Chapter 16: Chapter 16

I've locked myself in my room for hours but bouncing my leg up and down is beginning to get really boring. I can feel my hands twitching, begging me to do something full of adrenaline to my blood pumping. It’s the only way I can release the anger. I push myself off the bed, grabbing a black jacket before pulling it on. I don’t care about being discreet leaving the house, it’s pitch black outside, the moon out in full force.

As soon as I open the front door, a cold gust of air enters the house.

"Hunter, where are you going?" Micah asks me, a deep frown on his face as he heads towards me. Before he has a chance, I grit my teeth and storm out, slamming the door as I leave. I run down the street, pulling my hood up over my head. My hand hovers over the gun settled in the waistband of my jeans securely.

With my other hand, I pull out my phone, calling Calvin Black. The confrontation with Micah is constantly playing over and over again in my head, fuelling my anger. On the third ring, Calvin answers, his voice low.

"You've never called me before.”

"There's always a first for everything." I respond quietly, turning the street and heading towards Calvin Black's house. He never told me where he lives but the FBI already has it word for word.

It’s his father that is difficult to trace.

"Is there any news on Zack yet?" I question, my breathing picking up pace as I walk faster.

"No. Are you outside? It's midnight Hunter.”

"So what? Are you scared of the dark, Black?" I question him, a smirk on my face. I hear him inhale on the other end —

"I'm not scared of anything.”

"Wow, you're really tough." I shoot back quickly, keeping my head down as I weave through the streets.

"Did you call me just to insult me?" Calvin murmurs, his voice sounding groggy. I bite my lower lip as I realise I must have woken him.

"You're sleepy voice is kind of hot." I reveal. There's a pause on the other end before Calvin chuckles quietly, the sound of it rumbling down my ear.

"I get it now, this is a booty call. I'm impressed Hunter, it's usually the other way around.”

I roll my eyes at his words.

"It's the only hot thing about you. Not a booty call, at all. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

"My mind belongs in the gutter.”

"Along with the other rats?" I smirk, my tone playful.

"Ouch, that stings. Why are you waking me up Hunter?”

"I want to see you." I say confidently. I hear him shuffle around on the other end of the line.

"You sound angry, why are you angry?" Calvin asks me, intrigued. I remember Micah and my hand automatically balls up into a tight fist.

"My brother is an asshole." I reveal.

"I didn't know you had a brother. Why is he an asshole?" Calvin says, grunting down the phone a little. I pull it away from my ear, frowning.

"What are you doing? And he doesn't like that I'm hanging out with boys.”

"I'm getting dressed and does that include me?" Calvin says, his voice sounding amused. I picture him half naked and my mind begins to wonder. I realise I haven't responded for a while —

"Hunter? Hello?”

"Sorry, I was distracted. Yes, you and Zack.”

"You told him about me?" Calvin says, a little surprised. I nibble on my bottom lip.

"Sort of.”

"Where are you?" Calvin asks, changing the subject. I glance around, noticing I'm a few streets away.

"Tell me where you live and I'll come to you." I say into the phone. There's a long pause and eventually Calvin speaks.

"No, I need some air anyway.”

His response is blunt and I know he doesn't trust me yet. I hide the disappointment from my voice and let him know where I am.

"You're close. Stay there and I'll come pick you up.”

I agree to it and end the call, leaning against the wall as I wait for him. The street is entirely deserted, not a single soul in sight. I can hear the conversation of a nearby pub, the music from it muted out due to the distance. The air is cold and crisp with a hint of smoke in it. I inhale sharply, closing my eyes and resting against the wall.

Surprisingly, I feel calm.

Is that because of Calvin?

I shrug the thought out of my mind however can't ignore the fact that I'm looking forward to seeing him. He's a good distraction but then I realise, he's also part of my job.

"Hello sweetheart.”

I snap my eyes open, standing up straight. A few feet away from me is a man in his early forties, clutching a glass of beer. The street lamp illuminates his face and I notice he's leering at me, eyes narrowed. He's using the street lamp as his support and I guess he's completed wasted.

"Hey," I say bluntly, hoping he'll wonder off back to the pub. He doesn't and instead lifts the beer to his lips, taking a long drink. His hand comes up and he uses the back of it to wipe away the remnants on his lips. I feel my stomach twist in disgust.

"You look too young to be out here alone. How old are you?" He asks me, slurring his words. I glance up the street, letting out an annoyed breath.

"I'm almost sixteen.”

"Ah! You're just a baby.”

"Quite far from a baby really." I respond in monotone.

"Why are you alone? Where are your parents?" He questions me, staying rooted against the street lamp. I feel a pinch of hurt at the mention of my parents and I shrug —

"My parents are home.”

"You should go home too. These streets aren't safe for a lovely girl like you.”

"Thank you for your concern but I can handle myself." I say, giving him a tight smile. He chuckles loudly, taking a step closer. More like an awkward drunken shuffle. I stand up straighter, my posture on guard as I stare at him.

"My daughter was once your age, now she barely speaks to me. You should give me a hug," he mumbles, shuffling towards me. I shake my head, raising my hand to stop him in his tracks.

"I don't want to hug you. I think you should go." I say firmly. He pauses, hurt and anger flashing through his eyes. The bottle in his grasp falls to the floor and smashes, sending glass shards scattering all around us.

"You really should leave." I say darkly, my voice a low rumble. I glare at him from under my lashes, my eyes zoning in on his. His lips curl up in an amused smile and I know he doesn't believe I'm capable of taking him down.

"What are you going to do? You're just a baby yourself. Look at you!" He replies, lunging forward. I grab onto his outstretched hand, whipping it around until I'm behind him. I apply force to his wrist, force that I know will send a shock of pain travelling up his shoulder. He yells out on cue and I continue to twist his arm further up his back.

"You little bitch!" He screams, withering around in my hold. He's easily six foot, looming over me but due to his drunken state, he doesn't have a chance of fighting back. I continue twisting his arm until he slams forward onto the cold slab floors, letting out a whimper.

"I told you to stay away from me." I say bluntly before dropping his arm and walking away. When I turn to my right, Calvin is jumping out of his car, his face twisting with concern. I freeze on the spot, my eyes connecting with his green ones.

"You little bitch! I'm going to kill you!" The man roars from behind me. Calvin immediately strides towards us, his eyes darkening with anger. I whirl around to find the Drunken Man charging towards me, his fists raised. Even though I know he won't hurt me, Calvin believes he will. He storms between us and pulls his arm back, swinging it forcefully before connecting it with his jaw. The Drunken Man falls backwards and this time, doesn't get up.

"Are you alright? Hunter?" Calvin questions quickly, shaking my shoulders. I glance down at the man on the floor, my throat closing over.

"You hit him, for me?" I whisper. Calvin frowns, his eyes flickering between me and the Drunken Man before he nods.

"Of course I did, what did you expect me to do?”

For the first time in forever, I didn't have to save myself.

I open my mouth to respond but no words come out so instead, I pull Calvin closer to me, breathing in his scent. I close my eyes for a second, breathing it in deeply. The warmth in his body and the feel of him close to me sends a million butterflies to fill my stomach. The frown on his face deepens but he doesn't question my actions. He confidently tilts my chin up so I'm looking directly at him. I search his green eyes, amazed at how they have the ability to take my breath away.

Without another word, he kisses me.