Page 38 of Hunted By Valentine

Ruby stands across the crowded charity hall. She is resplendent in the emerald green gown, every curve of her body designed to provoke. She’s a vision of defiance and seduction, unaware of the storm brewing inside me, or perhaps she’s aware—perhaps she craves it.

But as I watch her, my thoughts are a tempest, a maelstrom of desire and duty, of passion and purpose. The job I took from Michael, the lives I’ve taken as the Hunter, the secrets I’ve buried beneath a veneer of sophistication—they all converge in this moment, a storm that threatens to shatter the fragile balance I’ve maintained.

The longer I look at her, the more it feels like a personal reckoning. If I were a better man, I might even feel guilt for deceiving her. But I’m not a better man, and I don’t feel the slightest apprehension about taking the job—or executing it.

Sighing, I smile at the woman that approaches me. Her eyes are as hollow as her smile. “Good evening, Valentine,” she purrs, placing her hand on my arm as though she has a right to touch me.

“Mrs. Dawn,” I reply curtly. “What can I do for you?”

Yes, this is the mom of one of my students, the woman who debated Ruby to be exact. I only needed a few seconds in her presence to know where her daughter gets her haughtiness from.

She laughs, the sound gravelly like she survives on nicotine and alcohol alone. As I look over her shoulder, I notice Ruby watching us, and my lips twitch in amusement. Despite wanting to walk away, I take a step closer to Mrs. Dawn, not breaking eye contact with the raven haired beauty across the room.

“I just wanted to officially introduce myself,” she purrs. “My daughter has told me so much about you. She’s quite pleased with the course.”

Forcing my gaze away from Ruby, I look at the woman in front of me. “I’m happy to hear that,” I say, keeping my tone pleasant and warm. “She’s a bright young woman.”

Being nice and schmoozing is a necessary evil with people like the Dawn family. They make hefty donations to the university, which in turn gets people like their daughter access even though her GPA isn’t up to par. Then again, I used my own connections to get Ruby enrolled, so I guess I shouldn’t complain.

I glance across the room, watching Michael as he saunters toward a female server, leaning in too close, whispering something into her ear that makes her giggle and bat her eyelashes.

The two of them disappear into a back hallway, the meaning clear as day. My lips twitch in distaste. Michael doesn’t care about discretion, doesn’t care that Ruby is here in the same room, or maybe that’s the thrill for him.

His open disdain for his wife makes the job easier, but it adds another layer of resentment in me. It shouldn’t. His disrespect toward her is none of my concern. And yet, it festers.

“Excuse me,” I mutter to Mrs. Dawn, not bothering to wait for her reply before I start walking away from her.

A movement draws my gaze, and I see Jack now, striding toward me with a confident swagger that I recognize. Jack Knight is more than just a protective older brother. He’s sharp, dangerous even—there’s something familiar in him that I respect, despite everything.

Hesteps into my path, blocking my way as I begin to make my move toward Ruby. “Valentine,” he clips, angling his body so it’s blocking mine as his eyes flash with a warning.

“Jack,” I reply.

“I don’t care who you are, or what you do. If you hurt her, you’ll answer to me,” Jack growls, his voice low enough to keep our conversation private.

I stare at him, measuring the weight behind his words. Jack’s no stranger to threats; his mafia ties make that clear. But this isn’t about power or influence—it’s personal. His eyes carry the kind of brotherly protectiveness that cuts through any façade.

“I’d say you should be more concerned with her husband,” I reply calmly, my eyes flickering toward the hallway where Michael disappeared.

Jack’s jaw tightens. He’s no fool; he knows. But his eyes stay locked on mine. “Whatever game you’re playing with her, end it, or I will.” His eyes are cold, like mine, and I know he’s trying to gauge whether I’m a friend or a foe. “Just treat her right,” he barks, his voice low, but the warning is clear.

I smile, a cold stretch of my lips, not intimidated in the least. “You have my word, I’ll treat her exactly like she deserves,” I reply smoothly.

Jack doesn’t move for a long moment. His presence is an immovable wall, testing my patience, daring me to make a mistake. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he steps aside, allowing me to continue on my path.

I make my way toward Ruby, cutting through the crowd with purpose. When I reach her, she’s standing by herself in one of the alcoves by the large windows, the city lights twinkling behind her like a thousand eyes watching us.

She doesn’t see me approaching, so I take a moment to admire her. I watch the way her shoulders straighten when she catches sight of me. Her confidence is a mask, one that I am growing more adept at peeling away piece by piece.

“Enjoying yourself, Mrs. Simmons?” My voice is quiet, almost too low to be heard over the noise of the event, but I know she can hear me.

Sheturns slowly, her green eyes locking with mine. “As much as one can when their husband disappears into a hallway with someone else.”

There it is—her defiance. She could crumble, play the victim, but she doesn’t. It’s this strength that draws me in, her refusal to be broken, even in the face of the inevitable.

“Do you think you’re worth more than that?” I ask, stepping closer. My breath mingles with hers, faintly scented with something sweet, like ripe strawberries. Her perfume is subtle, a delicate blend of vanilla and jasmine that fills the space between us.

“Do you?” she shoots back, her voice trembling slightly, but her stance unwavering.

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