004: I'm Ready

HUNTER

I can’t remember the last time I willingly let a woman get close to me. To me, they were a necessary evil—useful when needed, but never trusted. If it weren’t for my father constantly nagging me to settle down, I wouldn’t have entertained the idea of marriage at all. I was only twenty-six. What was the rush?

That was before last night.

When I walked into one of my bars, planning to inspect it before gifting it to a friend, I expected nothing more than the usual. The place was buzzing, people minding their drinks and business—until her.

A young woman, trembling yet determined, stepped in front of me and asked the most ridiculous question I’d ever heard: “Will you marry me?”

Women had thrown themselves at me countless times—clinging, scheming, desperate. But no one had ever dared to ask me to marry them outright. At first, I was annoyed, but her fear-stricken face caught my attention. There was something strangely compelling about her bravery.

She looked so fragile, yet her eyes burned with determination. As I studied her, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years: a spark. It was fleeting but undeniable.

When I kissed her, it wasn’t just about amusement. Her lips were soft and warm, and I could feel her heart racing as if it might leap from her chest. The kiss awakened something in me.....a feeling I hadn’t known existed.

It wasn’t just about her looks, though she was undeniably beautiful. There was something else, something pure. Her innocence intrigued me. I could see she hadn’t been hardened by the world yet, and I wanted to be the one to claim her, to mold her, to make her mine.

After leaving the bar, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. “Anya Blake,” my assistant had informed me, presenting a detailed report within the hour as I had requested. She was nineteen, a college freshman, with no dating history. She lived with her family, her millionaire father, devoted mother, and twin brother.

Perfect.

The more I learned about her, the more I was convinced. For the first time in years, my life didn’t feel monotonous. I had found something.....or rather, someone who excited me.

When sleep eluded me, I made up my mind. I didn’t want to waste another day. By dawn, I was dressed and ready. Anya was about to discover just how different I was from all other men.

Instead of taking the traditional route, I arrived at her house alone. Scaling the walls and picking the lock, I let myself in. It wasn’t about stealth, it was about control. I wanted to see her life before she could present a polished version of it to me.

The house was quiet, as I’d expected. I moved silently through the halls, taking note of every detail. But then, voices reached my ears, drawing me toward the living room.

“I can’t marry that man,” I heard her say, her voice breaking.

I froze.

“I’ll die if I have to be separated from Cross,” she continued, her words filled with desperation.

Anger flared inside me. Cross? Who the hell is Cross?

I moved closer, listening intently as she explained her so-called love story to her family. By the time she finished, my blood was boiling.

“How dare you?” I thundered, stepping into the room.

Six pairs of eyes turned to me, their faces frozen in shock. I didn’t care. My gaze was fixed on Anya as I marched toward her, my fury palpable.

Grabbing her chin roughly, I forced her to look at me. “What gave you the right to toy with my feelings, Anya Blake?” I demanded. “Do you think you can humiliate me and get away with it?”

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t flinch.

“I’m sorry, Hunter,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I did it for love. I thought you would reject me. Now that you know the truth, you understand why we can’t get married. I’m sorry for everything.”

I let go of her chin, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “You think an apology is enough?” I said, my tone sharp. “If you thought I was ruthless before, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Turning to face her family, I added, “Once I’m done with you and your loved ones, you’ll understand why no one dares to mess with Hunter Steele.”

Pulling out my phone, I made a quick call. “Blake Enterprise,” I said coldly to my assistant. “I want it to cease existing by the end of the day. I don’t care how you do it, just make it happen.”

“No!” her father cried, clutching his chest as he dropped to his knees.

“Honey!” her mother screamed, rushing to his side.

Her brother, pale with panic, grabbed his phone to call 911.

Anya stood frozen, her face pale as she watched her father gasp for air. Tears streamed down her mother’s face, and her brother barked into the phone, begging for help.

The scene should have fazed me, but it didn’t. If anything, it fueled my determination.

Anya finally snapped out of her daze. She turned to me, dropping to her knees. “Please,” she begged, her voice raw with emotion. “Spare my parents. They didn’t do anything. Punish me instead.”

I looked down at her, my expression cold. “This is only the beginning,” I said. “By the time I’m done, your family might not even exist anymore.”

Her tears fell harder, and her hands trembled as she clasped them together. “Hunter, please,” she whispered. “I’ll do anything you want. Just don’t hurt them.”

I studied her for a moment, savoring the sight of her despair. Then I leaned down slightly, my voice low and deliberate. “You already know what I want, Anya.”

Her gaze met mine, wide and filled with fear. She wiped her tears and took a shaky breath.

“I’m ready,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I’ll become your wife, Hunter Steele.”