was affecting me, and I hated that while I understood it was wrong, that it was dangerous, something was driving me to want things I shouldn’t.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hold out against it.

Would I cave into our bond the same way I did to the Season?

The burning in my chest was back, but I ignored it as much as I could. I had two new motivations for getting the fuck out of this place and putting these villainous assholes in the ground.

I hadn’t gotten a chance to see if I could fast forward time, but my mind was one track. I couldn’t care about anything else until Phillip and Sloan were back by my side. I didn’t even care how messy our reunion was, I just wanted to see them.

Despite knowing Jo would tell me when we were close, my eyes danced around the area, hoping to see a glimpse of the beautiful and familiar. Every part of me was alert and ready and eager to have my guys back.

“Well, devil woman? Where are they? We haven’t got all day, and the less time we wander around this city, the better. Aram will no doubt be anxious for another moment with my dove.” Cash’s fingers slipped between mine, dragging me closer to him like he was afraid I’d wander off.

I tensed and toyed with whether or not to push him off. I didn’t want that to be the first thing Phillip saw when we were reunited. My fear of seeing his happiness turn to rage led me to tugging my hand away and crossing my arms.

Sadness bloomed inside my head that wasn’t mine, but Cash didn’t try to take my hand again. He simply brushed back his hair and locked his jaw in frustration.

Jo led the way to a nondescript building in the middle of town.

“I’m happy to let you do the work, asshole.

God knows you’ve been nothing but a fucking downer since Aram showed up,” Jo said, not bothering to glance back.

“I’ve tracked them to this building, but they have company.

I sense a number of others. Be ready for anything. ”

Scoffing, Cash walked ahead of her, his long cloak-coat fluttering out behind him.

He was really out here looking like the master villain he claimed he wasn’t anymore.

The road and its supernatural mixed bag of beings cleared the way in front of him like they feared what he might be inclined to do if they didn’t.

How they recognized him after all this time was anyone’s guess.

I kept pace with Jo and watched Cash pull out a stone from his little Mary Poppin’s baggy. It didn’t appear he was using it, but he kept it pinched between his fingers and ghosted across the cobblestone like he owned this damn city. Maybe he did. I wouldn’t put it past my Fae Karen.

Jo and I traded sassy smiles and eye rolls, but my heart was already ramped up at the thought that in a few minutes, I’d be seeing my guys again.

I’d get to wrap my arms around them and take in deep whiffs of their intimately familiar scents.

It took every bit of control not to take off at a run and head inside the building without any regard for what might wait for us on the other side of that door.

Worst case, I’d use my power again. I wasn’t some low-level Hunter anymore. I was a motherfucking monster.

We got inside without trouble, but scattered bodies everywhere we looked greeted us the second we entered. These were Fae I didn’t immediately recognize, but they were big, green, and ogre like. Trolls? No, maybe these were actually ogres.

I eyed the distinctive tusks coming out of their mouths and sent Jo a questioning look. She shrugged and scanned the room, on the hunt for any survivors. “Mean Greens, as we call them. Nasty bastards. Not an easy kill at all.”

“You guys really have a thing for colors,” I remarked casually, still taking it all in.

“And simple names, yes,” she said with a wink.

“Well, this girl is grateful. It’s hard to remember all the creatures in my world, let alone this one, and Mean Green just makes sense here. Red, too.” I laughed, noticing for the first time that Cash was gone.

I wasn’t given the chance to go looking for where my Southern belle had run off to. I was suddenly wrapped tightly inside someone’s arms, an incredibly inviting musk infiltrating my nose. The loud thunder of their excited heart made me smile as I wrapped my arms around them.

“Fuck, maus, please tell me I’m not dreaming.

You’re really here,” Phillip murmured, holding on tight.

If I weren’t a supernatural monster, he would’ve crushed me for sure.

“What the fuck do you think you were doing leaving us all behind, hmm? You better have a damn good excuse, lass, or you can expect a spanking worthy of my pain and suffering.”

