Page 20 of Crow Me A River

Still, that little voice in the back of her head warned her to be careful. In her experience, no one did nice things without eventually wanting something in return. She’d learned that lesson more than once.

Yet as she followed Vin, a small spark of hope warmed her chest. Misty tried like hell to tamp it down before it had a chance to grow. Getting her hopes up had never worked out well for her, especially when a man was involved.

But somewhere deep inside, she really wanted this one to be different.

CHAPTER 9

Because I do.

Vin snorted at himself when he thought about the answer he’d given her when she asked why he cared. Good fucking question. Why in the hell did he care so much?

Vin glanced at Misty as they made their way through the woods toward the place he was staying. She was quiet, which he was beginning to realize wasn’t exactly normal for her. He had no doubt she was trying to figure out what the hell she had gotten herself into by following a man she barely knew through the woods. Hell, he was trying to figure out what the fuck he was doing himself. He’d come to Assjacket to see Rafe, not rescue a stubborn Crow female from a Murder who treated her like property.

Yet here he was.

“So where exactly are we going?” Misty finally asked, glancing his way.

“To the place I’m staying.” Vin noticed the look she gave him. “What?”

“Nothing.” She shrugged, looking straight ahead again. “Just wondering if following a strange man through the woods is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

Vin snorted. “You were already in the woods.”

“That isn’t the point.”

“What is the point?”

“The point is I barely know you.” Misty glanced up at him again, a small grin tugging at her lips. “For all I know, you could be some psycho serial killer.”

“I don’t know many serial killers who would save you from six Crows and then sit outside your shack all night making sure they didn’t come back.” Vin smirked, thinking his logic was pretty damn solid.

“You could be saving me for your kill, and sitting outside my shack could just be one of your sick, twisted quirks,” Misty shot back, not missing a beat.

“I’m a Jaguar Shifter, not a serial killer.”

“Which are both predators?”

Vin grinned. “True, but I’m pretty sure you’re safer with the Jaguar than a serial killer.”

“Debatable.”

“Do you always have to have the last word?” Vin stopped and helped her over a fallen tree.

“Always.” Misty laughed, and Vin found himself doing the same.

It surprised him how comfortable he felt around her when they barely knew each other. Usually it took him a while to warm up to people, and even then, there were few he actually trusted. Rafe was one of those few.

“So, Bruce said you and Rafe know each other from Mexico.” Misty glanced at him as they continued through the woods. “How long have you known him?”

“A long time.”

“Wow, great answer.” Misty rolled her eyes. “Very informative.”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“That’s usually how people get to know each other.”

“Is that what we’re doing?” Vin cocked an eyebrow at her, enjoying the slight hesitation he saw before she shrugged.