Addict (Hunter #2)(111)

We sat on the couch for a long moment, space between us. Our shared history was there, a massive wall that kept me from reaching out to him.

“I’m going to go with Jacob, Kelsey.”

Tears sparked in my eyes, but I held them back. I’d expected he would need some time to deal with the whole prophet thing. “Will you call me when you come back?”

“I don’t know if I will come back.” He sighed and the afternoon sunlight made his skin glow. He was beautiful and so far from me. “I remember thinking most roads led to you here alone. I saw it over and over again. You crying on the floor, desperate and alone because I’m going to Hell.”

“That was one possible future, Gray.”

“No, many choices lead to that future. It’s most probable. I won’t put you through that. Marcus can make you happy.” His jaw tightened. “Apparently that wolf can make you happy.”

Jealousy looked cute on him. “What we saw were possibilities. The game’s not over. Not until the minute they drag you to Hell, and even then it’s not done. We don’t know what comes after that moment. You said I’ll always choose to be brave. Well, if you get dragged to Hell, you should know I’ll be mounting a damn rescue party after I finish my well-deserved cry.”

He reached out and his fingertips brushed my face. “And that’s why I have to stay away from you.”

“You say you’re going to stay away, but you’re here. You came back to this place. You’ll always come back to this place, and I think I will, too.”

“I’m going to try to stay away. I can’t stand the thought of being the reason you don’t find happiness, the reason you die. If I have to spend an eternity serving on the Hell plane, at least I’ll know you’re somewhere happy.” He stood up, a clear signal he was done. “Tell Jacob he can come for me at any time. I’m ready to go. I’ve spoken with both my father and brother and explained that if either of them attempt to contact me again, I’ll offer my services to Lucifer on one condition.”

I could guess what that was. “Their heads.”

“Oh, yes. The word is Lucifer wasn’t happy with Winter’s plans. He’s a patient man, though. He hasn’t punished my father yet. I can tip that scale if I want to.”

I stood up and moved to face him. “Don’t do anything foolish, Gray. And I’m sorry about your brother.”

“Another reason for me to leave. I don’t want to watch you kill him. I know what you have to do. I didn’t know about your father. Or Roberts. I was na?ve. I thought Nemcox’s mate was happy with him. Yet another idiotic play I’ve made.”

“He was your brother. We want to believe the best in the people we love.” Maybe it was a good thing for Gray to travel for a while, but I couldn’t let him leave like this. He had no hope. It was like his spark was gone. “Can I touch him before I go?”

Gray looked down at the tat that had started to glow, and I wondered if he could feel it vibrating. He took a moment and I thought he would tell me no. Finally, he nodded.

I couldn’t reach the man. The man was stubborn, but the demon knew what he wanted. The demon wanted to fight for our future. I ran a hand over the dragon, sighing at the connection I felt.

Gray’s whole body shuddered.

I stared up at him, my hand still petting the dragon. “Do you know what I saw in this room, Gray Sloane? I saw our children. I saw them laughing and happy and whole, and I will fight to make that possibility come true. So run all you like, but we will be right back here someday.”

I turned to go and he caught me, dragging me back into his arms. His warmth encased me.

“Don’t talk. Just let me hold you for a minute. Just let us be.” He wrapped me up, holding on to me like he would never let go.

We stood that way, not speaking, simply holding on until the sun finally went down.



Marcus turned to me as he stopped the car in front of the small house that was my destination. It had only been a few days since I’d done in old Father Winter, but the streets were snow free and I hadn’t seen a single snow monster. I could go the rest of my life without seeing another one of those. The weather was back to being perfectly Texan, and by that I meant predictably unpredictable. Today had been a nice toasty sixty-five, with light winds and not a single snowflake. I’d spent the day with Liv, who was mourning Scott.

Oh, he wasn’t dead. He’d survived, but the whole experience had made Liv realize she needed something more. Apparently Liv’s version of mourning included Mexican food, margaritas, and a whole lot of tears.

I was already mourning Gray, though I hadn’t cried. It was easier to concentrate on Liv.

“Are you sure you’re all right, bella?”

“I’m going to miss him. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you that, but it’s the truth.” I fiddled with the bag in my hand. It contained all the necessaries for the evening. Snacks, beer, gaming dice. I was getting back to my geek roots tonight.

Marcus leaned over and kissed me. “I know you will. I have a feeling he’s going to be coming back, and then we will have to make some decisions of our own.”

We would have to decide how to proceed because I loved two men. I tried not to think about Trent. I’d been avoiding him the last several days because every time I saw him, all I could think about was how good he’d looked naked.