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“You’re right,” he says in a deep, sultry tone. “I just couldn’t help but overhear you talking to your little parasite.”

I storm over to him. “Stay the f—”

He towers over me with a glint in his eyes and a smirk on his face.

“Can’t believe Calli told you. Well, I suppose I can, considering how awful she felt about your little friend Jack. Calli is such a sensitive soul, you really are so lucky to have her. After all, it was she who brought you and your… What do you call it? Little ghost.”

I push him against the door. “You’re lucky to be alive, demon. Give me one good reason to rip you apart, and I promise I won’t hesitate.”

He grabs my wrist and pivots me, slamming me against the wall, leaning down as he speaks low in my ear. “Don’t tease me.” I cringe as I feel his breath on my ear. “I’ll do as I please, little hunter. Calli is mine, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why is Jack covering for your ass?” I ask calmly, still held in his grip.

“Poor fool, always two steps behind everyone. He is aware of me and did it upon my request. Not that I gave him much of an option.” He releases me from his grip. “I may have threatened him, but I don’t recall.” He speaks so cavalierly, as if he couldn’t be bothered.

“Fuck off,” I say. Pushing him off me, I open the door next to me.

He looks down, cocking his head to the side. “With pleasure.” He walks away, as I slam the door behind him.

Fucking prick.

Who the hell does he think he is, talking about Calli like she is something to be owned. It’s fucking disgusting.

I storm over to my gun rack, grabbing the pistol and a clip. After loading it, I walk outside. I take aim at the target near the tree and take a breath in.

“He’s a self-absorbed, cocky piece of shit.”

I breathe out and shoot. I take aim at the next target.

“She’s too young to understand, and who knows how old that thing is. It’s disgusting.”

I shoot the target once, twice, three times. All meet the bull’s-eye. I’m a damn good shot when I’m imagining Kai’s face as the target. I make a mental note, clicking the safety on, and put the gun down on the table next to the door. I don’t have time to be thinking about this bullshit. All I can do is adapt to the fucker, for her. He may be useful in the end.

CHAPTER 6 CALLI

“Come here, girl!” Karma quickly prances over to me, purring loudly as she headbutts my hand. I pat my leg and she jumps up, curling into my lap. I pull my hand away from her and pick up the book I was reading, Karma’s paw reaching for me as if to tell me to keep petting her.

“Fine, I’ll put it down for now. But only for you.”

Upstairs, a door closes and I hear footsteps bounding down the stairs—Jack. His eyes meet mine and I look away. I hear him grab a glass and go into the cupboard. The familiar sound of the twist cap on Cade’s favorite whiskey coming off.

“It’s a bit early to be drinking, don’t you think?” I ask, still not looking at him.

He plops on the couch, taking a sip. “It’s past noon, don’t judge me.”

Karma opens her eyes and stares at him, her pupils blowing up until all I see is black.

“Aww, hey, sweet girl!” Jack says to Karma.

She quickly jumps off my lap and runs away.

“I see how it is…” he says with a pout.

“Do you guys have any more information from Ben?”

“Just their current location. Why are you asking me and not Cade?”

“I don’t know; curious, I suppose,” I say, shrugging.