Page 116 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 11

Cailyn’s hand trembled. Her heart beat so quickly you’d think she’d just completed a marathon. If only she could take Tessa with her.

Closing her eyes, Cailyn tried to take deep breaths and calm herself. She couldn’t take everyone with her. Cailyn simply wished Haven Cove wasn’t the dangerous place she knew it to be.

She looked up when she felt Tessa’s small hands on her shoulder. A hesitant smile came to her lips as she turned to Tessa, putting a hand above hers.

Tessa’s eyes grew wide. “No freaking way!”

Cailyn snatched her hand back, hiding her engagement ring behind her other palm. She bit her lip, looking up at Tessa sheepishly.

“Why are you trying to hide that boulder on your finger? He proposed? When?”

Tessa’s eyes were still wide, and so was her smile.

Cailyn nodded. “This morning.”

Tessa squealed, tossing her arms around Cailyn in a tight hug. “I am so happy for you. Congrats, girl. When can we start looking at dresses, and venues, and cake makers, DJ’s, the whole shebang?”

A half-hearted giggle escaped Cailyn’s lips as she looked at her friend’s genuinely happy face. Tessa was beautiful, kind and loyal. She’d miss her more than anyone in her family.

That was a sad truth.

“Have a seat,” Cailyn said, motioning to the empty chair across from her at a red table in the back of Kittie’s Coffee.

Tessa raised a brow. “Uh-oh. I know that tone.” She sat down, smoothing her pink sweater dress. “What’s up? Cecilia give you shit about marrying Asher? If she did, I'd set her straight for you.”

Cailyn couldn’t help but smile as she looked Tessa in the eye.

Loyal to the end.

She knew that Tessa was dead serious. She didn’t care if Cecilia was her mother or not. Cailyn knew all of Tessa’s secrets as much as Tessa knew hers, and the girl could take care of herself.

“It’s not that, Tessa. I wish that were the only thing bothering me.”

Tessa picked up the mocha latte that Cailyn had ordered for her, hooking her thumb through the green ceramic mug. “Then what is it? I know something is wrong,” she said, sipping.

Cailyn sighed, folding her hands on the table before her. “Tessa, Asher and I have decided to leave Haven Cove.”

“Big surprise,” Tessa said, shrugging. She took another sip. “You’ve been saying this for years. When are you leaving?”

“Tonight.”

Tessa set her coffee mug down. For a moment, there was silence between the two as Tessa took off her glasses and wiped her eyes.

Cailyn felt tears sting her own eyes as she watched Tessa. She reached a hand out for Tessa’s, stroking her soft skin. “I’m sorry.”

Tessa shot her a pained look. “You’re keeping something from me. What is it?”

“I just need to leave. Haven Cove is not the place for me.”

“Why don’t you stop lying to my face?” Tessa pulled her hand back, tucking it under her arm as she folded her arms across her chest.

“What do you want me to say?”

“The truth,” Tessa hissed as she leaned across the table.

Cailyn sat back in her chair. She sighed as she took out her ponytail and shook her head. “Fine. I know my father has enemies, and I know that we aren’t safe from them now that he’s dead. I want Asher and me to start fresh, somewhere that no one knows me or my father. I want live somewhere where no one gives me dirty looks or whispers about me because they think I’m evil or cursed. I’m tired of fearing if someone is following me or out to kill me.” Cailyn wiped tears from her cheeks.

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