“How are you holding up?” I hand Mila a cup of chamomile tea before I pour myself one.
It’s been forty-eight hours since Jason fully woke up, the doc giving him the all clear. I mean, he can’t go running a marathon, but he’s no longer in danger of bleeding out by merely breathing.
“Me? I’m good, considering. What I want to know is how you’re holding up.” Mila peers over the lip of her cup as she takes a sip of her tea. “I swear you can feel the wall of ice as soon as you and Hunter are in the same room.”
“Yeah, well… we sort of got into a fight…and then I may have told him to stay away from me.” I don’t dare look at her as I take out the cream.
“Girl! Why on earth would you do that?! You’re obsessed with him!” She’s screeching so loud, I’m surprised everyone hasn’t descended into the kitchen.
“Shhh! Be quiet!” I whisper-hiss. “It’s a long story, but it’s safe to say that my heart isn’t open for any more heartache. And Hunter Crown? He’s nothing but a world of hurt.”
“Oh, Mel.” There it is, the look of pity I’d been wanting to avoid and why I hadn’t come clean to my best friend.
“No, don’t look at me like that. I’m fine, really.” I’m swirling the teaspoon in my cup when her words have me halting.
“Yeah, that’s why you just poured tartar sauce into your tea.”
Mouth hanging open, I inspect the bottle of cream I’d just taken out. Yup. Sure enough, it’s fucking tartar sauce.
“You were saying?” Mila prompts.
“Whatever. I’m just a little absent-minded, that’s all. You would be too if—”
“What?” Mila raises her brows as she puts her cup of tea down. “Spill it, girl. I know something’s been weighing on you, I just don’t know why you’ve been holding it back. You know we can tell each other anything, right?”
I sigh, placing the bottle of not cream back into the fridge. “I haven’t wanted to offload on you because you’ve been going through a lot with Jason. For Christ’s sake, he was on the brink of death.”
She purses her lips to the side before she’s patting the stool beside her. “Well, he isn’t anymore, so dish.”
Resigning myself to this gab session, my heart races as I take a seat and let her in on everything.
“Okay. Soooo, Hunter and I slept together before you left for Florida—”
“What!?” Mila screams and I instantly clap a hand over her mouth.
“Woman, you’re going to have to be quiet if you want me to share.” She nods against my hand and I slowly remove it, breaking the seal and letting the flood of whispered questions begin.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Mila whisper-shouts. “How many times? How many times have you been with him and hid it from me?”
My face tinges pink. “Depends on what you consider being ‘a time.’”
“You little hussy, you.” Mila gives me a little shove. “So, then what’s the deal? Was he not any good? Does he have a small flinker?”
“Oh my god, Mila!”
“Now look who’s being loud.” She smirks, one lone brow raising. “Okay, so seriously. What happened?”
“He won’t be honest with me. Not completely. Says that if it’s not in my best interest, then he’s going to keep it from me.”
Mila’s brows drop and one of her hands goes to mine. “Babe, that doesn’t sound too bad.”
“It is when his omissions have the power to break me.” My eyes fling to hers as they well up with tears. “Remember that time you gave me his number in the bunker? Yeah, well, I called and he acted like the biggest asshole. Told me to stop wasting his time and never call him again.”
Mila gasps. “That motherfucker.”
I sigh and nod in response. “That was one of those omissions. Turns out the lines were being tapped and he didn’t want whoever was listening to know how much I supposedly mean to him.”
“Oh, babe. That’s fucking horrible. Did you spiral?” I nod once more and her hands immediately go to my shoulders. “I told you to freaking call me!”
“I know.” I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I handled it though, and I’m stronger for it. I just don’t know if I’m ready to let him back in just yet.”
“Geez. Sounds like you have every right to be skeptical.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, gathering the courage to share this next bit.
But unfortunately for me, Mila doesn’t give me a chance. “Oh god, there’s more, isn’t there? I can see it in your face.”
“Turns out I got pregnant and then lost the baby, didn’t find out until I ended up in the hospital this week.”
“Oh god, no! Mel! Was it that bastard Bruce’s fault?”
“The doctors think so. Said my HCG levels were there, but they couldn’t find a heartbeat. They think the injuries I’d sustained could have caused the loss.”
“I’m going to kill him. I’m going to rip off his—”
Just then, Matt enters the kitchen and I beg Mila with my eyes to drop it. I definitely don’t want to discuss this in front of any of the Crown brothers.
Thankfully, my best friend nods, but she whispers a promise I try to ignore. “This convo isn’t over, girl.”
Oblivious to our conversation, Matt moves around the island and the look on his face is not one I care to see so soon after all of the drama we’ve just had. “Ladies. We need to get going.”
“Oh, God, no. Not again,” Mila whines and I’m right there with her.
