HUNTER I stared between Anya and Evans before waving at my bodyguards to bring Evans inside. They obeyed immediately, dragging him in without a word. I turned toward Anya, grabbed her hand gently but firmly, and led her to the living room. I gestured for her to sit on the couch across from me. She obeyed, though her eyes were wide with worry. Evans was forced to his knees by my men, facing me. I leaned back in my chair, my revolver spinning lazily in my hand. The metallic clicks echoed in the room. I pointed the gun at Evans and smirked. "You call my wife at odd hours and hug her in public under the excuse of being her best friend?" Evans blinked like a deer caught in headlights. "You... you were the one who answered Anya's call last night?" I let out a mocking scoff. "Why are you so slow? No wonder you're falling behind in your studies, Anya. This is the kind of company you keep?" Anya’s lips pressed into a tight line. "He... he’s very intelligent," she muttered defe
ANYA Standing on the balcony, I watched as Hunter’s car sped down the long driveway. His sleek, black car was like a shadow fading into the distance, but the tension in my chest lingered. "Goat? Yam?" I muttered bitterly, shaking my head. "How can a man be so narrow-minded in this day and age?" The wind whipped around me, tugging at my hair, but it wasn’t enough to cool the fire building under my skin. I felt trapped in a cruel joke. The entire school must have heard about Hunter’s display by now. Gossip spreads faster than wildfire when it’s laced with scandal. Tomorrow, I’d walk through those halls as "the girl who married Hunter Steele." And suddenly I’d be famous for all the wrong reasons. And Cross... oh, Cross. It would make even a simple conversation with him feel like climbing Everest barefoot. How was I going to approach him without a storm of rumors brewing around us? I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Evans’ name. I hesitated f
ANYA I swallowed hard, barely daring to believe what I was hearing. “Would I really be free from him?” Evans’ voice softened. “As long as we get all the evidence, yes, you’ll get your freedom, Anya. I promise you, as your best friend, I won’t rest until I rescue you from the clutches of that old-fashioned monster.” Tears welled in my eyes. I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying to keep my sobs quiet. “But you need to be very careful,” Evans continued. “Don’t give him any reason to suspect you. Be obedient and calm for now. That way, you’ll have access to his bedroom and office without raising suspicion.” I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I... I’ve already been in his bedroom.” Evans’ breath caught. “What did you see?” I hesitated before answering. “There were guns... blood... hidden behind a cupboard in his room.” There was a pause before Evans spoke again, his tone grim. “It’s not enough, Anya. That’s bad, but not solid evidence. Considering how rich and power
ANYA I stayed in my room, staring at the ceiling, feeling both bored and anxious. My heart kept pounding as thoughts raced through my mind. What was Hunter planning to ask me to do? What if I messed up our plan? If I failed, Evans could be in danger. And Cross... would I ever get to be with him if things went wrong? There was a soft knock on the door. "Mrs. Hunter?" Marie’s gentle voice called out. "Lunch is ready." I didn’t move. "I’m not hungry," I muttered without opening the door. "Are you sure? I can make you something special if you’d like." "No, Marie. I’m fine." There was a long pause. I thought she had left, but then she spoke again. "Please, Mrs. Hunter, if your husband finds out you didn’t eat, he might fire me." That made me sit up. I hadn’t thought of that. "Just tell him I ate," I said, trying to reassure her. "He doesn’t have to know." Marie hesitated. "I can’t lie to him. Mr. Hunter hates lies. And... there are cameras in the dining room and kitchen.
ANYA My heart pounded as I stepped out of my room. Hunter was waiting just outside, leaning casually against the wall in blue silk pajamas. He looked so relaxed, but I wasn’t fooled....there was always something calculating behind those eyes. Dinner had been tense. I barely tasted the food. After he told me earlier that I couldn’t bathe with my clothes on, I’d bolted out of his room like my life depended on it. But instead of getting angry, he’d simply called after me, telling me to join him for dinner. I had no choice but to obey. The tension was suffocating as we sat across from each other. My hands felt clammy, and I tried to act normal, but it was impossible with Hunter watching me so intently. Halfway through the meal, a car horn outside caught my attention. Hunter’s eyes lit up. "It’s here," he said with a smirk. I followed him to see my new Porsche 911; a sleek, metallic gray sports car gleaming under the outdoor lights. It looked like something out of a movie..
