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“Don’t come here again. If Hunter had been home, this would have endedverydifferently. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She gives me a bitter smile. “You’re in love with a psychopath.”
I smile back. “No. I’m in love with aprotector.”
Saying the words out loud settles something inside me.
Hunter isn’t a monster.
He’s what amanshould be.
Protective.
Loyal.
Loving.
And undeniably,all mine.
“Good luck, Rachel.”
Then I turn and walk away without looking back with a smile on my face and, more importantly—one in my heart.
Chapter 36
Always Prepared With A Plan B
HUNTER
Ayear ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that I’d be on a date with my fiance and our brand-new baby.
Me, in a committed relationship?
Me, a father?
Neither of those things were ever in the cards for me. But here I am…loving every single minute of it. And truthfully, it feels good not to worry about being shot or shanked at any given moment. Even if this period of peace is just a moment in time, life has taught me that I need to savor every second of it as if it’s my last.
“What kind of place is this?” Megan asks, staring around the room with a bright look on her face.
The San Vista House is an upscale, members-only club with modern architecture and moody lighting. Membership is exclusive and expensive. I’ve been a member for over five years but rarely come. It’s the kind of place you come to when you’re trying to impress a client or a woman, something I never do. Well, until now.
“You like it?”
“You’ve never mentioned this place? Is it okay for us to be here with Deuce?”
“I’m a member. It’s fine.”
“I don’t see any other babies around.”
“If you come on your own one day on a random Tuesday morning, you’ll see quite a few babies, some with their mothers or with their nannies.”
“Ah, okay.”
“This doesn’t really seem to be your style. I bet there’s not a lot of Blue Whiskey clientele in here.”
“There aren’t,” I smirk. “Which is exactly why we’re here.”
“Welcome back, Mr. Middleton,” a man in a black suit with a slender white tie greets us.