Page 68 of Hunter

Even though that was something I knew when I left them all last night, it brings me relief to see the words. The calmness is swift but short-lived, quickly replaced by dread for the conversations I can no longer avoid.

“Hunter?”

Isabella’s sleepy voice interrupts my thoughts. She wriggles in the sheets, her eyes opening slowly, searching my face. The warmth of her gaze pulls at something deep within me, urging me to be a better man. This is what matters, not money, not control. This.

“I’m right here,” I whisper softly. “Go back to sleep.”

She doesn’t listen, of course. Sitting up slightly, the sheet slides lower, revealing more of her smooth skin, but her expression quickly shifts from gentle curiosity to concern as she notices the turmoil I can’t hide.

“What’s happened?”

I hesitate, caught between shielding her and needing her to understand. But in the end, honesty wins.

“I made a mistake,” I say quietly. “And I don’t know how to fix it. But I want to be a better man for us.”

“Let me help you,” she whispers, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “Hunter, everyone makes mistakes. You are a good man.”

“It’s Greyson. I hurt him.”

“I know,” she confirms. “But you feel regret, I can see that.” She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t turn away. Her fingers remain steady on my arm as her eyes soften. “Maybe your mistake was thinking love can be controlled.”

Something shifts within me, something I thought was immovable. Her words hit somewhere deep within me, a place I knew was there but never dared go. Who we love can’t be forced or caged. When we know who we are meant to be with, the draw is indescribable. I’ve loved the woman in my bed for two decades, even though she chose to leave. But our reunion has proven love wins, and it can’t be ended just because it doesn’t fit the plan.

“I think,” she says, softly, “you know what you need to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Give Greyson and Tilly your blessing.” She leaves the suggestion there for a moment, not following it up. It’s a simple statement that is so much more complex than she could ever understand. This isn’t just about who Tilly marries, this is about the future and safety of the empire my family has built. I’m already on the precipice of war with Rodion and his family. If I were to pull Tilly’s betrothal to Domenico Lombardi, I would be signing death sentences for all of us.

“Bella, that isn’t an option. Too much is at stake. To end the arrangement would be painting targets on every one of my men’s backs.”

She pushes herself up a little further, pulling the sheet around her breasts. Her head cocks to one side as her eyes run over my face, assessing every expression I make.

“I never took you as a quitter,” she murmurs, never looking away. Her eyes bore into my soul as if challenging me to be the man I claim to be. “Surely, you can come up with a solution to let the girl go free and maintain the façade of friendship with the others.”

“Bella, I…”

She moves onto her knees then crawls forward so we are eye level in bed. I’m frozen to the spot, unknowing if she is going to hit me or kiss me. We breathe together, each person waiting for the other to make the first move.

“I believe in you,” she says, her voice soft, filled with honesty. “I know the man you are.”

Pulling the sheet from us both, she wraps it around herself then slides off the bed. I watch as she makes her way toward the door.

“Where are you going?” I hiss. “There’ll be men out there, and you’re naked.”

She glances over her shoulder and smiles. “I’m covered up, Hunter. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?” I repeat, unsettled by the thought of any other man seeing her like she is. When she doesn’t respond, I jump out of bed and cross the room in a few strides, stepping up behind her and pushing the door closed as she goes to open it. “Bella, answer me.”

“To get something that will prove you’re a good man.”

“I’ll get it. Tell me what you want.” She freezes between my arms, then slowly turns to face me, blinking up as if innocent in all this. “You will not walk around this house half naked. No other man will ever see my wife in a state of undress.”

“And what about when I give birth? What if the doctor is a man?”

“You think you’re pregnant?” I whisper, leaning down to kiss her. She shakes her head, but a small smile plays on her lips as she takes in my excitement.

“No, it’s too early to tell. But if you fuck me the way you did last night often enough, I have no doubt I will be.” I slide my arms beneath hers, pulling her to me. My cock hardens instantly, pressed against her stomach. “My letters,” she says, quietly. “They’re in the box in my room. Bring them here. I want to read them together.”

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