Page 63 of The Hunted
Idropped down on one of two twin beds in a modest room that reminded me of a studio apartment. In addition to the beds, the room was designed with a small kitchen nook, two dressers, two nightstands, two cushioned chairs near the beds, a high bistro table with barstools, and a closet tucked in the corner off the kitchen nook.
I sighed, feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off my chest when in fact nothing had been resolved. “Where’s Rianne? Has she woken up yet?” She’d been sleepy when I’d left her in the infirmary.
Harley tapped out a quick text. Then her phone pinged. “A guard is escorting her down here. I’ve asked them to stop at the cafeteria and get some food for both of you.” She stuck her strawberry-blond head in the closet then pulled out sheets and blankets.
I clutched my stomach as it screamed for food. “So, tell me about Webb.” When I’d been talking to Harley in the lobby while Sam had been with his father, Harley had mentioned she worked for the commander of the SEAL team. “He’s scary to me.”
She giggled, light and airy. “Webb London is one of the most respected and revered vampires in the military other than Steven Mason. He’s also Jo’s husband. And he’ll murder anyone who dares to threaten his family.”
My dad would have done the same, and he had done it many times when vampires stirred up trouble as they passed through our sleepy ranch town in Montana.
She set the bedding down on the mattress next to me. “You’ll need these.”
I yawned. The adrenaline was slowly seeping from my veins. “I’m not staying the night.” Blizzard or not, Rianne and I should leave, even if we had to stay in a hotel. The idea of sleeping among vampires caused a chill to creep down my spine. Besides, if the vampire Navy SEALs were as good as Wyman had said, they could find Jordyn in a matter of hours.
She smoothed a hand down her pencil skirt. “It’s best if you do. You’re well protected here until the team can figure out what their next move is and get Jordyn back. The fridge is stocked with beverages. The bathroom is down the hall. I’ll drum up some clothes for you and Rianne. You both seem to be similar sizes, yes?”
We were about the same height at five-eight. Jordyn was the short one who took after our mom at five-four.
I nodded. “I appreciate you helping us, but I would rather wear my own clothes.”
“I’ll check with Webb and see if we can send someone over to your house to collect your things.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “You sound like I might be living here.” That was not happening.
“I’ve learned a long time ago to prepare for the long haul. It’s snowing, it could take a while for the team to locate Roman, and you should relax.”
The latter would be a monumental task while knowing Jordyn was in the clutches of animals, but I was tired. “This shit with Roman should be over within twenty-four hours.” At least I kept telling myself that.
“Maybe,” she said. “Settle in. I’ll check on Rianne.” Her black flats clicked along the wood floor as she started to leave.
“Harley, how much do you know about Abbey’s visions? I mean, do they come true?” I hadn’t forgotten about Abbey. How could I? She was the star of Roman’s twisted plan, whatever that might be.
She backtracked and gave me a sad smile.
My heart dipped. “So, they do come true?”
She rubbed her hands together as if trying to warm them up. “I can only go by what I’ve heard, which is that she’s usually correct. But don’t listen to me. I’m just Webb’s administrative assistant.”
Dr. Vieira had tried to sugarcoat Abbey’s vision, and Sam had tried to brush it off the first time I asked as if it was no big deal. But he’d been more truthful when I asked him the second time.
“Abbey says that Rianne will kill me.”
Harley’s pink lips parted as she sat down in the cushioned chair next to my bed. “Oh.” She straightened her spine. “For what it's worth, and I don’t know how true this is, I’ve heard Abbey has been struggling with what she sees in the future.”
That piece of information did nothing to erase the trepidation coursing through my veins. I blew out a breath as a cold shiver danced down my spine. I needed to change the subject. If I kept worrying about that, then with my luck, my own mind would manifest my sister killing me. “You don’t come off as a vampire. The ones I’ve known have been cold and calculating, much like Roman.”
She reached over and placed a hand on my knee, which was bouncing to the beat of my heart, fast and furious. “There are many of our kind who are nice, sweet, and normal. But I get what you mean. Look, I’m here for you.”
I inhaled deeply. “Thank you.”
The more I was around Harley, the more I felt a connection to her. I’d never had a bestie in high school. It had been hard to latch on to a whole best-friend relationship, given that my family held secrets mere humans would piss their pants over.
I could see Harley and me as besties. On top of that, I was desperate for someone other than my sisters to talk to, someone who was unbiased and could give me advice.
“I promise you, you’re in good hands with the SEAL team. As much as Sam can be quite overpowering, he’s got a huge heart. He loves hard, and if I were in battle, I would want him to have my back.”
“You sound like you have a thing for him.” A pang of jealousy came out of nowhere.