ANYA When I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air from the AC was a relief against my freshly cleaned skin. The earlier stifling heat had been replaced by a soothing chill. I felt calm for a second....until I noticed Hunter watching me. He lay on the bed, his head propped up by his hand, eyes sharp and unwavering, a small smile playing on his lips. I wondered how he stayed unaffected by the heat earlier. His expression hadn’t changed at all, as if he thrived in making me uncomfortable. I walked over to the bed and lay face down, pressing my cheek into the pillow. My eyes fluttered shut as I forced myself to breathe evenly, pretending to sleep. But I could feel his gaze, heavy and unapologetic, burning into me. Still, exhaustion finally pulled me under. The dream came swiftly, vivid and terrifying. Hunter was standing a few feet away from Evans, who was on his knees, hands raised as if pleading for his life. "I warned you to stay away from my wife," Hunter’s voice r
ANYA The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, warming the room as I stretched my arms lazily. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness. That’s when I felt someone's eyes on me. I turned my head slowly and nearly swallowed my tongue. Hunter stood near the window, hands casually tucked into his pockets. He was dressed in a sharp black suit that hugged his body perfectly. His hair was neatly styled, and he looked like he had just stepped out of a luxury fashion ad. His smile was slow and wicked. “Good morning, Cherie.” I swallowed and sat up, quickly rubbing my face as if that could wipe away the awkwardness. “Good morning, Hunter.” He took a few steps closer, his gaze warm and teasing. “How was your night?” There it was....that amused tone that could make anyone think he was harmless, but made me uncomfortable because I knew what he was capable of. The memories of last night hit me like a tidal wave—the nightmare, Hunter comforting me, his lips on m
ANYA I nodded and leaned closer to Hunter. My heart was racing like I’d just run a mile. I gave him a quick peck on the lips, hoping it would be enough to make him stop. He smiled, amused, as I pulled back and reached for the door handle. I twisted it, but it didn’t budge. I froze. The door was locked. I turned to him, frustration bubbling up in my chest as I thought, “Seriously, Hunter?” His grin widened. “I’m sure you can do better.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper. “Come on, Anya. I taught you how to kiss last night, did you forget so soon? Close your eyes this time.” I stared at him, speechless. He was unbelievable. But before I could argue, his hands gently cupped my face, brushing my cheek. Something in the way he touched me made my nerves melt away. I closed my eyes. Slowly, I leaned in and kissed him again. This time, it was different. His lips pressed against mine softly at first, then deeper, more intense. His arms wrapped around my back
In the days that followed, Hector became someone else. Someone Ruby never thought he could be. He stayed close to her, taking care of her every need as if it were his life’s mission. He personally drove her to every hospital check-up. He made sure she took her medication on time. If she so much as winced in discomfort, he was already at her side, asking if she was in pain. He brought her everything she could possibly need...clothes, shoes, books, even things she didn’t ask for. He paid attention. And not once did he leave her alone for too long. He was there. Always there. Some nights, Ruby lay awake staring at the ceiling, wondering who Hector might have been if his life had gone another way. If he hadn’t been born into this world of violence and power. If they had met under different circumstances—two normal people in an ordinary life. Would she have loved him? The answer came quicker than she liked. Yes. He was strong, fiercely protective, and loyal to the core. He work
Hector stepped out of the hidden room and sealed the door behind him. His chest tightened for a brief second, thinking of Ruby inside...safe, at least for now. But there was no time to waste. He moved fast, his boots silent on the polished floor as he made his way to where he kept his best weapons. He grabbed another gun...a heavy, black pistol, checked the magazine, and loaded a fresh round. Then he slung a second weapon over his shoulder, clipped his knife to his belt, and moved toward the front of the house. Then he heard boots pounding against tile. Voices low, fast, speaking in different languages. They were already inside. He counted the sounds. Ten men. Three different gangs. And they hadn’t come to negotiate. They came to kill him. He ducked behind a thick column and took a slow breath. His mind was clear. He tapped the side of his earpiece and muttered, “I need backup. Now.” The reply was immediate. His men were on their way, but they were still ten minutes out.
