The Hunted (The Killing Hours Book 1)

by Christy Anderson

  Jesus, when was the last time I smiled a genuine smile? And what is it about this girl that can bring one now?

  The answer doesn’t come, so I tap the button on the wall to turn off the water and reach for one of the towels on the warmer. I make my way to her, towel in hand, and I wrap the warm fabric around her shoulders. She moves it, securing it around her chest, where she holds it with one hand and squeezes excess water from her hair with the other.

  She steps out of the shower and heads to the mirror, where she notices me staring at her reflection like a dumb-struck fool as I wrap the towel around my waist. Some sort of connection flickers between us as we stand immobile, assessing each other through the mirror.

  What is she thinking?

  This woman is a mystery in so many ways, yet her eyes tell me she wants this, she wants me. Even though it’s probably real fucking wrong, I’m going to have her again. Because even though she thinks this relationship started today, she became mine the first moment I set my damn eyes on her.

  Once we finish drying ourselves, I pull her by her hand and lead her to my bedroom. I toss back the covers and point to the bed. She glances at me with trepidation and chews on that bottom lip as I watch her mind work through hundreds of thoughts, most likely including why getting in bed with me is a bad idea, but despite any reluctance she may have, she climbs in.

  Who would have thought seeing a woman in my bed would have my heart thundering harder than putting a bullet in someone?

  I slip in beside her and pull the covers over us. She doesn’t move to me, so I tug her into my side, her head resting against my chest. It takes a moment, but she relaxes into me. I tuck the covers in around her and her soft, warm breath fans across my chest. It’s a soothing balm to everything awful and dark in my world. It’s a first for me but being with her is comfortable even if this is arranged. It’s like this is where she’s meant to be, in my bed, by my side. The way she seems to fit, her soft against my hard. This feels right, maybe too right. This almost seems like it could be a set-up, or worse… love.

  I brush away the thoughts as quickly as they come. I’m just lonely. That’s it. This last assignment, I spent so much time isolated, it’s bound to make any companionship seem like bliss.

  Those thoughts play in and out of my mind as I stroke her hair, and soon, her breaths even out, and I know she’s asleep. I disentangle myself from her and tuck her back in before making my way to my office across the hall. My laptop whirs to life, and I pull up all the information I have on her in my files. None of it is new. I’ve stared at the same words a hundred times before, trying to work out her angle.

  The paragraph about her sister’s disappearance stands out now more than it ever has. It’s the only piece of the puzzle that doesn’t fit into her neat, middle-class world. I need to make a call to get more information.

  I step out of my office and head for the balcony. Once the door is shut behind me, I inhale a breath of the cool night air and dial a number I’ve called a thousand times before.

  “Hello, Bane. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Marcia purrs on the other end of the line.

  “Marcia. I need info on Raven Wyatt, 28, from Silver Lake, Tennessee. Her sister, who is currently missing, Scarlett Wyatt, 21, from the same locale. I need this information as soon as possible. Make this a priority.”

  “I’ll get the information as soon as I can.”

  “You have twenty-four hours. Tick-tock, darlin’.”

  I end the call and head back to my bedroom and the mysterious woman in my bed. From the doorway, I admire her sleeping form. The dip of her hip under the blanket, perfect for my hands to grip. Her hair spread out on my sheets, that now carry her scent. Fucking perfect. I watch her body rise and fall with her steady, sweet breath for a moment before I make my way across the room to join her. As soon as I slip under the covers, she curls into my side with a moan, never waking, and her arm comes over my chest.

  She needs my help. Whether she admits what’s really going on or not. I’ll do everything in my power to get her what she needs.

  That’s my final thought as I trace lazy circles on her arm until I fall asleep.

  11

  Raven

  “Mmmmm…sleep.”

  Another kiss lands on my cheek, and I fight my eyes trying to flutter open.

  “Wake up, Little Bird. Breakfast is waiting.”

