Chapter 16

Natalie

My toes are tapping in my boots as I wait, cradling my drink in the hospital coffee shop. My police escort, Julie, is sitting close by, watching me as I try to pretend she isn’t.

I check my watch for the third time in ten minutes and exhale slowly, trying to release some of the tension that’s building in my shoulders.

I see Jemma before she spies me, so I wave a hand, and she hustles over to me on heels not made for speed.

I get up, and she hugs me tightly enveloping me in a cloud of expensive perfume before she takes a seat and looks suspiciously at Julie. “How much trouble are you in?”

I try to sound casual, even though I don’t feel it. “I’m not in trouble exactly. I haven’t done anything wrong. They’re just watching me in case Hunter tries to contact me.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Because he killed the mobsters and the money still hasn’t been found?”

I shuffle uncomfortably on my seat at how loud she’s speaking. “Um, Jack Holloway has already admitted to shooting men who were trespassing on his land.”

A smile flitters at her lips. “Sorry. Right, I forgot. Mom said she remembers him. She says he’s some kind of hero from the Second World War or something?”

I frown at her, not sure if this is a helpful topic to be discussing. I had no idea Jack Holloway was in the Second World War. But, that does make perfect sense that Hunter and both my father would hold him in such high esteem.

Technically I’m not supposed to be talking about Hunter or anything to do with the Falcone family, but I do have permission to visit my family and Jed.

“Can we change the subject? I wanted to talk to you about Mom and the DNR order while I can.”

She eyes Julie before speaking. “Okay, sorry. I’m glad you’re in one piece but sure. Um, he’s had moments of consciousness, he’s in and out, but the doctors think that’s a good sign. The second he’s awake, I’m going to ask him to reconsider.”

Her lips purse as she stares lustfully at the slice of cake I ordered. I push it towards her and take a sip of my coffee. “Good. I’ll come as much as I’m allowed.”

I glance at Julie, who pointedly looks at her watch. Since my time is limited, I look at Jemma. “So, unless we get prior offers, you want to hold an auction for the land?”

Jemma nods and pushes the cake back in my direction. “Yeah, Brett and I figured we may as well do it now the cabin’s gone, although Dad won’t need the money right away thanks to Mom.”

I narrow my eyes, hoping she’ll get the hint that I want her to fill me in on what I missed. “What are you talking about?”

Jemma crosses her legs and twirls the diamond on her finger. “She’s paid all of Dad’s medical bills.”

I’m so shocked, my jaw drops. “How?”

“She married some guy in Denver. A ranch owner or something. He died last year, and she inherited it all.”

I shake my head, trying to work out why my mom would suddenly show up and turn into our savior. “We don’t hear from her in a decade, and out of the blue, she shows up like this?”

My eyes slide to Julie, who’s making a concerted effort not to listen, though Jemma has never been one for discretion.

“I think she wants to try to make it up to us. I know you don’t want to hear this, especially not now, but I’ve been talking to her, and she and Dad weren’t as happy as you thought they were.”

I growl a response. “That’s what she says. And Dad can’t exactly say anything in his defense now can he?”

Jemma sighs and shakes her head. “She isn’t blaming him. She wasn’t well. Like, really not well.”

I frown at her, puzzled by what she isn’t saying directly. “What do you mean, unwell?”

Her lips press together, and she looks everywhere but at me as she starts to fidget in her seat. “She said she was depressed a lot of the time when we were kids. She said she was getting worse and no one would take her seriously. Not even Dad when she tried to explain she was thinking about suicide.”

I huff a frustrated breath. “So, she just left us? Got better, and what, met some rich guy in Denver and never once thought about seeing if we were okay?”

Jemma finally meets my eye. “Um. I think she did try to contact us after she got help. Repeatedly. Dad was so mad at her for leaving; he told the court she was mentally unwell and that she was a danger to herself and to us.”

I’m so stunned I sit gaping until I shake my head at her. “That can’t be true.”

Jemma’s eyes fill. “It is. I found a bunch of letters from her and court documents in his desk.”

