Page 101 of Fated to the Hunters
“I don’t want to waste any of them, but we might need to take them apart there,” Ezra said, looking over their Hunters’ Guide.
“Sell what we can in the area before heading home,” Vince suggested.
“Do you know anyone up north?” Mateo asked Ezra.
Ezra’s eyes lifted, flickering to Scarlett who eyed him curiously. “I might. There’s what we call a ‘magic village’ maybe a day’s drive away.”
Scarlett’s face lit up. “Witches?”
“Yeah, but mostly old dried out blood.”
“Oh, so nothing like the pure gold that flows through your veins,” she teased, bringing a grin to his face.
“Precisely, princess.”
“Will I meet your ex-girlfriends?”
“We might have to put a stop to our training,” Mateo chuckled rather to himself than the others.
“Will you scratch their eyes out and let me watch?” Ezra asked, his eyes narrowing as he leaned closer.
“I have a feeling that’s what you’ll want me to do.”
“I’m yours, aren’t I?”
“You are, but I’m also your princess and everyone knows princesses don’t get their hands dirty.”
Mateo and Vince simply stood by, grinning and watching the conversation like the latest TV drama. Ezra had clearly met his match, and Mateo loved seeing them both like this.
“What a shame.” Ezra leaned back again and focused on the words on the page. “I’m sure they’ll buy anything we offer.”
Mateo nodded. “Good. So, we’ll sell what we can up there and bring a full body or two back here.”
“Then we should ride with three trucks,” Vince suggested.
“Legal plates on Scarlett’s both ways.”
Ezra and Vince both agreed and even though Scarlett must have had questions, she didn’t ask. As if it were an old habit, she disappeared after a while. It was probably what she’d been taught over her lifetime: leave the room while the men were working.
Once they had everything set, they ventured to their separate bedrooms and began to pack. This was their biggest hunt yet. At least, it felt that way. There was a lot at stake, now more than ever with Scarlett in the picture. Mateo retreated into the office, making sure bills were paid up for at least three months while also making sure Scarlett had access to all their accounts in case anything would happen to them.
Mateo worked for hours, only looking up when there was a soft knock in the doorframe. “Did you have anything planned fordinner?” Scarlett asked. “I was going to cook for us while you guys do your thing.”
Mateo’s first thought was to argue—it was his job to take care of her. But then he remembered how important it was to her to earn her keep. “There are potatoes that need to be used. I hadn’t planned more than that.”
Scarlett nodded. “Okay.” And then she was out of sight again.
He finished up, then followed her to the kitchen where he found Scarlett all alone. He hugged her from behind as she cut the potatoes into thin slices. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad I can help.”
Running his nose over her neck, he pushed his fingers under her shirt and flattened his palms against her stomach. “You can be part of the planning. I know we kind of left you out of it, but we just fell into our routine. If any of this is not to your liking, you can tell us. Wewantyou to tell us.”
“I know, but I have no idea what is going on anyway. I trust you.”
“That means a lot to us.”
“I know you’ll be very busy and active, but would it be possible if we all went for a hike while we’re out there?” Scarlett shook her head and chuckled to herself. “I mean, it’ll be a slow walk for me since I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you guys.”
