aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement

to
think he might be involved.”
    “Juan
doesn’t know where I am.” Selena fought back the pain of leaving her brother.
He had been more of a father to her until his need for vengeance had taken
control of him. “I haven’t spoken to him in years.”
    “But
you know where he is.”
    Selena
shrugged. “I’ve heard rumors. Believe me, he’s not involved in this.”
    “Why
should I trust you?” Steve leaned close. “You put on this goody goody act, but all the time you’re nothing but a piece of
trash that Nikki picked up on the street. Just having you in the house has put
Gates life at risk. I should kill you for that.”
    Firbin reacted with a speed that took Selena’s breath away. She’d forgotten how
quickly a Hunter could move. Firbin held Steve
against the wall by the throat.
    “I
will kill you for disrespecting a woman.”
    Steve
struggled, clawing at Firbin’s fingers.
    Firbin tightened his hold.
    Selena
grabbed Firbin’s arm. “Put him down. He is angry.
Steve would never hurt a fly.”
    Firbin looked over at her. “You are Catal’s pair bond. I
will protect you with my life.”
    Selena
swallowed the lump in her throat. Would Firbin still
protect her if he knew how she felt about Catal? She doubted it.
    “Put
him down.”
    Firbin released Steve. He fell to the floor in a slump. He glared up at her as he
rubbed his neck.
    “These
men are beasts.”
    “We
are warriors.” Firbin took a step back. “We do not
allow women to be disrespected. It goes against the code we live by.”
    “So
you just kill anyone who violates your code?” Steve’s voice was sarcastic as he
stood.
    “Yes.” Firbin crossed his arms. “If you wish to speak to
Selena, then do so in a civil voice.”
    “She
put my son at risk by being in my house.” Steve pushed away from the wall.
“Isn’t there a rule about that in your code?”
    “She
did not harm your son.”
    “She
knows people who could.”
    “That’s
unfair,” Selena protested. “My son was taken too. All I want is for them both
to be found. You know I love Gates too.”
    “Then
you should never have accepted Nikki’s offer to be his nanny.” Steve rubbed his
throat.
    Selena
shook her head. “I’ve been a good nanny to him.”
    “You
pretended.” Steve went to the door. “Just like you faked being such a good
person, insisting you didn’t want a man in your life. That was all for show.”
    “You
mean because I refused your advances?” Selena’s voice was low. “Nikki is my
friend. How could you even think I would sleep with you?”
    “The
offer no longer stands.” Steve sneered. “I wouldn’t touch you now that I know
your background.”
    “I
didn’t ask.” A shiver of revulsion skittered across Selena’s back. “You should
be with your wife, not harassing me.”
    “You
just better be certain you’re not the reason Gates was taken.” Steve opened the
door. “I’ll have the courts throw you so deep into jail that you’ll never see
the light of day.”
    Steve
slammed the door shut behind him. Selena blinked back her tears and rubbed her
arms. How could he even suspect her of being a part of the kidnapping?
    “The
man has no honor.” Firbin’s deep voice spoke from
beside her. “How did you come to live in such a house?”
    “I
had no job and a baby on the way.” Selena sighed and sat. “When I ran into
Nikki at the park, it was heaven sent.”
    “Nikki
hired you as a nanny right away?”
    “She
had a big acting job and a new baby.” Selena shrugged. “She was desperate.”
    Firbin nodded. “This is how humans find work.”
    Selena
frowned. “Not usually. We talked for a couple of hours. I loved Gates on sight
and I had nowhere to go. She offered me a job and a home.”
    “You
have been here many years. They do not treat you right.” Firbin’s voice was stern. “There is no trust or honor.”
    “I
had nothing to do with the kidnapping. I would never hurt Gates or my son.”
Selena fought back her tears. “I