I stare at my coffee, watching the black liquid as I try to take in everything she’s saying. Jemma wouldn’t lie to me. Not about this. And there’s something about it that rings true. The way Dad didn’t talk about her. The way his mood would turn sour after a phone call or a letter arrived.

All these years, I thought my mother abandoned us, and there’s so much more to the story than I ever imagined before now.

I frown up at Jemma. “But why not contact us when we were older? We both moved out of home, went to college; there was nothing Dad could do when we weren’t kids anymore.”

Jemma shrugs her narrow shoulders. “Maybe she thought it was too late? Maybe she thought we were better off without her? Maybe she thought we’d never forgive her?”

I sit back a little and pick up the fork so I can toy with the cake I no longer want. Jemma reaches across the table and grabs my plate. “If you’re going to just wreck it.”

She picks up a chunk of cake and groans as she shoves it into her mouth. “Daaaam. This chocolate cake is better than sex.”

I snort a laugh. “Not in my experience.”

Not in my recent experience, anyway.

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, well, we don’t all have love-starved mountain men tucked away. No wonder he was so attentive. After two years up there, he would have been past desperate to get laid.”

I’m sorely tempted to kick her under the table, even if she does have a point. But I don’t have the time to examine her jealousy, not when Julie is watching me like a hawk and time is slipping away.

“I need to get going. I want to check on Jed first.”

She nods, her mouth filled with cake. “Jed’s been in the same ward as Dad all this time. Funny, huh?”

I don’t see anything remotely funny about it, but it does mean I can visit them one after the other.

When it’s clear Jemma is settled in to eat my cake, I push back from the table and nod at Julie. “Keep trying to get him to cancel the DNR order and let me know if I can help to sell the land.”

Jemma gives me a wry smile. “When you don’t have a police escort, you mean?”

I narrow my eyes and ignore her sarcasm. “Do you always have to be such a bitch? This has been a really shitty couple of weeks for me.”

Her smile disintegrates, and she flicks her hair behind her shoulder. “Sorry. I’m tired. Brett and I well, things aren’t great.”

I release a sigh. I don’t have the time to counsel her, and even if I did, what the hell do I know about relationships? I married a man more interested in his job than me, then fell in love with a criminal.

I blink. In love. That is not what I am in. Lust. Absolutely. But love? I shake off my pointless thoughts, and I lean down to give her a side hug. “I’m sorry. Soon as I can, I’ll come over, and we can talk.”

Her face scrunches up, but she nods. “If you need a place to stay, the door’s open.”

It’s the closest thing to an apology I’ll ever get from her, so I smile and promise to stay in touch, then leave her to her cake.

Julie comes alongside me, looking cautious but as competent as I know she is. At the smile she’s wearing, I take the chance to ask her what I’ve been thinking about. “How hard are the FBI looking for Hunter?”

Julie doesn’t look at me as she pushes the up button. “Hmmm. Well, I’m not a Feeb, but he’s the only person who knows where the money is. And he’s wanted in connection with the deaths of the Falcone family and associates.”

The elevator doors open and she checks it’s clear. “So, they’d be putting a lot of time and resources into finding him then?”

She waits for the elevator doors to close before glancing sidelong. “I really don’t know. The FBI operates on a different level from local cops. You must know that?”

I nod as the elevator opens. She steps in front of me and glances down the hall of the ICU ward.

Julie lowers her voice as we walk. “Between you and me, no cop, federal or local, is going to lose sleep over the deaths of a mob boss and his son.”

Her expression brightens as we approach Jed’s room. “Jed might know more than I would since he’s just been promoted to second-grade detective. I’m just a lowly grunt. And as per my instructions, I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

I chuckle at her good-natured jab and ease open the door to Jed’s room to find him propped up in bed, chest wrapped in a bandage.

His lips curl upwards into a smile. “Hey,” he croaks.

I take a seat on the chair beside him. His eyes are on me so intently I start to fidget. “Congratulations on your promotion.”

He tries for a shrug but pain tears across his face. “I’d enjoy it more if you weren’t the reason I earned it.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so I just get out what I came to ask. “No one is telling me whether this is over.”

He adjusts himself, so he’s angled towards me. “That’s because it’s too early to tell. It could take weeks, months even.”

