Hunt

I shook my head.

She meant it. She’s going to give us a try.

This Paradise job proved to be a fail. It was sad that Johnny Cupcakes had passed, but I took his death as a huge sign to walk away from the idea of stealing from the Syndicate.

We can hang out at the house for a week or so, and then return to the chapel.

Each new day would be about proving to Phoenix that we could have the sort of lives that we’d only dreamed of.

She has her GED. Our love is not only bettering me, but it’s improving her life too.

That had to be a good sign. A symbol that we were destined to be together.

I made it to the stairs and paused at the top. A sudden realization came to me.

I am not a peg-legged captain. I will not die from my obsession.

With restored hope, I walked down the stairs.

I will be renewed. Resurrected into something more. Something better.

Ahab never got his revenge. He ended up entangled by the line of his own harpoon. He fell overboard and drowned. And Moby Dick dragged him and his crew into the cold darkness of the sea.

I am not Ahab. She jumped. And I jumped too.

Rushing down the stairs, I made it to the first level.

A woman’s singing drifted out form the kitchen along with the noise of pots and pans clattering. The scent of coffee and bacon wafted through the space.

What?

The low melody of Spanish lyrics came next.

I frowned, knowing Pandora must be in there.

I guess Griff is making her breakfast.

I’d forgotten about that major complication. I had no idea what we would do with her. Nothing came to mind except the slim chance that Griff had fucked some loyalty into her.

We’ll have to deal with Pandora before we can leave Paradise. I don’t want to take her with us.

Unfortunately, when I made it to the kitchen doorway, shock hit me.

Naked, Pandora stood at the stove, flipping eggs in the pan. Two plates set on the counter behind her, stacked with buttered toast. And there was no sign of Griff or West. And there damn sure were no handcuffs or rope on her either.

Are you fucking kidding me?

I glared at her in the doorway. “Where’s Griff?”

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Hey, you. I hope you’re hungry. I’m making—”

“Where’s Griff?”

Giggling, she scooped up the eggs and put them on each plate. “He’s knocked out.”

I walked into the kitchen, pulled out my phone, and dialed Griff. “You’re done cooking. Turn off the stove.”

She sucked her teeth. “Lucky for you I am actually done.”

I placed the phone to my ear. It rang and rang.

Pandora smirked. “Johnny told me that you used to be a bonafide Christian man. He says you know tons of bible verses and even did missionary work.”

I put my back to her and waited for Griff to pick up.

He never did.

“That must be why you never look at my tits or my pussy.” Pandora’s voice came closer. “All this good wet pussy is right here for you to see, but you’ve chosen not to both times.”

The phone kept ringing.

Pick the fuck up.

“Johnny told me to stay away from you, that you were super dangerous. He said you think you’re a vigilante, stalking in the shadows and killing off the Paradise villains.” Pandora sounded like she was right behind me. “Is that true?”

Griff’s voice message came on. “Hey cow gals and cow boys, I’m not—”

I hung up and dialed him again.

Pandora walked around me. “Griff said that you’re in love with Phoenix.”

“Griff should keep his mouth closed.”

“Men will say anything to cum.”

The phone only rang.

I blocked the doorway. “Get back over there.”

Pandora raised her hands like I had a gun in front of her. “I’m not going anywhere, Cain. I’m just trying to talk to you.”

“I rather you keep your mouth shut.”

“Tell me something.” Pandora dropped her hands. “Is her pussy that good that you don’t want to see another woman naked?”

“Yes.”

Pandora raised her hand and touched my chin. “No one’s pussy is that good.”

“Get your hand off my face.”

Pandora slipped her hand to my cheek. “She would never be loyal like me.”

I shoved her hand away. “You just fucked my brother last night.”

“Did that make you mad?”

“It made me happy. Finally, you’ll leave me alone.”

“But I won’t.” Pandora reached her hand out to me.

I smacked it away hard.

“If what Johnny said is true, then she will never understand you like me.”

I gave up on Griff and dialed West. “You don’t know me.”

“But I know the madness. I see it in your eyes.”

“You see nothing.”

“Griff told me you liked to cut people. That’s why you asked for your knives when I was in the pool. I don’t believe him.”

“You should.”

She moved in closer. “Do you want to cut me now?”