“What now?” I ask, needing more information before my life is uprooted once more.
In answer, Hunter comes up from behind me and I wish I could say it were just his words that have my heart racing. “Catherine has disappeared and we have word that Raul is in Miami. They might be together or there might be another mole. Whatever the case, we need to get the fuck out of here.”
I’m blinking up at him, wondering what this all means. “And where would you have us go?”
Without skipping a beat, Hunter takes a step closer, our feet almost touching. “Lake Opalaka.”
My breath hitches, the memory of us on the countertop flashing vividly in my mind. Hunter’s nostrils flare and jaw clenches. Oh, he remembers it too.
“For how long?” My best friend breaks into our moment, but I welcome it—a reprieve from this intensity. “And Jason, he’s staying with us, right? He better be staying with us. There’s no way in hell I’m letting him traipse across the country with you men. He needs to heal first.”
Matt chuckles beside her. “Yes, Mila. He isn’t going anywhere that doesn’t involve resting and relaxation… well, as much as the situation allows.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. Ladies, grab your things, we leave in ten.” And without even sparing me a single glance, Hunter turns and leaves the room, taking my heart right along with him.
“Uh-huh. You sure you two are done?” Mila bumps my hip with her own.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I purse my lips and raise a brow. “Besides, you should be worrying about what you’re packing instead of standing here grilling me. Who knows how long this next stint in Colorado will be.”
Mila snorts. “Hey, at least we aren’t having to go back down into that bunker.”
A memory hits me fast and fierce. A looming shadow, the walls of the bunker closing in on me. At first, I think it’s Bruce but I hear him in another room, ‘This is worthless. Won’t get me shit.’ The figure above me says something, but it sounds all muffled. I can’t make it out.
“Mel! Melissa!” My best friend’s hands grip tight around my biceps as she shakes me from my thoughts. “Mel!”
“Oh, God. There was someone else. In the bunker…” I’m whispering, trying to beckon the image from the recesses of my mind. I saw them. I know I did.
“Someone else? What are you talking about?” Mila’s brows push together and her nose scrunches. “Don’t you think we should tell the guys?”
This snaps me out of my haze. “No. I’m not telling Hunter anything unless I absolutely have to. Maybe this was a hallucination. Death knocking at my door and ready to take me down with him, right?”
My friend raises a brow, skeptical of my words. “I don’t know. Maybe the more time that passes, the more you’ll remember.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, praying that I either forget all together or remember exactly what happened, because this in between is freaking me the fuck out.
Looking up, I see that Mila isn’t sure about this either. “Hey, don’t worry about me. I’m going to be okay so long as we get our shit packed in time. Come on. Let’s get moving or we’ll be forced to wear the same things day in and day out.”
Mila cackles. “Oh, heck no. You bet I’d have Hayley delivering the goods in no time.”
“Yeah, about that… Remind me to talk to you about her and Matt later on.”
Mila stops dead in her tracks, her body whirling around to meet mine. “Girl, you better spill.”
I shake my head and laugh. “I will, right after we pack our bags.”
Rolling her eyes, Mila gives me a shove. “Fine, but I’m not letting that slide. You’re giving me the gossip.”
I snicker, knowing there isn’t much more than an inkling. But hey, like that saying goes—where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Hunter
“She’s not going to be happy about it,” Jace rubs at his scruff, his brow raising in disapproval.
“That’s not for you to worry about.” I finish checking all of the security cameras in my hub before I turn back toward my brother. “It’s in their best interest with you being down for the count and all.”
“Hey! I take offense to that. It’s not like I wanted to get shot.” Jace openly glares, but I don’t give a shit.
“Brother, you know better than anyone, if you go into any fight half-cocked and all starry-eyed with emotions, things aren’t ending well. You’re lucky you’re still here with us.”
“If you were in my shoes you would’ve done the same thing.”
An involuntary shudder wracks my body. I don’t even want to think about it. To think of Mel being in a life-threatening situation turns me homicidal.
“Yeah, I’ll take your silence as admission.” Fucker is back to raising a brow, and this time it’s accompanied with a smirk. “So, when are you telling the girls you’re leaving us with a babysitter?”
“As soon as he arrives.”
Jace cackles. “Oh, brother. You never learn, do you?”
My brows drop and forehead wrinkles. “What are you going on about?”
“Nothing. You’ll see soon enough.” Jason wheels himself to the study’s door but it swings open before he gets to it.
“What is my brother doing here?” My little spitfire knows exactly where to direct her question because her eyes are staring daggers into mine.
“I asked him to come here. Jason isn’t in the best shape to keep you safe and I’ll be leaving in an hour.”
Her mouth drops open, but she quickly shuts it, schooling her features in the process. “Are you coming back?”
