Deadly Hunt (Deadly #1) (26 page)
Read Deadly Hunt (Deadly #1) Online
Authors: K.L. Humphreys
“Oh my god that is amazing. Does it hurt her?” her voice sounds full of awe.
“No it doesn’t hurt me. If he kicks my bladder I feel the instant need to pee, other than that it’s just a weird sensation.”
“Oh my god Soph, I was so worried.” Winter starts crying.
“I’m okay, I promise. You look so good hon.” Winter wipes her eyes and smiles.
“I know I hurt you when I left and stayed, but I needed it, I
still
need it. I feel as though I can heal there. Does that make sense?” Me and Sophia are both nodding. I leave them to talk and find not only Connor but Maddie in the waiting room.
“Hey, when did you get here?” It came out harsh, I can’t help it, I don’t like the girl.
“I went with Connor to collect Winter, although she was rude, she didn’t even speak.”
“What the fuck Connor, I ask you one thing and you can’t even fucking do that right. What the fuck are you still doing here anyway?” Connor looks shocked, I never speak to him like that but he needs to man up when it comes to Maddie. She is a bitch not only for what she did to Sophia, but what she is putting Connor through.
“What the fuck have I done to you? Why do you hate me?” I laugh
“
That’s
my problem, it’s all about you, you’re selfish and self-centred, you don’t care about anybody but you. You’re making him jump through hoops even though he didn’t kiss her, she kissed him, but you’re a fucking bitch and you don’t give a fuck you’re hurting him. Then you slapped my girlfriend. She feels guilty enough over everything that has happened and you’re supposed to be her best friend. You were meant to have her back, but when she needed you, you turned you’re back on her.”
They both looked stunned, Connor looks at me and he looks like he’s torn between thanking me and punching me. Maddie looks like I slapped her. I hear laughing and turn and see Winter standing at Sophia’s door laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Oh Maddie looks pissed. I look at Winter who has so much pain in her eyes.
“You, you’re fucking hilarious. You still think you’re the shit, you think everyone has to bow to you, everyone has to meet your expectations, but guess what, you aren’t all that.”
“What have I done to you? Huh? Why are you such a fucking bitch?” Maddie screams at her.
“I fucking hate you! You ruined my life.” Winter screams back at her, this needs to stop.
“Winter, go back and see Soph.” She shakes her head.
“Soph’s been through enough.” Winter says. Of course Maddie hasn’t finished yet.
“How on earth did I ruin your life?” Winter starts to walk away but Maddie grabs her arm and pulls her back “Hmm come on Winter how on earth did I ruin your life? Did I cock block you? Aww, you poor slut.” That is out of order I remove her hand from Winter’s arm as Connor says.
“Fuck sake Maddie, that was out of line.” Winter is standing frozen; the colour has drained from her face. She is just frozen.
“You ruined my life by breaking our promise. We all promised each other we would never let anyone go home by themselves, it was safer in numbers, but you did let me go home by myself, so you could fuck someone you don’t know.” Maddie starts laughing.
“You hate me because I made you walk home that night?” I hate this bitch I glare at Connor. He’s looking at her like he’s never met her before.
“Yes, you made me walk home, that’s not why I hate you. We had a pact to keep each other safe, but you broke that and you didn’t keep me safe. Because of your selfishness I was raped.” Maddie laughs.
“That is what you’re claiming? You’re a fucking slut Wints, you fuck anything that walks.” She’s a fucking bitch. With that I pick Winter up and bring her to Sophia’s room. Sophia has tears streaming down her face, her door was open and she heard everything that was said.
“I’ll be back in a minute babe.” I walk back out into the waiting room. “It’s time for you to leave; you’re not welcome here any longer. Do you understand me?” She nods, she doesn’t cry she’s void of emotion, we were right she doesn’t care. She leaves without looking back
“Bro, fuck, I’m so sorry, I knew there was something off yesterday when you both shut down any talk about Winter. I was out of line and I’m sorry.” I nod
“What are you going to do about her?” I won’t say her name.
“Nathan, she was so damn cold, who does that? She’s fucked any chance with me.”
We both go to Soph’s room. Her and Winter are lying on the bed holding hand, both faces red with tears. “This is why I’m so protective of Winter, she means so much to Soph, but look at her, look how vulnerable she looks just lying there.” She does she has no makeup on; her face is splotchy from crying, her dark hair pulled back and tied, she looks very young.
Winter ended up staying for three days; it was something they both needed. Sophia came home the next day, and she’s been fine, although no one is letting her do much. She’s reading, I think she’s read ‘Living with Regret’ twice since she got the paperback copy.
Nobody has heard from Maddie since Winter told her about the rape, I say good riddance. I told Sophia to stay away; she will come back when she is ready. Sophia feels as though Hailey and Maddie will think she chose Winter over her, which she didn’t she was there for Winter when she needed someone. I think she will live with the guilt that she didn’t realize something was wrong sooner. I told her she couldn’t, she was deployed, but she won’t listen.
