The Hunted

Book Three of the Between the Veil series

Copyright ©2017 Amber C. Carlyle

Cover Design by Sherrie Spencer, 2017, http://www.sherriespencer.com/

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Acknowledgements:

To my wonderful and loving husband, who remains my biggest and loudest supporter. Thank you for all the late-night talks and brainstorming.

To my ever-faithful beta reader Becky D., for her continued support and love. Her efforts helped evolve the characters and books.

To my faithful readers. Two years later, I hope you enjoy this as much as the others.

To my Inanities. Thank you for putting up with me still. I adore you all. Even when I’m chucking my dice across a room.

And for S.R. Without him, I don’t know that this story would ever have happened.

Chapter 1

We can’t stay here.

That was all Ash said. He never looked to me; he never elaborated. He just rushed from my spare bedroom, as if it was the simplest thing in the world for me to understand the gravity of his words.

Except I didn’t.

Wait, what the hell do you mean? My words chased after him as I saw him dip into my bedroom. I forgot about the half-burnt box, still sitting on my bed, containing my entire investigative case into Sean’s disappearance. I’d process that bit later. Right now, the strong, steady presence that I had been using to keep myself calm was freaking out, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what messed with Ash’s head enough to unnerve him.

That didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to get an explanation anyways. He exited my bedroom, boots in hands, and I followed him to my living room. He ignored both my question and my presence, stopping just long enough to sit and lace up his boots. That actually bothered me - a lot. And it wasn’t just because I’d rather be back to enjoying the reason the tall, handsome, and shirtless man had been at my house that evening.

I wasn’t sure if I was more frightened than angry, and the tremble in my hands didn’t help. I clenched my fists at my side, as I tried to rein in my emotions. The last thing I needed was to start freaking out. I shook my head. Ash, would you say something?

He looked to me as he got back to his feet. His blue eyes were dark, and he ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair to keep it from spilling into his face. It ain’t safe. We just need to go.

Why?

Look, there ain’t time for this. The words practically growled from his mouth, and he stalked past me, snatching up his discarded t-shirt and yanking it back on.

I ran my tongue along the back of my teeth - the anger beginning to win over the fear. I’m sorry. I’d rather know just a little bit of the reason why you’re so damned insistent that we leave.

That was the part that was really bugging me. He was rushing to get ready to run out my front door, but he didn’t seem to care that I hadn’t even bothered to change out of my makeshift pajamas. He moved past me again, but I reached out to him, grabbing his arm. I just had to know the reason. He froze under my touch, but he never looked to me. Yumi…

I trusted him, and he knew that. He had to know that he could trust me too, right? I wanted to reach out, to brush my fingers along the rough stubble on his cheeks, but I kept my other hand at my side, letting my concern color my voice instead. Just tell me something.

I think I’m going to have to insist on some answers, myself. There was no mistaking the authoritative tone in Detective Joshua Boulliard's voice, and I fucking hated that I forgot him in that spare bedroom too. Damn it, this was getting complicated. Why couldn't Ash and I just be alone for a few more moments?

Ash certainly wanted nothing to do with him, as he jerked his arm from my grasp, heading over to his leather jacket still laying on the ground. I'll pass.

It's not really open for discussion. Josh stepped around me, towards Ash. Somebody clearly left a message in there, and if you have any idea who did that, I need to know that information.

Well, I ain't talking. Ash slipped the coat over his shoulders, not even glancing towards me or Josh. He was hellbent and determined to get the fuck out of here it seemed.

I could feel my hands tremble, again, and I doubted that clenching my fists was going to be able to stop it now. My chest was heavy, as if filled with lead, and I forced myself to just try and breathe normally. I knew Josh was trying to help, that he was trying to be my friend, but it wasn't the time. Josh... please.

No, Yumi, if your… if he knows something, he owes it to you to say it. Josh positioned himself to partially block my view of Ash.

Whatever I owe her ain't none of your business, Hoss.

It became my business when someone broke into her house.

Well, like I said, I ain't talking. So unless you plan on arresting me...

My eyebrows shot up as soon as those baited words left Ash's mouth. I had no clue if Josh would even try, and I didn't want to give him a chance. I shot past Josh, glaring at him and silently daring him to utter a word. Anger flashed in his hazel eyes, but he took a step back, and I turned my attention to Ash, who already had one hand on the knob to my front door.

Ash...

