Hunting Her

Chapter 30

When I woke up, my head felt heavy . I slowly opened my eyes and found Hunter sat at the end of my bed. At first, I didn't want to move, I didn't breathe too loudly out of fear of waking him up. Had he stayed all night? 

I moved my leg slightly and he jolted awake. I shut my eyes quickly, pretending to be asleep. I felt him staring at me and I opened my eyes slightly to see what he was doing. He looked exhausted, his eyes shadowed with sleep as he scanned my face. He took a few more moments, before being convinced that he could leave. 

He crept slowly off the bed and out of the room, ensuring the door closed quietly behind him. I stared at the door as the whole scene replayed in my head. I wondered whether this was the Hunter that Cam had told me about, the Hunter that cared and kept him together. 

I pushed all thoughts of Hunter out of my head and changed to go the gym. I had time to figure it all out later. To figure out whether I hated or liked the man. 

I spent the whole day, avoiding everyone, training, and getting into a headspace that was ready for this mission. When it got to 6pm, I started to get ready. I stared into the bathroom mirror, a spread of clothes I hoped to never wear spread across the floor and various makeup products I'd requested spread around the sink. I stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection. The dress I had chosen hugged my curves perfectly, a slinky black number that was just the look I needed for tonight's mission.

My fingers worked quickly, smoothing down the fabric and adjusting the hem. I turned slightly, checking every angle, making sure nothing was out of place. I applied a smoky eyeshadow, the dark colours making my green eyes pop, and lined them with a precise stroke of eyeliner. Mascara followed, lengthening my lashes until they brushed against my brow bone. Each item was selected for the exact purpose of being unforgettable and irresistible. A thorn in Dominic's side.

I slipped into my stilettos, the height giving me an added boost of confidence, and grabbed my clutch, checking to ensure it held everything I might need: a compact mirror, lipstick for touch-ups, my burner phone, and a few other essentials for the mission. I took a final look in the mirror, rehearsing the plan in my head. Pretend you're drunk, be a wild party girl, draw attention, seduce and announce my presence to all that could see. 

I walked out the front door, joining the boys where they had gathered. They all turned to look at me at the same time. 

"How the fuck-" Hercules started, bringing his hand to his mouth as he bite his knuckle. I rolled my eyes at him and watched as Cam smacked his head. "You aren't real." He uttered to himself. 

"The outfit is that good huh?" I smiled, a feline smile filled with every ounce of charm I could manage. Practice. 

Hercules choked, coughing loudly as Cam laughed loudly. Aaron oblivious to it all, stumbled over and handed me an earpiece. "So you know what's going on." 

I nodded and slipped it into my head, ensuring to pull my hair over it. Cam had began to drag Hercules into the front of the van, much to his dismay. Leaving Hunter, Aaron and I standing there. Until, Aaron jumped into the back of the van, completely absorbed in his handful of devices. 

I glanced at Hunter. He was wearing an outfit that showed off his physique, but one that told me he didn't really go clubbing. "Hercules said it was fine." He muttered, clearly noticing my judgement. 

I smiled as I watched strands of his brown hair fall across his face, his hands moving to his pockets. "It is fine. You looked good." I said carefully stepping around him. 

"Shut up." He scowled as I smiled harder. Not looking back as I entered the van. 

We drove mostly in silence. My smile grew the longer we drove as I got sight of Hunter glancing at my legs, and my face and my body, despite trying to be discrete. I couldn't stop the satisfaction. 

But eventually, the van pulled to a stop and the backdoors opened. Hercules gave me a grin and Cam placed his own earpiece in. 

"We'll all enter first, at different times. You wait here." Cam instructed. 

Hunter got out of the van and dusted off his clothes. "Enter around 11. In the meantime stay with Aaron and keep an eye out." 

Aaron gave me a gentle smile, pulling out his laptop. I nodded at them. "Yes Sir." I teased as the van doors were slammed closed, leaving Aaron and I behind. 

"You look nice." Aaron mumbled nervously as soon as we were alone. His eyes were glued to his computer screen. 

"Thank you, Aaron." I stretched out my legs, preparing to get comfortable for the next hour or so. "I don't think nice is the adjective I was going for though." 

Aaron's cheeks as red as his hair, which was highlighted by the computer and I smiled at the sight. He cleared his throat. "Are you ready for tonight?" He asked, evidently changing the topic. 

"I am." I answered bluntly, truly believing that to be the case despite the rough night I had. He tapped away on his computer and the van fell into silence. 

"I heard you last night." He said breaking the quiet. I felt my body tense unwillingly. "You sounded terrified." 

I took a deep breath in. "I suppose I was."

Aaron looked up from his screen then. "What were you dreaming about?" 

"Dominic. He's captured me." I said quietly, not knowing why I was admitting to such things. Aaron just seemed so innocent, like someone I could see myself telling all my deepest secrets to. 

Aaron nodded in understanding. "I used to get really bad nightmares after my brother died." 

"What happened to him?" I asked carefully, as Aaron swallowed a lump in his throat. 

"Our family got into a lot of financial trouble, my dad gambled a lot and my mum didn't seem to care to stop him. So my older brother stepped up, his friend told him a way to earn a lot of money and quickly and he didn't think twice." Aaron's blue eyes glassed over and my heart broke. "He got into some bad things and Dominic ended up killing him." His voice broke as he whispered the last sentence. "He was everything to me. He raised me and then suddenly he was gone." 

I blinked rapidly, hoping to avoid ruining my makeup. "Dominic killed my brother too." 

"Archie, right?" Aaron asked, clearly having paid very close attention to the news. 

I nodded. "He was barely into his teens when he was killed." I blinked again. "We were really close, did everything together. He was so kind, and smart and funny, everything I am not. He deserved to live a good life-a long life." 

"My brother was called Danny." Aaron said, shuffling closer to me. "And I miss him every day." 

"You remind me of my brother." I said, finally facing the truth that I was avoiding every time I looked at Aaron. Every time I stayed up late watching films with Aaron, or stealing someone's sandwich with Aaron. 

Aaron nodded. "You remind me of my brother." 

"Hopefully not completely." I said with a small smile. 

Aaron chuckled. "No, I mean you have a big heart just like he did, but you both cover it up with anger and fear because the world wasn't fair to either of you." 

I looked away quickly, not expecting that. 

"You are kind and smart and funny. Just like your little brother." Aaron said gently, placing his hand on mine. "You just need to let more people see that, to let the world back in, even though you're hurting." 

I ruffled his hair. "Since when were you this smart." 

Aaron snorted loudly. "I've always been a genius. Let's not lie to ourselves." He then tapped his screen. "It's time." He announced and I stood up. 

"I'm going to avenge our brothers Aaron. They will have justice." Aaron blinked slowly and then gave a small nod. I moved quickly, pushing open the van doors. The night stretched out before me like a predator lying in wait. I stepped out into the cool air, every sense heightened, every nerve on edge. I was ready for this. Was Dominic ready for me?