I lean back on my chair and fold my hands in my lap. “Wonderful,” I mumble.

Jed snorts. “Yeah, well. It could be a million times worse. I thought you were dead when I saw that guy drag you away. What happened? And what happened in the mountains? Please tell me you weren’t involved in that too?”

I can’t say anything, even if my lawyer hadn’t advised me to be careful with what I say to him and to Julie. “I can’t talk about that.”

Jed’s eyes narrow. “Right. Sure. But you’re okay?”

I manage a shallow smile. “I’m fine. How are you?”

He smiles crookedly and shakes his head. “I’ll survive. You, on the other hand, need to rethink your lifestyle choices.”

I bristle, ready to argue this was hardly my fault when he leans across and takes my hand. “I’m serious. This was a mistake. One I could have handled better. And I am sorry for that, Nat, I really am.”

He squeezes my hand and releases it, looking exhausted as a yawn starts to overtake him. “The morphine is kicking in, we’ll have to pick this up later, but if I were you, I’d find a new place to live, change my cell, email, maybe get a dog, do everything you can short of a name change, hell, maybe a name change too.”

He sinks back into the pillows and closes his eyes. When he starts to snore, I quietly get to my feet, ready to move on to visit my dad while I’m still allowed to.

Maybe Jed’s right? Maybe moving somewhere else, changing a few things might be sensible. And maybe a change of scene will help me get over Hunter?

I close the door to find Julie ready to walk me down the hallway to where Dad’s room is. Dad’s door is open a crack, so I tell Julie I’ll be a minute and ready myself to enter, preparing to see Mom again when I hear Dad’s faint voice.

I’m so happy; my hand goes to my mouth, I’m at the door ready to push it open when I hear Mom talking to him. “Now’s not the time. It’s in the past. The girls need you. You need to rescind this foolish order you gave the hospital.”

Dad’s voice is so faint I almost miss it. “As soon as I get this out. That night was a mistake; I didn’t consider what it would do to our family. She wasn’t worth losing you. Losing what we had, it was—”

“We both made mistakes. I should have gone for help sooner. And you’ve done a wonderful job with them both. I’m not here to dredge up the past, I want to help, you and the girls. I want to get to know them again—"

My eyes widen as more pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place. An affair. Dad had an affair. No wonder Mom had a breakdown and left. If she was already depressed, that would have been horrendous.

I can’t listen anymore, and Julie must be wondering why I’m hovering in the doorway, eavesdropping, so I turn on my heel and sneak away.

I give her a weak smile and motion for her to join me. “I think I’ve had enough drama for one day.”

Julie’s smile is empathetic. “I’d imagine you’ve had enough for a lifetime.”

I snort a tiny laugh. “You’re not wrong. I just want things to go back to normal.”

And I do. The trouble is, after meeting Hunter, I’m not so sure I know what normal is any more.

One thing I do know. I can’t stay living at the same address anymore. As soon as I get back to my apartment, I’ll contact my landlord, explain my situation, and see if I can look for somewhere new to live.

I glance at Julie as we arrive at the elevator again. “Don’t suppose you know where I can get a guard dog?”

***

Natalie

Three weeks later

After a stern lecture from the FBI and nothing beyond circumstantial evidence to tie me to either crime, I’m finally able to travel unaccompanied.

Since all my belongings are currently inside my truck, and I’m in no rush to take Jemma up on her offer to stay in her spare room, I’ve volunteered to make the drive back up to the cabin.

My new dog is slobbering over the window, trying to stick his nose out the crack I opened.

I park my rental and smile despite how unsettled I feel returning here. The dog probably isn’t what Jed had in mind. But when Julie took me to the pound, and a four-year-old mutt, with massive paws and strong hind legs was sending me puppy dog eyes and wagging, I knew I had to give him a home.

I lean over to scratch his floppy ears. “Okay, okay, I’ll let you out.”

I’m rewarded by a lick as he wags so enthusiastically, his entire body shakes. I hop out of my rental, inhaling the faint scent of charred wood, and mountain air and open the passenger door for him.

He bounds off sniffing and exploring as I grab my purse. As I wait for the potential buyer to show, I check my phone.