I recreate our first date, we had dinner at The Steak house and I walk her out to her car since we met after work. She’s smiling away, I lean in and kiss her, she kisses me back. Before the kiss gets too intense, I drop down to one knee, her eyes glass over. I reach into my pocket and pull out the 24 carat gold, Princess cut. She gasps and covers her mouth with her right hand as she hands me the left. “Sophia Dallas, from the first moment my eyes landed on your ass, you have ignited something inside of me. We’ve been through the worst times but came out fighting. I love you and will love you for the rest of my life. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” She’s nodding before I even finish the question.
“Yes, yes, yes, oh my god yes.” I stand up and lift her off her feet, kissing her with everything I possess.
We’re going to have a baby and she’s going to be Mrs Slade. They are my family, nothing compares to this feeling.
Sophia
“Hi, it’s been a stressful few months, but we got him, Smithy, we got the bastard who took you away from us. He’s paralyzed. I’m not sorry. I’m glad he’s caught. I think about you every single day, I haven’t stopped. The pain of losing you is still there. I don’t think that is ever going to change, but that sharp pain I feel every time I think of you will start too dull down until it doesn’t pierce me anymore.” I clear away the dead flowers as I place mine on his grave.
“You must know that I’m pregnant by now. I know you Smithy, you’re always watching, always looking over me. I’ll always be grateful for that. We don’t know what we are having, we decided to be surprised. Nathan wants a boy, and I’m not surprised. You would really like him. I’m so sorry you never got to meet him, but I have told him all about you. He said that you sound like someone who he would be friends with, although considering who his best friend is, I wouldn’t take that as a compliment.” I look at the sky and swallow hard. I hate saying good bye to him.
“I’m happy Smithy. I’m in love and we’re engaged. I don’t think I know a time I’ve been this happy. I have to thank you. You helped shape me into a woman I wanted to be, into the woman I am today. I’m off to my OBGYN appointment next; I get to see my baby. I love you forever Smithy. I want you to know it was an absolute pleasure that I got to serve with you. It was a fucking honour to have you in my life. I will treasure every memory we had. I will tell my kids about their amazing uncle Smithy and how much their mom loves him. You will always be a part of me Smithy. I will see you again. I will have so many stories to tell you then. Rest in peace John. I love you.” I see Nathan waiting by his car. I wipe the tears from my face.
I start walking towards my future.
If you or someone you know have been affected by any of the content in this book, there is help for you.
Please know that you are not alone.
For rape survivors:
Call: 1.800.656.4673
For survivors of child abuse:
Please go to Havoca’s website and reach out to someone.
For survivors of torture:
Call: (619) 278-2400
Darren
:
I love you to the moon and back! Thank you for believing in me.
Jess, Alice and Stef
:
I don’t know how I can ever thank you girls for you your support. You are the most amazing friends anyone could ever ask for.
For those who have been with me every step of the way. For those who believed in me. For those who gave me the courage to live my dream.
Darren: You are the reason Deadly Hunt exists. You told me to follow my dreams. You are always there for me, you lived through the tantrums and all the changes this book has been through. You have been with me every step of the way. I love you so much.
Alice Ballinger: You were the first person to tell me how much you loved this book. You’ve read every change I made. You helped me so much. Your messages were amazing and so encouraging. Every message you sent meant so much! Thank you!!
Jessica Davey: Jess, I don’t think I could ever repay you for all you have done. You have been with me every step of the way. Any question I asked, you either told me straight away or came back hours later with loads of research. This book wouldn’t be what it is without you! Thank you!!!
Stefanie Carney: Where to start? Thank you! I know that thank you will never be enough. You spent hours looking over this book and proofreading it. Stef I honestly am lost for words at what you have done for me. You kept me sane when I wanted to go crazy and cry! You are one in a million!
My Amazing Beta Readers: Sophie, Vanessa, Colette, Emma and Mitsy. Ladies, thank you so much for all your input. You spent hours and hours in helping me. I am truly so grateful.
To the wonderful ladies at S.A.S.S: Thank you for helping me, for believing in me, and making this dream come true.
Riann C. Miller: I must have your head wrecked by now, you must dread seeing my name pop up on your inbox! You have helped me so much, not only taking the time to read Deadly Hunt and giving me your feedback, which by the way I kinda cried at! I was so happy!! You also gave me advice; You told me everything I would need to know, you have answered every question I have ever asked, no matter how stupid it sounded. Riann, I can’t find the words to thank you, because thank you isn’t enough.
Kelly Dugan: You have had my back from the very beginning, you told me you wanted my name in print. Thank you for all your support. You are the reason I changed the prologue. You made me see how much better it is having it the way it is now. I’m so glad I did change it. I absolutely love it now! Kelly, you are such an amazing friend!
Sophie De Vries: Sophie, you were the first of my beta readers to get back to me. I remember being in London and receiving your feedback, I couldn’t stop smiling, yes there were things that needed changing, but you told me how much you loved this book. Not only that, when I did make the changes you were my sounding board. Thank you Sophie!!
Emma Johnston: Thank you for being there for me, whether it be to make me laugh or let me bitch!
The Ladies of S.A.S.S: Stacey, Mel and Julie you girls have helped me so much, Thank you!! The rest of the girls thank you all so much for all the help you have given me.
Claire Ingram: My editor: Thank you for making my dream so polished.
Kennedy Kelly at Cover Crush Designs: I love the cover!! Thank you.
Lynette: Thank you for formatting Deadly Hunt for me!!
And to everyone who helped make this dream a reality.