“You guys put a video camera up here?” I ask in surprise.

Zay lifts a shoulder like it’s no big deal. “It’s part of our protocol.”

My lips form an O as I struggle to process everything.

“I know it’s a lot to take,” Jax says to me. “It’ll get easier.”

“If she agrees to help us,” Zay intervenes. “If she doesn’t, it might get complicated if she doesn’t keep quiet about what she knows about us.”

“I’m not gonna tell anyone, if that’s what you’re implying,” I tell him, raising my chin in confidence. “I’m not a narc.”

“Good to know you think so,” he says with a smirk, “but I’ll have to see for myself.”

I narrow my eyes at him, about to smart off, when Hunter speaks first.

“I think that’s your aunt’s car,” he announces. “We should probably get you back to the house.”

“Good idea,” I agree, because the last thing I need right now is to get busted for sneaking out. Though I’m not positive anyone would really care.

Still, they seem eager to leave, Hunter jumping out of the car and scooting the seat forward.

I duck my head to climb out, and then Hunter starts to shut the door.

“Wait,” Jax says in a rush. “I thought we were going to trade numbers with her?”

Zay gives him a funny look. So does Hunter.

“I’ll give her your guys’ numbers while I walk her back to her house,” Hunter tells him. “And I can give you hers.”

“Okay.” Jax relaxes in the seat.

Hunter closes the door, snags ahold of my hand, and guides me back into the trees. He remains silent for a while as we hurry back toward my backyard.

“You won Jax over pretty quickly,” he abruptly remarks, moving a tree branch out of our way.

“I did?” I ask, nearly tripping on my face when I stumble on a rock. Luckily, Hunter has a hold of my hand and stops me from falling.

It starts to rain then, the clouds blocking the partial glow of the moon and making everything appear darker.

“He rarely talks to anyone, so yeah, I’d say you won him over pretty quickly.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I wonder as we reach the edge of my property, raindrops trickling down my face.

He hunkers down low then moves forward, motioning for me to do the same. “It could be a good thing. Or a complicated thing.”

“How?” I whisper as we near the back of the house.

He just shrugs, creeping over to the edge of the house and peering around the corner. “Looks like your aunt hasn’t pulled up yet. You’re good to go.” He lets go of my hand and turns to me. “I’ll send you everyone’s number in a group text later tonight.”

I nod. “All right.”

He offers me a smile then moves to leave, but pauses and twists back around, wiping raindrops from his face. “Raven, if you ever need a ride or anything at all, even if it’s just to talk, call us, okay? I know we haven’t been friends for very long, but when we decide to let someone into our group, we decide that we’re going to take care of them.”