MARKED (Hunter Awakened) Read Free

everything that had happened with my parents,
I'd wanted an agent who wasn't going to lie to me, not even to make
me feel better. Harrison had certainly fit the bill, and he hadn't
changed his manner over the past five years.
    “Here's how we're going to play this.” He
ignored my comment. “I'm assuming you aren't looking to keep things
nice with Todd.”
    The memory of him screaming at the little boy
flashed into my mind. “No. He screwed up and wasn't the least bit
remorseful about it.”
    “Good.”
    I could hear the pleased note in Harrison's
voice. He loved it when he could take the gloves off. Having to
deal with gossip and publicity came with the territory, and I'd
always tried to play nice with everyone, no matter what they said
about me. Harrison never liked being restricted. This, however, was
different. It hadn't been just words, and it hadn't been just me.
My fans were off limits.
    “I'm going send out a press release with an
official statement about what happened last night. All of it,
including how Todd wasn't doing his job when Rufus grabbed you.
That asshole's a pedophile, so I don't think we're going to have
too much problem with the fact that you kicked him in the
nuts.”
    I smirked at the memory. I didn't like
hurting people, but in that case, I was willing to make an
exception. Anyone who hurt kids was fair game in my book.
    “Fortunately, the press got some great shots
of the confrontation between you and Todd, including him screaming
at that kid and you getting hit.” He paused. “By the way, are you
okay?”
    It didn't surprise me that he hadn't asked
before. Another thing that I loved about Harrison was that he
didn't coddle me or try to be a parent. He would ask only if he
cared, though it was often later than most people would've. I
didn't care though. I knew it was genuine.
    “Fine,” I said. “It doesn't feel great, but
it's nothing a bit of make-up won't cover.”
    “Don't cover it up when you go out,” he
instructed. “I know you don't normally wear make-up when you do
your whole morning routines and I don't want you to today either.
Let the press get some good shots.”
    “Okay,” I agreed. I wasn't fond of the
paparazzi, but in situations like this, they did have their
uses.
    “I'll take care of answering questions, and
all that. The only other thing I need you to do before you go to
work tonight is hire another nighttime bodyguard.”
    I scowled, then winced as the movement pulled
at my sore cheek. “I don't need another bodyguard. I'm fine with
just Paul. He can switch to the night shift and I can do without
one during the day.”
    “Not an option, Teal. Especially while Rufus
is out on bail, I want you to have twenty-four hour
protection.”
    “I can take care of myself, Harrison.” I sat
up. “I'll have Paul drive me to set and make sure everything's all
clear before he leaves, okay?”
    “Teal,” Harrison started.
    “I appreciate the concern, Harrison,” I said.
“I'll talk to you later.” I hung up before he could protest
anymore. I didn't want to hire another bodyguard. What was the
point if I just had to do it myself anyway?”
    I climbed out of bed and glanced at my clock.
I had an hour to run before my trainer arrived. Kevin wasn't just
an exercise trainer, which is why I'd hired him. He held half a
dozen titles in various forms of fighting, all of which he was
teaching me. Part of it was so that I could do more and more of my
own fighting sequences—our editors were geniuses at editing
together me and my stunt double until it was nearly impossible to
tell who was who—but I'd also wanted to learn how to defend myself.
Last night had just been the justification I needed.
    When I came downstairs to go on my run, Paul
was waiting by the door as usual, ready to go with me. He raised
his eyebrows when he caught sight of my face, but the fact that he
didn't say anything told me that he'd already heard about what had
happened, whether on the news or from