I snickered into his chest and squeezed him in reply. “Oh, yeah. It’s definitely you. I missed you, asshole.”

His arms wrapped around me tighter, then his mouth was on mine in a kiss only Phillip could give. “There’s too much to say, mein Schatz.”

Phillip wasn’t his usually kempt self. It was more than a little odd to see him with a beard, but I didn’t give two shits how he’d shown up, only that he did.

His kiss hello was everything to me right now because it meant maybe we’d get through the next bit in one united piece. At least I hoped we did.

Touching his scruffy face, I gave him my best taunting smile. “Same, but maybe just kiss me for now?”

His lips twitched upwards, then he laid the passion on thick and heady until someone was forced to clear their throat. My eyes dashed over and Sloan was there waiting, arms outstretched, with Cash and Jo behind him.

Phillip released me and I ran straight into Sloan’s perfect embrace. He held me close, whispering sweet little nothings about how proud he was of me and how much he missed me—how he didn’t doubt for a moment I’d be out here kicking ass. My Brit never failed to be my biggest and strongest supporter.

He didn’t kiss me at first. Sloan always read the room. But I no longer cared. I went on my toes and kissed him like I couldn’t get enough. Like I never wanted to stop kissing him. I’d attach myself to him like a barnacle from here on out if that was what it took to keep him close.

Sloan brushed my hair back and pulled away. “I’m glad to see you doing well, love. It’s been hell without your…unique tea in the mornings to greet the day.”

“Hey, I don’t know how to make tea. I’m a coffee girl. You never told me it was weird to mix bags and put half-and-half into it instead of milk with a bit of sugar and chocolate,” I complained in between giggles. “It works for coffee…”

“Pretty sure that’s standard common sense, darling,” he teased and dropped a sweet peck on my forehead. “But I can’t have my tea any other way now. You’ve ruined me.”

“Sorry not sorry.” I pressed my cheek into his chest and gave him another tight hug, over the moon to be smelling his rich cologne again.

Finally, the rest of the room came into focus. Jealousy screamed across my bond with Cash, but another emotion as well. Relief? Happiness? Acceptance? It was tough to describe, but I knew without understanding how that he was just happy to see me happy. Unbelievably jealous, but still happy.

Our eyes met and he gave me that saucy smile of his. “I hate to cut this reunion short, but we should move along before someone comes looking for…all these sorry sods.”

“Someone?” Sloan asked, keeping close to my side with an arm wrapped around my waist.

Taking my other side, Phillip dropped an arm around my shoulders and playfully pretended to punch Sloan. “One, I’m guessing?”

Surprised, I jerked my head up to him. “You know about One?”

“Yeah, among other things. But he’s right. We should do this somewhere else,” Phillip said, glancing at Cash then Jo. “How’d you find us?”

Cash’s face twisted with insult. “You weren’t exactly covert in your search.

You’ve already made quite the name for yourself in the realm, and it’s going to make it especially difficult for my dove and her little human friend.

They’ll be interrogating any humans who could possibly be hybrids. Thanks for that. Cheers.”

Phillip gave my Fae Karen a death glare, but Jo was quick to interject, “Let’s get out of here. We’ll talk once we aren’t worried about who might overhear.”

I half-expected Cash to do something and give our bond away entirely, but he didn’t. He kept his distance despite the frustration I got in waves from him.

My emotions were all over the place when we all finally sat down together.

I wasn’t sure who to sit next to, but Phillip made that choice for me.

He captured me and sat me on his lap before I could stand around being extra V awkward.

Without realizing it, I searched for Cash and Jo in an instant, then Sloan.

No one seemed bothered, not even Cash. Maybe because Phillip had always been this way.

Still, I expelled a relieved sigh and settled on his lap.

Cash spoke first, as if knowing I was struggling to find a good place to start. “How were you able to use the portal—or perhaps I should ask, how were you able to find it?”