Page 61 of Hunter

It’s a testament to my love for Sophia that I didn’t curse this woman out the moment she stood in front of me. I know so much about Sophia’s family, secrets I’ve kept locked away, things I’ll tell her one day when she’s ready. Like how close her father and I were—he wasn’t just the family doctor, he was family. I saw him as a father figure. That’s why it hurt so damn much when he passed. He trusted me with secrets that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to share even with her.

“Let go of me!”

The sound of Sophia’s voice begging reaches me first, followed by the unmistakable thud of something hitting the floor. My heart races as panic mixes with fury. I rush to where the noise came from, gun drawn and ready to kill anyone who dared hurt her.

But when I round the corner, I stop dead in my tracks. Sophia has a man pinned face-down on the floor, her knee pressing into his neck, arms twisted behind him. She’s in complete control. The lessons I’ve been teaching her have paid off. She’s able to defend herself. My heart swells with pride, and damn, I didn’t think it was possible to love her more, but here I am, falling even harder.

Her hair falls around her face like a dark waterfall as she leans in close, whispering something I didn’t expect: “Fucking dead.”

Jesus, that turn of phrase sends a rush through me. I’m not prepared for how much I love this side of her. My body responds before my brain can catch up. I’ve never wanted her more.

I lean casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. The guy’s begging for his life, but Sophia doesn’t budge. She presses her knee harder into his back. His cry of pain fills the room.

“If you keep screaming like the little bitch you are,” she taunts, her voice dripping with disdain, “someone’s gonna hear and see how easily a woman can overpower you. Your ‘bad boy’ persona is about to get ruined.”

The man whimpers in response, “Bitch.”

I have to bite back the urge to intervene, to protect her, but it’s clear she doesn’t need saving. Not now.

“How original,” she mutters, rolling her eyes. With one hand, she pulls out her phone, dialing someone. That’s when my phone rings.

Her head whips around so fast, I’m sure it gave her whiplash.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asks, her eyes narrowing, trying to read me.

“Long enough to see my woman be a total badass,” I say, my voice thick with admiration.

Sophia beams at my compliment, and damn, if it doesn’t make my chest swell.

“I had an amazing teacher,” she says, a hint of pride in her tone.

“He sure is amazing, isn’t he?” I wink, and she rolls her eyes, muttering something about my ego. But when her gaze meets mine again, the love, admiration, and raw tension between us is undeniable.

“I don’t deserve you,” I admit, moving closer, not stopping until I’m right in front of her. I gently grab her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “But I’m a very selfish man, and I will never let you go.”

“Let go of me!” Danny sobs, his voice breaking through our moment.

My eyes narrow as I study the man beneath her. That’s Danny. I’m not surprised, but it doesn’t make me any less furious.

“What did this fucker do?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous as I look back at Sophia.

She stays silent for a moment, her gaze dropping to the floor. She won’t look at me.

“Sophia,” I growl, my patience slipping. She’s not telling me the full truth. “I will not ask again. What did he do to you?”

“Fine.” She exhales a defeated breath. “I was coming out of the bathroom—” She says ‘bathroom’ in a higher pitch than the rest of her words. It’s a subtle slip-up, but I notice. She’s lying. “When he confronted me, trying to push himself on me. I kept asking him to leave, but he wouldn’t listen. He lifted his handlike he was going to touch me, but I stopped him before he could.”

My jaw clenches so hard, I swear I’m about to dislocate it from the pressure.Breathe, Maxim. Get control of yourself. She did what you taught her. She defended herself.

“Please, let me go,” Danny begs again, his voice pitiful.

I walk up to him and kick him in the balls. The scream that follows fills the room with a satisfying sense of justice. It doesn’t solve everything, but it helps.

“What are you planning on doing with him?” I ask, turning to Sophia.

She shrugs, not showing a hint of hesitation. “I’m not sure. Let him go?”

Let him go? Is she fucking serious? Let him go?

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