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“Why are you here?” Hunter doesn’t beat around the bush. There’s a harshness to his tone, and it sends a chill down my spine.
My eyes are glued to Arthur. His focus moves from May to where I sit and Hunter stands. I have a sudden urge to run or maybe shout. My fingers tap at the table, but Hunter’s hand settles on my shoulder, and I stop.
“I’ve come to help get my wife.” He rubs his hand up his arm, appearing nervous.
“We don’t need your help,” I lash out. Those familiar eyes burn into mine, and I stand so I don’t appear scared, even though I’m fighting a battle of wits within me. “How dare you come here after threatening me?”
Arthur stands taller. “I did that because I needed you to go with Hunter. I wanted you scared enough that you would go and stay with him.”
“So you’d rather me think you were the bad guy...like you wanted me dead?” I fold my arms across my chest.
“Yes. Because I knew Hunter had come to you. There was word on the street that Thomas Wolfe knew about you, and it was only a matter of time before they found you and took you, possibly punished you because of what happened to you and your sisters.” His voice cracks at the mention of what could possibly happen to my sisters and me.
He’s lost so much over the years—his wife, sons, and three daughters. I want so badly to be angry at him. “Was it you who called my workplace and also made a scene?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Yes,” he responds.
“So, how do you think you can help us get Mom back?” I chew my bottom lip, waiting for his response.
“I assumed you had a plan, and I want in on it.” He tugs on his coat and turns to Hunter. “You do have a plan, don’t you?”
“We do,” he clips.
“Can I help? I really want to get my wife back.” Arthur clears his throat.
“You could come and be backup if we need you. If my father spots you, it could turn everything in the wrong direction,” Hunter cautions, rubbing a hand through his hair and squeezing the back of his neck. It’s clear the stress of this is weighing on him.
“Okay. I’ll do anything,” my father eagerly agrees.
Hunter nods. “Landon will fill you in on what’s going on.” Hunter gestures to Landon, who steps forward.
“Thank you.” Arthur goes to leave, then stops, turning to face me. “I am sorry for scaring you. You have grown into a beautiful young woman. I hope you have it in your heart to forgive me.”
I open and close my mouth twice. Nothing wants to come out. Arthur doesn’t wait for a response before he turns and follows Landon outside.
When the house is finally clear, I drop back into the chair. A breath I didn’t realize I was holding pushes between my lips. “This is too much,” I whisper to myself. I have no idea how I’m going to get through this.
With each new revelation, a small piece of my old self chips away. I’m tougher than this, or so I thought.
I want to change things, but at what cost?
I want Hunter to take charge, but is my heart worth the risk?
Hunter crouches beside me. “Are you all right?”
I glance up. This man is a force to be reckoned with. He’s gentle yet demanding. Powerful, yet will submit to me. Would he break if something happened to me?
“I’ll be okay. Let’s go get my mother back and put this matter behind us.” I stand on wobbly legs and steady myself with the table. May rushes over to me, and Hunter takes my arm.
“You’re clearly not okay. I can reschedule this,” Hunter says, his face coming into my view.
I rise higher and push aside all my fears and doubts. This needs to happen. I want it over with. “Let’s get this done,” I press.
“Okay, then there’s one final thing we need to do to sell that this...” he gestures between us, “... is a real thing.”
“Isn’t it a real thing already?” I ask, hurt by his reference to our relationship.
We haven’t really discussed our relationship. I guess I shouldn’t have assumed that we were an actual couple.
