Hunter's Mark

by Wendy Smith

  I grab his hand. “You do take good care of me.”

  “I try.”

  He leans over, placing a kiss on the top of my head. “Just make sure you eat all the food. And when you get up, we’ll have a bath. It’ll make you feel better.”

  “You make me feel better. It must be like looking after a baby sometimes.”

  Corey smiles. “Not at all.”

  He turns and walks toward the kitchen before looking back over his shoulder. “Babies don’t drink alcohol.”

  Despite my pounding headache, I laugh.

  Payback will have to come later.

  22

  Constance

  I don’t just love being with Corey.

  He comes with an entire family. It’s clear they’re all close, and they all love him.

  And they all accept me without any hesitation.

  At first, it was enough to make me want to weep.

  I’m sitting in the living room at Lily’s place with Lily and Ginny. The two women chat up a storm, and it takes a while for me to catch up sometimes, but they always stop to include me and explain what they’re talking about.

  “You know, for a while it was just me,” Lily says. “The boys would get together, and I’d be the only woman. I liked talking with them, but it’s nice to have you, Ginny. And Hayley when she’s here.” She smiles, and turns to me. “It’s nice to have you here too now.”

  “I like spending time with you two. I’m looking forward to meeting Hayley. Corey tells me they have twins?”

  Lily laughs. “Yep. Double trouble. Drew always wanted a big family. What about you? Do you have other family?”

  I shrug. “Mum and Dad. If they have any family outside the community, they never told me about them.”

  “You might have grandparents, or cousins. Maybe we can help you find them.”

  I nod. “This new life is a little overwhelming. I’ll look for them one day, but I just want to settle in.” I miss Mum and Dad. Graham’s last report was that they were doing okay, but I still worry. I’ll ask Corey if he can get another update.

  Lily pats me on the arm. “I’m sure. If any of us can do anything, just tell us. We all love how happy you make Corey.”

  “He makes me happy too.”

  She smiles. “I’m glad to hear it. I always knew it’d take someone special to settle down with him. He lives such a quiet life up there. I mean, I lived a little out of town, but I always had Max with me. Corey never even had a pet. Not after Brutus died.”

  “Well, we now have some chickens. And he’s thinking about getting another dog.”

  Lily’s mouth falls open. “No way. He said he’d never get another dog after …” I know she’s thinking about what Corey must have gone through.

  “He just wants to make sure I’m safe, with the threat right next door, and Corey working at night.” I smile. “He hasn’t decided yet, but I think he’ll do it.”

  “If you ever need somewhere to stay when he’s away, give me a call. You’re always welcome here.” She grins. “I’m sure Owen and Ginny don’t mind giving up their couch either.”

  Ginny laughs. “Gladly.” She takes a deep breath. “But we recently bought the section behind ours, so our little place may not be so little for long.”

  “That’s amazing.” Lily clasps her hands together. “Owen’s been in that flat for so long.”

  “Well, even if we don’t have a baby, it’ll be good for Ava to have more space. She’ll have a bigger room, and a much larger yard to play in.” Ginny’s smile grows. “We’re going to build a new house.”

  “Sounds perfect. I just love that you’re not moving that far, so you’re still near us.” Lily laughs. She turns to look at me. “It’s just a pain that you’re up on that mountain, but if you want I can come and get you any time. We should have a girls’ day out.”

  “I’d like that,” I say.

  “Me too.” Ginny beams.

  “Then, let’s do it. And soon. Now, how about we open another bottle of wine?”

  Dinner, dessert, and more chatting. I feel like I really fit in.

  After a trip to the bathroom, I stand in the living room doorway for a moment. Owen and Ginny are sitting on the couch. Ava’s fast asleep on Ginny’s lap. It’s such a sweet sight.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  I close my eyes as Corey’s lips brush my neck. “Very much. Lily and Ginny are lovely.”

  “You’re lovely,” he murmurs in my ear. His grip tightens around my waist. “I think we need to say our goodbyes and get out of here.”

  “Me too.”

  “I need to get you home and naked.”

  Laughing, I turn, and he loosens his grip. “Sometimes, I think that’s all you want from me.”

  Corey shakes his head. I love him, and I think he might just love me.

  He raises his hand to palm my cheek. “You mean everything to me.”

  “And you mean everything to me.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy. You appeared out of nowhere, and being with you is exactly what I’ve always wanted from a relationship. I love waking up with you, and I love that you’re there when I come home from work.” He bends, pecking me on the lips. “But I still want you home and naked.”

  I laugh, nestling into his chest.

  “We need to make the most of the time we have together before I have to go away.”

  “Do you really have to?” I already know the answer, and I don’t want to put pressure on him, but I can’t help but ask.

  “I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to. We need the money.”

  Patting his arm, I look up into his eyes. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “I get it, Con. I want to stay home with you, and if it were any other job, you might be able to convince me.”

  “Man make money to live.” I grunt.

