Page 43 of Dead Bled Ringer
“I know you did,” I said coldly. “I remember that intruder now. I saw him coming out of your office once. Still want to tell me you don’t know why he was in our house trying to suffocate me?”
“Please—please,” Henry burbled, his eyes looking wildly around as blood poured down his face. “I—can’t lose you. Without you my whole company goes under.”
“What? Why?”
“I’m deep in debt. . .I’ve been putting my creditors off on the promise that your grandfather is going to die soon, and I’ll get an influx of cash.”
“You fucker,” I said coldly. This explained his cringeworthy attempts to get me to stay married to him.
“Want me to kill him?” Hunter asked.
His fists were clenched tightly, his flat belly heaving in and out.
I said nothing, watching as Henry’s beady little eyes darted this way and that, trying to figure out what there was between us.
But even smelling like piss and covered in blood, he was still dangerous, suddenly grabbing a heavy wrench from the garage and backing to the door.
Having a weapon while Hunter had none seemed to embolden him, and Henry dropped the fake groveling act with a snarl, spitting blood onto the floor.
“You can have my sloppy seconds,” he snapped, waving the wrench in front of him. “I don’t care. As long as I get my money.”
“You’ll never see a dime of my grandfather’s money,” I hissed angrily. “I hope he spends it all on travels to Europe and Peru and Antarctica. And if he does leave any to me, I think I’ll shower it all on your brother instead. Hang some diamonds around that big cock.”
Hunter laughed, low and gritty, slipping an arm around my waist with tempting warmth and affection.
It would be so easy to let myself go. . .to let myself fall. . .
But what if everyone would agree with Henry? What if everyonepitiedHunter for taking on damaged goods, me?
“She’s no one’s second choice,” Hunter said flatly. “Youweren’t man enough to keep up with her. I saw those damn videos, you limp dick, two pump chump.”
“I’m going to get even with you!” Henry spat, blood dribbling down his face, and then he shot out the door.
To my surprise, Hunter didn’t go after him immediately, turning to me and cupping my chin firmly, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
“The moment I saw you, I knew there was no one else for me. Never felt a gut punch like that before. Couldn’t think about anyone else. Then after that, no one else even existed for me. I’m sorry for my goddamn face. Because I swear ifIhad you, I would cherish the fuck out of you.”
My breath caught in my throat.
“I can’t—I can’t—-,” I choked out. “It’s just—sex between us.”
It has to be.
Hunter’s expression was unreadable, but he only grinned that twisted smile at me.
“Don’t think you can scare me off,” he said cockily. “I’ll take anything you give me. Until I can convince you I’m nothing like my brother.”
My heart was pounding and I was desperate to believe it was just sex. Nothing more.Noemotion beyond not wanting him to go to jail over his brother.
“What if he tries to take your truck?” I asked.
Hunter handed me a hammer and grabbed one himself.
“Don’t worry, he can’t drive a stick. Now, stay behind me.”
He motioned me to a back exit and sure enough, the light from the door illuminated Henry in the driver’s seat, trying desperately to get the car to work.
He jerked around like a hunted animal, with a cornered snarl, and Hunter extinguished the light.