He shook his head and opened my door. I followed him without hesitation, the chill of the night caressing my bare feet as they moved across the cement. I wanted to reach out, to touch him again. After all, I was convinced he was about to disappear into the dead of night. I kept my hands to myself, and, thankfully, he turned to face me again. He practically towered over me, and darkness shrouded his face, so I couldn't even see the wild look in his eyes any longer. You should go. Get away from here.

Just tell me what's going on. If I knew, then the police...

The police can't help you. They can't... He grasped my hands, his warmth exuding through his skin. He squeezed them gently, like he'd done in the past to soothe my nerves. This time, it didn't work. Trust me.

I want to. I do, but... I pulled my hands away from his. If it was so perilous to be here, why was he running and leaving me here? After everything we’d seen together, been through together, it just didn't make sense to me. You're not making this easy.

I waited, the silence enveloping us. I wasn't sure what I was expecting. Did I want him to ask me to come with him? Was I hoping he'd change his mind and stay? My stomach flipped, my arms trembling still. It was my turn to shake my head. What the hell was I doing? He made up his mind the moment he left that bedroom. I needed to just go back in my apartment, and fuck, I'd just let Josh and the police help me. A disgusted noise escaped the back of my throat as I turned my back on him, regret burning that I’d somehow rather look at Josh right now.

Ash stopped me before I managed to cross the short distance back to my door. He spun me back to face him, one hand on my waist. The rough callous of his other hand caressed my face, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me closer. His mouth crushed mine, and no matter what conflicting thoughts ran through my mind, a small groan slipped past my lips. My hands clutched at the thin material of his shirt, and I almost forgot about everything else. It was just him and me, and maybe that was all I needed right now.

Everything came flooding back as he broke our kiss, the night air assaulting me with its chill. He cursed under his breath, and I rocked on my heels as I tried to keep my balance. I never got a chance to fully regain my bearings; Ash beat feet across the parking lot towards his motorcycle - nary a word uttered to me. The roar of the engine rang in my ears, and I just shook my head.

What the actual fuck just happened? And what was it that he saw in that room that spooked him?

I shivered as I made my way back to my apartment, not wanting to go back in. It was more than just not wanting to talk to Josh at this point. The realization that someone deliberately set fire to that box, that someone intentionally left a message for obviously not just me, had me terrified. I was dumb enough to leave my front door open, earlier , but how the fuck did they get out of my apartment with no one noticing?

My throat tightened as I finally worked up the courage to open the door. Josh turned towards me, looking as if he had been pacing my living room the entire time I was gone. He ran a hand through his dark hair. Well?

I just shook my head, closing the door behind me. My voice failed me, which was probably for the best since the back of my throat burned. I cupped a hand over my mouth, closing my eyes, as I took a deep breath. I had to find a way to keep myself calm. Ash was gone. I could do this. I just needed to focus - focus on anything.

My nose itched.

Yumi?

I glared at Josh, who was looking at me with both concern and alarm. I dropped my hand back to my side. What? Just what?

Did he tell you anything? Josh's normal poker face was long gone, his arms crossed across his chest. His lips were pulled into a thin line as he barely contained his own anger.

Don't trust the police to keep me safe. The irony of those words weren't lost on me since Ash abandoned me solely to the police's protection - with nothing but a bruising kiss to remind me of him before he left - the bastard. Nope.

And you just let him leave?

Excuse me? Since when do I have the magic powers to force anyone to do anything? If Ash wanted to fucking leave, I wasn't going to be able to convince him otherwise.

Your taste in boyfriends continues to astound me.

Oh, fuck you, Josh. If it wasn't for the fact that I couldn't handle being alone, I would have thrown Josh out after that comment. He proceeded to ignore me, dialing a number on his phone. I would have thought you'd have called the precinct already.

I did. They're on their way here. You clearly can't stay here tonight though.

I furrowed my brow at that comment. Who would he think to call? My eyes widened as it dawned on me. Don't you fucking do what I think you're doing.

He cut his eyes at me and shook his head. Mister Matthews, it's Josh. I'm sorry to be calling you this late. No, no, she's fine, but...

He called my parents. I couldn't fucking believe it. I was going to kill Josh.

Chapter 2

Josh afforded me the small luxury of actually changing into some kind of decent clothes before the police and my parents arrived. I made him actually stand in my bedroom while I was in the bathroom, the door cracked. I wasn't completely insane. After all, someone had fucking been in my apartment, and that was starting to freak me out more than I wanted - or cared to admit. I really wished Ash had stuck around - parents or no. There was something about him that calmed me; where I didn’t need a cigarette - or anything else really - to take the edge off my rattled nerves.