There’s a hint of vulnerability in her eyes and I’m not sure if now is the time to reassure her. In all honesty, I don’t know if I’ll be back.
Sure, lying to her will bring her temporary comfort, but what if I can’t keep my promise? Then what? No, it’s honesty she wanted and honesty she’s going to get.
“I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter because you’ll be safe.” I turn toward Ericson who’s just entered the room and give him a nod. “Along with your brother, I have several men stationed outside. They’ll be rotating on a regular basis, but under no circumstances are you to be alone with any of them. Should you need to talk to them, then your brother and Jace will accompany you. Never, and I mean never, let any of them lure you out of the house without your brother or Jason. Do you understand?”
I see the column of her neck bob with a swallow before she’s nodding in agreement. “Fine. But I’m going to need to know you’re coming back… just so I can give you shit for putting me in yet another lockdown.”
She’s trying to be funny, but I see the fear behind her eyes.
“I can’t do that, Mel. You wanted honesty, and I honestly don’t know if I’ll make it home.”
Mel’s eyes go wide, the crystal orbs going glossy with unshed tears. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that.” She flings herself at me, her small fists pounding against my chest as I hold her tight.
“Shhhh, baby. No matter what, you’ll be okay.” I thought my words would have a calming effect, but they only serve to agitate her more.
“You big dummy! Don’t you get it?” Her eyes bounce back and forth between mine, and I honestly am at a loss for words. “Ugh! For someone so enlightened, you sure do miss the bigger picture a lot.”
“Then tell me. Spell it out for my Neanderthal brain.” I’m looking down at her, trying to figure it out and praying that she does in fact tell me, because if she doesn’t, I’ll be forced to pack her up and take her with me. There’s no way I’m leaving her in this state.
“Your honesty, I want it when it comes to secrets you hold close to the vest. Secrets that affect you, me, our friends, and our family.” Her slender fingers trace my jawline as her eyes look into mine with so much reverence, I may never leave. “You, Hunter Crown, walk around carrying the weight of the world, thinking you know what’s best for everyone else. But tell me this? Who is going to look out for you? Who is going to make sure you aren’t carrying too much? That what you’re holding onto isn’t better set free? Who? Tell me who, Hunter?”
My heart, it cracks open, letting enough of her light in, and what I feel is nothing short of a miracle. Warmth. Love. Acceptance. And above all, a soul deep connection. One which gives me a sense of belonging I’ve never experienced before. Home. This woman is my home.
There are no words that could convey what I feel, so I do my best to show her with a kiss, not giving a shit that we have an audience.
Lowering my face to hers, I take her lips in mine, coaxing hers open with my tongue until she’s given me access to heaven on earth.
My girl whimpers as I take her tongue, swirling it against mine and savoring everything that is her. Her soft body against my hard one, her warmth against my frigid cold. She’s the one I want for the rest of my life; however short it might be. If I had just one more second on this earth, it’d be hers.
Yes, the kiss might have started off as one forged from love and desperation, the need to be closer to her fueling my actions. But it’s quickly transformed into nothing but fire and passion, my hips pressing hard against her smaller frame, seeking their home.
I’m about to throw her down and have my way with her, my cock pushing against the zipper of my jeans and needing inside her warm little cunt, but there’s a loud slam and it pulls me out of this bubble with Mel.
Fuck. I’d been so lost in her that I’d let the awareness of my surroundings slip.
Letting my ears and eyes refocus on the room around me, I seek out the source of the sound and I find a glaring Ericson.
Unable to help it, I smirk. “Sorry, brother.”
Jace snickers. “You’re so not sorry.”
“He isn’t,” Ericson adds. “But whatever, your ride is here. And thank God. One more second and I swear you would’ve fucked my sister right in front of me.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Mel mumbles under her breath, her cheeks turning pink as the sweet memories from the bunker come to mind.
“Wait, what?” Jace is looking between all of us but it’s Ericson who answers, the green pallor of his face not one I miss.
“You don’t want to know. Trust me.” Ericson visibly shudders as he swipes a hand over his face. “I still have nightmares.”
I raise a brow. “Nothing like the ones you’ll have if you don’t keep my girl safe while I’m away.”
Ericson rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Your ass better get going or that chopper is going to leave without you.”
“Another one? Where do you guys keep getting all these helicopters?” Mel is looking between us and the confusion on her face is nothing short of endearing, the sight making me chuckle.
“More secrets, baby. But I promise I’ll fill you in as soon as I get back.”
She narrows her eyes but the smile playing on her lips lets me know she isn’t serious. “You and those secrets, Mr. Crown.”
Fuck. Right then and there. That’s when I know I need her to be the Mrs. to my Mr. And as soon as I get back, I’m making good on that.
But until then, I’m stealing one more kiss and savoring every second of it, present company be damned.