Hector sat quietly for a moment, staring at Ruby like he was seeing her for the first time. Then his voice broke the silence. “I want to make you a promise,” he said. “From now on, I will never keep you with me against your will. But I’ll also never send you away again.” Ruby’s eyes widened slightly. She held her breath, unsure if she had heard him right. “You’re free,” he continued. “You can come and go as you please. Do whatever makes you happy. If one day you decide to leave, I won’t stop you.” He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. “That’s my promise.” For a second, there was silence. Then her lips slowly curved into a faint smile. “Turns out getting almost killed was for the best,” she said lightly, though something in her voice shook. But Hector didn’t smile back. His expression hardened. “No,” he said firmly. “It wasn’t. And don’t you ever try something like that again. I don’t like it.” Ruby’s smile faded just a little. She nodded. “I won’t,” she promised so
Ruby was falling. Her body hit the ground hard, but she didn’t feel the pain. Her vision blurred, everything fading into darkness. The last thing she saw was a figure running toward her. His voice cut through the haze, shouting her name. Hector. She knew it was him. But she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes closed as the world slipped away. She woke to the sound of steady beeping. Cold sheets beneath her. A dull ache in her chest. Ruby blinked slowly. Bright lights above her head. White walls. The smell of antiseptic. She was certainly in a hospital. And then... She felt a hand holding hers. Warm and strong. Her eyes shifted, and there he was. Hector. Sitting by her side, his dark eyes locked onto hers. His grip tight, like he was afraid she might slip away again. “Where… where am I?” she whispered. Her voice was weak. “Am I… still alive?” Hector’s jaw clenched as he nodded. “You’re alive,” he said. His voice was low. “Thank God you’re
After dinner, Ruby followed Hector into his room, smiling because she finally got him to eat everything she made. She believed she was so close to finally gaining his trust. She had no idea that he had already made up his mind. No matter what, he had to send her away. Keeping her here… it was wrong. This wasn’t her world. She deserved something better...a life far from him, far from danger. But before she left, he wanted to give her something. Something that truly mattered to her. So when she entered the room and saw him lost in thought, she walked over and sat on his thigh, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek, her lips soft against his skin. "What’s on your mind?" she asked, her voice gentle. Hector blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I was thinking of doing something nice for you," he admitted. Her brows lifted slightly. "Oh?" "Yeah." His gaze locked onto hers. "Tell me," he said. "Is there something you really want?" Her e
On the drive back home, Hector’s mind was in turmoil. Everything he had believed was a lie. Ruby had struggled...fought...to convince him that she was someone else. But he hadn’t listened. He had refused to listen. And now, he finally understood. He leaned back against the seat, eyes dark. Eduardo. That bastard. Hector had spent years perfecting the art of punishment, but what punishment could ever be enough for what Eduardo had done to Ruby? He had destroyed her life. Sold her. Framed her. Left her to rot. His fists tightened. But then, an odd thought crossed his mind. 'Why did she stop trying to convince me?' 'Why did she eventually accept it?' 'If she had stood her ground… if she had fought a little harder… Would I have figured it out sooner?' He exhaled sharply. His underling, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “What are you going to do now?” Hector stared out of the window, expression unreadable. "The right thing," he
As soon as they got into the car, Hector turned to his underling. "Where are we headed?" he asked, his voice calm. The underling hesitated. "It's not something I can explain," he finally said. "I just need to show you." Hector's brows lifted slightly. Mysterious. He didn’t like mysteries. Especially not when they involved him. Because he had been betrayed before, Hector never fully trusted anyone. Not his enemies. Not his underlings. And definitely not the woman sleeping in his bed. Since this one refused to disclose what they were going to find, Hector decided to let him have his way. But at the same time, he discreetly prepared his weapon. If this was a trap, he would deal with it immediately. And if his underling was up to no good? Well… he wouldn’t live to see another sunrise. When the car finally came to a stop, Hector frowned. A cemetery. He stepped out slowly, scanning the area. The air was still. His underling pointed ahead. "Read what’s writt
As the plane soared through the skies, Ruby stayed close to Hector. She blamed herself. She had made a mistake. She had allowed too many emotions to slip through. And because of that, Hector hadn’t fallen completely into her hands yet. She needed to fix it. She needed to convince him that she was hopelessly, unconditionally in love with him. So, she adjusted. She rested her hands on his shoulder, leaned into him, laughed at everything he said...even the things that weren’t funny. She hugged him whenever she had the chance, looked at him with admiration, and spoke to him in the softest, sweetest tone. Hector watched her carefully, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let her play her game. When they made their first stop to refuel, Ruby turned to him with a small smile. "I need to take you somewhere," she said. Hector raised a brow. "Where?" She simply smiled. "Just trust me." Hector leaned back in his seat, smirking. Trust? That was something he was n
Ruby stood frozen, her entire world shrinking to the sight of Eduardo and Selina. Her mind raced. Every betrayal. Every lie. Every moment they had crushed her. She could still hear the cold way Eduardo had spoken to her the last time they met. She could still remember the way she had received the news of her father’s death. And now he was here. Laughing. Holding Selena like she was the love of his life. Like she hadn't destroyed everything Ruby ever had. Her fingers dug deeper into Hector’s hand, unaware of the blood that had begun to surface. Hector, on the other hand, remained composed. He turned slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping the beach before he gestured for one of his men to approach. As the underling leaned in, Hector spoke in a low voice. “See the man in white? The one looking lovingly at the woman in the pink playsuit?” The underling nodded. “Get close to them. Find out his name. Take a picture of him...discreetly.” The man gave a subtle nod befor