Hunt and Prey (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 8) by Kaylie Hunter (novels to read for beginners txt) 📕

“Well,” I said as I turned on the faucet to fill the sink with hot water. “You don’t play well with Wild Card and I have no interest in being cooped up with you all day, so I guess that means you work for Tyler.”

Tyler hid his grin as he drank his coffee. Uncle Hank coughed a laugh. Everyone else looked down or away.

“Is that right?” Grady asked.

“Either that, or get on a plane and go home.” I turned my back to him and started loading dirty pans into the sink.

“Fine. At least one of us will put the safety of the kids first. I’ll stay to protect them.”

Several sharp inhales preceded the now deadly silent room. I took my time as I turned to face Grady. My fists were clenched so tight, blood flow was likely cut off. Grady stood, ready for war, his eyes piercing mine.

Charlie walked over and stepped between us, turning to face him. “I get you’re pissed. Frustrated. And maybe even feeling a bit left out. But if you make another dig about Kelsey not putting the kids’ safety first, you’ll be leaving this house in an ambulance.”

“You’re good, Kid, but not that good.”

“Look around, Grady. You’re outnumbered on this issue.”

Grady glanced around. Every face in the room was scowling at him, disappointed with the low blow. He left out the French doors to the patio without saying another word.

Everyone exhaled.

Charlie walked over and looked at me. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I asked, tossing the dishrag into the sink.

“Don’t let him get into your head. Tyler and Uncle Hank will keep the kids safe. There’s a team of security here watching them. Hell, there’s two trained attack dogs that follow them everywhere they go. They’re safe.”

“I know…” I looked away, my eyes threatening to tear up. I blinked rapidly to clear them. “It’s just, we’re here… In Florida. And I—” I shook my head as I swallowed my tears.

“I know. We all know. But Nicholas is safe,” she said, rubbing my arm. “Nola’s dead. Nobody is after Nicholas. You made sure of it.”

“But…”

“No, buts,” Wild Card said, stepping behind me and wrapping his arms around me. “You have human traffickers to hunt. We have a murderer to find. And while a dozen guards ensure their safety, the kids have a giant-ass heated swimming pool to entertain them.”

Maggie walked into the kitchen and opened the dishwasher. “The kids are in good hands. Tyler promised to teach Anne and Sara how to dive before his shift starts while I teach Nicholas the breast stroke.”

Several chuckles broke out.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, boys. You know dog-gone well I was referring to swimming.”

I laughed and looked toward Anne. “You don’t know how to dive?”

Anne shook her head. “I’d never even been in a pool before yesterday. Swam in a lake a few times when I was young, but that’s been the extent of my swimming experience.”

“Tyler’s not teaching you how to dive. No way. No how,” Whiskey said, narrowing his eyes at the man who sat across from him. “I’ll teach you myself.”

Anne shrugged, not seeming too concerned with who taught her.

“And you?” I asked Haley.

“I’ll be sunning by the pool until one of you comes back needing stitches.” Haley sauntered out the French doors, stripping her t-shirt off as she went. Her bikini top was barely within the threshold of being allowable to wear in front of the kids.

Maggie shut the dishwasher door and pushed the start button. “Holler if anyone needs a Fed. I don’t fly out of Miami until four.” She walked out, stripping off her beach cover up.

Based on the looks Anne threw in their direction, I was guessing she was feeling self-conscious to be out in the pool area with them. I could see the straps to her conservative one-piece swimsuit under her tank top. She stopped looking toward the patio and glanced down at her own body.

“You’re a knockout,” Wild Card said to her. “If Whiskey ever screwed up the relationship, there’d be a line at the door waiting to replace him.”

“And I’d beat them to a bloody pulp while I begged for you to take me back,” Whiskey said, leaning over to kiss the top of her head on his way into the kitchen.

The kids, Carl, and both dogs came tearing down the stairs. The kids wore their swimsuits and dragged their beach towels across the floor behind them. Jager continued after them.

Beast stopped to look at Charlie, whining with his hind end swaying back and forth.

“No. Sorry, buddy, but I’m driving the Mustang today. Wet dog and expensive leather don’t go together.”

He whined again, flopping himself onto the floor by her feet as he pouted up at her.

“It’s best if we take two vehicles,” Wild Card said on his way out of the room. “I picked up my rental on our way back from the finger-chopping event last night.”

Charlie looked over her shoulder at Wild Card as he walked away. “Are you saying he can swim and then ride in your SUV?”

“Might as well,” Wild Card answered without turning around. “My deposit is already a lost cause after yesterday.”

“Quick,” Charlie said to Beast as she pointed toward the door. “You’ve got two minutes.”

Beast barked twice, jumped to his feet, and ran outside.

“Ahh,” Charlie said. “He’s so happy.”

I raised an eyebrow at Charlie. “You know he’s a dog, right? That he doesn’t really know what you said.”

“Leave me alone. After all these years, I finally have a partner I like.”

I shook my head at her as she walked out.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHARLIE

Tuesday, 8:15 a.m.

With the top down on the Mustang, wearing my oversized sunglasses, and the