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He chokes on a rumbling laugh. “To put it bluntly.” His laughter dies off. “You need anything, call me.”
“Will do.” I hear voices coming down the hall. “I’ve got to go. Mom and Dad just got here.”
“Love you, Cat. We’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too.”
Just as I set the phone down on the counter after hanging up, I’m spun around and yanked off my stool. I let out a huff of air when I’m forcefully pulled into Mom’s arms.
“My baby,” she cries in my ear. I can already feel her tears wetting the shoulder of my shirt.
I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight. “I’m okay, Mom.”
After a moment, she grabs my arms and pulls back from me. When she sees the damage on my face, more tears glisten in her eyes.
“Mom, stop. I’m fine, okay?” I smile even though it hurts, hoping it’ll lessen her worry.
She doesn’t respond. Just snatches me forward for another nearly suffocating hug. I let her do her thing because she’s a mom and it’s what she needs to do.
As soon as she lets me go, Dad reaches out and pulls me into his firm arms. He handles his emotions better, but I know he’s just as worried as Mom, and just as relieved.
I do this a couple more times with Ginger and Mason, although Mason’s embrace is shorter than the others. I get hugs from the boys too, and their curious eyes latch onto my face, but they don’t say anything. Ginger probably talked with them before they arrived.
After everyone has seen that I’m okay, Hunter walks over and takes the stool next to the one I was sitting on. Grabbing the waistband of my jeans, he pulls me backward until I’m wedged between his legs.
Since last night, he’s been touching me constantly and keeping me in view all the time. I’m surprised he left me in the kitchen to answer the door a few minutes ago. I fully expected him to toss me over his shoulder and cart me around with him. I don’t complain. This whole ordeal has been hard on him, and if hovering makes him feel better, then he can do it to his heart’s content.
“Ginger, why don’t you and Mason take the boys into the living room? Mom and I want to talk to Cat and Hunter alone.”
As I look at Dad, I see his eyes firmly fixed on Hunter. Ginger doesn’t argue as she collects Aiden and Josh from the kitchen and she and Mason take them to the living room.
As soon as they clear the doorway, I ask, “What’s going on Dad?”
He doesn’t look at me, but keeps his keen gaze over my shoulder at Hunter. “I want to know what’s happening?”
“We’ve already told you,” Hunter replies, resting his hand on my waist.
“Don’t take me for a fool, Hunter,” Dad says, a scowl forming on his face. “What happened here last night was never called in. I would have heard about it.”
I glance over my shoulder at Hunter. His lips are flat, and I can see indecision in his eyes. Dad’s right. One of his hunting buddies works for the police department. William would have called Dad as soon as the call came in. If that had happened, my parents would have been here last night.
“It’s being taken care of. That’s all you need to know,” Hunter responds, his voice firm.
“How?” Dad asks anyway.
“Let’s just say Jimmy is no longer a threat and leave it at that. And Henry isn’t an issue either.”
“Hunter—”
“With all due respect, Jacob, I’m going to insist you leave it alone. The only thing you need to know is that Cat is safe and no one will ever touch her again.”
Dad seems poised to argue, but his mouth snaps shut and he jerks his chin up. “That’s all I can ask for.” He pauses. “But I’m still going to make a request. Make it slow,” he adds.
Everyone in the room knows what he’s saying.
“It will be my pleasure.” A shiver runs down my spine at Hunter’s dark response.
“And painful.”