Fuck, a cigarette - that headiness as the nicotine filtered into my system, the hot smoke filling my lungs. It’d do wonders to make the rest of this just a bit more tolerable. Why the hell had I decided to give them up again?

I was more than a little agitated by the time my father's Mercedes pulled into the police filled parking lot of my apartment building. Not to mention, I was freezing my butt off next to Josh's car in a pair of jeans and a short sleeve shirt since my leather jacket was still in a crumpled pile on my bedroom floor. I had other jackets, but I didn't really think to grab one of those. I was rather attached to the jacket that was going to need some serious dry-cleaning to get rid of the filth I collected in that basement.

My stomach twisted into knots as George Matthews, my father, stepped out of the car in a pair of pressed khakis, a button shirt, and a sports coat. I caught a glimpse of Caitlyn Matthews, my mother, sitting in the passenger seat, bundled within a thick woolen coat. Great. Just fucking great. I was going to get it two-fold before I was drug back to their house tonight. I knew that was the only way this debacle was going to end. I just prayed that they didn't jump to the wrong conclusions.

Yumi, my father's voice was soft, but I saw the shadow of disappointment in his brown eyes. It was the one look I wanted to avoid because it held the underlying assumption that I screwed up.

I bent my head down, letting my black hair cascade around my face as my cheeks flamed. No matter how much I knew I didn't deserve the look in his eyes tonight, I wilted underneath it, just like I always did. Hi, Dad.

I rubbed my hands along my arms, trying to impart warmth into them as I continued to shiver from the chill in the air. Cool satin pressed itself against my arms as a jacket was draped over my shoulders. It helped comfort me more than he probably knew. I might have been a royal fuck up half the time, but he still cared about my welfare. Are you okay?

Yeah... That was all I managed to get out of my throat. I nodded, somehow trying to reassure him that I meant it. I didn't, and I guessed that he probably wasn't believing my feeble words. I knew I wouldn't if I was on the other side of this mess.

He didn’t press me for any other information at least. He simply stood next to me, likely waiting for the illustrious Detective Boulliard. It was an awkward silence, as I stared at the ground in front of me, my stomach still twisting in knots. I was a grown ass woman, and here I felt like a teenager who got caught drinking at a party. If only it had been my choice on when - and how - to tell my parents that someone broke into my apartment.

Mister Matthews, Josh’s voice stole through my thoughts as he approached, and I finally looked up in order to glare at him.

He paid me no mind as he extended a hand to my father instead. The two men shook hands, and I leaned against the car as I watched in silence. My father crossed his arms over his chest. I’d like to say it was good to see you again, Josh.

Josh raised both eyebrows, the slightest hint of a smile on his face. I’m just glad the circumstances aren’t as bad as they could be.

Right, he could have called to say that your idiot daughter got herself killed. I fought the twinge of guilt that raced through me. Hell, I almost would rather be sitting in the car with my mother at this point and hearing whatever lecture she had been brewing since they got the phone call. Instead, I chose to continue to glare at Josh for putting me through this indignation as he and my father discussed exactly what happened.

I had no intention of contributing to the conversation. Or, at least, I thought I didn’t.

Do you have any idea who was behind this? My father shifted next to me, and it forced my attention back to the two men.

I caught Josh’s hazel eyes, doing my best attempt to will him to keep his mouth shut. A frown crossed his face, but he just shook his head as he looked to my father. Not at this time. We’re still trying to assess any leads. Talk to everyone who may have been present.

I hoped that the slight emphasis on the way Josh said the word everyone would slip past my father. I didn’t need to answer those particular questions too. I cleared my throat. Well, I’ll be happy to talk to you, or whoever else, about what happened.

Right, of course. There was no denying the lack of enthusiasm in his voice that time. I pulled my father’s jacket tighter around me, as Josh waved to another officer leaving my apartment, a black bag in hand.  

One of my father’s arms snaked around my shoulders, hugging me to his side. I was thankful for the additional warmth, and the fact that he seemed to not focus on what Josh and I didn’t say in our exchange. About how much longer will all this take, Josh?

If you’re fine with me locking up the apartment for you, you can leave now. We’ll just need to speak with Yumi again later today. The other officer handed Josh the black bag. It was a younger woman, with no hint of a smile on her face. She actually looked more pissed than anything else, with her dark hair pulled up into a tight bun.

