Page 10 of Tempt Me

Smiling in response to her question, I like how Suzanne views me as a straight shooter.

“Hunter seemed banged up but not seriously hurt. The assholes tonight planned to take her alive and in one piece.”

“So, do you think the plan was to get me to pay a ransom?”

“Makes sense. But Hunter has a few weirdoes with crushes on her. Until we know for sure, I don’t want to leave her.”

Suzanne doesn’t speak for a minute. I feel her talking to someone in her location before she finds her voice with me again.

“I’m going to ask Hunter to join me in Hong Kong. Do you believe these thugs will follow her?”

Rather than panic over Hunter leaving, I reply, “Depends on what they’re trying to do. If it’s a stalker situation, he’ll just wait until she gets back. We won’t know until we can dig up info on the dead guys from tonight.”

“Tack, I appreciate how you saved Hunter. I’ve been told about the man you had following her. I’ll pay his medical bills. I’m appreciative of what you’ve done, but my main responsibility is to protect Hunter.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m aware of your feelings for Hunter,” Suzanne adds in a pissy tone before softening her voice and adding, “And her feelings for you. I can understand why you’d want to keep watch over her. I also appreciate how you insisted on bringing her to the estate rather than the hospital. You were very smart and brave tonight, but Hunter will be safer out of the country for the time being.”

As much as I want to argue with her logic, I can’t come up with a damn thing to say. Hunter no doubt would be safer away from Banta City. While she’s gone, we can hunt down leads.

Suzanne’s plan makes sense, but my heart is dying at the thought of Hunter fleeing this town and our future.

HUNTER

My mind remains disoriented until I reach my old bedroom suite. Everything is the way I left it when I moved out. The walls are painted a deep blue. My king-sized bed is covered in a dark gray plush blanket. The left-hand wall has built-in shelves filled with knickknacks from various travels during my childhood. Across from the bed, near the door are more built-in shelves with photos of my family and friends.

I glance to my right toward the sitting area filled with my keepsakes. There’s the quirky pink chandelier I bought in a tiny SoHo shop. The walls are covered in small artwork I created during my painting phase years ago. Several guitars rest in their cases against a red loveseat.

This place feels like home in a way the condo never quite does. I soak in the familiar objects, recalling where and when I got them. With each memory, I feel sharper and more in control of myself.

Once the doctor finishes his examination, he warns I might have a minor concussion. He explains to the staff and me what symptoms to watch for over the next few days. After he treats the minor taser burns, I’m left alone with the estate staff.

“Where is Tack?” I ask when Atticus enters.

The middle-aged British national was hired on as Suzanne’s head of security when I was nineteen. He’s like my grumpy uncle constantly reminding me of my mistakes. Tonight, I expect him to give me a lecture about how I should have agreed to a security detail years ago.

Instead, Atticus says, “Your friend is waiting in the west sitting room.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s fine.”

“Really?” I ask and grip his wrist. “I heard gunshots. I remember him in the garage, but I can’t be sure if he was hurt.”

Atticus hears the rising panic in my voice. He leans down and looks me in the eyes.

“He was completely unharmed. Not a scratch on him. You have my word.”

Exhaling unsteadily, I try to regain my composure. “I would like a security detail from now on.’

Atticus reveals a half grin, feeling vindicated. I’m ready to ask to see Tack when Suzanne’s assistant says my mom is on the phone.

My bedroom empties of staff as I take the call. Suzanne sounds barely in control of herself. She is not a woman accustomed to feeling powerless. I promise I’m okay. I explain how I plan to take a shower before I rest for the night.

“And you’ll travel to Hong Kong tomorrow.”

Shocked by the idea of traveling so soon, I instantly reply, “No.”

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