Page 54 of The Hunted

I have your love. No time to waste. Won’t you join us, post haste? I’ll give your Bird wings and see if she can fly. You must Hunt her in the garden or she will die. The hour is upon you, so hurry fast. Any delays and she won’t last. Come to her bare of guns. It is time for Father and Son to have some fun.

The cold, damp earth thuds under my knees before I even realize I’ve fallen to the ground. The note and picture scatter to the ground, stirring up dust in their wake. I can’t do this again. I can’t lose her, too. The sick fucker has no intent to let her live. None. There’s only one way my Little Bird comes out of this alive. I’ll do what’s necessary to end this. I will save her. I have to believe that. Tears burn my eyes as anger boils my blood.

“Ace, get Scarlett out of here.” I try to choke down the quiver of nerves clutching my voice.

“I’ll take her to my room and come back to help you.”

“No, Ace. Take her and leave the grounds. Make sure she gets checked, cleaned up, and that she’s safe. Raven would want that.”

“Knox I…” He walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder.

“Just take Scarlett and go. Please, Ace. I’ll handle this.”

Ace stands with his hand on my shoulder, his grip tightening, but my tone left no room to argue.

“You got it, Knox.” I lift my head to see him nod his agreement before he walks the short distance to help Scarlett up. He whispers to her and wraps his arm around her as they head to the door.

Stopping short, Scarlett turns to me.

“Knox, you do whatever you have to. Make sure my sister is safe.”

I turn my attention to Scarlett and stand as they head out the door.

“I’d burn down the fucking world for her.”

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