Hunter (The Hunted Shifters Legacy Book 1) by J. S. Striker

Author:J. S. Striker [Striker, J. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“His name is Max, and he’s only ten years old. In most countries, that would be considered slavery.”

Two heads swiveled in her direction, and she wished she could say it didn’t make her feel like quivering on the spot. But Celine straightened her shoulders and faced them squarely, not about to be cowered.

At least, not visibly.

“And in this mansion, eavesdropping would be a good enough reason for death.”

The words were cold, just as callous as Leila’s earlier comments about Max. Anger and nerves warred inside Celine and it had her narrowing her eyes.

A hand cruised up her arm, squeezing in warning.

“I’m sorry, but is that how you solve everything around here? By using and eliminating people?” she countered. Her body vibrated with the need to let it out, and she turned from Leila to Edmund. Unlike Leila, he was calm and unreadable. She wondered if that was more dangerous. “Lord Edmund, we’ve had a deal, haven’t we? I expect you to be the kind of man to stay true to a deal.”

Silence. The risk hung in the air, thickening the tension until it was practically choking her. Belatedly, she realized Edmund’s hand was also on Leila’s elbow.

And the woman was close to leaping.

“Miss Peach,” Edmund finally spoke, “what a surprise to find you eavesdropping, indeed. I hope this doesn’t become a habit.”

“It won’t be, and it wasn’t intentional,” Hunter stated in quiet defense.

Silence.

“Alright.” Edmund sighed. “And to answer your question, Miss Peach, then yes. I’m planning to honor our deal. But you have to admit my sister has a point.”

“And what’s her point?” Celine countered.

“That you’re just taking up space—”

“That maybe we do need more information than we currently have, and the shifter clan that recruited the boy—Max—might have that. Or might have connections.” Edmund smiled at Celine, even while his hand squeezed Leila. His sister scowled but made no side comments.

“But using him as bait?”

“It was just an initial…suggestion. Unless you have another.”

She didn’t—and as Celine opened her mind and let the anger out, she knew they had a point. They couldn’t keep hiding forever. But on the other hand…

Using Max, a freaking kid, made her feel sick to her stomach.

“Let’s say you do use him to lure those shifters in,” she began, eyeing Edmund. Eyeing Leila, too, even though the eye contact was hard. “What will happen when other clans trail after him, like they did to us? He’s a kid, and he’ll be terrified. They’re too strong for him, and he may die…”

Before she could finish her thoughts, Hunter stepped forward. He searched her gaze, must’ve found what he needed because he was already nodding at Edmund.

“Let me be with him, boss.”

Edmund raised a brow. “We haven’t even decided yet.”

Hunter shrugged. “You’re obviously already headed there. I might as well take a shot and say I’ll be accompanying Max the whole way.”

It stunned Celine into keeping quiet—and to her amazement, the other two didn’t seem opposed to it. Despite needing to keep her guard against the siblings, she risked a glance at Hunter, watching the determination on the set of his jaw.

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