I could relate far too well with her at the moment, as it felt that these two men in my life were forgetting that I was still here. For fuck's sake, I wasn't exactly some teenage girl - I was twenty-six! I didn't bother to try and hide the frustration. I’d say call me with a time, but my phone is dead.

And we’ll take care of that for you once the stores are open. My father pulled his arm from my shoulders. So, yes, do have someone call with when you need her.

Thanks, Dad. I bit back the rest of my snippy response. Do I at least get to go pack any of my clothes?

Josh held up the bag in his hand, and I instantly knew why the other officer looked pissed - and I was right there with her. I took the liberty to have one of the officers grab some of your clothes. I believe they found your phone for you, as well, as a few things that were just lying around.

Oh, geez, thanks. It’s not invasive at all to know that the police went through my underwear drawer after someone broke into my apartment. I didn't care if he did ask the lone woman amongst them to pack my stuff; it was degrading to think that someone else dug through my personal belongings.

I felt a knot of fury in my stomach, and the only thing that stopped me short of losing my cool completely was the sound of displeasure in my father's voice. Yumi…

Sorry, thank you ever so much, Josh. I very much appreciate it. I managed to force the words through gritted teeth as I took the bag.

Anger flashed in Josh's hazel eyes, but I wasn't about to back down. I didn't care what he thought right now. Mister Matthews, would you mind if I had a quick word with your daughter before you go?

Certainly. My father reached down and took the bag from me. I'll be ready once you are done with the detective, Yumi.

I was silent in my fury as Josh led me away from my father to a place where we could whisper angrily at one another. I slid my arms into the far too long sleeves of my father's coat as we walked, waiting for Josh's opening salvo. What the hell is your problem?

My problem? It took all my strength to keep from actually shouting at him. You called my parents, and then have proceeded to treat me like some poor teenager who needs to have her parent's permission every step of the way. Gee, what the fuck could be my problem?

Don't take this out on me. His shoulders were rigid, his words clipped, as he clenched his fists at this side. You're the one who made the bad decisions. You brought a strange man to your house, who left you alone to deal with this, I might add. What did you want me to do?

Bad decisions? How fucking magnanimous of him to judge me, yet a-fucking-gain. That knot of fury blossomed into a full blown inferno, heat rushing to my cheeks. I actually bit down on my tongue a moment to keep from slapping him. I don't know. Treat me like an adult. You may think I'm making bad decisions, but they're my decisions to make.

Right, well, then you tell your boyfriend to get his ass down to the police station and answer some questions. Because right now, as far as I'm concerned, he's as likely to have started that fire and trashed that room as a random stranger.

You don't know a damn thing about him, Josh.

And I'm going to guess that you don't either, Yumi.

The words were like a slap to my face, no matter how true they might ring. I might not know much about Ash, but I knew in the pit of my stomach that I could trust him. Josh would never understand that though, and I was through arguing about this in hushed tones.

I turned on my heel and marched back over to my father, who was waiting patiently beside his Mercedes. He raised an eyebrow slightly, but he never questioned what Josh and I were discussing. Do you have your car keys?

I nodded as I fished them out of my pocket. Yeah, why?

You drive your mother back home. He took the keys from my hand, placing a kiss on the top of my head. I'll follow in your car.

There was no negotiating with him, or pleading with him to let me drive myself. He was already halfway to my Civic before I knew it. Oh, that was going to be the perfect cap to my night. God only knew what lecture my mother had cooked up already for me.

Chapter 3

To say the car ride back to my parent's house was frosty would be an understatement. My mother never uttered a word beyond a simple greeting. A smile never touched her lips, or her green eyes, and she remained bundled in her thick woolen coat. Worse still, there was no music during the car ride, so the silence just stretched between us.

I knew it was going to be bad when she finally calmed down enough to speak.

It wasn't until we were walking through the front door, illuminated by the headlights of my father pulling into the driveway, that she broke her silence. Her voice was soft as she slipped out of her coat, revealing her lavender pyjamas. What was it this time?

I closed the door, even though I knew my father would be coming up the steps shortly. The night air was still chilly. I took his jacket off my shoulders. I wasn't entirely sure what she was getting at, and I didn't want to answer her incorrectly at this point. Could you be a bit more specific?

Don't be coy, Yumi. She hung up her coat, placing it in the hall closet, before taking my father's coat from my hands, repeating the same action. What did you get mixed up in this time?

Ah,