Page 4 of The Hunted

“You look like you are about to murder someone. You can’t kill someone down here. You hearing me?”

Yeah, I fucking heard him but I was finding it hard to give a fuck as I watched that fucker Ratliff, rubbing Raven’s back. I wanted to break all his fucking bones, heal them and break them again. Red hot rage took over my body.

“I don’t know what the fuck is up but you need to go walk it off.”

I looked at Ace then.

“Walk it off? Are you god damn serious? Walk it the fuck off?

“Yes. Go. Whatever the hell is wrong, take it out of here.”

I looked back and Ratliff had his arm draped around her shoulders. I scrubbed my hands down my face trying to rid my mind of that image.

Fuck!

“You send that girl to her fucking room right now. Right. Fucking. Now.”

I pointed at Raven tucked into Ratliff’s side. Ace followed to where I was pointing. His face scrunched like he didn’t see that sleazy fucker putting moves all over her. My head begins to throb as I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth hurt.

“I don’t see her doing anything wrong, Knox.”

I rolled my neck; the muscles had begun to knot.

“Send her to her fucking room or I will fucking kill that man.”

“Do you want to fuck her or something?”

I tensed. Shit. I liked to look at her and jack off while I watched her live her life here, oblivious to my very existence.

“The fuck? Do you like her?”

He smiled that fucking toothy white smile of his and I wanted to throttle his ass.

“Send her to her fucking room. I want her pulled out of circulation. No one fucking touches her.”

I turned and stormed out as Ace’s laughter echoed behind me.

What the fuck am I doing? This woman is getting under my damn skin. I need to fuck her out of my system. I fucking want her for myself.

* * *

When she was drawnfor the Hunt tonight, I knew this was my chance to take her as I’ve wanted, without pretense. So, I showed up to claim my prize, and move on with my damn life. Now, I sit here, staring, waiting for my little bird to fly into my trap.

A flash of her white dress passes through the open spaces between the trunks of the trees, the glow of the moon dancing on the strands of her silky black hair. She may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. If I were a better man, I wouldn’t pursue her. My life isn’t something any woman should be tangled in, but I find I can’t resist her pull. She’s captivated me with her innocence. Something never seen in my world. Sadly, for her, that’s not a good thing.

I silently track her through the trees, back in the direction of the manor now. She’s fast, but she’s no match for me. I know this property better than anyone. I quietly stalk her as she unknowingly runs right toward me. No fucking way these assholes are going to lay a finger on her. I stalk through the tall grass toward my prize. What fun is Hunting if you don’t toy with your Prey?

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