Page 118 of Hacking His Code

Ari smiles. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Father rises from his seat and approaches hesitantly. “Son, I’ve always tried to do right by you.”

I embrace him. “I know.”

Lucy casts me a timid gaze, and I smile back, letting her know everything is fine between us.

After Jim and my parents leave, I turn to Ari and say, “Finally.”

Arinessa

Hunter’s handbrushes against my cheek, a look of relief on his face. “I’m so sorry you were dragged into this.”

I cock a brow. “You realize that’s the second time I’ve been kidnapped in one month?”

“Guided,” he insists.

I punch his arm. “Bullshit!”

His lips cover mine with an eager kiss, which I return with fervor. How could I have been stupid enough to believe I could stay away from this man that is so obviously a drug to me?

We break apart but still cling to each other. It’s then that I see a shadow of pain in his eyes.

“I’m sorry about how everything turned out,” I say in earnest.

“You know, they say everything happens for a reason, and we would have never met otherwise. I know this is going to be a bit difficult, but in the end, there is no other way I’d rather it have gone.” He leans down, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“I have to admit, I’m excited to meettheLucy Whitmore.”

“Now she has a contender for the title: Smartest Person in Every Room.”

“Oh, there is no contender—she’s earned that title.”

His face grows serious…curious. “So, are we really doing this? You…me…baby?”

“Makes three,” I finish.

Hunter chuckles. “It’ll hardly be three with how clingy my mother’s about to get.”

I nod my head in approval. “I’m okay with doting grandmas.”

He pulls me closer, his hand roving my hip. “Why don’t we go back to my place, or shall I say, our place, and celebrate.”

“As much as I’d love to, I want to see how my mother is doing.”

Surprise flashes in Hunter’s eyes. “I forgot about that. The helicopter should still be on the rooftop. Why don’t I take you there right now?”

Arinessa

At Cassius’s request, the doctors agree to wake my mother twelve hours early as it would have no ill effects on her health.

They’ve assured me that she should be fine, but there’s no way I’m going to fully believe them until she’s awake and tells me herself.

Hunter has been ever attentive, bringing me food and water as I sit holding her hand. The process isn’t as quick as I had hoped, not that I’m complaining. I get to see my mom again.

“Ah, she’s beginning to stir,” Cassius says, and a doctor rushes to her side to check her vitals.

She groans, her eyes fluttering slightly.