Dire(31)
“But you were going to say it, right?”
“Maybe.” I smiled. Despite all his flaws, at least he had a sense of humor.
He slowed down and parked in front of a sprawling yet rundown house. Even in the near darkness I could make out the faded siding and the overgrown yard. “Here we are.”
“The associates have a nice place.”
Hunter smiled. “Is this the real you?”
“You mean the sarcastic comments?”
“Yes. Are you finally showing me your true colors?”
“You act like I’ve been hiding them from you forever.”
“I like it. You’re kind of feisty.” He winked. “Feisty is fun.”
I didn’t take the bait. Instead I went for the important question. “How is this going to work?”
“The two of us are going in. Everyone else is going to wait out here.”
“Is that safe?” I didn’t know who these associates were, but I definitely believed in the safety in numbers idea.
“I assure you, we’ll be fine.” He turned off the truck and got out. I didn’t move until he came around and opened my door. “Are you going to join me?”
“Do I have to?”
“Be brave for me, Firefly.”
“Are you going to keep calling me that?”
“You like the name. I can see it clear as day on your face. Why wouldn’t I use it?”
I sighed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I accepted his hand and hopped down.
He held onto my hand and started toward the porch. I tried to swallow down my nerves. Letting people know you were nervous usually wasn’t a good thing.
Hunter knocked on the door twice. Nothing happened at first, but then the door was yanked open.
“Hunter!” A woman probably in her late twenties wrapped her arms around him. “It’s been too long.”
“I told Isaac I was coming. Don’t act surprised, Jocelyn.” Hunter detangled himself from her embrace.
She turned as though finally noticing me. “Your mate is lovely.”
“I know.” Hunter wrapped his arm around my waist. “Would you expect anything less?”
“No. It’s crazy seeing her. She’s even prettier than her picture.”
He kissed me on the top of my head. “Most truly beautiful things are more so in the flesh.”
My picture? How had she seen my picture? I kept the questions to myself for the time being, but I was going to need answers.
“Well come in, please.” She gestured for us to enter the cramped entryway. “Isaac is in the den.”
Hunter kept his arm tightly wrapped around my waist as we walked inside. I glanced over my shoulder at the waiting vehicles. Gage was in the SUV. I wished he were with me.
“Can I take your coat, honey?” Jocelyn asked.
“Oh. Sure.” I didn’t actually want to take it off, but I figured refusing the offer would be considered rude. “Thanks.”
She accepted my parka. “Pretty.”
“Thanks.” I knew she didn’t mean it. She seemed like the type of woman who’d wear fur—although maybe she had her own fur coat. Hunter hadn’t told me what these associates were. From the looks of the peeling wallpaper and worn wood floors, they didn’t live very differently from the Dires.
“Hunter!” A man greeted us in the hall. He wasn’t as tall as Hunter, but he was definitely what I’d call built. He was wearing a sports coat that made him look so formally dressed compared to Hunter. “You made it.”
“Yes. We’re here.”
“And this is your mate.” He took one of my hands and brought it to his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary Anne. You’ve chosen wisely.”
Chosen? Not exactly. I kept those sentiments to myself and smiled. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And I see the rest of the pack is with you outside?”
I wasn’t sure how he saw that. The cars were all off without the lights on. Maybe he’d noticed them when we first pulled in.
“Yes. We’re all making this journey. Of course.”
“I assume that you left them outside for a reason.”
“I didn’t want to take advantage of your hospitality. We appreciate what you’re doing.”
“It’s our pleasure. I have all the new documents you need.”
Documents? What was he talking about? My mind was spinning with questions.
“Great.”
“Are you ready to tell us why you’re leaving again so soon? I don’t mind doing this for you time and again, but this was a fast relocation even by your standards.”
“I—” Hunter opened his mouth.
“Please, Isaac. It’s obvious. Look at how young she is. You’re what nineteen?”