3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
The Huntress
My brother’s best friend reminds me of an ornery puppy, and I can’t decide if I’m intrigued or repulsed. He’s got this disheveled reddish-blond hair and soft, warm eyes that seem to widen a little when he looks at me. But at the same time, he’s got this failed frat boy air about him, too.
And I don’t know what to do with that.
He’s tall—maybe even a little taller than my brother. He definitely hits the gym, though I still easily peg him as a nerd. I can’t picture the guy in prison like all the articles spell out, but the fact he got out on good behavior makes so much sense now that I’ve met him. I bet he was a very good boy there. I shudder at what that probably meant for him. But then again, based on what I’ve heard, he might like being someone’s little bitch.
Good boy, Jude. Good boy.
I nearly let out a cackle as I shut my bedroom door, thankful for the quiet. I have my own set-up in here, though I’m sure it’s got nothing on Hacker Boy’s. I’m not technologically savvy really, but I do manage to fly completely under the radar, using aliases for bank accounts.
And other purchases.
My heart thumps unevenly as I pull up the screen of my computer, my search for parties going on in the area popping up. They’re prime hunting ground for me, though I’ll have to try and put it off for as long as possible. It’s risky with company here. I shift uneasily in my chair, aching for the relief of the chase.
And staring into their dead fucking eyes.
I purse my lips, running my tongue along the tightened flesh. This is the first time I’ve seen my brother since I started this escapade, and intrusive thoughts begin to creep in...
Would I kill my brother if he wasn’t my brother?
I shake my head. Of course, I wouldn’t. He was an idiot with Lydia, but he loves her like he loves me. He’s the only man in the world with the capability of loving someone. He’s the only man who deserves to live.
Well, as far as I’ve discovered. Maybe I just don’t attract the good ones.
I wonder if Jude is a misogynist.
“Probably,” I answer myself, as I roll through the events coming up. Cash, my black and tan Doberman, looks up from his bed, his brown eyes focused on me. He’s been curious about our guests since they arrived earlier, but I’m not up to the introduction yet.
I return my gaze back to the computer, my eyes landing on a costume party in a couple weeks. “Oh, this looks fun.” It’s at a private location—that I know as a sex club. Perfect. All the pervy assholes will be there.
Cash climbs out of his bed, and nudges my knee, his heavy head pushing me back. His big chocolate-brown eyes focus upward at me, and he lets out a pitiful whine.
I sigh. “Let me guess, you need to go to the bathroom?” His nub of a tail wags. “Okay then, let’s go.” I exit out of the screen and grab his leash. I clip it to his chain collar, which is mostly just for looks. Being a single woman in downtown Vegas has its pitfalls. Especially when poisoning is your go-to weapon.
As I open my bedroom door, I catch the sound of laughter. My stomach recoils with disgust. I hate the sound of men’s laughter. Even my brother’s. But still, I paste on my best fucking smile, and head out into the living room.
Cash bristles.
Good boy.
I pat his head as he remains at my side. We put hours into training. He knows he can get upset, but he can’t jerk on the leash.
Jude and Henry are sitting on the couch. Henry’s eyes are on the TV, watching some kind of stupid sitcom—and Jude’s face is in his laptop, sporting a pair of dark-rimmed glasses. He looks the part of a hacker now.
It’s almost endearing .
Cash lets out a warning bark at the two of them. Henry turns to me cooly, but Jude nearly falls off the couch as he’s startled. I laugh at the dramatic reaction.
“This is my dog, Cash. If he doesn’t approve of you, you can’t stay.”
Henry eyes him, but grins. “Nice to know you’ve finally found someone to prioritize over me.”
“It only took twenty-eight years.”
Jude stays silent, watching Cash with a curious gaze.
“Do dogs make you nervous?” I ask my brother’s best friend, unable to hide the amusement from my voice as my brain conjures up the image of Cash ripping into him. Even if Jude is a puppy, I still like the idea. It’s kind of a turn on—not that I ever get turned on.
Jude raises a brow at me. “No, dogs don’t make me nervous.”
“You look nervous.”
“Never.” He spins back around on the couch and goes back to his computer. And for some reason...
That really fucking annoys me.
“I’m taking him down to the dog park,” I say, lightening my tone. “You guys can come if you want.”
“Do they have a smoking area?” Henry asks, tilting his head.
“Uh, I guess. People smoke out there.”
“You should really quit,” Jude comments, still tapping away at his computer. His eyes are dialed in on the code running across the screen.
“Are you using my Wi-Fi to do that?” I demand, suddenly concerned. “I don’t want the FBI knocking on my door.” Really, I don’t. The last thing I need is eyes on me.
“Nope.” Jude’s answer is short. And once again, he doesn’t look at me when he speaks. “I’ve learned my lesson.”
“Good.” My answer comes out awkwardly sweet, and I wonder if I come across as if I’m trying too hard. Great. Now, I’m annoying myself. “Anyway, I’m going downstairs.”