  Knox lands one more kiss on my cheek and slaps my ass through the blankets before he walks off. I yelp, and his laugh echoes down the hallway. That deep, throaty rumble is the sexiest laugh I’ve ever heard.

  I roll onto my back and stretch. My body aches in places I never knew existed, but I have to admit, I feel pretty damn incredible. I swing my legs over the side of the bed.

  Shit. I’m still naked.

  My eyes scan the room, searching for something to put on, and I see a white fluffy robe on the end of the bed. I slip into it, and, of course, it’s my size. I tie the sash around my waist as I walk out of the bedroom, following the smell of bacon toward the open doors of the balcony. Knox sits in sweat pants and a black t-shirt. His muscles strain against the fabric with every movement as he reads the paper and sips his coffee. Perfectly kempt stubble decorates his jaw. I slide into the chair beside him, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment. The things this man did to me last night were down right sinful. I never imagined I could actually enjoy the things he did to me, but I was wrong. Not only did I enjoy them, but I now crave them. Visions of his head between my legs, his mouth on my most private areas, flash through my mind. My body has never experienced such sheer bliss. My flesh pebbles just recalling the sensations. Having this man nearly worship my body made me feel beautiful, powerful even, and that’s something I haven’t felt in a long time. The care he showed me afterward has me second-guessing my earlier assessment of him. Maybe he’s not as bad of a man as I previously pegged him to be. I tuck my feet in underneath me then reach for a piece of toast and begin to nibble.

  “Would you like to spend the day with me, Raven?”

  Knox stares at me from over his paper as I hold a piece of toast midair for a bite. Do I want to spend the day with him? Last night was amazing, but obviously, this man is far beyond my comfort zone. I’m not used to having a man so intensely focused on me. Maybe I can use this to my advantage. He doesn’t seem nearly as dangerous as I first thought. He has been intense but not abusive in anyway. If I can keep him on my good side, I can use him to help me find my sister. It’s the only hope I have at this point. I haven’t found anything substantial in the time I’ve been here. I have no proof she was even here. I have nothing. There’s only one answer to this question.

  “Yes, I’d like that. Thank you.”

  “I’m having some clothes and toiletries delivered to my suite for you.”

  “Thank you, Knox.”

  We finish eating in silence. It’s not awkward, either. Strange that a comfortable silence can exist between us already.

  A knock sounds on the door, and when Knox rises to answer it, I follow him and stand in the doorway of the balcony.

  “Mr. Bane, the items you requested for Miss Wyatt.” He takes the items and thanks the lady before he shuts the door.

  “I’ll leave these in the bathroom for you. Get ready. We’re getting out of here for a while.”

  Out of here?

  “I’m not allowed to leave.” I haven’t set foot off the estate since I arrived. That’s part of my contract.

  “Baby, just get ready, okay?”

  He smiles before he disappears down the hall toward the bathroom with my things. I take the opportunity to dart back onto the balcony and grab a piece of bacon. I pop it into my mouth, grab another slice then follow after him.

  The bathroom door clicks shut, and I throw the lock. All my favorite toiletries are displayed in neat rows on the marble counter top. Brand new, not the ones from my room.

  Of course, they are.

  I can’t decide if this is creepy or sweet.<
br />
  I strip off the robe, grab my favorite sugar scented shampoo, conditioner, and soap, and make my way to the shower.

  After my shower, I look through the garment bag hanging on the clothes valet. He’s provided a pair of jeans and a white sweater. Everything fits like a glove. I dry my hair and throw on a touch of my favorite mascara. I’m totally not creeped out that he knows my favorite products and managed to have them delivered.

  Nope.

  Not creeped out at all.

  As I apply the final swipe of lip gloss, a knock makes my hand jerk. I unlock the door with trembling hands, nervous about what today holds.

  What do I really know about this man?

  He owns a secret sex club where my sister may or may not have disappeared, and he can do things to my body I’d never imagined possible. Not exactly enough to make me want to place my trust in him.

