Page 159 of Corpse Roads

Dragging me into a quiet corner, Hunter yanks his hair tie out with a growl. Chestnut waves spill over his shoulders, and he takes a shuddering breath. If I didn’t know him better, I’d say he’s nervous.

“What if someone else is dead in there?”

I swallow hard. “We’d be leading Harlow into a bloodbath.”

“Whitcomb’s skeleton is a problem,” Hunter worries. “This place could be the Grim fucking Reaper’s lair. Not to mention the perps themselves.”

“It’s a huge risk.”

His gaze is bleak. “We have no choice but to take it. If there’s even a single hint of danger, I want you to grab her and get the fuck out of there. Don’t worry about the rest of us.”

“We have a safe house in Newcastle. That’ll be our designated rendezvous if it all goes up shit’s creek.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Hunter agreeing to this plan wouldn’t have happened three months ago. Whether he realises it or not, Harlow’s changed him. He never gives people the freedom to make their own decisions.

In our world, control and power come from the top. He’s our commander-in-chief; we all follow his direction or suffer the consequences. That’s exactly what’s kept us alive for so long.

“Harlow’s in therapy with Richards upstairs,” he says, grabbing his phone from the table. “I’ll speak to her.”

“She’ll need to meet everyone.” I glance at the Cobra team, bantering amongst themselves. “They made it through, Hunt. It’s possible. We can do the same for Harlow.”

“I hope you’re right. I’m not ready to lose her.”

“Did you figure that out while your tongue was down her throat? Or after you took advantage of her on that damned trip?”

Hunter freezes on the spot.

“Yeah, I know all about that.”

“She’s a grown adult,” he replies quietly. “It was fully consensual. I did not take advantage of her in any way.”

“You’d just torn apart the basis of her whole existence, then took her to bed to make it all better. That’s taking advantage in my books.”

“Careful,” he warns.

“How about your scoundrel brother? He’s been fooling around with her too behind our backs.”

Dragging me further out of earshot, Hunter curses up a storm. “All three of us, huh? I guess we should’ve seen that coming.”

“She’s admitted to having feelings for us all.”

“Goddammit. I’m not looking to share Harlow with either of you stubborn assholes. We tried it before, and it didn’t work.”

My hands twitch with the urge to punch Hunter so hard, he regains his fucking hearing.

“Our relationship with Alyssa was not a failure,” I whisper harshly. “How could you say that about what we had?”

His eyes stab into me. “Wasn’t it? She’s dead, and it’s our fault. That's a failure in my eyes. Harlow deserves a hell of a lot better.”

Before I can argue back, he storms off to head upstairs. There’s no point following him or attempting to argue more. If he thinks I’m going to give up Harlow for him, he’s sorely mistaken.

I know we’re a broken family of hot-headed, unworthy idiots, and Harlow deserves to be with someone capable of loving her in a healthy, normal way, but that doesn’t change how I feel.

I’m falling for her.

And I’ll die to keep her safe.

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