Page 71 of Silent Secrets

Marcos

“SoHunterwasdefinitely just avoiding Hadley, right? He didn’t have anything else to do?”

I glance over at Kai and Caiden, sure that they’re thinking the same that I am. I’m honestly hoping that they have some idea of what’s going on with Hunter. He’s been acting strangely for the last few days. We’re used to him being a bit of an asshole and pushing everyone away, but it’s been different. I feel like he’s been being a dick just to be a dick.

“Yeah, I don’t know what the hell has been up with him,” Caiden says as he glances at Kai, who laughs.

“You really think that if neither of you knows anything that I would? Both of you are closer to him than I am. I’d be the last one that he talked to.”

I shrug, knowing that it’s true. Luckily, Kai doesn’t seem bothered by it. It really just comes down to the fact that we’ve just known one another longer. I know that Hunter, Caiden, and I all care for Kai, even if Hunter and I aren’t as close to him.

“But I think something happened with him and Hadley because she definitely called him a coward,” Kai says with a chuckle.

“Heard that too, did you?”

The three of us laugh together because while coward isn’t something that would refer to Hunter, in this instance, I think that Hadley has it right. He’s been so hellbent on not falling for her, going as far as pushing her away.

I don’t know how he’s doing it. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew that there was no way that I was going to be able to go against her like our parents wanted.

Well, my parents don’t actually want it, and I don’t think that Caiden’s parents want it that much, either. But they’d fallen under the pressure from Gabe and Kam, a regular occurrence, unfortunately. I’d like to think that neither Caiden nor I would do that, but I don’t know for sure. It’s hard to say for sure how we’d react to a situation until we find ourselves in it, which is why I try not to judge my parents too harshly.

We head straight for Hunter’s room, not bothering to knock before we let ourselves in. It’s no surprise when I see him standing next to the window. What is surprising is that he does not seem to have heard us come in.

“Is this what you were too busy doing to have breakfast with Hadley?” Caiden bites out.

Hunter jumps before glancing over his shoulder. He shakes his head before turning back to the window.

“I’m not doing this with you all.”

“Doing what? Talking to us?” I snort. “We’re your friends, Hunter. What the hell is going on with you? You haven’t been acting like yourself for a few days.”

Hunter’s shoulders slump, but he remains silent, his gaze never wavering from the window. Walking over, I glance out and realize that it gives a straight view into the hedge maze.

“Why didn’t you tell us, Hunt? Any of us would’ve swapped rooms with you.”

“Because it shouldn’t still bother me. It’s been well over a half century. Seeing the spot where she died shouldn’t affect me anymore.”

I scoff. “That’s your fucking dad talking, not you. You feel whatever you feel. We will never judge you for that. Your dad is just a dick.”

“Is that so, Marcos?”

My eyes are wide when I spin around to find Gabe standing in the doorway. Fucking hell. Just what I needed to do—give him yet another reason to hate me.

“Mr. Valentino, I didn’t know you were coming to the palace so early. The masquerade doesn’t start for hours.”

I shoot Caiden a grateful smile when Gabe’s attention turns to him, thankful to have the asshole’s attention off of me. Out of the three of us, he likes Caiden the most. He ignores Kai, but me? He actively hates me, but the feeling is mutual, so…

“I know that we have allowed you boys a lot of freedom as far as that girl goes, but I admit that I’m very disappointed that you weren’t able to keep us from getting to today at all.”

Squeezing my hands into fists, I bite down on my tongue to keep myself from telling him just what I think of him and his opinions. When Hunter’s hand lands on my shoulder, I glance at him, and he gives a quick shake of his head.

Gabe’s gaze locks on Hunter as he steps in front of me. “Son, I really thought that you loved your brother and sister more than this.”

“You leave them out of this. Caleb and Haven have done nothing. They don’t deserve to be punished for my failings.”

“And yet, they will be. I warned you, Son, but you failed to deliver, so they will pay the price. Don’t expect to see them anytime soon. They won’t be in any shape to be seen in public.”

“Father, please! Don’t do this. We can still get her to accept us as her consorts. She’ll trust us, and since she knows nothing about ruling, she’ll lean on us. You can still have more power.”

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