  Despite my reservations, I swing the door open and am taken by surprise at just how handsome this man really is.

  “Ready?” Knox asks as he extends his hand to me. He’s all rugged man in jeans and a black button up shirt. I place my hand in his, and he guides me through the door. We walk silently, holding hands to the elevator. Once inside, he draws me near and drapes his arm around my shoulder. His fingers play with a lock of my hair. I muster up the courage to ask him the question I’ve been wondering since he asked me to spend the day with him.

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  I look up, and a slight grimace mars his face. That is not comforting in the least.

  Moments tick by, the elevator seems suddenly too small, confined, as my nerves begin to overtake me. My palms dampen, and I drag them slowly across the fabric of my jeans. Finally, the elevator comes to a stop, and the doors drift apart, giving me some much-needed space and air.

  We step from the elevator into an underground parking garage, and he leads me toward a white Ferrari.

  Where does he get all this money from? It can’t just be from the club, can it?

  Wordlessly, he opens the door and helps me in, closing it behind me. He slides behind the wheel, and the engine roars to life.

  We peel out of the garage into the crisp autumn air with me gripping the edges of the leather seat.

  What is his interest in me?

  This man can clearly have any woman he wants. Not that I am unattractive, but our worlds don’t mix. Mine used to be full of ten-hour work days and spending time with family and friends on the weekend. His are full of gambling, sex, and God only knows what else.

  I should be fighting this, or at least questioning him about his intentions. But the engine rumbling lulls me into what could very well be a false sense of security. I could get used to this. Maybe he’s a man of questionable business ethics, but he’s been nothing but kind to me. For once in my life, I’m going to take this moment for what it is and enjoy it. I let loose my nervous death grip on the fine leather that probably costs more than the building I live in and settle my hands in my lap. He heads into the city, and the sun peeks through the clouds, its rays heating up the side of my face through the glass in the window.

  It feels so good to be out of the manor that I barely notice he’s slowed down. We pull up outside a rundown building in the downtown area. Uneasiness courses through me at the sight of it. It is entirely dilapidated and isolated. Only one other car sits on the street, and it’s nothing more than a burned-out shell.

  Why did he bring me here?

  It looks like somewhere you take someone to die.

  Bile rises in my throat.

  Did I read him all wrong?

  I turn to him, and he shuts the engine off. He doesn’t even look at me as he opens the door and steps out.

  Oh God, what’s going on? Has he brought me here to hurt me? Sell me? Is he a sex trafficker? Is this what happened to Scarlett?

  I don’t know a damn thing about him other than his bedroom skills. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s been involved in some dangerous shit.

  Why did I think I could use this man to help me? Stupid.

  I’m fucking stupid

  A million terrible scenarios rage through my head. I can hear his shoes shuffle along the pavement, bringing him ever closer to my door. My heart thuds in my chest, harder and harder with each passing second. His large form moves around the car to my door.

  “Out of the car, Little Bird.” He extends his hand toward me. His voice is calm, but I sense an edge there, just below the surface.

  Afraid of what could happen if I don’t obey, I reluctantly reach out with trembling fingers and place my hand in his. He pulls me from the car and closes the door behind me.

  When he moves toward the building, I dig my heels in, trying to stop his forward motion.

  “Why are we here? Where are you taking me?”

  I can’t stop the fear that’s trembling in my voice. My eyes dart around, scanning for anyone to help me. I may have given myself to this man last night, but that by no means translates to trust. I don’t know who the hell he is.

  He turns to me with a wicked smile stretched across his handsome face that is in no way friendly. My lip quivers, matching the shaking of my limbs. If he gets me in this building I may not come out.

  “Please, Knox. Why have you brought me here?”

  “Come along, Little Bird, and you’ll see.” He drags me unwillingly behind him, pulls a key from his pocket, and unlocks the door.

  I enter through the steel door and it slams behind me. The sound echoes off the broken walls.

  “Ahhh!” My scream reverberates around us.

