Page 81 of Hunter or Hunted

He knew I wanted to kill Evan? And he laughed about it?

“What do you mean ‘sure?’ Are you accusing me of something?”

“I’m just saying.” He straightened. “I know that if I took someone that young and helpless under my wing, and some son of a bitch killed her? I wouldn’t just show at the funeral and say my goodbyes. I’d want revenge.”

How was I so easy to read? In what world was that the logical jump? To me, to Sebastian, sure, that made sense.

But the average person wouldn’t end at this conclusion.

“Have you gotten it before?” I asked. “Revenge?”

His shoulders broadened with a deep breath. “Do you want to weight and resistance train? Or not?”

He had. He’d killed someone. Or at least taken part in a cover-up. His demeanor couldn’t stay so stoic, so casual, if he hadn’t.

“I have a degree in it, you know,” he said. “I can show you how to use the machines. Walk you through which muscles to focus on. It’d help you pass the course.”

What could I say to that? How could I so quickly skip over the obvious questions?

Then again, I wasn’t about to detail everything I’d done to David. I’d never rat Sebastian out for his part in it either.

Maybe some things didn’t need spoken aloud.

Trailing my tongue along my lips, I raised a shoulder. “Yeah. I’d like to learn.”

He gave a short nod and gestured for me to follow him. “Let’s start with the Smith machine. You can do a lot on here. If you’re gonna be lifting heavy shit, you need to focus on your glutes. Stronger thighs and ass protect your low back.”

“Not gonna complain about a bigger ass,” I said. “What do I do?”

26

SEBASTIAN

On the ride home, Lizzie caught me up on her past few days. She’d attempted snowboarding on the ridge at the ranch but learned quickly that she preferred tubing.

Aubrey showed her how to apply lash clusters. They poked her in the eye every time she blinked though, so she’d have to get Simone’s advice before attempting them again.

She asked about the funeral. I gave no specifics. Just said it was fine.

But as we went through the motions with dinner, then the nightly routine of showers and pajamas, and watching bad TV on the sofa, my mind stayed in Missouri.

I told Gwen I had conditions, and the list rapidly compiled in my mind.

Once Lizzie fell asleep, I wrote it all down in a notepad. One I’d burn once I relayed it all to Gwen.

In the morning, Lizzie and I got dressed. I stuffed one of my conditions into a backpack and tossed it over my shoulder, then shot Gwen a text.

Hey, we’re heading to the ranch now. No rush or anything, we’ll just hang around ’til you’re ready to go.

She texted back just as the truck finished warming up.

Gwen

I’m ready now actually(: Question though, do you mind being Edwards’ date so I can be Simone’s?

He has to buy me dinner first, but sure. What’s going on?

lol I’ll explain when you get here.