AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Well, Locke and Fiora had been right about one thing.
I hated this job.
But as I gutted the salmon from this morning’s catch, I tried to power through. The smell of the fish was overwhelming, almost suffocating, but not as suffocating as Locke’s obvious hold over me was. With every slice of my blade, I focused on how I needed to figure out a way to break away.
But did I truly want that?
I tried to shake off those thoughts, but they lingered. I didn’t want to admit it, but there was a part of me that enjoyed being under his control. Under his watch.
Was it so awful that he was the man who had hunted me? Was it so awful that it had been him all along?
The feminist in me screamed yes. The strong-willed woman I prided myself to be demanded I never speak to the man again. The independent female who made up my very core was already coming up with an escape plan.
But then there was another part of me.
The part of me that longed to be with Locke Hartwell.
The part of me that wanted to rush back into his arms.
The fish had never smelled so repugnant before, but my thoughts were even more putrid. I knew it was irrational, but my attraction toward Locke was undeniable. My thoughts were consumed by Locke’s piercing gaze and his commanding presence. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help the way my body reacted to him. Even the mere thought of him made my skin crawl with anticipation.
I finished gutting the salmon and threw it into the bin. I wiped my hands on my apron just as Fiora approached with a frown on her face.
“Why the hell are you here?”
“I have bills to pay,” I answered, trying not to make eye contact with my best friend. I didn’t want her to see just how upset and torn I was.
“That’s what The Hunt this weekend is for.”
Shaking my head, I said, “I’m not doing The Hunt anymore. I’m over it.”
Fiora crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me. “It’s Locke, isn’t it?”
I bristled at the accusation. “That’s not true. Me not doing The Hunt has nothing to do with him. I quenched my curiosity and now I’m done. Time to get back to the real world.”
“Of gutting fish?” she asked.
“Yeah. Reality.”
“You don’t have to pretend with me,” Fiora said, coming closer to me. “I know something’s going on between you two. And I know it’s not just friendship.”
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. “He’s just my father’s best friend.”
Fiora rolled her eyes. “Please. I know you better than you know yourself. You’re in love with the guy.”
“I am not!” I protested, knowing it was a lie.
“I’m not judging you,” Fiora said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I just want you to be honest with yourself. Do you really want to be here with the stinky fish all your life, denying your true feelings? Or do you want to finally be brave enough to admit them? There’s no shame in admitting you love him, you know?”
I felt my cheeks flush red hot, and I couldn’t meet Fiora’s gaze. Everything she said was true, but it was so much easier to deny it than to confront it. I had been lying to myself for so long, thinking that my feelings for Locke were purely physical. But the truth was I was deeply in love with him. And it was a love that was doomed from the start.
“I can’t love him,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “He was my father’s friend. He’s older, more sophisticated, and more… And he’s the one who hunted me. I just found out. He’s been watching me without me knowing, and he was the man behind the mask.”
Fiora’s eyes widened, and she inhaled deeply. “Okay… Wow. So it was him the entire time?”
I nodded.
“Hmm… that complicates things.”
