Page 103 of Corpse Roads
“Did she even look for me?”
Hunter rubs the back of his neck. “The police investigation fizzled out. Not enough evidence or resources.”
“So the police gave up. Did she do the same?”
“Harlow, it isn’t that simple.”
I throw his hand aside. “Isn’t it? Where is she, Hunter? What has my mother spent the last thirteen years doing?”
“She remarried,” he admits. “Your dad went to prison for identity fraud and Giana met someone new. They have a five-year-old son.”
Standing up in a rush, I’m still holding the empty glass. Hunter doesn’t even flinch as it smashes into the exposed brick of the fireplace, sending shards flying into the air.
It isn’t enough to calm me down. I want to break every single piece of furniture here, over and over again. My knees are knocking together with the strength of emotion pulsing through me.
“Upstairs.” Hunter grabs me by the elbow, waving off the startled shouts of outraged bar staff. “Put it on my room bill, alright?”
“Let go of me,” I growl, attempting to escape him.
“Not another fucking word,” he orders.
Strong-arming me past the gossiping staff, I’m pushed into the awaiting elevator outside the bar. His painful grip on my elbow doesn’t relent until we reach the second floor and find our room.
“We need to keep a low profile,” he hisses in my ear. “I know you’re upset, but it isn’t safe to make a scene in front of people.”
“Get your hands off me!”
He manages to scan the key card to unlock the door. “I said I’d keep you safe. Let me do my goddamn job.”
“Because that’s all I am, right? A job.”
The insecurity slips out before I can clamp my mouth shut. Hurt spreads across Hunter’s face, and it feels so good. I don’t want to be the only one suffering. He should feel it too.
Inside the room, our overnight bags await on a double bed. I stare at it, every inch of me shaking with fury.
“Do you often share beds with your clients?”
He storms past me to inspect the mini bar. “It’s obviously a mistake. You need to calm down.”
“Calm down? I just found out my entire life is a lie, I’ve forgotten the only family I ever had and my mum wasted no time replacing me. Don’t tell me to calm down.”
Slamming the tiny fridge shut, Hunter rounds on me. He doesn’t even look mad, more like weary with the world.
“You’re hurting,” he deadpans. “If you need to take it out on me, that’s fine. But if you don’t lower your voice, someone will come knocking.”
Marching up to him, I grab a handful of his still-damp shirt. Deep down, I know that none of this is his fault. He’s delivering the news that I’m sure they’ve long suspected.
I knew something was coming. I’ve had all these weeks to prepare, knowing that my life was going to be blown up when the pieces fell together, but it’s done nothing to lessen the all-consuming pain.
“When Pastor Michaels was angry, he hurt others.” I breathe in his familiar spicy scent. “I want to hurt you right now.”
“If that’s what you need to do, go ahead.”
“Why?” I almost sob.
Reaching out to cup my cheek, Hunter closes the small space left between us. His chest is pressed against my breasts, and the tips of our noses touch. I can’t move a single inch.
“Because I’m not a good person,” he rasps. “I’ve dedicated my life to helping people, but it doesn’t cancel out all the pain I’ve inflicted.”