Chapter 123
Chapter 123
~~KNOX~~
My plans for the day certainly didn’t involve rescuing Soraya from a kidnapper who also happens to be my friend.
But here I am–behind the wheel, staring through the windshield at Hunter’s fancy–ass townhouse. The driveway is as manicured as the man himself. As I kill the engine, I take a moment to breathe.
I don’t want to be here. Not after last night. Not after dealing with my family’s mess. I had planned to spend most of the day sweating it all out on the machines in my home gym. Now Soraya’s caught in some kind of craziness, and Hunter, of all people, decides this is the week to start committing felonies in my name.
He doesn’t call for weeks, then reappears with an announcement that he’s kidnapped my ex–wife.
I step out of the car and shut the door with more force than necessary. The cool morning air does nothing to soothe me. I head up the stone path to the house and press the bell.
A moment later, the door swings open. It’s one of Hunter’s rotating household staff. He always says names are interchangeable, like furniture. Today’s version is a lean woman in her mid–thirties wearing a black turtleneck and matte lipstick. She offers a clipped nod.
“Good morning.”
I nod back. “Hunter’s expecting me.”
She knows that, of course. So she steps aside, and I walk in.
I find him in the living room. He’s sprawled on the couch, legs crossed at the ankle with his shoes on the damn couch. A tablet rests in his hand, and he’s
scrolling.
“You know,” I say, “normal people would just call and say, ‘Let’s make up.””
My voice carries easily in the space, but he doesn’t look up. I walk toward him, each step echoing.
“First you threaten my girlfriend with a promotion,” I continue. “You should really work on your threats, by the way. Too unserious for a man of your
status.”
Hunter finally lifts his head. That smug little smile he always wears when he knows he’s being an ass is already in place.
“And then you call me before sunrise to say you kidnapped Soraya?” I stop in front of him. “What are you going to do next? Send my brother gift vouchers in my name?”
“Don’t give me ideas,” he says, and taps something on the screen before setting the tablet aside.
I shake my head, but I sit anyway, dropping onto the couch beside his legs.
It’s weird to admit I’ve missed this man.
Our friendship started like a joke. I’d just blackmailed Obsidian away from its last owner, was scouting for new clients, and thought–why not rub shoulders with the elite degenerates who fill up these overpriced cigar clubs?
I hated those clubs. Still do. But I bought my way into every last one because wealthy people are predictable. And usually horny. Which was useful, considering the services I offer.
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Chapter 123
That day at the cigar lounge, Hunter stood out–not because he was charming or intriguing. No. He looked like he belonged to a church men’s group. Polo shirt tucked into belted jeans. Hair perfectly parted. The kind of man you’d trust to hold your wallet and water your plants.
I didn’t even bother giving him a card. A man like that wouldn’t go to a sex club.
I was outside, standing by the curb, when some woman stormed up to me. She didn’t look happy as she asked if I was the owner of Obsidian.
“Yes,” I’d said cautiously.
“You need to cancel my husband’s membership,” she replied, like I was a restaurant manager who got her order wrong. “Ever since we opened our marriage, it’s the only place he wants to be. He’s in there almost every night. I agreed to explore other people, not lose my husband to some brothel in disguise.”
I suggested she become a member herself. Seemed reasonable to me.
She didn’t like that.
Next thing I knew, she pulled out one of those flip–open knives from her purse and started stabbing the tires of a black BMW. Didn’t even hesitate. Just- stab. Stab. Slash.
I stood there, not stopping her, just watching. When she started scratching long white lines into the paint of the door, that’s when Hunter came running,
“Ma’am! What the hell are you doing to my car?”
She went stiff. “I–I thought it was… his.”
That was our first real conversation. As Hunter and I waited for the tow truck, we talked. We didn’t mean to. But somehow, we did. He made me laugh. I made him say “fuck” for the first time. It was the beginning of our awkward friendship–one where I’ve corrupted whatever goodness he had left to the point that kidnapping someone actually made sense to him.
“You always manage to land yourself the worst enemies, Knox,” Hunter says, breaking into my thoughts. He adjusts his posture and folds his arms. “How many people have you pissed off in this life?”
“Am I supposed to keep count?”
“I went to see your buddy, Mateo, about you.”
That gets my attention.
“Turns out he’s pretty mad,” Hunter continues. “I’m talking serial killer mad. Man’s unhinged. He sold his grandfather’s company. Liquidated almost all his assets. Mortgaged his fucking house just to get majority shares at the company your girlfriend works at.”
“Seems rather melodramatic.”
“He’s not even hiding how much he hates you. And he’s recruited your ex–wife.”
I say nothing. But my jaw clenches. Hard.
“She’s mad at you too,” Hunter adds. “For reasons I still can’t figure out. You need to work on your people skills, Knox. They’re kind of shit right now. I don’t even know why I’m helping you. I’ve just committed a crime to quarantine Soraya from spreading the Knox–hate virus around.”
I can’t help it. I laugh.
Hunter glares at me. “After all that, you laugh?”
“I’m sorry,” I say, coughing into my fist. “You sound like my girlfriend.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
10:48 Thu, 12 Jun ▷ O
Chapter 123
“It’s an observation.”
He stands up, brushing imaginary dust from his pants. “What are we going to do about the woman in my guestroom?”
“You really kidnapped her?”
“You thought I was joking?”
He heads toward the stairs, and I follow.
The wood creaks slightly beneath our steps, and halfway up, I ask, “What exactly did Mateo say to you when you met him?”
Hunter stops and turns. His face is more serious now.
“He said you took everything from him. That he wants to return the favor by taking the most important thing in your life. His words, not mine. And yeah, he’s pretending like he doesn’t know what that is yet. But we both know that’s bullshit. He bought shares in your girlfriend’s workplace. He knows exactly who your weak point is.”
