WHAT is happening here? Is Jessica Hunter's girlfriend? If you are enjoying the story, consider leaving a gem or two in appreciation! Thank you for your continued support :)
[Addison]We stand, turning towards the young woman. With short, clipped steps, a stunningly beautiful young woman comes into view. With bright red hair and a perfectly heart-shaped face, he black eyes are startling as she gazes adoringly at Hunter Grant, her stylish bag swaying behind her as she marches forward with arms outstretched. "Oh Hunter, I've missed you!" As she jogs forward, dozens of eyes watch as she makes her way across the room. A few cameras flash but are then discretely hidden away under the hard glares of tight-lipped servers."Who is she?" I start to say but the words die on my tongue as she comes into view. There isn't a New Yorker who wouldn't recognize her. Her face has dominated every billboard and magazine cover for years.It's hometown hero Jessica Jackson, teen idol, supermodel, and the creative genius behind her own size and gender-inclusive fashion line, Jake. Beautiful, talented, and ridiculously skilled, she swept New York Fashion Week's hot young faces
[Addison]My hand reaches up to cup my sore cheek. The young supermodel, her hands on her hips, taps her foot impatiently as if waiting for a response to a question she never asked. When I don't say anything right away, her cheeks color a bright scarlet, turning her perfect ivory completion blotchy. "I...Hunter, I mean, Mr. Grant and I are just friends. I care for his niece Livy, we don't....""I see you're playing coy," she huffs. "Well, I'm on to you, Mrs Stone." Her voice is painfully blunt as she says my marital title. "Stay away from him," she repeats. "I know about women like you, hopping from one rich man to another like it's a game of checkers. You aren't the first woman to think Hunter Grant is your playtoy."It feels wrong, being told off by a woman barely more than a child with a face so perfect it makes no sense that she'd care about someone as insignificant as me. If she wants Hunter, she can have him. Not just because we're not dating, but because with her exotic, sha
[Hunter]The two women come back smiling, but their smiles are harsh and pointed. Taking seats on opposite sides of me, they avoid looking at one another for the rest of the meal. Addison seems especially distracted, neglecting her food, and looking out the window at the setting sun. Something happened in the bathroom, something to shift the mood. Stuck between them, I want to ease the tension, but I'm not sure where to start. I hope Jessica didn't take things too far. She's a bit protective of me, and she has a sharp temper. "So, Hunter, you won't believe the new shop I found." Jessica has been showing me pictures from her Paris buyer's trip. I'm so proud of her.She's grown up so much in the last five years. I never thought she'd recover after the incident that almost cost her life. Luckily, my team go there in time, but it was close. We had been given a lead that there was an exchange of goods happening that night at a high school in Connecticut. There was a basketball game happe
[Addison]There is no place in his world for me.If he's serious about Jessica Jackson, it is only a matter of time before my premonition of being replaced in Livy's world with a real wife and mother comes true. She's younger than me, prettier, and far more successful. She knows how to exist in his uber-billionaire world.I was born rich but raised poor. I married my first real boyfriend and that was a disaster that didn't help me learn how to navigate relationships--not that I'd call what I have with Hunter a relationship. We have a friendship, but is it possible for two people who live together, caring for the same child, working side by side, to keep their relationship simple? "He never promised me anything," I sigh as I walk toward the elevator as swiftly as I can. "This was just...argh!"I'm thinking about this too hard. The simple truth is that Hunter and I are friends. He is helping me get a divorce and start my life over, nothing more. His girlfriend is back in town, and for s
[Mr. Jersey]I hate going into these stuffy offices and being Mr. D's delivery boy. It's so fucking degrading. I'm Mr. D's lieutenant, not his goddamned delivery boy. But who the fuck tells Mr. D that to his face? Nobody, that's who--as in there won't be NO BODY to find. Heh he. Stone and Associates is on the other side of town. The drive sucks, but I ain't taking the fucking train, so when I arrive I'm already irritated. Shit, I was irritated before I stepped in the fucking car. I hate visiting this little cunt. I wish the man would grow a pair and stop letting Ms. Evie pull his dick so hard his balls fell off. She's not even his girl, and he's still mewing at her feet for the fucking scraps of pussy that Mr. D leave behind. Nasty. I don't care how hot she is. Ain't no pussy worth sloppy seconds. Even if they're Mr. D's. Besides, she's hot and all, but she's round with who the fuck knows who's bastard. That girl opens her legs faster than the line at Mc.D's. But unlike those cheap
[Michael]My phone has been ringing all day. It's annoying, having to deal with all the little dramas of an office place while also having to deal with everything else. But Evelyn is terrible at this kind of work. For being as capable as she is with little kids working as a teacher, she can't manage to answer the damn phone."EVIE!" I holler. Why isn't she at her desk? If she were where she was supposed to be, my secretary wouldn't be sending me so many calls. The last call still has me on edge.Mr. D has done me a little "favor." He sent his favorite goon to watch my wife, but she hasn't stepped a single toe out of line. There is nothing I can use against her in our divorce, nothing to force her to fall to her knees and beg for me to take her back. But two days ago, when we had the earthquake, something changed.My intercom beeps. "Yes, Maddie?""Mr. Jay is here to see you, Sir." her voice grates on my nerves. I can't stand it. But she knows how to run an office properly. If Evelyn
