Hunter obviously had other plans for me.
“We appreciate you guys for coming, Officer. She’s coming with me,” Hunter intervened, answering on my behalf.
“Great. If you’ll excuse me then, I’ll help in investigating the area.” He turned his back and walked away from us. I kept my eyes on him, still in awe as to what he had told me. The fear that consumed me suddenly vanished. It felt like time stopped moving.
“Dad. What’s going on?” Vince glanced up and asked.
“Not now, buddy.” Hunter turned to face me. “Come on; it’s not safe here.”
My heart was beating fast again. It wasn’t due to fear anymore, but the handsome man standing beside me, protecting me. He wanted me with him for the night, and I wasn’t going to refuse him. Not ever.
Goose bumps raced down my skin as his hand entwined with mine, holding me tightly as he walked us out of my house. We walked across the yard and walked into Hunter’s house. Hunter released me and walked Vince back to the living room.
He crawled up on the couch and started watching some cartoons. I sat down next to him and smiled down at him. “Thanks for coming to save me.”
“You bet! Are you okay, Kylie? What were the cops doing at your house?” Those big, green, puppy-dog eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
“Yeah, everything’s okay now. Don’t worry about it, Vince. Nothing you need to be worried about.” I stroked his dark hair.
He looked at his father, confirming my statement. Hunter knelt down to stare into his son’s eyes. “She’s right, buddy. But to make sure
things are okay, Kylie’s sleeping over so two superheroes can watch over her.”
A big grin spread over his adorable face, captivating both of us, without a doubt.
“You’re safe here, Kylie. Dad is the strongest hero ever!”
Hunter kissed his cheek and took him to his bed, reminding him that it was past his bedtime already.
I followed as Hunter took Vince to his room and then went to his own. It felt awkward to watch him make the bed. When he finished, he turned to face me with a smile on his face.
“It’s been a long day for you. You can stay in here, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
He walked past me to leave, and my body tensed. I clenched my hands into fists as I listened fervently to his footsteps as he walked out, leaving me alone. I wanted him to stay with me so fucking bad.
I wanted him to lie in the bed beside me. I ached for him to stay with me, to tell me everything was okay. I wished I had stopped him, but my head was jacked with all my problems and the long list of things I needed to do.
Instead, I collapsed on his bed and tried to relax. I started to fall asleep, his scent lingering around me and calming my frantic heart.
Chapter Seventeen
Hunter
The bright rays of the sun welcomed me to the new day, glistening before my closed lids to wake me up. I stretched as I yawned, still sleepy after a few long hours of sleep. I sat up on the couch, taking the blanket off.
I sat up and took my phone from the coffee table alongside the couch. While I searched for Garren’s contact number, I thought of what to cook for breakfast. It was the least I could do for Kylie. I needed to pamper her, even just in my own, simple way.
As I found his name, I dialed his phone and waited for him to pick up. After a few rings, Garren’s voice finally greeted me a good morning.
“What’s the buzz, man? Why are you calling so early?” He sounded as if I woke him up from his sleep.
“Garren, I need to take the day off today.” He asked for an explanation right before I was able to provide him one.
“Why, dude? What happened?”
“Things got out of hand last night. Kylie’s house was broken into again, and she needed a place to stay. I volunteered to keep her around in the meantime. It’s the least I could do for all the help she did for Vince and me.”
He fell silent for quite some time. “Yeah, that’s good. I’m happy you’re finally on the right track, Hunter. I’ll get ready to go to the shop, man. No worries.”