Elusive Memories (The Hunted #1)

  *****

  By the time Coop stopped in front of a tiny building that looked more like a shack than house, the sun had sunk low and the moon peeked out behind the few clouds lingering in the sky.

  So Amy had betrayed them. Sam could move beyond that. She could see now that Amy had never liked her—or her Gift.

  But her mother. What her mother had allowed—what she still might be doing—Sam’s brain stuttered over the thought. She’d always known her mother wasn’t that great, but this was beyond anything she could have comprehended.

  And Coop? Sam wasn’t quite sure what to do about him. So she ignored him, which was easy to do when he was driving, but not so easy when they were sitting in a parked car and he was eyeing her warily. She leaned her forehead against the window.

  “This is another safe house. Are you ready to go in?”

  Sam shrugged. “How many other people are there?”

  “None. It’s just you and me.”

  If that was meant to make her feel better, it failed. She shrugged. “Whatever.”

  “I have to hide the car on the other side of the barn, but you can go ahead and see what’s stocked in the place. I’m sure you must be hungry. I am.”

  Sam took her time getting out of the car, surveying her surroundings on the way to the house. Unlike the previous safe house, this one was surrounded by a small clearing and thick forests. Birds chirped and the leaves rustled in the breeze. Under different circumstances, it would have been quaint.

  The house itself was tiny, just two rooms: a bathroom and an open room that functioned as a bedroom, dining room, and kitchen. The house stood empty. That was her favorite part, even if she had to share with Coop. He was better than Jones.

  Sam made a beeline to the bathroom. The bathroom at the other house hadn’t had a mirror and she was anxious to take stock of herself. Her clothes had been dirty and bloody since Reed’s attack. She stank, so she wasted no time stripping them off. Shyness set in. She didn’t really want to see how she looked, so she avoided the mirror and turned the water faucet to high. The water sputtered and coughed, but began pooling in the tub.

  From the side of the tub, she sighed. She’d made it this far, and a mirror was far from the worst enemy she’d faced. But when she shuffled over and stood in front of it, the mirror told her more than she wanted to know. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying; her face was covered in healing and faded bruises.

  She looked awful. Turning away, she waited until the water was ready and slid in.

  Bliss.

  Sam sighed and leaned back. With Coop no longer working at the compound, they’d have to find another way to take down the Hunters. From what he’d said to Janey, he was planning to build an army. She wanted to know more.

  She knew if she wanted to fight against the Hunters, uniting the memory-bringers and illusionists was the best way to do it. Coop was right about that. Together, they might actually be able to make inroads. Do something.

  The bath water turned cold. She stood and swore, realizing she had no towel or clean clothes. If she was going to lead people, she had to get better at planning ahead.

  Sam glanced at the door, listening to the sounds Coop made as he moved around the room outside. There had been a small chest of drawers next to the bed, and it was possible it had clothes.

  But she didn’t want to ask Coop for help.

  A quick rummage through the cabinets below the sink revealed a towel barely large enough to cover her. She grimaced and wrapped it around herself. It’d have to do. Sam turned the knob on the door and opened it a crack. Coop sat at a table near the kitchen portion of the room, his back facing her.

  She considered putting her clothes back on before making the trip, but now that she was clean, she was loath to touch them. Sam took a step into the room, watching Coop for movement.

  If she was quiet enough, she could sneak over to the chest of drawers without being noticed. She tucked the towel in above her breasts so it wouldn’t fall, took a deep breath, and eased the door open wide enough to slip through.

  Coop was engrossed in eating, if the clank of silverware was any indication. His lack of attention was perfect. Locking her eyes onto the chest of drawers, she crept across the room.

  The carpet was threadbare beneath her feet, the cold seeping up and leeching into her toes. It made her miss the socks from the compound. Goosebumps broke out across her skin, making her shiver. Her hair was heavy, dripping water down her back. A quick glance over her shoulder told her Coop hadn’t noticed her yet.

  She ran her hands over the chest of drawers, remembering how she’d drawn out this moment at the compound. She had no such desire now. Gripping the knobs, she pulled gently on the top drawer.

  Nothing happened.

  Sam bit her lip. Maybe if she could get her fingertips underneath, she could pry it open without making noise. But her fingers slipped on the wood.

  She frowned. She’d have to yank it open. Steeling herself, she closed her eyes and jerked the drawer, dislodging it. Someone must have put the drawers back on when the paint was partially wet.

  Coop whistled. “I don’t think they’re going to have anything in your size here.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” Sam bristled, but none of the contents of the drawer were in her size. The others revealed the same. Sighing, she turned to Coop. “I don’t want to wear those clothes anymore.” She gestured to the bathroom.

  He gave her body a full perusal, taking his time to meet her gaze. “Going naked is always an option.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “It’s not.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t,” she muttered under her breath, returning to the contents of the drawer. Louder, she said, “You’re welcome to start.”

  The rustle of clothes made her heart stutter. Nervousness and anticipation coalesced as she turned her head. He was unbuttoning his shirt, revealing a toned chest and hair leading down to his—

  Sam grabbed the first bottom and top she could find and fled back to the bathroom. From behind the safety of the locked door, she called out, “I was just joking!” She pressed on her chest to calm her racing heart.

  Coop laughed. “I know.”

  “Ugh.”

  The shorts and heavy sweater were too big, but luckily the shorts had a drawstring and she was able to tie them to her waist. They hung past her knees, but it was better than the towel.

  Or nothing.

  Sam crossed her arms and glared at the door. “Are you decent?”

  “I’m not indecent.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I have food for you if you come out from hiding.”

  “I’m not hiding,” she lied.

  Coop chuckled. “Then come out, Samara.”

  Blowing out a breath, she reminded herself what she needed to do. She would go out there and ask Coop about his plans for the army. She would not stare at his chest or abs or anything below his shoulders.

  Focus.

  She could do this. She opened the door. The table where Coop had been sitting was empty except for a steaming bowl and a spoon.

  “She emerges!” In the time it’d taken Sam to get dressed and work up the nerve to leave her safe spot, Coop had claimed the bed.

  His shirt was still open.

  Averting her eyes, Sam went for the soup. When the scent of broth reached her nose, her stomach rumbled audibly. She rubbed her stomach and grimaced. “I’m starving.”

  “So I heard.”

  She took a seat, angling herself so she could just see Coop out of the corner of her eye. But both her questions and Coop were forgotten after she took the first sip. It didn’t take her long to finish.

  Sam put the spoon down carefully, twisting slightly to face Coop, who was watching her intently.

  “Tell me about this army.”

  He stretched his arms and hooked his hands behind his neck. Only someone blind would miss the way hi
s shirt gaped open further. Sam was far from blind.

  “I’m going to start an army.”

  “You told Janey we were going to start an army.”

  A smile quirked the side of his mouth. “So I did.”

  Sam ignored the flutter of her stomach. It was just the food digesting. “Tell me about this army of yours.”

  “I’ve known for a while that the Gifted need to unite if we’re going to beat the Hunters. But that’s not exactly easy, given how the Gifted avoid each other. Establishing an army is going to require a partnership between the two groups.”

  “A partnership with… me?”

  Coop ran a hand through his hair, the movement drawing her gaze to the rippling of his muscles. “When I figured out your mom had basically let you be taken, I felt responsible. I wasn’t going to let anything else happen to you. It wasn’t until later that I realized you were the missing key in my plans. You’re my memory-bringer.”

  “I don’t appreciate being involved in plans without my knowledge or consent.” She paused, knowing her next words had the potential to change the course of her life. “But I am interested.”

  His eyes lit up. “Excellent.”

  Chapter Thirteen