[Addison]It’s been a week since I started coming into the Grant Group offices every morning after dropping Livy off at school. With all of us leaving together in the mornings and coming back together in the evenings, we almost feel like a real family,Sometimes. It’s hard to remind myself that we aren’t. Hunter and I are not a couple, and Livy is not my child. In a different world, I’d have met Hunter, and he could have magicked away my problems with a wave of his gold-ringed hand, money solving everything. But this is the real world–things are never that easy.My child hates me. My husband is abusive and wants to keep me tied to him out of vindictive spite. And Hunter will never be more to me than my employer, and maybe a friend. Even if he did kiss me. Oh God, I wish I could forget the way his body felt pressed against mine, the smell of his skin, the way his hands…It was only one kiss, one unforgettable kiss. But I have to forget it. I can’t let it overwhelm me. I’m still marr
[Hunter]I need to keep my mind on my work, but my thoughts keep swirling to her.How can I keep her and Livy safe in a world this dark? Sometimes, this world can make me wonder why I bother trying to make it better when so many things are determined to make it worse.Three more children have disappeared around the city. I know Debrassy is part of this, but I can't pull together enough conclusive proof. Our funder, my old commander from my time in the Marines, wants me to shift gears, to focus our resources elsewhere. Now that he's a senator, he is under more scrutiny and it is getting harder for him to hide his involvement in our work if it isn't bringing in results. "If we could get an arrest soon, that would help me make my case for the necessity to continue funding secret ops organizations like yours. But without results, I'm sorry son, but you'll be on your own." "Understood, Sir," I replied as I gave him our latest findings. "I know it sounds discouraging, but I feel we are ge
[Hunter]In a suit and tie, my tattoos are invisible, allowing me to be the person the investors expect me to be while I run the day to day workings of a fortune 100 company. As far as the upstanding part of NYC business is aware, Hazardous and Hunter Grant are not the same person. I work hard to keep my two lives separate. Just like DeBrassy does with his identity, Mr. D., we both know who the other man is, but in the boardroom, we pretend not to be criminals, and in spaces like these, we are done pretending. Here, we get to be the beasts we truly are.In some ways, this criminal underworld is more real than reality. It's more visceral, sensual, and alive. Nothing is off limits. Everything is possible. For some, it can be paradise. For others, Hell. And as far as I'm concerned, it's the furthest place I ever want Addy or Livy to be. I never want them to know this side of me, to see the gutters I need to swim in to preserve their safe world.Because tonight I dance with the devil to
[Hunter]Addison shines like a gem tonight, an elegant professional speaking with other like-minded people passionate about the same type of work. She was born to this. She might not realize it yet, but this is where she was always meant to be. She's standing next to the professor, laughing at something another legal guru from one of the finest firms in NYC said, meeting his verbal jabs with equal skill. Seeing her like this makes my heart feel lighter. After everything she's been through to get to this point, she deserves to be the bright star of this evening. I wish I could spend it with her. But I need to take care of business--dark dealings with the type of sinister low-lifes I plan to keep her from ever encountering. I would never want this filth to tarnish her shine. Silently signaling my lieutenant, I pretend to take a work call and excuse myself, leaving Addison in Charley's careful care. "I might not be back," I apologize. "This is a big deal, we can...""We can check in la
[Michael]The grim armed woman takes a step forward, blocking me from Addison's view."It's time for you to go, Mr. Stone," she repeats. "Now." Standing my ground, I refuse to move. She won't shoot me, not in front of all these people, all these lawyers. She'd be thrown behind bars. "Grant Group has a restraining order placed against you, Mr. Stone, and if you do not leave the premises immediately, I am authorized to use force if necessary." The woman tilts her head, watching, waiting for an excuse to follow through on her promise. Hundreds of eyes are watching us, hearing everything as we spill our family secrets on the floor of this grand ballroom, our words flying to smash into one another.Addison is angrier than I've ever seen her, an avenging angel, glaring at me with eyes of burning steel. Next to her is a tall, dark-skinned woman who, unlike the rest of those gathered, wears a no-nonsense suit, her hand hovering over a gun.She means business. And her business, from her sta
