Page 35 of The Prey
She hadn’t pulled away from Hanan.
They’d probably been fucking since the day after Jason had left this hellhole behind.
He’d gotten out of town after the charges had been dropped that night. It had cost him most of his damned savings, but he’d made it happen. Hewasn’tgoing to go to prison because of that bitch. Then, or now.
The statute of limitations on simple assault in Texas—he’d need to look that up again. He couldn’t quite remember. It might have been too long now for her to come after him. Two years. It had been two years and four months.
But the bitch had lost consciousness beneath his hands. He’d never forgotten how she’d looked when he’d been choking her for telling him no.
She’d gone limp. Her eyes had rolled back.
He hadn’t forgotten how good it had felt.
But he could have killed her, even if that hadn’t been his real intention then.
That complicated things. Moved it from simple assault to attempted murder. And attempted murder never expired.
Jason could be seriously fucked.
He needed to think of something, and fast. Something that would make Hanan stay out of his fucking business forever.
25
Every thoughtshe’d had about this strangethingbetween her and Hudson had been put on temporary hold. Her family’s needs had to come first. Especially after what had happened in the week since the fundraiser. Now, it was Gunn and Ayla who had faced darkness. They’d barely survived. Gia was still shaking from the news. She’d been at the office, almost ready to leave when word had come from Guthrie what had happened to Gunn.
She had dropped everything and drivenhome.To wait.
She’d just waited, for hours with her family, until Gunn and Ayla had finally made it home late the night before, bruised and battered.
Hudson had called. For her opinion on a file—or so he said. But she was ninety-nine percent certain he’d just been checking on her after everything that had happened to her family. She’d spent most of the day at home, watching over her brother and Ayla. They were all taking turns making sure those two were doing okay now.
Ayla had had nightmares—Gia had heard her in the night. She’d sat by the younger woman’s bed, just reminding her that she wasn’t alone. She’d been in there until around three a.m.when Aubrey had come in to check on her sister, and had relieved Gia.
Gia hadn’t missed her paternal great-grandmother’s ring on Ayla’s finger. Apparently, Gunn wasn’twaiting.
Hermaternalgreat-grandmother’s ring was on Ayla’s sister’s finger now. Guthrie was getting down to business, too. Her brothers—she loved them so much, and was so proud of who they were. And they had chosen women who were just as wonderful.
Gia was happy for her brothers—she just wished they and the women they loved hadn’t had to go through so muchpainto get to where they were now.
She was still in the kitchen when Grady came in. It was early now. Not even five yet. Her brothers tended to get up around six to run the ranch—except Guthrie who was up and down at all hours, considering. Gia looked at this brother of hers. He was so beautiful—and had one of the kindest hearts of anyone she had ever met. Just like his clone. “Good morning. I’ve made coffee.”
After she and Aubrey had finished talking, Gia hadn’t been able to sleep at all.
“You good? It’s early for you.”
“I sat with Ayla for a while. She had nightmares. But she’s determined. Said she’s going to go swimming tomorrow. I suspect Gunn’s going to be figuring out how to put an indoor pool in somewhere by next weekend.” Her brother was so in love. It was sweet to see.
“Yeah. I’m sure we can figure something out. Plenty of buildings on the property. Do you figure they’ll keep living here after they…marry?”
“Maybe.” She’d like that. Gialovedhaving her family around now. “She didn’t say. I think he just gave her the ring before they fell asleep.”
“Gene didn’t move out.”
He hadn’t. Gene’s ex-wife had really just wanted to live at the ranch—Gia had never thought that womantrulyloved her brother. Not at all. They had only been married a short while before she had taken off, leaving Gene with the baby. Chantal wasgoing to be so much better for Gene and Calvin. And Gia was thrilled that her closest friend on the planet was now going to be her sister-in-law. “Chantal is going to move in here. Plenty of room for Ayla, too.”
“Even when they have kids. You think they will?”
“Probably. If they can. They’ll be beautiful babies.” Gia smiled at her brother. “I can’t wait. I’m going to be Auntie Gia and spoil them rotten. Just like I do George’s and Calvin.”
