Hard Times by C. Hallman
12
“Who’s that?”
My head snaps up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. It’s breakfast time, and I was in the middle of forcing scrambled eggs down my throat when a stranger entered the room. It’s bad enough I’m afraid to so much as lift my gaze or clear my throat. Now there’s somebody asking questions about me and sounding irritated when they do.
The girl from yesterday, the one I saw hugging Hunter. She’s still here.
And she’s staring at me with eyes capable of burning holes.
Hunter clears his throat. “Don’t worry about it, okay?” He glances at Eli, who’s standing next to the girl—they entered the room together while I sit here with my head down to avoid meeting Ryker’s rage-filled glare.
Eli seems to get the hint. “I’m starving. It smells good in here.” He wanders across the room like the tension isn’t enough to choke a person. Maybe he doesn’t sense it since he’s not the one Ryker keeps shooting dirty looks at. I don’t need to see him to feel the heat and weight of his glare.
“Eggs and bacon on the stove,” Ryker growls this through gritted teeth. “Potatoes in the oven.”
He’s mad at me. No surprise there. Frankly, it’s hypocritical as hell for him to take this attitude, but I know better than to point that out. These men kidnapped me and have been holding me hostage and plan to kill me, but oh, no, God forbid I try to fight back. He’s got the nerve to have an attitude.
Meanwhile, the girl is still staring at me. “Who is she?” she asks Hunter with her hands on her hips.
“I asked you not to worry about it, didn’t I?” He’s gentle with her, almost loving, but there’s an edge to his voice. “I’m serious.”
“I only wanted to know why she’s here.” She flips dark hair over one shoulder and looks me up and down while I do my damndest to get through my meal. Anything, so long as I can get this over with.
My last full day of living and this is what greets me. A resentful Ryker and some girl who clearly hates me. Considering the way she buried her face in Hunter’s chest, I’m guessing her curiosity is deeply personal.
Eli passes behind her. “Listen to your brother, Del.”
Brother? Brother. Oh, hell. That makes a difference—though I can’t imagine why she’s here unless crime runs in the family.
And I’d be kidding myself if I said this development doesn’t bring at least a little relief knowing she’s not his girlfriend or fiancée. That shouldn’t matter, should it? I wish my heart would get the memo because my emotions are seriously confusing me right now.
Wait a second.
As I eat, I go through Hunter’s file in my head. There was nothing in there about a sister. Nobody named Delilah at all. The mystery keeps getting deeper all the time. Not that it matters, because I’m going to die tomorrow, but it’s a way of keeping my brain busy, at least.
It’s a relief to finish my food and push back from the table. I haven’t said a word since entering the room and sitting down before a plate of food Hunter fixed for me. It’s he who walks me down the hall to his room. I notice he’s careful to make it appear we’re friends, like he isn’t holding me prisoner down here. Though, I can’t help but wonder why he’s changed his habits now that Delilah’s here? Does he want her to think he’s a good guy? I almost laugh at the idea.
We’re back in Hunter’s room before I get up the guts to ask. “You have a sister? I never read about her. I’d remember if you had immediate family in the area.”
He sighs heavily and rubs a hand over his head. “Yeah, there’s a reason for that. I’ve done everything I can to keep her away from my life.”
“But she’s family. How do the authorities—”
“She’s my half-sister.” He sits on the edge of the bed. “Eighteen. We have the same father. She grew up with her mom and stepdad. We’ve never shared a house, and I was already thirteen when she was born. But… she’s good. She’s honest. And she has no idea who I am or what I’ve done.”
He raises his head and looks me in the eye. “She thinks I’m a decent person. Her big brother who she loves. I’d like to keep it that way. I need at least one person to believe in me, or else what do I have?”
Now that I have trouble believing. He looks and sounds like he means it, though. “She doesn’t think there’s anything weird about this place? About you being here? I’d have questions.”
“She does, but I’ve talked my way around them.” He eyes me. “She’s being a concerned sister. That’s why she asked who you are. She doesn’t have the first clue. I shouldn’t even have her here, but I couldn’t leave without seeing her again.”
Leave. My heart jumps at the word. They’re not planning to stay here. That makes sense.
And it doesn’t matter where they go or what their plans are because I’ll be dead. Funny how it’s becoming easier to deal with the idea of dying. Everybody dies, right?
My guts twist, knowing I’ll die without fulfilling my mission. The only thing I’ve cared about for years. I touch the bracelet and hope Mom forgives me and understands.
“I’d appreciate it if you see her again that you not tell her anything.” His eyes meet mine. “I don’t have the right to ask favors after all this, but she doesn’t deserve to have her life ripped apart. And I can’t make her pay for me being so weak. I shouldn’t have had her come here, but I couldn’t help myself. That’s not her fault. She’s innocent.”
So am I. I don’t say it, even though everything inside me screams it.
I chew on my lip. The hardened criminal has a heart. Then again, didn’t he protect me from dying in that wreck? I can almost feel his hands on my head, my face, keeping me still so I wouldn’t get hurt. He didn’t have to do that. If he wanted to get laid, he could’ve found any girl for that.
I sigh. “Okay. If I see her again, I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you, Annie.” He holds my gaze and sincerity drips from his voice. That and relief. “Thank you.”
I jump when the door opens. Ryker strides into the room and the energy changes, making the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up.