Page 25 of The Hunted

13

Raven

I’m barely functioning as Knox speeds back to the estate. Music pours through the speakers and establishes our silence. I think he’s trying to give me some time to process this, but it’s all just too much, too fucking much. Every terrible scenario I can imagine my sister in occupies my thoughts.

Did she know her piece of shit fiancé betrayed her? Has she been raped, beaten, starved?

Likely all.

Is she even alive?

It’s that thought that brings tears forth again, and they last until we return to the manor.

All I want to do is disappear. Pretend none of this is happening and Scarlett is somewhere safe.

I let Knox wrap me in his arms and guide me back to his quarters. Once inside, he leads me into his bedroom and stops beside his bed. He stands in front of me, assessing me. My eyes dart up to his briefly before I drop them back to the floor. This moment is too intense, too personal.

I can’t believe I broke down like that in front of him.

I thought I was so much stronger than I am.

His fingers brush my cheek to swipe away a tear then he begins to strip off my clothes. I should resist him, make some move or say something to stop this. But I can’t even muster up a protest.

“I’m sorry you had to be there and see him. I didn’t think you would believe me otherwise.”

His voice is low, gentle almost, as he slides my shirt over my head. My arms fall uselessly, boneless back to my sides. I say nothing. I have no words to give to anyone. He’s right, though. I wouldn’t have believed him. I still find it hard to accept as the truth. I should feel guilt or something that I know he killed Ethan, but I don’t. Honestly, I hope he suffered.

What does that say about me?

Knox slips off my shoes and pants before sliding a t-shirt over my head. He pulls my arms through the sleeves for me, almost like he’s dressing a child. I feel like a child in this moment. Small and unable to help myself. His scent surrounds me, musky and manly, and I watch him pull back the covers on his bed. He picks me up in his arms, brushing a kiss to my temple before he lays me down on the soft mattress. He pulls the covers around me, tucking me in. I dare a look at him. His eyes are soft, sad almost. I can’t look away.

“I’ll find her, Little Bird. I will make it right for you and for her. Rest now.”

He turns and leaves, closing the door behind him.

My mind won’t shut off.

Where is Scarlett? How will I find her?

I’ve already committed myself to a year in this sex den to get a lead. I know I’ve been fortunate in evading most of what I’m supposed to be here for, but I’ll go to whatever extremes I have to for her. If that means working with and fucking Knox for his help then that is what I will do. I’m not sure of his motivation, but I’ll do anything to secure her return. She’s out there somewhere, alive I hope. Probably terrified. God, what if she is being raped? Are they caring for her basic needs? Is she safe? The worry consumes me until I fall into fitful, nightmare-filled sleep.

I awake groggy and depressed. My eyes burn, and my head throbs but my heart, my heart hurts the most. I walk out of the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen for a drink. Knox stands on the balcony with his phone to his ear. I sip my water, and Knox comes in. He sidles up behind me and pulls my back to his chest, leaning in to place a kiss to my neck.

“I have a lead on your sister,” he says as he turns me to face him.

“Tell me. What is it? How, how did you find it?” I wrap my arms around his neck, lifting up onto the tips of my toes to kiss his lips. The action is strangely comforting to me.

“I don’t want to give you false hope. Once I can confirm, we’ll move forward.”

“We?” I ask. “You’ll help me find her?”

Why is he willing to help me?

I definitely won’t turn his help down. He’s obviously doing a hell of a lot better job than I have been.

“Yes, baby. I’ll find her.”

I sink into his embrace and try for the first time in months to breathe.

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