<b>Chapter </b><b>192 </b>


    HUNTER’S POV-


    The Gulfstream’s engines hummed beneath my feet, but all I could hear was Vincent’s endlessment on <b>everything </b>from the flight attendant’s smile to my alleged sexual frustration.


    “Six hours,” he said, checking his Rolex for the third time in ten minutes. “That’s how long you’ve been separated <b>from </b>Celine. Your left eye is twitching.”


    I didn’t dignify that with a response, focusing instead on the contract spread across myp. contract spread across myp.


    Numbers blurred together as my mind wandered to Celine, probablyughing with Caroline somewhere over the Pacific.


    I should have insisted we travel together, bachelorette party traditions be damned.


    1


    “Seriously though,” Vincent continued, obviously immune to my silence, “how are you handling the celibacy<i>? </i>Because your jaw’s been clenched since takeoff, I’m starting to worry about your mrs.”


    “Don’t you have anything better to do than psychoanalyze my sex life?”


    “Not really. It’s fascinating research.”


    I looked up from the contract. “Research for what?”


    Vincent’s grin was pure mischief. “Understanding how you managed to lock Eleanor Reid in a mountain fortress. That kind of ruthless decision–making requires serious emotional investment.”


    The mention of my mother sent ice through my veins. “She needed time to reconsider her priorities.”


    “Maybe. But you realize you’re making things exponentially worse for Celine, right?”


    My hand stilled on the papers. “Exin.”


    “Eleanor doesn’t strike me as someone who epts defeat gracefully. You’ve essentially dered war on a woman who’s spent thirty years perfecting the art of psychological warfare.”


    Vincent’s voice lost its teasing edge.


    “I like Celine. Hell, I would take a bullet for that woman after everything she’s endured. But I’m terrified of what happens when your mother gets out.”


    The ne touched down in Vegas with a bump that jolted my stomach. Or maybe that was Vincent’s words settling like lead in my gut.


    Forty minutester, we stood outside the Begio while a valet took my keys. <fnac2e> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fnac2e>


    The desert heat hit like a wall, but it was nothingpared to the cold fury that froze my blood when I saw <b>someone </b>walking out of the hotel’s sliding doors.


    ncey Morrison.


    <b>1/4 </b>


    <b>1702 </b><b>Th? </b><b>28 </b><b>Aug </b>


    Phone pressed to his ear, designer sunsses reflecting the afternoon sun, looking every inch the entitled <b>trust </b>fund baby who had spent months trying to steal my family.


    “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” The words escaped before I could stop them, my hands automatically clenching


    into fists.


    Vincent followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. “Well, well. This weekend just became infinitely more interesting


    “What the hell is he doing here?”


    “Probably the same thing we are. Caroline’s bachelorette party, Frederick’s bachelor weekend.” Vincent shouldered <b>his </b>bag with clear amusement.


    “Family duties and all that.”


    ncey hadn’t noticed us yet, too engrossed in his phone conversation.


    I could hear pieces of his voice carried on the desert wind: “…told you she would be here…” and “…perfect opportunity…”


    Every instinct I had inherited from three generations of Reid men screamed danger.


    “This was nned,” I said quietly.


    “Probably. Bute on Hunter, you always think everything is nned, but even if it is, why would he?”


    I didn’t answer, but we both knew. My mother might be locked away in the mountains, but her influence reached everywhere.


    And ncey Morrison had always been too eager to please, too willing to be used.


    ~CELINE’S POV~


    The silver dress twinkled like liquid mercury as I turned in front of the full–length mirror in our suite.


    Caroline had made a great choice…..the dress was ssy enough for dinner but bold enough for a night out in Vegas.


    The fitted bodice grazed over my barely–there bump, our joy, our miracle,


    Behind me, Hunter moved around the bedroom like a caged wolf. He had been on edge since we hadnded, his mood darkening with each passing hour.


    “I still don’t understand why ncey has to be here,” he muttered, yanking a ck t–shirt over his head with unnecessary.


    force.


    I turned from the mirror, watching him struggle with the simple task of getting dressed.


    <i>His </i>hair stuck up at odd angles, giving him a messy look that was somehow sexier than his usual perfectly styled appearance.