There are two messages. One from Jed saying he’s out of the hospital and thinks he might know of an apartment for me in a safe neighborhood.

The other is from Mom. It’s a picture of Dad; he’s eating casserole she cooked him and took into the hospital to celebrate his continued progress.

His mood is the brightest I’ve seen since his diagnosis. I haven’t mentioned overhearing what she and Dad talked about. There doesn’t seem to be any real point. Dad’s oncologist thinks my mom is having a positive effect, and thanks to her, the DNR order has been overridden, and I have no intention of rocking the boat.

I hear a car pulling slowly up the track and spin around, my purse pressed against me, as my heart starts to tap a little faster.

I hold my breath, nerves creeping higher as a slender woman with tight dark curls, no make-up, and a warm smile gets out of the vehicle.

She’s dressed more casually than I expected, carrying a briefcase, but in jeans and boots, which makes me a little on edge.

I hold my purse tighter as she approaches. “Natalie? Wow, Hunter wasn’t wrong, it’s a gorgeous spot up here.”

All the breath leaves my lungs as her grin grows. “I’m Grace, his little sister.”

I stare at her, shaking my head and trying to find the right things to say. All that comes out is strangled noise.

When she leans against her car and looks in the direction of the mountains, I finally find my tongue. “I was meeting a potential buyer.”

Grace nods her head. “That’s me. Hunter couldn’t risk coming himself, so he asked me to see you in his stead.”

I’m so flabbergasted that I just gape like a moron while she looks around.

Grace inhales deeply. “I forgot how clean the air is.” She shakes her head and gestures to her briefcase, “Anyway, I did come to give you an offer. I have the paperwork right here. It’s all legal.”

I’m still so confused, so completely bewildered that Hunter’s sister is standing here talking to me, it takes me a second to connect what she’s saying. “Wait, Hunter is putting in an offer?”

“Yep. He really wants the land. But that was always his dream when we were kids, build a cabin, live off the land,” she says.

I gulp, wondering where I’m supposed to fit into all this, and then the realization hits me. “He has the mob money, doesn’t he?”

Grace holds my gaze. I expect her to deny it, but she just shrugs. “I think you need to talk to him about that.”

My frown is close to turning into a scowl, and since it’s not really meant for her, I quash it and focus on the contract she’s withdrawing from her briefcase. “I would talk to him about it. But I have no way of contacting him.”

She digs around in her pocket and hands me a key. “He’s staying at a cabin just out of the valley. Couple of miles up past Pikes Road. Just turn left at the yellow letterbox, and make sure no one follows you, okay?”

Her eyebrows rise as she hands me the documents. “Well, sorry to rush off, but I need to get back to my kid before his Dad puts him on e-bay or something.”

I must look horrified because she laughs. “I was joking. Nick’s an incredible Dad.”

The dog, useless as he is, decides now is a good time to come bounding out of the trees with a dead skunk in his mouth.

He makes a bee-line towards me and throws the carcass at my feet, then sits and wags.

“Aaaw. He’s a sweetheart. What’s his name?”

Cold metal digs into my palms as my fingers clench the keys way too tightly. “Um, I haven’t gotten around to naming him yet,” I mumble.

As she pets the dog and scratches his ears, I’m barely capable of drawing breath.

My skin starts to heat; my mouth suddenly runs dry.

After nearly a month apart, just the idea of seeing Hunter again is enough to make my heart thump around in my chest.

I’ve spent so many weeks trying to convince myself I don’t miss him, that I’m not thinking about his incredible body, his kisses, the way he makes me feel alive, just knowing he’s so close is enough to give me cold sweats.

With a sigh, Grace stops giving the dog her attention and steps towards her car.

She turns around at the last minute, a wry expression on her face. “Nice to meet you, maybe next time it’ll be less clandestine?”

I nod vaguely, wishing I had something intelligent to say, but my body is already disconnecting with my head and is half-way to where Hunter is.

***

I find the tiny hunting cabin, tucked away from prying eyes beside a stream; I’m sure I recognize from fishing with Dad.

I’m steeling myself to open the door when my cell trills beside me. My heart jumps in my chest as I try to prepare for what I hope isn’t bad news.

