Chapter 27

27

"W hat were you thinking?" Hunter yells, trampling a path in front of me while I sit on the couch.

My chin tremors and the tears will fall any second. I keep my mouth closed, not willing myself to speak in case I let the secret slip.

"I don't understand, Aelina. You could have been killed. Those bullets were meant for you." He stabs a finger in my direction, his face red.

May comes and sits down beside me. "Hunter, you need to calm down. Landon was there the whole time. He wouldn't have allowed harm to come to her." Her voice is calming in a motherly way. I should say grandmotherly way.

She takes my hand, giving it a gentle rub, but it's hard to relax.

Hunter's fist curls and uncurls three times before he takes a deep breath. "May, she did something that could have gotten her killed and destroyed everything we've been working toward."

I look between them. "Excuse me? The reason I did what I did was because you weren't doing anything about my mother, and you still aren't telling me everything like you promised. So how can I trust you?" I stand and turn my back to him, grabbing my backpack and heading for my bedroom.

Shutting the door behind me, I go straight for the bathroom. Grabbing the pregnancy test from my bag, I put the toilet lid down and sit, staring at the stick. My world is about to change in so many ways—becoming a part of the underworld, helping Hunter take things over, and pushing out those who stand with his father. It's going to be a new empire. This baby is going to have a different upbringing.

I'm having a baby .

I know nothing about babies or how even to change a diaper. My only hope is Hunter has had some experience, given that he has younger brothers. I'm sure May will step in and help.

A sharp knock at the bathroom door startles me, causing the stick to fall from my hands.

"What?" I yell.

"Can I come in?" Hunter has come crawling with his tail between his legs.

I reach down, snatching up the stick. Crap, where am I going to put it? I yank open the bottom drawer of the vanity cupboard and throw it in, quietly closing it. Then I wipe my clammy hands over my top and unlock the door.

Hunter stands there, his head hanging low, but I don't move. Holding my breath, I wait for more anger to be thrown my way.

Nothing happens. Seconds pass, and then, at lightning speed, he has me wrapped in his arms, and the dam breaks. My tears fall onto his shirt as I clutch the fabric, the sobs tearing through my chest. Hunter's arms tighten around me, his hands rubbing up and down my back.

"I've got you," he whispers into my hair, his face buried in my neck.

My tears finally subside, yet he holds onto me for dear life, and I need it like I need air to breathe.

"Hunter, I'm sorry," I manage without hiccupping.

"Little Red..." He pauses. "I should have told you before, but we are going to get your mother back. I was waiting until you were ready. I guess, given that you're willing to put yourself in danger for her, I better get the ball moving. The sooner we take over, the sooner all this darkness and death will slowly disappear."

"We're going to get her back?" I ask, unable to hide my excitement.

"Yes, and another thing...kiss me, woman. I've missed your lips."

He doesn't have to ask twice. My lips connect with his, and my insides melt. I want more of him—a ravaging of clothes being taken off, deep kissing, and lots of touching.

With each caress, all the uncertainty surrounding my mother and our baby washes away. I know that he'll do everything he can to protect me and what remains of my family.

* * *

Warmth presses against my back.

Hunter.

A smile touches my lips.

His arm is wrapped around my naked body. His hand rests on my stomach, and butterflies take flight.

If only he knew.

"Your brain is loud." Hunter's gravelly mumble causes my eyes to spring open.

I twist my body to face him.

"How do you know?" I kiss his lips, and he responds with a deeper, more passionate kiss.

It's as if his lips make me love-drunk. When he stops kissing me, my lips tingle. Licking them, I savor his taste.

He sighs, pulling me tighter against his bare chest. "I just know you. I can read your mind."

If only you could actually read my mind . "Okay then. Tell me," I challenge.

His eyes finally open. "You're thinking I'm hot and that we should take this to the shower."

I laugh as he kicks back the covers and lifts me, carrying me to the bathroom.

