Page 3 of Hunted Innocence
“Why are you here?” she asks on a breath.
My lips twitch into a smirk. “You’re not out of my sight, baby.”
“Grayson,” she exhales.
Leaning down, I pick up my bag and walk toward the bedroom. I know there’s only one here that has a bed, and that’s where we’ll be sleeping—together. Stopping at the mouth of the hallway, I look over my shoulder at Nadine sitting on the sofa, her eyes focused on me.
“When I get back in here, we’re going to have story time.”
“Story time?” she asks.
Shaking my head once, I clear my throat. “You’re going to tell me everything I want to know—in detail.”
Chapter One
NADINE
It’s beenmonths since I was first locked up in this condo—months of these bare walls that surround me. Months of staring at the door and waiting for Grayson or Vaughn to waltz through, them being the only human interaction I’ve had.
It was relaxing at first, exciting even, if I’m being brutally honest. Especially when Grayson brought his bag over and placed it in the master bedroom the first night. That didn’t last, though. Once I told him just a tidbit of my background, he didn’t set foot in the master again.
Pushing all hopes about a future with Grayson behind me, I was able to kind of enjoy my time in the safe house. I’ve never been able to hide out before. I’ve always had to look over my shoulder, and I know that being here at this condo, there is no better place for me, even if at this point, I’m bored to tears.
I’m standing on the balcony looking down at the street, wondering how many seconds it would take for me to reach the sidewalk and if I would splatter into a million pieces. I feel notonly alone butlonely. I’ve been alone a lot in my life, starting from a young age, but I’ve never felt lonely like this.
It’s all-consuming.
Grayson made me think that we were going to be more. That we could have more when I was first brought here. He demanded that I tell him everything about my past, about Landon Tate.
And I did.
Then he didn’t want me anymore. In fact, he had a bed ordered for the guest room and slept there after the first night on the sofa. That’s how much hedoesn’twant me. He made it perfectly clear without having to say a word. He attempted to spare my feelings, except it did nothing of the sort, and I still stare at him with butterflies in my belly.
Knowing the intimate truths about someone’s past isn’t always the best thing if you’re attracted to them. Sometimes, I think people need to keep their own secrets. And now that I know the reaction to my secrets, I’ll be keeping them tucked inside for the rest of my life.
“You gonna jump?” a deep voice asks.
I recognize the voice instantly, but it’s not the one I want to hear. The one I want comes from a man who stands about six feet two, has arms like cannons, no tattoos, and a smile that melts panties when he turns it on. In all fairness, his scowl melts my panties, too, though.
“No,” I lie.
He snorts. “Liar. You thought about it.”
“I did,” I confess before I continue, not looking behind me but staring straight ahead. “He’s out there watching me, isn’t he?”
Vaughn hums. “He is.”
A chill slides down my spine at that thought, and not in a good way. Sometimes, I hate how honest these men are. I’veknown them for five years, and they’re unwavering. They are the exact same today as they were when I walked into that office all those years ago, my fake resume in hand.
They’re brutally honest, stoic, and intimidating. All six of them. None of that has waned, except a little of the intimidation part by a few of them. Granted, I haven’t had as much interaction with some of them as I have with Theron, Grayson, and now Vaughn.
“You’ll be bait,” he states.
Spinning around quickly, I tilt my head back slightly as I look up into his eyes. His dark gaze finds mine, his face expressionless as he watches me, waiting for my response. I don’t say a word, though, not while what he’s just said plays on repeat in my head.
Over and over.
Bait.Bait.Bait.
