Honorable Rogue by Linda J. Parisi

Author:Linda J. Parisi [Parisi, Linda J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64898-075-6
Publisher: City Owl Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

“Why did you do that?”

Sam. Hunter decided not to look up from his desk. “I don’t recall hearing you knock.”

“Says the man who craves respect yet gives none,” she retorted, obviously annoyed with him.

Hunter dropped the papers he’d been staring at yet trying to read so unsuccessfully. “You know why.” When Sam didn’t answer, he sighed and looked up. “Because it had to be done.”

Her face scrunched up. “Why? Explain,” she commanded.

He answered in earnest. “Vampires and humans should never mix. Anonymity has been our way and should continue to be our way.”

Staring at him with disgust, Sam sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Liar. You’re not talking about anonymity, and you know it.” She cocked her head, her accusation ringing in his ears. “For someone who knows every nuance of suffering injustice, every possible slight from prejudice, you’re a complete and total ass.”

Hunter rose. “I don’t recall inviting you into my office either,” he answered, his tone cold and clipped.

“Fine,” she said, pulling no punches. “One way to keep me out would be to treat me just the way you did Tori.”

“I’m not wrong,” he insisted. I’m not wrong.

She shook her head at him as if he were a child. “Besides being consummately stupid, I never thought you could ever be that cruel.”

Hunter, his emotions simmering because he hadn’t really liked what he’d done either, let them boil over. “It had to be done!” he shouted.

“Coward!” Sam shouted back, drawing up out of her chair to her regal height.

He couldn’t believe she was treating him this way. “I serve no one anymore.”

“That you had to say those words scares me, Hunter. I’d like to believe we’ve been friends all these years as well as compatriots in a common cause.”

Apologetic, he answered, “We are when you don’t go all high priestess on me.”

She smiled, having reached the place she’d been leading him. “Didn’t you do exactly the same just now with Tori?”

Had he?

“For the record, I hate when you use your psychology on me,” he groused. She didn’t answer. Her smile simply deepened. “All right,” he sighed, knowing he’d never get any peace until he asked the question. “What exactly am I afraid of?”

“Caring. Feeling. Commitment. All of the above.”

Hunter stilled, hearing a word inside his head he thought long dead. One he never thought Sam would shout at him. “Go ahead. Say it.”

“Love.”

He digested the word. Yes, it was true. He was afraid. Feeling made you—

“No, Hunter,” Sam answered in a gentle tone. “Feeling doesn’t make you weak.”

“Feeling makes you vulnerable,” he retorted. “And in this case, that’s downright dangerous.”

“For whom?” she asked. “I’ve lived way longer than you, Hunter. So know this. Love doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong.”

They could debate this point all night long and not get anywhere. “Casperian would like nothing better than to find out I care about her. He’ll hurt, maim, and torture her to get at me. Some things simply should never be. I’m doing this to protect her.

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