Page 251 of Boys Who Hunt

“Nothing,” Silas swiftly says, clearing his throat. “So how have you been doing?”

Fine. If he doesn’t want me to know, then he can keep the info.

“Good,” I reply, folding my arms.

“You found a place? Or is that lady with the frying pan still terrorizing you?”

“I’ve been staying at Océane’s sorority, Alpha Psi,” I explain. “The girls were quite welcoming. Even to Bagel.”

He nods a few times. “It’s safe?”

Even now, he still wants to know if I’m safe despite the fact that he was the one who used to make me want to feel the fear in my bones.

What’s changed?

Have I? Or did he?

“As safe as can be, with Talon watching over her shoulder like a bulldog,” I say.

Heath snorts. “Sounds about right. I’ve seen him train. That guy could probably take down a dozen guys with just one fist.”

“Well, I’m glad your friends were there to help when you needed them,” Max says, smiling.

“Yeah, I’m grateful,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I’m just glad we got to put this whole thing with my stepdad behind me. I can finally start off with a clean slate and not feel like I’m being chased.” I eye Silas. “At least for now.”

Silas’s eyes narrow.

“I mean, the debt never ends, does it?” I mutter. “Now that you also helped me get rid of him.”

His jaw tenses as he swallows.

Still, he doesn’t say a word.

Why should I expect anything else? After all, he’s still the same guy—still a psychopathic serial killer, still … heartless.

I take in a deep breath. “Anyway, I have to go,” I say. “I have something I need to take care of.”

Max raises a finger. “Wait, but…”

I glance at all three. “Yes?”

“What will you do after? You know, when you can’t stay at the sorority any longer?” Max asks.

I shrug. “I’ll figure it out. I'll make it work as long as I have Cora and we don’t have to run. Somehow.” I turn around and walk.

“Will you come back to us?” Max asks.

I pause. “That depends…”

“On what?” Heath asks. “I’ll do anything.”

“Anything?” I quip.

Even Silas’s eyes sparkle with excitement. “Anything … andeverything.”

I remember those words all too well, and they still make me shiver, still make me crave.

I bite my lip and glance at them one last time. “Forgiveness only happens when it’s earned. So earn it.”