Elusive Memories (The Hunted #1)

Sam sat up in bed, gasping. She didn’t know what she’d been dreaming about, but it made her feel uneasy and restless. She looked down. A large, masculine arm draped across her lap.

  Coop.

  She rolled her eyes. The bed was small, barely large enough to fit both of them—which was why she’d made him sleep on the floor. How had she slept through that? Her startled movements hadn’t awakened him, and she stole a few moments to enjoy the comfort of someone else’s presence. It was the first time since waking up at the compound she’d felt any measure of comfort.

  But more sleep escaped her.

  Watching the side of his face that wasn’t smushed into the pillow, she lifted Coop’s arm and set it by his side. She held her breath, waiting to see if he’d wake up. But his back continued lifting up and down, breathing the same steady pace.

  He didn’t stir.

  She kicked her feet off the bed and stood slowly, careful not to make any sound. Now that night had fallen, so had the temperature. Goosebumps broke out on her skin. She grabbed one of the blankets he’d abandoned in favor of the bed and wrapped it around herself.

  She checked Coop again. He lay on his stomach, but his arm had snaked out, landing where she’d been. The door creaked slightly when she went to close it, causing her to wince.

  Coop had parked the car behind the barn and down a natural slope. The night sky was cloudless, the stars lighting her way. After watching them from her room at the safe house, seeing the stars felt like spending time with old friends. She scrambled down the slope, managing to make it to the car without turning an ankle.

  She spread the blanket across the hood, climbed on top, and rewrapped herself. Leaning back, she settled in to watch the stars and lost track of the time.

  “You know there’s a perfectly normal bed inside.”

  Sam started, but refused to meet Coop’s gaze. “It was a little too crowded for me.”

  “Funny, but I thought it was rather cozy.”

  She threw him a glare, secretly relieved he’d put his shirt back on. “Nothing’s stopping you from staying here.”

  He hopped up on the hood with her, shaking her loose of the blanket and rearranging it around both of them. “Except you.”

  Her jaw worked and she brought her hands up. “No.”

  “Yes.” Coop captured her hands, put them in her lap, and wrapped his arms around her. He set his chin on the top of her head, sighing. “I like you. When you left, I woke up.”

  She poked him in the side.

  “I messed up, you know.” He rubbed her arm absently.

  “I know.”

  He chuckled, the sound vibrating against her back. “No denials to make me feel better?” Before she could respond, he continued, “I got caught up in my plans. I couldn’t believe how easy it’d been to convince your uncle—” He shook his head. “No, not your uncle. I let my desire to work with the Gifted blind me. I should have verified your mom actually worked for your uncle. But—”

  “You didn’t know. None of us knew.” Sam didn’t fully understand, but she was determined to figure it out.

  Coop sighed. “Your mom seemed so excited to partner up and learn more about the Hunters and what they were doing. I was excited to share because it meant we could finally make strides against them and what they’ve been doing. And then I saw you at the compound. Struggling, but fighting. And Reed—I haven’t seen him so pissed off since I ‘accidentally’ let Janey get away. You are amazing. The guards hid from Reed for a day after you called him Rocky, afraid that he might take his anger out on them.”

  He brushed away a piece of hair that had fallen over her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I thought I could save more people by being on the inside. I wasn’t able to save my sister, but I thought that if I gathered enough information, the Gifted could take it and do something with it. But seeing you—realizing who you are—I knew it was never going to be enough. If we want change, Samara, we have to do it ourselves. I’m not proud of the fact my actions led you to be captured, but I can’t regret that it’s led me to you.”

  The words unsettled her. She tensed. “I’d like to be alone right now.” Too many conflicting and confusing thoughts.

  “I’m a good listener.”

  “Go.”