  “Shhhhh.” He turns to me and puts a finger up to his lips. The glint in his eyes sends a chill skittering down my spine and ices my veins. This man is fucking scary.

  He may have had his mouth and hands on the most intimate parts of my body less than twenty-four hours ago, but now, here in this moment, he’s scaring the shit out of me. It’s as if I am seeing a different man. I suck in air, but I can’t seem to catch my breath; my heart pounds so hard against my ribs, it’s painful. Adrenaline sweeps through my veins, and my body trembles as he guides me over toward a set of rotting stairs.

  His hand closes around my bicep and he leads me up the steps behind him. Tears fill my eyes and slide down my cheeks.

  The smell overwhelms me…rotting flesh. I can only imagine the things that have happened here. The decaying steps groan in protest under the strain of our weight as we climb.

  Once we reach the top, I see light shining underneath the door at the end of the hall. Knox turns his attention to me for just a moment.

  He nods toward the door and pulls me behind him again.

  “Please, stop! Please!” I beg as I try to pry his fingers from my wrist.

  Ignoring my pleas, his grip tightens around my flesh, and he continues pulling me toward the door. He reaches out and twists the knob. The hinges groan in protest.

  What the hell?

  Inside, sits a man with a black sack resting over his head. Ropes secure the black fabric around his neck. His hands appear to be tethered behind his back and his ankles tied to the legs of the chair.

  I don’t understand.

  “Knox, what the fuck is going on?”

  My whispered question receives no reply.

  Why won’t he answer me?

  Blood covers the man tied to the chair, and his head hangs limp. His chest heaves, and he attempts to raise his head, but his body just winces with pain.

  Knox approaches the man, dragging me with him, and we stop right in front of him. The smell of urine permeates the air, mixed with the coppery tang of blood. I can only imagine what this poor man has gone through. I leer at Knox. He must sense it. He turns his head to look at me, and that cold gaze is laced with pure hate.

  “Stand right here, Raven.”

  He points to the spot I’m currently occupying, then turns that hatred back onto the poor man bound in front of him. Knox reaches out for the sack tied aroun
d the man’s neck, and the man flinches as Knox’s fingers begin to untie the rope.

  “Please. No more. Please.”

  The man’s defeated, muffled voice comes through the fabric over his mouth. I can’t contain my gasp. This man needs help, but I can’t defy Knox’s command to remain in this exact spot. Who knows what he’ll do to me if I disobey?

  “Raven, I know your sister is missing,” he states calmly as he continues to loosen the knot.

  “I knew from the second I saw you, you weren’t supposed to be at my estate.”

  My heart freezes in my chest. Fear paralyzes me.

  “You had reasons for being there, other than money. I knew as much. I had to do some digging, call in a favor to find out why you showed up at the manor.”

  He finally unties the rope, and he slings it to the side.

  I can’t speak. I can’t move. All I can do is stand here as the tears trail down my cheeks.

  I’m not getting out of this room.

  A sob bursts free from my throat, and I drop my face in my hands.

  “Raven, look.”

  I raise my head as he pulls the mask from the man’s face. Now I am in total shock.

  What?

  Ethan?

  My sister’s fiancé sits in that chair, beaten within an inch of his life. His bruised eyes are nearly swollen shut. Blood trickles from his nose and lips.

  Oh, my God. This man is a fucking monster!

  “Ethan!” I scream as I move toward him.

  Knox holds his arm out, blocking my path to Ethan. This man is going to kill us. I’m the only thing that stands between our deaths. I hurtle myself into him, knocking him backward slightly, swinging my arms and kicking my legs while screams of terror erupt from my mouth. Knox bands his arms tightly around my body, pulling me against his chest. My feet no longer on the floor, I kick wildly while he holds me in place.

  “Ethan sold your sister, Raven,” he says as he pulls me closer against him.

  His words register, and all the fight leaves me. My heart sinks to my stomach.

  What? No…