Hunters and Secrets: Will their secrets keep them safe? by Amanda Cashure

Author:Amanda Cashure [Cashure, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

I was chasing my dreams but

tripped on reality and

smacked my head on the truth.

Life

The lump of racing anticipation in my chest begins to sink into dread and disappointment.

Leaning against the big barn door is Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome himself.

I’m busted. Is it bad that a giddy excitement races through me, drowning out my grip on being serious and tempting me back toward the rum?

I feel like that’s bad.

Hunter, run, Lii orders.

No, stay. You haven’t heard what I have to say.

“Is this her?” a second voice asks, drawing my attention to a man sitting in the back of the cart.

He has one leg hanging over the edge, the other bent and supporting his elbow as he leans back against the cart’s side and appraises me. He’s in a black long sleeve linen-type shirt. Not ripped or torn or damaged by too little care – which stands out in comparison to most of what was being worn inside the inn. Or maybe I’m just weird and notice the condition of people’s clothing more than I should.

Mary dashes for the exit – clearly not caring about his shirt.

“Freeze,” Leon commands, his gaze still leveled on me, but he points at Mary. “I won’t raise the alarm, a reward for a well-executed escape.”

“Don’t tell me we’re the first to climb out of those little windows?” I ask, walking towards the stalls. I’m feeling bold; actually, I’m damn-near feeling giddy, which puts a slightly drunken smile on my face.

If I had to wager, I’d say he means the compliment. Which I can play on, keeping him relaxed and off guard, not sure about this new guy though. He’s not one of the slave traders; those tight black curls are shiny, bouncy, and far too pretty for a trader.

“I don’t see anything special about her,” he says.

I ignore him – or at least I try to because there are more important things to do. “Mary, come here, quick, get these horses,” I order.

She jumps, leveling her scared gaze on the men as she slips in behind me.

“She’s fiery,” the new guy says.

“She’s drunk,” Leon says, watching me, smiling ever so slightly, and looking wicked – like he has something planned. “There’s a word for people who get buzzed off two drinks.”

“There is?” the other guy asks.

But I talk straight over the top of him. “It was three or four, and you’re mistaking my winning attitude for the whores you usually spend your nights with.”

The new guy snorts, damn near falling out of the cart as I yank open the nearest stall door and secure the lead to the horse’s halter. It’s not as good as a bridle, and it won’t offer them much control. If they have no way of controlling the horses, they’re likely to end up back here in chains so I scan over the stall for a bridle.

“Here, does this help?” Leon asks, lighting the lantern by the door with a wave of his hand.

A wave of his hand!

I jump and swallow hard but still manage to keep my wits about me.

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