Jemma’s voice is high and excited when she near screams down the phone. “Nat! He got the all clear! His doctor said his white blood count is the lowest it’s been in six months.”

Tears sting at my eyes as I try to come up with words to match the level of relief I’m feeling. “That’s wonderful. That’s so wonderful.”

Jemma starts to sob down the line so hard I can barely make out what she’s saying. I don’t bother to stem my own tears until they are streaming down my face.

The dog pushes against me, cocking its head and looking at me like I’m a maniac.

I pat his scruffy head as Dad’s voice comes on the line, making me cry even harder. “Nat? Now don’t get all weepy, I need to say something. Something I should have said a long time ago.”

His voice is a little shaky, and I’m sure there’s a touch of thickness to his throat that has nothing to do with cancer. “Nat, you need to know that your mother left because I forced her to. She wanted to come home—”

I sniff and manage to speak. “Dad. It doesn’t matter now. It’s okay. I’m happy she’s back. She’s obviously doing you good.”

Dad wheezes down the line but all considering, he sounds well. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you girls see her. I’m a selfish prick. But you know that more than anyone else.”

My lip starts to wobble as I think all the times I wished Mom was there for me in my teen years when I needed her. My first heartbreak coming just months after she left. The bitchy girls calling me and Jemma names.The way I had to play Mom to Jemma, console her, and take care of the house when I just wanted someone to take care of me.

All the pain, the hurt and the enormous hole she left in my heart the day she walked out the door. And it wasn’t her fault. Not really.

“Put Mom on. I want to talk to her.”

Scrambling sounds come down the line as I wipe away my tears in the mirror. My mom’s voice is uncertain as she speaks. “Natalie? You wanted to speak to me?”

I stare at my reflection, at the flaming red hair I inherited from Mom. Blue eyes I got from Dad, nose that’s all my own and can’t find any reason to stay holding on to my hurt. “Dad told me the truth. I’m sorry I was so angry at you.”

My mom’s voice breaks. “Oh, Natalie. I’m so sorry too. And you have every right to be angry.”

Fresh tears build as I stare at the dog. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice you were so miserable.”

She sighs down the line. “Don’t apologize. I hid most of it from you girls. By the time I realized I was depressed, I’d pushed everyone away, including your Dad.”

I’m so stunned; I just listen as she tries to explain. “I found out your father had…well, that’s not important now, I was devastated. I got it in my head you’d all be better off without me. When you and Jem went to school that morning, I packed a bag, left a note and just drove until I ran out of gas. I ended up in a church in Denver of all places.”

I know she needs to talk, so I let her. “The pastor at the church convinced me to contact your father. But he was furious. He thought I’d left because of, well, something that happened. I’d hoped if I just stayed away for a while, he’d calm down. But he was so hurt, nothing seemed to convince him.”

I flick a glance to the cabin I’m parked outside of wondering if Hunter is watching. “Mom, it’s okay. You don’t need to explain.”

“I do. I owe you an explanation. But I can’t fix what I did. I can only offer an apology and ask for you to forgive me,” she says.

I sniff and lean forward so I can find the tissues I keep in my purse. I take a shaking breath, knowing I mean it. “I forgive you both.”

My mom starts to cry, and I don’t think I can stand to hear anymore, so I clear my throat and make sure she hears me. “Mom. I really have to go now. There’s something I need to do.”

I can hear my mom’s relief over the phone. “Okay. You know where we are if you need us.”

I smile and blink rapidly as more tears start to brew. After ten years. Mom really will be where I needed her to be. But it’s ten years too late. I’ve grown up. I don’t need her the way I did. I don’t even need Dad the same way anymore.

I end the call and push the phone back in my purse. My face is a mess, skin blotchy, and eyes puffy. But I don’t care. I’ve waited a month to see Hunter Sloan, and I’m not waiting anymore.

I tell the dog to stay, roll the window down with shaking hands, and climb out of the car.

I take a breath, close my eyes, and make my way across the grass, readying myself for seeing him, and to finally get the truth.

I knock lightly and stand, chewing my lip, on the grass out front. When I’m sure a minute has passed, I knock again, then decide I may as well use the key Grace gave me.