“I’ll come along.” My brother pushes himself up off the couch, and for some strange reason, there’s a pang of disappointment in my gut. I’m curious about Henry’s puppy-dog friend. All of my brother’s friends in the past were outwardly masculine, commanding attention of their very presence...
But Jude is ignoring me.
And that should be comforting. I pull my eyes from the back of his head and turn to Henry, who’s already heading for the door.
“Enjoy some time with your sister,” Jude calls out to Henry, and I have this strange urge to run up to him and force him to acknowledge me instead of referring to me as though I’m not in the room. However, I hold back. Maybe I’ve gotten so used to sleazy men coming onto me, I forgot that the average sober mind usually pays me no attention at all.
Henry opens my front door for me, and Cash and I step out into the hallway. I take a breath, and glance back over my shoulder. My eyes bore into the back of Jude’s head.
I don’t like him.
Henry’s chuckle grabs my attention as the door closes. “He’s a different breed.”
“What?” I turn to my brother, my brows furrowing.
“Jude.” He shrugs his shoulders beneath his black T-shirt. “He’s kind of strange. I’ve never met anyone else like him.”
“He seems nice,” I lie, keeping a smile on my face as we head for the elevator. “I just thought he was quiet—like he keeps to himself.”
“You know, that’s kind of true.” He gestures for us to step into the elevator. My phone buzzes in my jean shorts, but I ignore it. “I don’t really know all that much about him. Well, I mean, I know the basics. He knows the basics about me, too, but guys don’t tell it all to each other.”
“Hmm,” I say, pressing the ground floor button. I have no desire to discuss male antics, and the fact they make my core burn with the desire to hunt causes me pause. I’ve changed a lot since Henry last saw me. I kept my demons on a leash back then, and they only tortured me in my dreams, taunting and teasing me with my own personal hellish memories.
But now, I quiet them by letting them out to play.
Can Henry see that?
I run my black fingernails down the back of Cash’s head, drawing some sort of calmness by just touching him. He’s the only man I ever intend to let in on my secrets.
“Jude asked me earlier if you had a job here,” Henry comments as the elevator doors slide open on the ground floor. “I told him you didn’t, but we haven’t talked about it.”
“I have a job,” I confirm as I lead the way to the fenced area in the back of the complex. “I started a few months ago at a bar off the strip.”
“A bar?” Henry doesn’t hide his concern. “Why? You don’t need to be working in a bar, Cher. If that’s the case, I’d rather you not work at all.”
But it’s how I get invited to parties.
“I enjoy it,” I say easily. I’ve practiced this speech. “It’s a VIP rooftop bar, and it’s not like I have to wear a swimsuit or something. I just make drinks and stay behind the counter.”
“Yeah, but that means you have to go home late—”
“This is the city that never sleeps,” I cut him off as I let Cash off the leash. He knows better than to attack or bother any of the other dogs. “I get off at two, and I always Uber right back home—unless I go out with friends.”
Or wherever else.
“Friends?” Henry looks shocked as the sweat beads up across his forehead. “You haven’t mentioned any friends to me.”
“You haven’t exactly been calling me all that much,” I snap at him as he pulls out a cigarette and lights it under the cover of the moon. Even in the dark, it’s warm, but it’s Vegas, and as much as I hate the heat, it’s worth the prime selection of prey.
“I call just as much as always.”
“No, you don’t.” I shake my head and divert my gaze to my black toenails poking out of my sandals.
“I do,” my brother starts to argue. “Lydia doesn’t take up all my time. I still keep up with you.”
“I never made this about your wife.” I actually like Lydia, and she’s still one of my favorite authors to read. Though, I have to admit I started skipping the sex scenes after considering the idea that my brother might be a part of her inspiration.
“You’ve been cold since we got here,” Henry says, his voice now coming out with a similar edge as mine. “If you didn’t want us to come and stay, you should’ve just said so.”
“No, I...” My voice trails off. “I’m glad you’re here. I am. I’m sorry.”
Henry studies my face for an uncomfortable length of time. “Is something going on then? I know everything with Lydia put a wedge between us, but I thought we were cool.”
“We are cool,” I say earnestly. “I’m just tired this evening.”
“I’m sorry. We can be invisible in your house, if needed. I promise.” He shoots me one of his grins, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’d rather you not creep around my house like a ghost.” I have enough of those, anyway. I scan the area for Cash, and then leave my brother to clean up after my dog. I’m a good citizen, always picking up dog shit and abiding by almost all the laws. In fact, one could argue that I’m doing the world a favor.
This world could stand to have less assholes.
My phone buzzes in my pocket again, and I pull it out this time, reading a text from my supplier.
Shipment is here. If you want your cut, meet me tonight. It’s cut heavy, just like you asked.
I sigh. I don’t need to slink out in the middle of the night. It might draw my brother’s attention. I bite down on my lip.
Me: Can we meet tomorrow?
She immediately replies.
S: Tonight or bust, Black Widow.
“Fuck,” I mutter. Fine.