Hunter's Alpha (gxg) ✓

39. My, What Teeth

I never wanted kids.

At least, not my own kids. I would have rather been the cool aunt. The mysterious, dangerous aunt who will not hesitate to beat up the kids who bully my nieces and nephews. Nobody messes with my family.

The moment I guide the two young girls to my black Audi, ushering them into the backseat, I can't help but think again of this. I never wanted kids, and I have no idea what to do with them.

They must be around seven and eight. Too young. Too fragile. Too broken.

The Russians seemed unbothered, gruff, about the exchange. As though this was an ordinary occurrence, even as my fists clenched and my teeth ached from grinding them. When I snap, I become something else—something wild and predatory.

But I couldn't snap—not yet.

I vowed to myself I would find the Russians, and I would do to them what they had done to these girls. But for now, my anger lied with Anise.

Even so, I couldn't help the slight shaking of my hand as I strapped a seat belt over the older girl. She was sitting so still, so frozen, that my heart clenched. She was afraid of me—and she had good reason to be. From her perspective, I had just bought her to do God knows what. And the younger girl . . .

As I move to the other side of the car, leaning in to strap her seatbelt on, she bites me.

"Damn!" I bite out, wincing at small teeth sink into my forearm.

It doesn't take much to remove her mouth from my flesh, but as I shake my arm, trying to ease the sting, she cowers back in her seat. Burying herself against her sister. They both watch me with wide, terrified eyes. Expecting backlash.

Instantly, I realize my shaking hand looks like I am about to hit her.

My heart softens, but I only close the car door. I removed both their chains. It might have been stupid, because now they are free to attack me while I drive, but . . . I couldn't bring myself to keep them in shackles. I heard Jude's voice in my head, saying, Morals, I know. But they're there for a reason.

Even so, I rethink it as I start the engine. The younger girl just bit me. At least she has a little bit of vicious spirit, but that may not be good while I'm driving.

Despite it, though, the entire car ride back, they do not move.

The older one has brown eyes, and the younger one has green eyes. I can't help noticing as my eyes flick back through the rearview mirror. They don't bear much similarity, so I don't think they are blood-related, but I know better than anyone that the closest relationships aren't always family.

As soon as I pull into the Underground's parking space, I stop the car.

I hesitate. What would Jude do?

If I know her well, I don't think she'd know what to do with kids either.

And I . . . I may have raised Tommy, but I still feel uncomfortable now.

What do I say to two girls who have been through hell?

A sex-trafficking ring. The truth of the Underground.

The bottom fifty floors.

For one month, I knew about this. And although the deal I made with Elijah Napier was supposed to be the beginning of the end, right now, as I look into their eyes, it is not enough.