I push it in the lock and twist the door open with an audible squeak. The cabin is simple. Smaller than ours was. With just a single room, a double bed, a few shelves, a table and sink for the kitchen, and a fireplace that’s currently blazing.

I close the front door to the cold and turn around to hear the bathroom door creaking open.

All the things I wanted to ask vanish as I take in Hunter, standing, watching me, wrapped in a towel, body still wet from a shower.

I swallow hard, fire rushing through my body as I note he has a new addition to his dragon tattoo. Above the woman, ‘Natalie’ has been etched in swirling ink.

His lip curls as though he’s fighting a smile. “I went to see Tim on the sly to get it added. He nearly had a heart attack when he found me in his basement.”

I keep staring at him, heat tearing through me, my eyes flicking between the tattoo, his smile, and the way his muscles look when wet. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been crying?”

My pulse quickens, feet moving as though pulled by an invisible string until I’m directly in front of him. “Dad’s probably in remission, and Mom is taking care of him,” I hear myself murmur.

His eyebrows rise as he seems to struggle to find the appropriate response. “That’s fucking awesome,” is what he comes out with.

It is. But I’m not thinking of anyone in my family right now. My thoughts are solely on the insanely gorgeous man standing almost naked in front of me.

I reach up and run my fingertip over the faint red where my name is branded into the skin right over his heart. “I’m the redhead,” I whisper.

Hunter’s expression turns soft. “You’re my redhead. And I’d give you anything I have. Just say the word, and it’s yours.”

I don’t even have to think as my eyes roam over his body. “What I want right now, is you,” I breathe.

I press my body into his and kiss him with all the desperation of a month’s denial. He moans into my mouth as his tongue meets mine, and he pulls me closer.

His hands creep under my clothes until he’s lifting my shirt to yank it over my head. He kisses me again, then unsnaps my bra, so he can lean down and flick his tongue over my stiff nipples.

Hunter slowly unbuttons my jeans, fingers brushing my skin, sending shivers running down my body. He kisses me, tugging my jeans down over my hips as anticipation causes me to start trembling.

My heart is thumping too rapidly, skin tingling as I kick off my boots, wriggle out of my jeans then take his outstretched hand as he leads me to the bed.

He tosses his towel aside so I have a clear view of how hard his beautiful cock is. In a slick move, he gets on his knees and pushes my legs apart so he can slide his tongue inside me. I squirm as pleasure starts shooting through me as I grab his hair.

I’m so turned on; I’m coming before I even realize I can so quickly. Stars prick at my vision as he backs away and slowly rises to standing. His eyes are glazed with lust as he stares down at me, his cock right at my eye line.

Every part of my body is firing to life as I take him in my mouth and slowly slide his cock in and out.

I stare up at him as I lick his tip and stroke his balls with my fingers. His eyes are shut, mouth parted as his voice comes out ragged. “So good, so fucking good.”

Hunter moans as I grab his ass cheeks, sucking and licking until he’s protesting he’ll come and pushing me away so he can climb on top of me.

I’m so wet, he slides in easy, making us both groan with guttural pleasure. I buck under him as he pounds me until I’m coming again and struggling to draw a breath.

But he’s not done pleasuring me. He shifts down, taking a nipple in his mouth as he pulls out and moves down my body.

I’m breathing hard, nipples hard as rocks, and skin on fire, when he puts his mouth on me again, licking and inserting a finger, sliding it in and out, making me come again and again until I’m almost screaming for him to put his cock in me.

He ignores me, probing me deeper with his finger, making me so slick I can hear the moisture over my heavy breathing. “Come here. Now,” I rasp.

He chuckles but obliges me. He grabs my hips and tugs me back so I’m on all fours, legs spread as I wait for him to take me from behind again. “I’m not done yet, sweetheart,” he says.

He pushes me apart; his tongue is back on me as he licks skilfully until I’m quivering and coming in his mouth.

I hear him groan behind me a second before he pushes his cock inside me. “Fuck, I love making you come.”

He starts to thrust slowly at first, sliding in and out, my nipples rubbing against the sheets, making me scream so loud the dog starts to whine in my car.