  He laughs. “Are you trying to compare me to a caveman again?”

  “Never. You have much more class than that.”

  “Well, this classy guy needs to get home.”

  After saying our goodbyes, we head out to the ute. Corey opens the door for me, as usual. I love his sweetness with me. But that only makes the thought of being without him for a week even more painful. I want to be greedy and have all his time to myself.

  When we pull into the driveway, Corey turns off the ute, and for a moment we sit in the dark. “Maybe I’ll get a dog before I go.”

  I fix my gaze on him. It’s a huge step for him to be thinking this way after what he told me about Brutus. His dog’s death has haunted him for a long time.

  “Are you ready for that?”

  He shrugs. “Your safety’s more important than anything else.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck. “Give it some time to be sure. There’s a reason why you waited this long.”

  He nods. “I guess. Everything gets muddled in my head sometimes. I worry so much, but at least Graham and his guys know you’re here.”

  “I’ll be fine. We’ll talk about it when you get back.” I peck him on the cheek. “How about we get inside, and you show me how much you’re going to miss me?”

  He laughs. “Deal.”

  23

  Constance

  “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

  Corey’s leaving for work, and he’ll be gone for five days. I’ve gotten used to spending every day with him.

  I curl my arms around his neck and snuggle into his chest.

  “I know. But this trip will keep us going for a few months. Longer, if we’re frugal.”

  Raising my face to look into his eyes, I smile. “I’m good at that.”

  “I know you are. We make a great team.”

  He drops his head to meet mine, and gives me a kiss that curls my toes.

  “I love you,” I say.

  His eyes search mine, and he nods, wrapping his arms around me tighter. “I’m going to miss you a lot. There are no warm bodies beside me out in the bush.”

  “I sh
ould hope not.” I laugh.

  His lips meet mine again, and he brushes his hands down my back until they rest just above my arse. Corey sighs. “I need to stop kissing you before we end up back in bed again.”

  “Would that be so bad?” I whisper.

  “When I get home, I promise we won’t leave the bed for a week.”

  I laugh. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  With one last kiss, he’s out the door, and I sigh as he pulls out of the driveway.

  He didn’t say I love you back.

  This is going to be the longest week of my life.

  I hate Corey being away.

  While I don’t mind being alone during the day, the nights are the worst. I lie in his bed and dream of him, his arms around me, his hands all over my body. I just miss him.

  On day three, Graham Taylor knocks on the door. Since Corey told him I was here, I’ve answered questions for him whenever he’s needed it. I want Ash taken down, too.

  “Come to check on me?” I grin when I open the door. “I’ll make you a coffee.”

  He shakes his head. “I’ve got to get back to town, but I wanted to give you some news.” His tone’s so grim.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “One of our guys is missing.”

  I clap my hand to my mouth. I had no clue Jared and Kane were cops while I lived on the other side of that fence. Sure, it was unusual for young men to join us, but not unheard of. Most of the newer residents were female thanks to Ash, and Graham was the one to tell me his methods for finding them were dodgy.

  All this stuff happening right under everyone’s noses and we had no idea.

  Most people in our community went about their daily lives, blissfully unaware anything untoward was going on. There was work to do, people to feed, the ongoing grind of life that kept us all busy. How were we all so blind?

  “I’m so sorry,” I say.

  He licks his lips. “Thing is, I was wondering if you could tell us anything that might help.”

  “I’ve told you everything I know.”

  “He went missing after you gave us that information about the bunker.” Graham sighs. “We have reason to believe that your parents are in danger, too. Ash’s grown more agitated since you’ve left. Kane’s told us that he’s been threatening your mother.”

  “You have to get them out of there. Please, my mum, she’s sick. They’ve done nothing.”

  “We know that. Ash doesn’t.” He places his hand on my arm. “Kane will do what he can to protect them. When’s Corey back?”

  “Umm, he’s gone for three more days.”

  “Is there any way you can get in touch with him?”

  I shake my head. “He said there was no phone coverage. I tried calling him just in case, but I got his voicemail.”

  He nods. “Okay. Well, it’s a good idea if we can get you out of town.”

  “Corey’s expecting me to be here.”

  “I’ll tell him where you are.”

  I shake my head. “I’m not letting Ash Harris scare me away from my home.”

  His lips twitch as he seems to fight a smile. “I can’t say I’m surprised. You seem as stubborn as Corey.”

  “I think that’s why we get along so well.”

  Graham breaks into an all-out grin. “I’m sure.” He sighs. “Anyway, I’ve got to get back. I’ve got an audio conference to discuss our missing officer and next moves. Do you have my number?”

  I nod. “Corey wrote it down and stuck it on the fridge.”

  “You call me if you need anything. And if you change your mind about leaving here …”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  He gives me a nod and leaves me with my thoughts.

  What’s happened to Jared?

  Are my parents okay?

  I wish I could see them, but more than anything, I wish Corey was here.