    “For the third time, Hunter…..ncey is Frederick’s cousin. Family.” I picked up the navy leather jacket <b>from </b><b>our </b><b>bed</b><b>, </b><b>the </b>buttery soft material warm from the afternoon sun streaming through the windows.


    “He has every right to be here.”


    “Family,” Hunter repeated, the word bitter on his tongue.


    I walked over to him, letting my fingers trail across the hard nes of his chest.


    His muscles tightened when I touched him, filled with frustration and something darker that I couldn’t identify.


    “y nice tonight,” I murmured, looking up into eyes that burned like blue mes. “This isn’t about you. It’s about Caroline and Frederick.”


    Hunter’s hands found my waist, his grip possessive and desperate. “You’re asking me to ignore every instinct I have.<b>” </b>


    “I’m asking you to trust me.“I stood on my toes and kissed him. I could taste the mint toothpaste and feel his nervousness.


    “Can you do that?”


    His forehead pressed against mine, and for a moment, the predator disappeared. In its ce was just Hunter….my Hunter….vulnerable and afraid.


    “Always,” he whispered.


    My phone buzzed against the dresser, shattering our moment. The screen showed Caroline’s name and a string of party emojis.


    “She says they’re meeting in her suite for drinks and games before hitting the clubs,” I read aloud.


    Hunter’s face immediately darkened. “Caroline’s idea of games usually involves someone ending up naked or in jail.”


    Iughed despite the tension crackling between us. “Come on, grumpy. It’ll be fun.”


    “That’s what terrifies me.”


    I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door, checking onest time that we had Caroline’s gift….a custom photo album I had spent weeks putting together.


    The elevator ride to the penthouse floor felt endless, Hunter’s thumb tracing nervous circles on my palm.


    Music andughter filtered through Caroline’s door, the sound of a party already in full swing.


    I smoothed my dress one final time, suddenly nervous about facing a room full of people who still saw me as the maid who had gotten lucky.


    Hunter must have sensed my hesitation because he squeezed my hand and kissed my temple. “Hey. You belong here. With me. Always.”


    <i>The </i>simple words steadied me more than any pep talk could have. I squeezed back and nodded toward the door.


    Hunter pressed the doorbell, and we <i>stood </i>there waiting, fingers intertwined, both expecting to see Caroline’s <b>bright </b><b>smile </b>or maybe ke’s friendly wave.


    <b>17:02 </b><b>Thu </b><b>28 </b><b>Aug </b>


    Instead, the door swung open to reveal a nightmare wrapped in ck silk.


    ??? ??????? ???????? ? ????


    Mia ckwood stood in the doorway, looking ferocious like a spider in its web. Her dark hair was pulled back in <b>a </b><b>tight </b>ponytail that highlighted her sharp features.


    The dress she wore hugged her curves tightly, revealing much more than it covered.


    But it was her smile that made my blood freeze – perfectly rehearsed, razor–sharp, and absolutely triumphant.


    “Hello,” She spoke softly, her voice sweet but sharp.


    Hunter’s hand tightened on mine so suddenly I almost gasped. I felt rather than saw his entire body go stiff beside me, every muscle coiled for attack or flight.


    This wasn’t a coincidence. And I hated it, hated that we had walked straight into her trap!


    “Mia.” Hunter’s voice was deadly quiet, the kind of calm that came before volcanic outbursts. “What are you doing here?”


    Her smile widened, showing teeth white as fresh snow. “Same thing you are, I imagine. Celebrating love.”


    I could see into the main room of the suite behind her. People I recognized were talking and mingling while holding champagne sses.


    Their smiles looked predatory.


    Caroline was nowhere to be seen, but I spotted Vincent near the bar, his expression grim as he caught sight of us.


    “Where’s Caroline?” I asked, proud of how steady my voice sounded.


    “Oh, she’ll be along shortly. She asked me to y hostess while she finished getting ready.” Mia moved to the side and signaled for us to enter. It felt more and more like we were walking into a trap.


    “Please,e in. The party’s just getting started.”


    As we walked in, I saw Hunter’s reflection in the hallway mirror. He looked furious, but his eyes showed something even more dangerous than anger.


    This was going to be a very long night.


    I didn’t think any of us woulde through this without getting hurt.