Page 96 of Betrayal

“I’ve got the backing of this town.”Nick blustered, but the stale scent of his sweat muddied his sickly sweet cologne.

“Look around.”Hunter gestured to Raed Hariri and Ben Thompson standing silently behind him.“If we spread the word, you’re done in this town.”

“You’ve been happily threatening all of us with trial by social media for events years old.”Anna raked Nick from head to toe with a disdainful gaze.“Branding is my bread and butter.Releasing a new brand for you would give me enormous pleasure.”

“Stay out of my life,” Hunter said.“If you come near me or mine again, I’ll present the evidence we’ve collected to the police.We might not win, but you’ll lose.”

Hunter felt hollowed out.Nick Richardson was his father, and he’d trafficked his son and assaulted and all but killed Anna’s best friend.

Dear god, will she ever forgive me?

“Your turn to sweat for a bit.”

“I expect you might hear from the police soon.”Liam stepped forward.“I’m obliged to hand evidence of wrongdoing to the police.Done that.”

“Time for you to go.”Anna turned her back on Nick.

Hunter loved her for her presence and support, even as he expected her to walk out of his life.His own fault.He’d wanted to be a stupid knight in shining armour for her, when she’d been the one on the white horse rescuing him.

Casildo shuffled Nick out the door, returning a few moments later.“Do you think you’ve stopped him?”

“What’s your take, Anna?”Hunter gave a nod in Donna’s direction.

“Slowed him down, but he’ll be calling his lawyer.”Exhaustion, rather than elation echoed in her voice.

“He’ll need more than a lawyer.Remember I said I knew a man who knew a man ...”Cas grinned.“Turns out he knows Bizgos.The story of Nick Richardson’s parlous financial state goes live overnight.”

“Then I’d say Nick’s finished.”Hunter let the certainty roll through him.“I appreciate the support, everyone.Now, let’s lighten this party up.”

Donna opened the door to Hunter’s apartment and a steady stream of waiters came down the stairs, carrying nibbles and drinks on trays.

“You’re still my hero.”Casildo enfolded Hunter in a tight hug.

“Cas—"

“Don’t say another word.I’ll speak to you later.I didn’t know Maha knew Antonio.”

“I introduced them.”

“Looks like they might have taken that further.”Cas loosened his tie, snagged a beer and headed across the room.

Hunter waited twenty minutes, until the mood was mellower.Anna had spent most of that time with Helen’s mother.Lots of hugs and kisses.Anna was magic.His magic, and she deserved to hear the words.He signalled to Cas, who gave a piercing wolf whistle, silencing the room.

“He was always better at that than me.”Hunter laughed.“Thanks for coming tonight.I appreciate your support.Anna can speak for herself.”

She studied him from across the room.

“I love you, Anna Turner.”Her loyalty to her friends was legendary—Casildo had warned Hunter not to confuse loyalty with love—she’d have supported Hunter against Nick even if she planned to cut him out of her life.Risk or gamble?He no longer cared.Winning any time with her was worth it.“I don’t want to imagine a future without you.Marry me?”

“Yes.”

Anna being Anna didn’t make him wait, strolling across the room to plant a lush kiss on him.Hunter vaguely heard the cheers in the background.

* * *

Anna sagged againsthim.Fear, which had swamped her when Nick had as good as admitted attacking Helen, slowly leached out of her bones, leaving her dizzy with relief.

“I thought you’d blame yourself for Nick’s attack on Helen,” she whispered.