“Come on, Hunter. There’s still one outside.” I nodded at Mrs. Tomms, following her orders.
As I went out to carry the last box, I spotted someone watching from a little ways away. He wore an all-black shirt and pants, with a black cap to cover his eyes. Even though he wore dark clothes, it was clear who he was.
He caught my eye as I stared at him. He looked unfazed, as if he was ready to compete with me anytime. His pale face stood out from his dark clothing. I even caught him smirking as we engaged in a standoff.
“Hey, Hunter, what’s taking so long?” I heard Kylie’s voice calling out to me.
She had just walked out went out of the back door when the man took off running. I looked at Kylie, who seemed surprised, her mouth open, eyes wide.
“What’s the matter, Kylie?” I asked, trying to read her mind.
She didn’t speak but seemed to be having a little trouble breathing.
I came closer to her, shaking her shoulders to wake her up. “Hey, baby?”
“That guy looks like the one who broke into my house.” She was still staring at toward where the guy was.
From the look on her face, she was terrified. I held her in my arms as I took her inside, hoping to give her some sense of security.
Telling her that the pale scoundrel was looking for an illegal gun would not be the wisest move. She couldn’t handle anything else.
And besides, I could figure this out and deal with the fucker myself. She was my girl. He’d have to go through me to get to her. Period.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kylie
I spent most of the evening trying to shake off the sense of trepidation sitting on my shoulders. It worked when I was deep in conversation with Hunter or Vince, but any time alone, and I found myself terrified. I got into bed with Hunter that night, snuggling up to him and trying to rid myself of the fear that clung to me. He was sweet and checked on me a million times, but there was nothing he could do.
I wasn’t imagining things. The guy who broke into the house was the one outside of the store. Why though? Was he targeting me? Did he know me? My thoughts stayed with me throughout the night, but finally, sleep overtook me, and I passed out, dreaming of a wedding dress and a handsome guy standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me to start our forever.
The morning awakened me with its cool breeze. I squeezed closer to Hunter, pulling my blanket to cover my shoulders, but I guessed I would not be falling back to sleep anytime soon. My mind was wide awake at that point.
I squinted to find Hunter fast asleep beside me, his eyes closed in peace. His lashes were long and thick, a beautiful complement to his adorable face. His lips were parted a little, showing his perfectly carved, pinkish lips. I stole a kiss from him while he slept.
I stretched out from under the sheets, sitting up to stare out the window. It was starting to get bright outside. I stood up and yawned, smiling as I watched Hunter sleep comfortably in his bed. I pulled his blanket up, covering him against the cold. He had moved a little before I left the room, changing his position, but he was still lost to the world.
Despite my shitty night the night before, I had a renewed strength and vigor for the day. It had to be my dre
ams of marrying the man I loved, but whatever it was, I felt like luck was back on my side. I believed that it would be a great day.
I proceeded to the kitchen to make some coffee and prepare our breakfast. I hummed joyfully as I fried some eggs and bacon. I fixed the coffee next and then set the table for the three of us.
About that time, Hunter came in from upstairs and settled into his seat. I brought him a cup of coffee as he watched me, smiling brightly with his eyes still squinted from sleep.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. You look like you just woke up from a deep sleep.” I laughed at him to which he rolled his eyes. He still looked adorable though.
“I still look handsome, though.” It was me who then rolled my eyes back at him. I turned my back to get the other cup I had left in the kitchen. He was right; he still looked handsome.
Coming back with a mug in my hand and a glass of chocolate milk in the other, I returned with a big grin on my face. He looked at me with a teasing glare, mocking me about telling him how good looking he really was.
“You haven’t answered yet, Miss Early Bird.” he kidded, waiting for me before he ate his breakfast.
I nodded with a forced expression, pretending to be cocky. “Answered what exactly?”
He laughed at me, ridiculed by my expression. “Whether you agree that I’m handsome or not.”
“Was there a question in that?” I licked my fork and gave him a sultry look. He knew exactly how I felt about him. Handsome was an understatement. He was a god.