Chapter 30

30

T he unpleasant tone in Hunter's voice brings the uneasiness back to my stomach. I take a step sideways to see Ezra. Blond hair and blue eyes greet me. Wow, the complete opposite of Levi and Hunter.

He is nothing like the other brothers. In fact, it's highly possible that Hunter and Levi's father isn't Ezra's dad. It's obvious the two brothers favor one parent. Is that why Thomas rides him so hard and he does anything asked of him? He's seeking the man's good graces even though he's not his father? Either he is a spitting image of their mother, or he's not a Wolfe.

"Father is waiting to meet his future daughter-in-law." It's as though he has a foul taste in his mouth when he refers to me.

" My name is Aelina," I correct him, refusing to let my fear show.

I won't let him intimidate me. Even if I want to run a mile from this place, this whole underworld thing is going to be my life soon. I have to stand up and show a brave face.

Ezra rolls his eyes. "Pfft." Hunter straightens and goes to step toward him, but I grab his arm, and Ezra laughs. "Already under the thumb, I see."

"Don't start with me," Hunter threatens. "You'll never be able to finish it."

Ezra's eyes narrow. Pulling his light blue suit coat to the side, he flashes a handgun, and I tighten my grip on Hunter's arm.

"Such a big man with a gun. You'd be worthless without it," Hunter says.

Landon clears his throat, and Levi takes that as his moment. "Let's get going, everyone, before the party moves out into the walkway." He rubs his hands together, giving Hunter a sideways glance and shaking his head.

Unspoken words between them are the loudest and clearest to understand, even as an outsider.

Hunter scoops up my right hand. Levi is in front of me, a human shield, and Landon is on the left.

This is it.

This is where my fate will be decided.

I'm sure Hunter thinks all will go smoothly tonight despite the less-than-welcoming greeting thus far. But the heaviness in my stomach tells me otherwise. I have to remind myself that he knows his family and what they are capable of.

We walk down a crisp white-walled hall, where frames hang along the walls. I try catching glimpses of the faces in the photos, but we're moving too fast for my focus to stay on one image.

Stopping in front of a set of double dark wood doors, Ezra takes hold of both handles, pushing them open.

Voices inside fall silent.

My heart races.

I tighten my grip on Hunter's hand.

I step into the room, and my breath hitches—polished wooden floors and pure white walls. A massive crystal chandelier hangs in the middle of the ceiling. It's round, with four levels of different-sized clear crystals. It's stunning.

Large pillars are placed around the room with vases of white and red roses on top of them. Each bouquet is perfectly round. I've never seen anything like this. It's something one would see in a high-class wedding, movie, or on some rich person's social media account.

I take a moment and evaluate the unfamiliar faces in the room. There are about thirty people. Everyone is dressed as though they're attending a red carpet gala. I catch the shine of one lady's necklace, and I swear if that's a real diamond, I'm going to die. Then I take in what all the women have on, and it's a sea of sparkles and jewels.

A puff of air rushes through my red-painted lips. I can now see why Hunter bought me this dress. Nothing I own would be good enough for this group of people. He wants me to fit into his world, to be a part of it, and I will. I have to for the future of our baby.

"Well, well, well...look who finally decided to grace us with their presence."

My head turns toward the voice. In the corner of the room, an elderly man with salt and pepper hair steps forward. I watch in awe as people move aside, allowing him to walk through them.

I try to swallow the lump which has formed in my throat. Why the hell does it have to stay there?

"Hello, Father." Hunter nods toward the older man. Thomas Wolfe.

He stands a few feet in front of us. His black-as-night eyes flicker between Hunter and me. Although I'm pretty sure he can't see me clearly since Levi still stands in front of me.

"Move aside, Levi," Thomas grumbles.

Hunter's thumb glides over my knuckles, offering me support. I take in a large breath and slowly release it. My body heats, and I feel a flush work its way up my neck.

Levi steps to the side, joining Landon. He's close to me, closer than even Hunter, and it's an added layer of comfort I need.

Thomas steps forward. He's a short man, much shorter than Hunter. In his prime, I have no doubt he would have been a very good-looking man. His jaw is much like that of his sons, Levi and Hunter, again making me wonder about Ezra.

Does he look like their mom, or is he, in fact, not a Wolfe?

"Well..." He sighs, rubbing his chin. I watch his eyes trace up and down my figure and immediately want to shower. "Aren't you a beauty? Hunter always had a taste for brunettes." He laughs, and I bite my lip to stop myself from saying anything.

I squeeze Hunter's hand to give him some reassurance. I know what his father is trying to do. Within seconds of meeting him, he's trying to create a wedge between us.

"None of them compare to her, though, Father," Hunter responds, a note of conviction in his tone, taunting his father.

I think I hear a scoff from somewhere in the room. Of course, he's broken some hearts. We all have a past. Mine may not involve a multitude of men, but it is full of heartbreak for other reasons.

"Pfft." Thomas waves his hand as though he's trying to get rid of a fly buzzing around his face. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is the daughter of Arthur and Miriam Redmont," he shouts to the other partygoers.

Whispers and hushed voices ripple through the crowd. I sense their eyes on me, and I want to run and hide from these people.

It is Hunter's turn to comfort me. He rubs my knuckles with his thumb. My heartbeat is so erratic I'm scared it will burst from my chest.

"Aelina..." He stews on my name, walking back and forth in the middle of the room, the crowd surrounding us. "By the looks of things, you're exactly like your parents. Sneaky and corrupt."

My eyebrows pull in. What does he mean by that statement? "You don't know me," I say, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Thomas laughs, and it's haunting as it echoes around the vast space. "I know what blood runs in your veins. The blood of a traitor."

The tension in the room sizzles. I pull my body upright, determined to stand tall in front of this man. His words mean nothing to me.

I open my mouth to respond, but Hunter cuts in. "It's become apparent that the fault is on both sides. Granny and May are responsible for removing the girls. They did it to protect them, to give them a life away from the lies and betrayals that run rampant in this underworld." He releases my hand and takes a step toward his father. "The way you have been running things, we all may as well hold our breaths for a bullet between the eyes. You're dealing with families who we would never have worked with because of what they stand for... death ."

Whispers kick up again around the room, and I'm left speechless. Was this the plan all along?

"That's enough," Thomas shouts, and silence fills the room. "How dare you speak out against me?"

"I want to take a vote. Right here, right now. I'm here to remove my father from his role as king of the underworld. I put my own name in and wish for your votes. This man, my father..." Hunter points to the red-faced Thomas, whose breathing has become heavy. Ezra is close behind him, but Hunter continues, "He has been holding Aelina's mother hostage simply to get Aelina in the same room as him."

Neither he nor Landon filled me in on exactly how this was to go down. It's probably a good thing, as I don't know if I would have gone along with the plan. As it is, the fear I felt is nothing like what's brewing in me now.

"Now, now..." Thomas appears to have pulled his temper in check. He waves his arms in a way that shows he wants Hunter to be quiet. When the murmurs stop, he continues, "This is all hearsay. There is no proof to this allegation."

"Think again, old Tom."