  24

  Corey

  I should have told her I love her.

  The fire sparks as my fish cooks in the pan. There’s a freshwater stream nearby, and I don’t usually catch anything when we’re out here, but by some miracle it happened today.

  “Nearly done?” Rob walks out from his tent, and I nod.

  “The potatoes boiled a while ago on the cooker. This thing only needs another thirty seconds, if that.”

  “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

  As I pull the pan away from the flames, my mind wanders back to Constance. There’s no phone reception out here, and I can’t just call her and tell her what I should have done. It wasn’t until late afternoon, when we were getting ready to go hunting that I realised I didn’t really reply.

  I hate that I can’t tell her until I get home.

  “Corey?”

  “Sorry, mate.” I slide the fish fillets from the pan to the plates while he spoons up the boiled potatoes.

  “You okay?”

  “Just thinking about home. Well, Constance.”

  He nods. “I get that. I spent months wanting to get away from the noise of the kids, but it only takes a night away and I miss them.”

  I pick up the plate and a fork. The food might be basic, but it’ll fill us up ready for hunting.

  What I need to do is to focus. I’ve been coming up here for years, and this is the first time I’ve just wanted to get it over with and get home.

  Five days without Constance.

  We’ve had a huge haul of possum, and a fair few stoats. Those little bastards exceeded our expectations when it came to the damage they were doing.

  Our find on the third day of a kiwi egg spurred me on. I haven’t seen one out in the bush for years, but they’re very obviously around, and this place needs to be as clear as we can get it. To protect them.

  I think we’ve done the best job we ever have.

  But my mind still turns to Constance on the way home.

  When I pull into the driveway, I drive right up to the garage. In the back of the ute are two big chilly bins of meat, part of my payment for the job I’ve done. There’s enough lamb and beef to keep us going for a few weeks.

  Securing the meat in the freezer, I close the garage and head toward the house. Surely Constance has heard me by now. I’m surprised she’s not out here already.

  I’m tired, I smell, and I’m in desperate need of one of those showers where you use all the hot water with no regrets, and I’m aching for Constance. Just the thought of her soft lips to kiss, and her hot, tight body makes me hard before I get to the front door. I turn the handle.

  “Con?” I look around, but there’s no sign of her. She’s not in the living room, the kitchen or the bathroom.

  The bed’s a mess, which isn’t like her. I never make the bed, but Con makes it religiously. My heart speeds up at this seemingly small thing. Something’s not right.

  My house seems too quiet. If I know Constance, I know her excitement levels will be off the charts to have me home. My hair stands on end. Is she okay? I’ve got a freezer full of meat and a healthy bank account, and right now I wish I had none of it. Leaving her even for a few days was a big mistake.

  I search the bathroom, and step out the back door onto the deck.

  “Con,” I call before turning back inside. Plucking my phone from my pocket, I dial Lily.

  “Hey, Corey,” she says.

  “Is Constance with you?”

  “No. I visited her the day after you left for work, but haven’t spoken to her since. Everything okay?”

  “She’s not here, and it’s not like she can go far by herself. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it worries me. She hasn’t made the bed, which is so unlike her.”

  “That’s weird. But there could be a good reason for it. Don’t panic.”

  Unease prickles across my skin. Something’s wrong. Really wrong.

  She’s gone.

  I don’t know how I know, but I do. When she’s around, she fills my senses, and right now I can’t sense her.

  It’s like hunting. I know how animals think, esp
ecially possums, and that’s why I’m so good at what I do.

  For the first time in a long time, I have no idea what to do.

  A tap on the door knocks me out of my stupor. I turn to see Graham.

  “Hey, I saw your car go past. I know you’ve been away, and there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Is it about Constance?”

  “She’s gone back.”

  My whole world falls apart. What the hell? Why would she do that? Is she okay?

  “She’s been spotted in the main house with Ash.”

  I shake my head. “No, she can’t have gone back there.”

  “She’s getting married in a month.”

  The ball in the pit of my stomach grows. For the first time in years, I’ve fallen in love with someone who I thought loved me back. “But I …”

  Graham nods. “I know, and I’m so sorry, Corey. But there’s one thing that’s been nagging at me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “What if they planted her here? Jared disappeared following up the information she gave us.”

  I shake my head. “No, I can’t believe it.”

  “Right now, it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “You didn’t see her when she thought they might have come after her.”

  He frowns.

  “Graham, she was terrified. That first morning when you came to the door? The day I lied to you? She had a full-on panic attack thinking you were Ash.”

  “Could she have been faking it?”

  I shake my head. “It was a full-body reaction. Her palms were clammy when I held her hands afterward.”

  “Maybe that’s how he’s controlling her—fear.”

  “I can’t believe that. With every little bit of freedom she’s had, she opened up more.”

  He swallows, and grips my arm. “Corey, you’re hardly going to see this objectively. You were sleeping with her.”

  “I believe her. I have to.”