Page 140 of Monstrous Serpent

Except Hunter isn’t going to die because he’s not coming. Not after what happened with Cody. And even if he might consider it, he’s probably at the hospital. Might not even have gotten the text message.

At least I hope that’s the case.

Because I can’t be the reason he dies. Cody needs him. Hunter will take care of our little Titan. Not hurt him the way I did.

The man sitting on the log checks his phone. “Been an hour. You sure your nephew’s coming?”

“Told you he’s not.” I glare at the man. “He’ll let me die, so might as well get your money back.”

Wade turns toward me, arms crossed. “Well, if not you, we do have a backup.”

My throat tightens, every muscle tensing.

A backup?

“I know all about how much my nephew hates us taking children.” Wade smiles, stepping closer, and holds his phone out. “This one won’t stand a chance. Probably will be dead within ten minutes. Don’t you think?”

My gaze locks on the screen, lungs seizing, body going cold.

Davis.

No. No. No.

I thrash against the tree, kicking out. Gotta get free. I won’t let them hurt Davis. Not while I’m still breathing.

Wade laughs. “Got some life back in you, eh Bambi?”

I stop thrashing, eyes narrowing as they meet Wade’s, and I don’t look away. Not this time. Not after they just threatened the sweetest kid I fucking know.

These dumb fucks think I’m some scared deer. And maybe I was before. But now they get to meet the other side of me. The monster created in the woods five years ago.

I’m going to take them apart, one at a time, starting with the piece of shit who made Davis a target.

My gaze flicks from Wade to Garrett. “You’re mine, motherfucker.”

Chapter 35

Hunter

I slide the phone out of my back pocket. Eighty yards to the pin drop location. I lock it, then secure it once more.

The oaks are getting thicker, branches low enough that I duck under them without slowing. No moonlight cuts through the canopy. Don't need it. My eyes adjusted ten minutes ago, and the shapes are enough—trunks, gaps, the deer trail bending ahead.

Something moves to my left. Small. Low to the ground. Not a threat.

Unlike Garrett.

My jaw clenches, molars grinding hard enough the pressure shoots into my temples. This is all my fucking fault. I let Garrett back in. Believed he'd changed. Because I needed it to be true. Would mean I could change too.

Pathetic.

And now he took what’s mine.

A branch snaps, and I freeze, crouching slightly, hand going to the hilt of the knife in my waistband. Nothing moves or comes into sight. I wait a few more seconds before continuing.

The texts from Garrett came forty-five minutes ago. Not sure when the picture was taken. Or if Atlas is even alive.

My stomach twists hard enough to slow my next step.