[Addison]“Oh, it looks like I’m late,” my ex-husband laughs, his hands in his pockets as he surveys the scene. “And with so many of my friends here, too. Hi Steve,” Michael waves to a man standing by the bar. "How's Cheryl?" Swaggering into the room, my ex parts the crowd until he's standing only a few feet away. Looking above my head, he sees the sign saying "Happy Divorce Day," and he smirks, his eyes flashing with sarcastic mirth. "Really, Addy? Just come home already. This game is getting old." Reaching forward, Michael holds out his hand to take mine. Taking a step back, I glare as I look around the room. Hunter is gone, Carter is now missing, and Charley is doing her best to make it to my side without causing an even bigger scene. I'm alone. "Michael, this isn't a game," I try to keep my voice low, even though this has already drawn the attention of most of the people in the room. "And I have a restraining order. You shouldn't be here right now. Why are you here?"Michael
[Michael][Earlier that evening]I can't wait to get the heck out of this office. Jayson's at my mother's for the weekend. I couldn't bear to be around my son after receiving the note from my attorney telling me that not only was my evidence rejected, but that my wife, MY WIFE, has been granted her divorce appeal without making any of the concessions I requested.Not only that, but her nosy old law professor, Dr. McCannon, filed a restraining order against me on her behalf. I was shocked to learn that tough old lizard is still alive. He's got to be what, like 102?Evelyn is out tonight, something about needing to see Mr. D, so I'm here, trying to see if there isn't some way I can contest the divorce. I mean, it can't be over, can it? Not really. Addy wouldn't leave me. She promised she'd stay with me forever. Until death do us part. "Sir," my new secretary, Cindy, saunters in. Mr. D sent her over, said my last one was "offensive." She places a whiskey sour next to my mousepad, and I
[Addison]The sharply-dressed young man holding me in his arms has a swoonworthy smile warm enough to melt hearts. Pretty like a model, his features are an exotic blend of cultures with full, soft lips, high, sharp cheekbones, and wide, cola-colored eyes that sparkle with amusement as he glances at me through a curtain of straight auburn brown hair. “It’s a good thing I was here to catch you,” he grins slyly, although his voice is bright with concern. “Are you okay, Miss…?"“Ms. Archer,” I hold out my hand to shake. “Addison Archer,” I nod in the direction of the congratulations sign. “The new divorcee.” “Ah,” his grin brightens. "Perfect, you're just the person I was sent to look for." Helping me stand, he takes my hand and bows over it in a very formal gesture of respect. "On behalf of my law firm, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Adam. Adam Wright. I work for CCRP Law Group, and we heard you have potential." He pulls a card from the inner pocket
[Addison]Mr. Carter introduced me to his fiancée, Kate, and we hit it off immediately. She’s classy, smart, and has a knack for noticing the small things that others miss and pointing them out to me with no small amount of hilarity. “So you see how she’s walking with a slight hesitation on her left leg,” my new friend points out a beautiful red head with hair with bright blue eyes, and a tight white gown. “Her date, Mr. Danvers, has a thing for dancers. Likes his girls…flexible,” she smirks. Realising her implications, I gasp. “But he’s at least 80!” “Well, love knows no age.” The edge of her lip twists upward as a demure eyebrow lifts just slightly. “Look again, see how broad the shoulders are on his suit? When he was a young man, he was a star polo player and rugby champion. It was 50 years ago, but I bet he still keeps fit.”Blushing, I struggle to NOT think about what she is suggesting as she leads me towards the entrance, where I am surprised to see another friendly face. “Tr
[Hunter]“HUNTER NO!!!!!!!”Addison is screaming, her voice gut-wrenching, as with eyes open but not conscious, she grabs my chest. Holding her close to my heart, I soothe her, saying her name and rubbing her back as I kiss her hair, rocking back and forth.“Addison! Addy! It’s okay.” She is so terrified, so lost and unaware of what is real and what isn’t. It is a trauma response, one I’ve seen in survivors before. Whatever happened to her as a child must have been worse than she has told me. Something so bad she can't even let herself remember it fully. I know that feeling. I have them too.“Please, Addy, come back to me," I beg, forcing my voice to stay strong even though a part of me wants to hide in a corner with her. "I've got you. You're safe." It takes several minutes for her eyes to focus and her face to show signs of recognition. “Hunter, you’re not dead?”“Shh,” I move one of her strands of hair behind her ear. Her elegant updo is a bit mussed now, making her look even more
[Addison]Standing at the top of the stairs, I feel like a princess waiting to enter the ballroom and meet her handsome prince. My hands are shaking as I grip the railing. What if he doesn’t like the dress?What if he does? Taking a deep breath, I make my slow descent, my silver pumps clicking delicately on the marble floors.The dress Charley helped pick out is a periwinkle blue made of a beautiful sequined fabric that casts rainbows as I move. The bodice is a fitted corset with a neckline so low, I have to be taped into it to stay in place, and it flairs out over my hips into a full circle skirt that reaches down to my knees. The whole dress is covered in hand-beading, giving it a nice weight and an expensive feel. Charley wouldn’t let me see the price tag. Not after how I reacted when I saw the additional cost of the jewelry. Instead of a traditional string of pearls or a sensible scarf, I’m wearing a body cage in the shape of a cape, dripping jewels from my neck in every direct