* * *

Later that morning, I'm sitting out at Nash's grave. "Well, Nash, I'm pregnant." It seems so surreal to actually say that. "You would be an uncle."

A lump forms in my throat.

Someone clears their throat behind me. Spinning around, I see Landon standing there wearing his usual black suit and white button-up shirt. "Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to check in and see if you were okay?"

Hard shell, soft interior fully describes this man before me.

"I'm okay, thanks. Thanks for helping me last night." I tap the empty spot beside me on the bench, and he joins me.

"It's my job to protect you..." He pauses, and I catch him rubbing his hands together.

Is he nervous?

"Are you okay?" I eye him skeptically.

"No, I'm not. I don't like keeping secrets from Hunter. He's my boss."

And there it is.

He's faithful to Hunter.

"I will tell him after we get my mother back. Once he knows, he will probably flip his lid, lock me up, and never let me leave here again. Good thing this place keeps me busy, or I'd be climbing the walls with boredom." I laugh.

He does nothing—simply stares at the headstones before me.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Landon. It's not just my secret."

"No, it's not," He pauses, then continues, "Levi told me that Ezra is the one who put the hit out on you. Hunter knows this, only he felt that you didn't need to know. I'm through with keeping secrets from you. You deserve to know. Please don't let on that I told you."

I swallow. "His brother? Could his family be more messed up?" I growl, smacking my hands on my knees.

"There's a lot of history. But...there's something else about last night. Your father was there, and he was shooting at the person trying to hit you."

My head jerks back, and I look at him. "What?"

"By the looks of things last night, I'd say your father was trying to protect you."

"Why would he? When he rang me that time, I thought he was out to kill me."

Landon shakes his head. "No, I've been keeping an eye on him. I know he's followed you here and into the city."

"That doesn't make sense. Where is he staying? Isn't Hunter's father after him?"

He nods. "Yes, he's currently staying on this property. It's a pretty big piece of land. He built a shack years ago in the forest way out." He points past the tree line.

"My father has been here, and you haven't told me?" My voice rises.

Landon rubs his face. "I know. Hunter knows he's been there. I've been watching to make sure he keeps his distance."

"Can I see him?"

"No," a firm voice shouts from behind us. We both stand and face Hunter, who appears pissed off. "What do you think you're doing?" His question is directed at Landon.

"Telling her what you wouldn't. She has a right to know." His voice is as hard as Hunter's.

So this is what it's like when two powerful men have it out.

"I would have told her."

"No, you wouldn't," I interject, and they stop, turning toward me. "You have done nothing but keep secrets from me. I told you I didn't want that anymore, and you still couldn't be open. I'm glad Landon came to me because at least now I know my father may not be the dangerous man he's been painted to be." Hunter opens his mouth to respond, but I hold my hand up. "I don't want lies or secrets anymore. Don't talk to me unless you can promise me that."

"Fine." He's clearly unhappy about this. "But you have to promise me that you won't go running away again."

"Fine," I say, echoing his tone.

"Glad we could clear that up." He turns to Landon. "Something is going on in the city. It seems some feathers have been ruffled since last night's escapades." He raises his eyebrows at me.

"Oh well, maybe they needed to get ruffled." I shrug. "This entire thing is going too slowly now, and I want to deal with it head-on. Arrange the meet-and-greet with your father, and let's get my mother back."

Hunter folds his arms, and a smug smile stretches across his face. "You do realize that sometimes things aren't that simple? My father is going to have a plan ready to go, so we have to have something up our sleeve."

It appears I might have the smoking gun. I give Landon a side glance. He returns it, only he shakes his head. Now I'm confused.

"What if we do the meet-and-greet and make it a formal event? Kind of like an engagement party?" Landon suggests.

"Engagement party?" I ask curiously.

"That's not a bad idea, Landon."

"Um...excuse me. What engagement? Who's getting engaged?"

"Us," Hunter answers.