Page 28 of Hunter

Her touch disappears from my back as she stands, then wipes her hands on her black skirt.

“If you need anything, Miss Isabella, I will be downstairs.”

“Thank you, Kasia. Please do ensure you take time off as needed; you work far beyond your hours.” She smiles brightly, then gives me an unexpected curtsy.

“Would it be possible for me to take Friday off, Miss?” she asks. “I have a few…” Before she can finish her explanation, I raise my hand.

“Of course. You don’t need to explain to me where you go in your free time.”

“Thank you,” she says with a nod. I watch as she leaves my bedroom, off in search of some work to do, no doubt.

Since we arrived at Hunter’s home, I swear Kasia has become even more productive. Each time I’ve wandered around this expansive house, I have found her cleaning a different room. She certainly knows how to keep herself busy.

***

Hunter hasn’t been home for a few days. When I asked Ronan where he was, he shrugged and told me he had work issues to fix. My phone has remained silent, with not even a message from him.

Our altercation over my trainer was upsetting, but his silence makes me mad. As he requested, I moved into this house, only to be abandoned at our first hurdle. Two can play that game; I won’t be contacting him.

Since moving, my online presence has all but died. I haven’t found a private location on the property where I can film my content that wouldn’t be easy to identify. The loss of my community breaks my heart, and people are starting to ask where I’ve gone. Things are falling apart and need to be fixed soon.

It doesn’t matter how often I explain in the comments that content creation isn’t possible for me at the moment. I get more and more requests for something new. I’ve exhausted every repost and flashback I can. For my plan to work, my business needs to continue, and to do that I must dance. There has to be a solution.

After packing my signature outfit, smartphone, and tripod in a backpack, I head downstairs in search of Ronan. He’s reading a newspaper in the front hallway and looks up as I enter. The paper falls to his knees as he sees me striding toward him, my bag over my shoulder.

“I need to go out,” I tell him. He immediately stands to ready himself to leave too. Other men are wandering around today. There are more than usual. It’s as if a buzz of impending business is in the air.

“I’ll tell Mr. Devane,” he says, walking toward Hunter’s office. Immediately, I’m furious that he’s here in the house and hasn’t fucking bothered to tell me. He reappeared as if from nothing, then scuttled off to hide rather than face me after our incident a few days ago.

“Don’t,” I snap at Ronan’s back. He turns to face me, badly hidden amusement all over his face. “Hunter doesn’t need to be notified.”

“Mr. Devane has requested a constant awareness of your whereabouts. I'm under orders.”

“I don’t care. Mr. Devane hasn’t been here for three days.” I straighten my shoulders, pushing out my tits as far as I can in fake confidence. “You’re my staff member, Ronan. You take instructions from me.”

“No, Bella.” Hunter steps into the room as all the air is sucked out. “Ronan works for me. He always has. When I ask for a report on your whereabouts, I expect one. It’s either that or…” He trails off, his lips splitting into the most amazing grin. Bright white teeth appear, and my subconscious automatically pictures them sinking into my skin, a dirty image of us locked in a passionate embrace as he devours every inch of me he can.

“Or what?” I snap, agitated once again at how his appearance without notice flusters me. I hate and love that we are here together once more.

“I’ll put a tracker in you.” He walks forward. Ronan bristles as he comes closer, but my guard doesn’t move. Hunter stands barely a foot away. His suit is pressed to perfection, his shirt a crisp white. I breathe deeply, trying to contain the combination of fury and lust he creates within me. My body and brain are in a death lock of desire.

“I’ll remove it.” My focus remains fixed on him, not wanting to break the connection no matter how uncomfortable I am. Looking at this man causes the most delicious pain in every part of me, the man I want but won’t have. He leans down, and I will my eyes to stay open.

“Not if it’s lodged under your skin. I saidinyou, not on you,” he warns. Ronan stands, and Hunter raises his hand, bringing the man to an immediate stop without sparing him a glance. “One more step, and you’ll be on the street.” My protector sits back down.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I hiss, losing control but unable to leave. “I’m not yours, Hunter. Not yours to keep or control.”

“Try me. I’m not one to take no when me heart’s on the line.” His eyes darken as he stares at my face, the Irish accent that appears when he’s mad strong. They skim every inch as if burning each detail to memory. He raises an eyebrow, a clear sign he’s goading me for a response. “You’re beautiful when you’re mad, Bella. All that passion has to go somewhere.” His hand lifts, pinching my chin between strong fingers. He dips as if to kiss me, but our lips don’t connect.

“I’m going out,” I tell him, spinning away and storming toward the door. “Ronan, we’re leaving.” When I reach the exit, I turn to find him still sitting like a fucking dog. Hunter nods to him, and Ronan moves to join me.

“Don’t go far, Bella,” Hunter calls as we walk away. “I want to talk later. I have something to show you.”

“I’m not bloody interested. Whatever it is, stick it up your ass.”

Chapter fourteen

Abandoned Warehouse, The Docks, London

---