“Interesting?” I mumbled. I could think of a few better words. Like a mailbox full of different words like messed up, weird, not cool— mailbox. I sat up straight, my eyes going wide. “Holy shit.”
“What?” He sat beside me.
I shook my head, seconds away from clapping like a seal. “Mailbox!”
His brows furrowed. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I just remembered—” Hunter shot to his feet suddenly, head cocked to the side.
Startled, I almost jumped clear off the couch. “Would you stop moving—”
“Go upstairs,” he said, not looking at me.
“Uh…” I had no plans on going upstairs. “What’s going on?”
Hunter stalked around the couch, heading toward the foyer. “Go upstairs and stay there, Serena. I’m not joking around.”
Irritation spiked like a football in an end zone. “Excuse me, but you need to tell me
—” The look he sent me was pure warning, strong enough to send most people scurrying to do his bidding. A knock on the door resonated through the house. My brows shot up. “Did you know someone was coming?”
“Not until a few moments ago,” he muttered. “Serena, please go upstairs.”
Curiosity raged inside me, more potent than his growly attitude. My mind quickly turned over.
“Okay,” I said sweetly.
A dubious look crossed his face. “Serena…”
The knock came again, louder this time. “I’m going. Just going to grab a drink first.”
He stared at me a moment and then spun on his heel, going to the front door. I darted into the kitchen. Not the best plan and maybe not the smartest, but I wanted to know who was at the door and what was going on.
And I was tired of Hunter telling me what to do.
“Surprised to see you here.” By the closeness of Hunter’s voice, I knew they were in the living room. “This is the last place I’d expect you to visit.”
There was a very deep laugh in response. Obviously this guest was a male. “Surely you’re not that surprised, Hunter.”
I crept toward the entrance, hoping I could see who was here.
“I’m not surprised that you’re in the state,” Hunter replied evenly. “I’m surprised that you’d show up at my door.”
“Are you?” Cold humor laced the stranger’s voice.
“Now really isn’t a good time,” Hunter said after a gap of silence. His voice still held a level of calmness that should’ve been reassuring but wasn’t. “Maybe we could pick up this conversation later?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then I’m afraid that I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Would it have to do with what you have stashed away in the kitchen?” The question sent a chill down my spine.
Oh. Shit. I squeezed my eyes shut.
“It has nothing to do with her.” The calmness in Hunter’s tone took on a razor-sharp edge.
There was the soft sound of movement and a low growl that reminded me of the noise Hunter made last night.
“You might as well come out and join the conversation,” the stranger called. “I don’t bite. I promise.”
My eyes snapped open. Heart in my throat, I was rooted to where I stood.
“Stop staring at me like that, Hunter. It’s not a very attractive look.” Boots thudded off the floor and then, “Come on out. I want to see you.”
I knew it was best if I remained hidden, but I couldn’t very well hide. Taking a deep breath, I pushed away from the wall and stepped into the doorway. I saw Hunter first.
The hard set to his jaw, the muscle flexing there, and the steely glint in his eyes screamed that he was pissed. For a brief second, our eyes met and I swallowed thickly. Stomach twisting into knots, my gaze flitted across the room.
I sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back, my gaze darting to Hunter and then to where an identical copy of him stood.
Same black, wavy hair. Eyes a light blue like the early morning sky stared back into mine. They shared the same broad cheekbones and wide, expressive lips. Identical height and broad shoulders, but where Hunter was dressed in jeans, his…his twin was wearing black leather pants and a black button-down shirt that was half undone. That wasn’t the only thing that was different. His twin’s complexion was more golden than alabaster, as if he spent time in the sun.
Holy Arum everywhere, there were two of them.
The twin stepped forward, but so did Hunter, their steps matching each other. It was unnerving, having both of them advancing on me from separate corners. Instinct kicked on my fight or flight response.
“Well, well, well…” the twin murmured, lips tipping up at the corners, so much like Hunter’s smug smiles that I blinked. “Who is this pretty lady?”
“Her name is Serena,” Hunter said, eyes narrowed on me. “And she was just about to go upstairs. Weren’t you?”
“I hope she isn’t going to run off,” the twin said, casting his brother a look I couldn’t decode and probably didn’t want to. “It’s not often that I’m with such beautiful company.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Hunter replied dryly, and I had to agree.
The twin smiled. “But still…not beautiful company like her.” He didn’t elaborate on what that meant as he extended a hand. “My name is ridiculously unpronounceable, like Hunter’s real name, but most call me Sin.”
I stared at Hunter. “Hunter’s not your real name?”
“What?” Sin’s eyes went wide. “She didn’t know? Oh, Serena, there is so much I could tell you.”
The muscle in Hunter’s cheek went crazy. “That is the only name I answer to.”
My gaze dropped to Sin’s still outstretched hand. Human manners dictated that I take his offer, but I had to force my hand toward his. When his fingers wrapped around mine, a small charge passed between us. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Hunter move forward. His brother let go, his fingers gliding over my palm.
Sin turned to his brother. “So this is why you’ve been too busy to call, email, or even write?”
Hunter now stood off to the side of me and folded his arms across his chest. “I haven’t wanted to get in contact with you. And right now, I’m really not feeling up to this.”
“Ouch.” Sin didn’t look affected at all. He sat on the edge of the couch, stretching out long legs. His gaze flickered between the two of us before finally leveling on his brother. “You look a little pale, Hunter. Have you been taking care of yourself? Eating well?”
On top of feeling like I was being visually molested by Sin, I so knew what he was referencing.
Hunter’s spine stiffened. “That’s enough, Sin.”
He chuckled as he glanced at me. “My brother is a prickly bastard, isn’t he? It’s all about the diet, I keep telling him. If he… fed better, he’d be in a better mood. What do they say about food?”
“You are what you eat?” I suggested, brows rising.
“Ah! Yes.” Sin clapped his hands down on his thighs. “You are what you eat, Hunter.”
“That’s what I hear.” Hunter unfolded his arms slowly.
Sin arched a brow. “Have you heard from Lore at all? I can’t seem to…find him.”
“Lore?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Lore is our brother,” Sin replied. “We’re triplets.”
I turned to Hunter. “Huh…?”
“I only have one brother that I claim.” Hunter smirked. “I’m sure everyone here can guess which brother that isn’t.”
Yep, I had a good idea.
In the silence that followed, something passed between the two brothers. I didn’t know what, but I had the distinct feeling that they were seconds away from ripping into each other.
Sin’s smile didn’t slip. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation outside? It’s such a lovely day for a walk.”