Hunting Her Box Set

We ascend surrounded in tension, all four of us a breath away from reaching for a weapon. The atmosphere doesn’t change when the doors open. One by one, we pile out, Torian in the lead, Luca in the back, as we walk toward the start of the silent ICU.

The lights are dim, the late hours marked with desolate halls and gentle footfalls.

A lone woman stands from behind the nurses’ station as we approach and hustles to greet us in the middle of the corridor.

“Mr. Torian?” She gives a sad smile. “My name is Carly. I spoke to you earlier.”

All four of us come to stand shoulder to shoulder, forming a makeshift wall before her.

“Thanks for your call.” He reaches out a hand for her to shake. “I appreciate you keeping me informed.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I just wish I hadn’t had to make contact under these circumstances.”

Torian inclines his head and releases her hand. “It can’t be helped. My uncle has been fighting for a long time.”

“Yes.” Her brows pinch, and for a heartbeat she pauses. There’s no mistaking her apprehension. “That’s something I need to discuss with you.” She glances along the barrier of muscle surrounding her and swallows. “Maybe in private.”

“Privacy isn’t necessary.” He indicates the three of us with a wave of his hand. “These men know better than to betray my trust.”

I cringe through yet another warning.

He’s nothing if not repetitive.

“My concern is the woman who was with your uncle prior to his death.” The nurse wrings her hands in front of her. “Like I mentioned on the phone, she wasn’t on your approved visitor list, and the timing of his passing is oddly coincidental. Normally, the death of a man in Richard’s position wouldn’t require a coroner’s investigation, but I think it’s best—”

“No.” Torian shakes his head. “She had every right to see him.”

“But the timing… And she admitted she wasn’t known to your family. Aren’t you—”

“Her presence wasn’t a surprise.” He gives a sad smile. “She may have thought she wasn’t known, but I endeavor to make sure there are no secrets or surprises when it comes to those I care about.”

It’s another warning.

Another threat.

“Not even the nursing staff have escaped my scrutiny,” he continues. “I know about all the employees on this ward, Carly. I’m aware of their shifts, their address, down to the details of who they live with.”

She stiffens.

It’s a smart move. She should definitely be on edge.

“From memory, you’ve got a young daughter in prep-school, isn’t that right?”

“Yes. That’s right.” She frowns. “But, Mr. Torian, what I’m trying to articulate is that I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t push for an autopsy. I think it’s necessary.”

“No.” Torian slams down her request. “My uncle is finally at rest. I refuse to allow his peace to be disturbed.”

“I understand, but—”

“He said, ‘no,’” Hunter grates. “Take the hint or the consequences.”

Her mouth gapes, her fear-filled gaze snapping to Hunt.

“Carly,” Torian diffuses the situation by reaching for her hand, “I’d appreciate if you worked with me to ensure the wishes of my family are met. We don’t need to waste hospital resources here. My uncle fought for weeks, but now he’s gone.” There’s another placating smile. “Now I need you to do whatever necessary to ensure there’s no delay in laying him to rest.”

She inches back, moving out of reach. “I don’t think…”

“I’m no longer asking.” He doesn’t change his tone. That placating smile remains in place. “There won’t be an autopsy. Or any further investigation. Do you understand?”

She glances over her shoulder, searching for help that’s nowhere in sight.

I almost feel sorry for her. If only Keira’s i

“Your continued care for Richard will be compensated,” I offer, ready and willing to pay out of my own pocket. “This situation doesn’t need to get complicated.”

“Yes,” Hunter adds. “Take the money and keep your daughter safe.”

She exhales a shuddering breath, the depth of his threat delving deep.

“Are we clear, Carly?” Torian asks.

She nods, slow at first, then more definitive. “I understand.”

“Good.” He turns and stalks for the elevators.

There’s no farewell to the deceased uncle. No grief or emotional turmoil.

Luca and Hunt follow, while I hang back with the woman frozen in place.

“You don’t want to fuck with him.” I grab her arm and give a supportive squeeze. “Do what he asks, and you and your daughter will be fine.”

She jerks back, her lips trembling, her eyes full of tears. “Get your hand off me.”

I comply, letting my arm fall. “Just stick to the script.”

I leave her to battle her demons and follow the guys down the hall then into the open elevator.

We don’t talk as the doors close. The tension does enough of that for us.

But once we’re trapped inside, Luca points a menacing finger in Hunter’s face. “You should’ve kept your mouth shut. You scared her.”

“That’s the fucking point. And also my job, asshole.”

“Not for much longer.”

Hunter shoots a glance to Torian for confirmation. “Are you kidding me? You want this guy at your side over me?”

“You haven’t been at my side,” Torian scolds. “You’ve been missing for two days.”

“For good reason. I don’t need to give you a play-by-play of my movements. But you should know I’m doing my job regardless.”

The elevator doors open at the lobby, and Torian walks out without reacting, continuing outside to the path leading toward the parking lot.

“Don’t fucking walk away from me.” Hunter stalks after him. “I put my life on the line for you every goddamn day.”

I jog to keep up and fall into step at his side. “Let him go. We’ve gotta get out of here.”

“What’s the hurry?” Luca asks from behind us. “Have you got someplace more important to be?”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “You’re mom’s house. She’s waiting for her daily dose of D.”

“Keep talking, deadshit, it’s go

I grind my teeth through the distance to Torian, who waits at the start of the parking lot.

“I’ve got places to be.” I bypass him and head toward the Jeep. “I’ll check in later.”

“I told you before, you’re not leaving my sight.”

I swing around, walking backward away from him. “You also told me to protect Keira. And I can’t do that while I’m here holding your hand.”

“Protect her from what?” He gives me a checkmate stare. “You said she was safe with Sarah.”

My steps falter. “She is. But I’m not going to leave her for longer than necessary.”

“Do you even know where she is? Could you take me to her?”

I can’t answer. Not with the truth that will expose her secrets, or lies that will easily be uncovered.

“Was it Keira or Sarah?” He doesn’t elaborate. He doesn’t need to. I already understand the question.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He smiles, the curve of lips more threatening than a scowl could ever be. “This is your last chance. Keira or Sarah?”

I keep my mouth shut, determined not to be disloyal to her.

“It was Keira,” Hunt mutters. “She took him down.”

My brain explodes.

He betrayed her.

He betrayed me.

What the fuck?

Torian’s mouth pulls tight. His nostrils flare. I watch every flicker in his expression as he begins to realize his sister is a murderer. “You convinced her to take action against her own family.” He continues to stare at me. “Why?”