Page 96 of Hunter

He grins wider. “Maybe, but I’m your ridiculous.”

My heart melts on the spot.

“I do need something from you, though,” he says, his tone softening.

“What is it?”

“Can you kiss me? Right here.” He taps a spot over his heart.

I blink, confused. “Are you seriously going to tattoo my lips on your chest?”

“Please,” he begs, his eyes twinkling with mischief and sincerity.

I hesitate but give in, leaning forward to press a kiss to the spot he indicated. It’s his body, after all. When I’m done, he smirks and gestures for me to wait in the lobby.

I return to the red couch, pulling out a book to pass the time. Over an hour later, Maxim appears at the door, calling me back into the room.

The moment I step in, my mouth drops open, and my eyes widen in shock.

There, etched into his skin above his heart, is my name in elegant cursive. Flourishes curl around the S, crowned by the imprint of my kiss.

“You own my heart, body, and soul, Sophia,” Maxim says, his voice steady and full of emotion. “You’re everything. There’s no one else in this world for me.”

Thousands of butterflies take flight in my stomach as his words wash over me.

“This might seem crazy to you,” he continues, “but for me, having your name on my body is my way of showing you how devoted I am. How much I love you.”

My throat tightens, and my chest fills with warmth. In this moment, he’s laid his heart bare in the truest and most permanent way.

THIRTY-NINE

SOPHIA

My phone vibrates in my hand, yanking me from the memory. My heart sinks as Jenny’s name flashes across the screen. Every muscle in my body tenses. Biting down on my tongue, I suppress the urge to curse her out. I’ll get my chance, but right now, the only thing that matters is getting Maxim out of her clutches—and finding out what the hell happened to Luca.

“Jennifer,” I say, my tone dripping with disdain. Her laugh crackles through the line, cold and taunting.

“Oh, hermanita.” The way she says “sister” sends an icy shiver racing down my spine.

“Let him go, Jenny. Please,” I blurt, skipping any pretense. I don’t have time for her twisted games, not when Maxim’s life hangs in the balance.

She tsks, her voice oozing mockery. “Where’s the fun in that, Sophia?”

“What the hell do you want, Jenny?” my voice snaps, sharp and frustrated.

She hums as if savoring my anger. “Come meet me, and I’ll happily tell you.” Her tone is laced with smugness, like she has already won.

“Sophia, don’t come. It’s—” Maxim’s warning is cut off by a guttural grunt. My hands fumble with my phone, desperate to open the website. When the screen loads, my breath catches.

The video shows a man relentlessly punching Maxim—his face, his stomach, his shoulder. Blood drips from him, the gashes on his torso visible even through the grainy footage. Tears blur my vision as my heart breaks, shattering into pieces I can’t hope to put back together.

“Please, Jenny, please tell them to stop. Don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything you want,” I beg, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear.

“See you in an hour,” she purrs before the line goes dead.

“Wait. Where—” I choke on the words as the call ends. A text message buzzes in almost immediately, revealing an address.

I stay frozen, kneeling on the floor, staring at the phone in my hand. My body feels numb, and my thoughts are scattered. What the hell did I get myself into? How am I supposed to save Maxim and stay alive in the process? I don’t have an army. I don’t even have a plan.

---