Hunter pounds me deeper, harder, grabbing my hips, fingers digging into me as he starts to erupt, his voice competing with my moans. “Shit, woman. What the hell have you done to me?”

Tears start to fill my eyes as my entire body responds to what he’s saying. I’ve never experienced this level of passion or arousal before. Until Hunter, I never even knew sex could be like this.

When he’s done, and I’m a shattered wreck of shaking limbs, and my core is throbbing, I collapse into the bed, taking him with me.

We lie, him crushing me with his body weight as we try to catch our breath. When I’m beginning to find mine again and thinking about everything I meant to say to him, he rolls off me and flops on his back.

I turn over and find him staring at me, a lazy smile on his flushed face. “You like the addition to my tattoo then?”

I look at the dragon tattoo and the woman riding him, bearing my name and find myself smiling way too easily given the circumstances.

My fingers brush over his lips and stubble. “Don’t lie to me again, okay?”

Hunter pulls me into his arms. “Only if you marry me.”

I jerk back, eyes wide as my heart thumps about in my chest. “What? Aren’t you still wanted by the FBI?”

Hunter grins and starts to run his hand down the curve of my hip and waist, not looking me in the eye as he answers. “Nope. I made another deal. A new identity for a few names and dates. We might need to meet in secret until your lawyer makes sure everything is okay, but if we’re smart, we can get hitched legally.”

His hand is creeping closer to my navel, fingers teasing me as much as the idea of marrying him. My brow knots as I try to focus on what he’s saying. “You know I have a lawyer?”

Hunter leans closer so he can lick my nipple. He looks up at me and grins. “Yeah. I’ve been keeping an eye on things, talking to my own lawyer, making sure I don’t get you in the shit again.”

My legs start to open instinctively as I invite his touch. His hand slides downwards as he fingers me, forcing me to pant the words. “But you’d have a new identity? Another name?”

He chuckles and starts to nibble my earlobe. “Does that matter?”

I’m groaning and struggling to speak. “This is insane! Where are we going to live?”

I don’t think he’s going to reply, so invested in what he’s doing that I have to swipe his shoulder to get his attention.

He growls as he looks up at me. “Fine. Since you have to know every damn thing. We can live in the mountains on a piece of land I’m trying to buy from a sexy red-head who needs to stop over analyzing and just trust me.”

My brow knots as my muddled mind tries to piece together what my heart and body already want to be possible. “Is my family safe? Is yours?”

He whispers in my ear as I start to feel ripples of pleasure building again. “Trust me,” he repeats.

He silences any further questions by kissing me, his stroking grows more insistent, until I come in a shuddering, screaming, glorious mess.

Pulse still rapid, I turn so I’m lying on my side. Hunter’s lips tug into a smile as he runs a finger up my spine, making my skin rise. “Do you want to know what happened on the day of the bank robbery?”

I’m not sure I do at this point. “I know a man was shot. And that something went wrong, and they never recovered the money.”

His eyes are on the swell of my breasts as he answers. “I thought it was easy money. I never expected Grace to have to move, pick up her life, and for me to end up living in my hometown again, let alone in the damn mountains for two years.”

He frowns as he runs his fingers across my stomach. “I can’t do anything to change what I did. And yeah, a guy got shot, but he was working for Eddie Falcone too, so he’s not entirely innocent.”

My mouth twists into a scowl at the extra information. “They kept that hidden from the public records.”

Hunter lifts his gaze to meet mine, and I see regret to mirror my own. “What I did, who I killed…I need you to know that’s not the kind of man I want to be.”

I kiss him softly and run my fingernails through his stubble. “I know. You want to be the man who helped me and Jack when you didn’t have to.”

Hunter smirks. “Jack told you about that, did he? What else did he tell you about me?”

“Nothing I hadn’t already figured out.”

He chuckles, and a curious smile grows on his face. “I have a nephew. Grace tell you?”

I shake my head, warmth growing at the look of sheer amazement on his face. “She said she’d never have kids. Not after our folks were such lousy parents. Guess she met the right guy and changed her mind.”

A giggle erupts, and I have to smother it. “The right guy goes a long way to changing minds.”

Something wicked flashes in his eyes as he smiles. “Oh yeah. What’d I change your mind about?”

I screw my face up. “That falling for a criminal is a bad idea.”

He kisses me then sends me a teasing smile. “You aren’t even the least bit curious about the money?”

I fake indifference and shrug. “I’m more interested in where your hand is.”

He snorts and kisses me roughly. “Liar. But if you’re going to marry me, you’ll have access to my bank account, so…”

Hunter scoots out of bed, buck naked as he rummages inside his jean pocket. He pulls out a phone and jumps back into bed, grinning as he taps a few numbers into his cell. “You can subtract ten percent of that. It’s going into a trust fund for my nephew.”

He hands me the phone then lies back and crosses his hands behind his head. As the words on the screen come into focus, I almost stop breathing.

Hunter and Collector Holdings: Current Balance: 21,741,173.91

I stare at the numbers until my eyes start to blur and the screen jumbles into one digitalized blob. “Hunter and Collector Holdings?” I breathe.

Hunter takes the phone out of my trembling hands and logs out again before tossing the phone on the floor. “Shit name I know, but it’s untraceable, and that’s all that matters.”

No wonder the mob and the federal government were so invested in finding him. Twenty million dollars went missing, and Hunter had it all this time.

My brow knits into a scold I’m not sure I can commit to. “But, it’s still stolen. People would have missed it.”

Hunter nods carelessly, a wry smile on his face. “Not really. The bank was insured. And we only hit the high rollers’ safety deposit boxes. All were enemies or rivals of Eddie Falcone’s. And I’m going to give most of it away. You can help me figure out which charities to donate to.”

Too many thoughts are hammering in my head as he cocks an eyebrow at me. “You okay? You’re looking a little pale.”

I swallow. “Uh, uh,” I lie.

We have no time to discuss anything further when the dog starts to bark outside. Hunter props himself up on his elbow to look at me. “You got a dog?”

I nod and pull myself up to sitting, still reeling from his admission he’s possibly the wealthiest person I’ve ever met. “Um, yeah. From the pound. No one wanted him—"

Hunter is on his feet before I can finish my sentence. He strides across the room, buck naked, and pulls open the door with an enthusiastic grin.

He turns and gives me the same wink he did the day before Jack shot Bobby Falcone’s men. “Good to know I’m not the only mutt you rescued.”

I snort a laugh and pull the covers around me, getting a good view of Hunter’s muscled body and strong legs as he yanks open the car door.

The dog bounds out, a rush of hair and enthusiasm to match Hunter’s as they both come inside.

Hunter wraps the towel around his waist then bends down to scratch the dog’s ear. “He’s a mutt. But with a bit of training, he’d make a good watchdog. Maybe even a good hunting dog.”

A smile creeps over my face at the irony. “I’ll name him Hunter then.”

Hunter narrows his eyes, but he’s trying to hold back a smile. “I was thinking Bob would work better.”

I nearly choke on a laugh. It entirely fits that I name the dog after the man who accidentally brought Hunter and me together. “Okay.”

From where he stands in front of the fire, a lazy smile grows on Hunter’s face as he slowly removes his towel. “You know I love you, right?” he says.

Heat starts to build in my chest as tears fill my eyes. I chew my lip, eyes locked on his tattoo as he stalks towards me. My voice comes out a croak. “I love you too.”

When he climbs back into bed, and kisses me, tenderly but full of passion, I know I won’t lose anything by committing to a life with him up here in the mountains.

I’ll win the life I always wanted.

Hunter may be as wild, untamed and rugged as the mountains surrounding us, but he’s also everything I’ve always wanted.

And after what we’ve been through, after learning who he is, who he wants to be, I need Hunter Sloan to be as permanent as the ink on his skin.

Because my father was right. The love of a mountain man like Hunter is definitely worth the risk.

The End

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Excerpt from One Wild Weekend With Carter

#3 One Wild Weekend with Series

© Lexi Hart 2019

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Lexi Hart is the pen name of a crazy Kiwi romance junkie who prefers to live in the heads of her characters than her own.

If you want to escape reality with me and love fast burn romances with a splattering of suspense, The One Wild Weekend Series is sure to satisfy.

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