Page 24

Chapter twenty-four

The Level Boardroom

Isabella

Two women I barely know, and one that I’ve just met for the first time a few minutes ago, gather around me and shuffle me into a chair beside them. Violet, Samantha, and Emma fire questions at me from all directions, I think in an attempt to get to know me. What’s your favorite color? How do you like to relax? Is it true you’re CurvyGurlsCanJiggle? The inquiries keep coming, and I do my best to answer each one before the next one hits my eardrums.

But for every question they ask, I get the impression there are so many more they aren’t. No doubt as I get to know them, if the opportunity arises, they will want to find out all the gory details surrounding my and Hunter’s relationship. Of the few women I’ve called friends since my failed marriage began, most of them wanted an inside view on that.

“Ladies,” Harrison’s voice interrupts the chatter. “If you don’t mind giving us your attention for a few moments.”

Violet huffs loudly but sits back in her chair and places her hands over her small bump. There is no missing her husband’s eyes following them as if ensuring his baby is safely where it should be. He smiles a little then clears his throat. The men all come to take a seat, so we are left sitting around the table as the two toddlers waddle around our feet.

“Thank you, Waite,” Hunter says with a nod. “Okay, the reason I asked for you all to come here is there are a few issues you all need to be aware of.”

The atmosphere in the room immediately changes as everyone gets on the same page. This isn’t just a social occasion, a way to bring us all into the same room. There is a meaning behind it, and the expression on Hunter’s face tells me it isn’t a good one.

“As you all know, the world we live in comes with its challenges.”

“You can say that again,” Samantha heckles. “And most of them are because of you.”

Hunter scowls at her, but I’m sure I see admiration in his eyes. I noticed the same at the fight night. She stood up against him, and he liked it. His attitude doesn’t make me uneasy. There isn’t a sexual element to the relationship, but there is respect. He admires her as a strong woman who speaks her mind, and that’s a very endearing quality for a man to have.

“That is true, Sam,” he agrees. “I do give all your men somewhat of a headache on a monthly basis.”

“Monthly?” Connor scoffs, he looks at his brother who grins.

“More like fucking daily, bro,” Russell suggests. The men high five like teenagers, congratulating each other in their agreement. Samantha smiles giddily at the pair of them, and bizarrely the relationship between the three makes sense. Between her strength, Connor’s sense, and Russell’s antics, they blend together perfectly.

“Monthly, daily, hourly. It doesn’t matter. What matters is this time the situation is sensitive.” It’s Damon’s turn to snort with laughter now. All attention turns to him as he covers his mouth with his hand, trying to hide the laughter. Hunter stops speaking and places his hands on his hips, clearly pissed to be interrupted again. “Say what the fuck you want to say.”

“No, no,” Damon says. “You carry on highlighting the issues that are sensitive.” He bursts into hysterical laughter now. Emma, who is sitting next to me, stands up and stalks over to him at the other side of the table. She slaps his shoulder as if annoyed, and that only makes him convulse harder.

“Damon, pull yourself together.” She places her hands on her hips and straightens her frame. Dressed as if ready for the law office, she looks formidable, and I can imagine her in a courtroom battling for the win. “What could be so funny?” There is a pause as she waits for him to fill in the blanks, when he doesn’t answer, she answers for him. “Is it the fact Hunter is attempting to seem the sensible one? Or the fact he’s saying this is a sensitive situation?”

This sends Damon over the edge, while everyone else looks completely perplexed.

“Inside joke,” Emma mutters.

“At my expense, no doubt.” Hunter straightens his shoulders as Damon brings himself back under control.

“Makes a fucking change. Your sensitive issues are normally at everybody else’s expense. Either a body part, potential death, or our wallet being emptied,” Russell pipes up.

I sit back in my chair and watch on as the exchange between them all continues, each person in the room taking turns to poke at Hunter. He fights back with slight jibes, but overall it’s light hearted, and he seems to be enjoying the connection. It’s then I realize I am sitting amongst a group of true friends. They have that amazing blend of love and humor that only people who truly trust each other can get away with.

“Are you all ready to hear my confession?” Hunter asks, and they all fall silent. “Good. So, sit back ladies, because I’m sure you’re not going to be happy with me.”

Soon thereafter, Hunter is pouring us each a glass of wine, except for Violet, as he lets what he has told us sink in. All our lives are in danger because of how his current business dealings with Rodion Anastasov of Russia have turned sour in recent weeks. I watched my female companions as he spoke, attempting to assess how much of the groups dealings they are aware of. The relaxed look on their faces told me it was plenty, none of what he said was a surprise.

“So, let me get this right,” Emma says. Though she is the youngest, she seems to be the most put together. As Hunter spoke, she was scribbling notes down on a pad. I suppose that will be the lawyer in her coming into play, always stacking up the evidence to use later. “You have been stealing prestige vehicles to order and shipping them to Moscow via Africa?”

“That’s right, Spitfire. I told you…” Damon confirms, but she shoots him a look. He shuts up immediately.

“Yes, I was aware there were some vehicles being sold. I wasn’t aware how they were being acquired or who your customer was.” Emma starts to walk around the room, her hands behind her back. We all watch her intently, wondering what she is going to ask next. “And the first shipment was sunk?”

“Yes, the black box has confirmed the ship sank three days into its journey,” Hunter tells her. “It was recovered after the fact. The sinking is being blamed on bad weather.”

“And this one is now missing?”

“Yes, we still have no details on where it is. The black box on that vessel has gone silent.”

“So, what are you being accused of? Who wants to get even?” Emma asks Hunter directly. “First of all, I don’t believe this is only to do with cars. Most of these people have enough money to buy a garage full. What are you not telling us?”

“Always the investigator, Emma,” Hunter says. “But you’re right, I believe the roadblocks to our car enterprise could be being put in by the Russians, themselves.”

“Why?” My question pops out before I can stop myself. All eyes fall on me, clearly startled that I spoke. Of everyone in this room, no doubt I would be the least likely to ask questions.

“Because Bella, I have offended them by refusing their proposal of marriage between Rodion and my niece, Tilly,” Hunter tells me.

His admission takes me by surprise. Of everything I thought he could say, that wasn’t anywhere near the explanation I expected. I look at my husband and thank my lucky stars that he isn’t like his or my father were. He won’t force people to marry for the good of the family, it isn’t in him. But as I’m congratulating him and myself for the forwarding thinking stance on arranged marriage, I almost miss the next words out his mouth.

“Tilly is already betrothed to another man. A better match for our family,” he says, his tone professional as if he’s talking about a business deal rather than the romantic life of a family member. “I received the two proposals and chose the one who suited my needs best.”

“Who?” I snap, sitting forward in my seat. “Who have you sold her to?”

Hunter cocks his head to one side, assessing me slowly. His eyes run over my face—it feels like he’s trying to read my mind. The pride I felt for him a few moments earlier dissipates from every pore as the realization hits home. He put the family before his niece while deciding her life course. Some things never change.

“Tilly will be marrying…” He accentuates each word, an attempt to overshadow my “sold,” statement. “Domenico Lombardi. The joining of our families will be positive for us all.”

“But will he love her, Hunter? Will he be kind?” My voice rises, and all the others sit silently as I call my husband out in front of them all. After everything we’ve been through, how can he be applying the same restrictions on his own niece? His face darkens, furious at being stood up to. I scowl right back.

“She will never want for anything,” he says, bluntly.

“Enough said.” I stand up, picking up my bag. “It was lovely to meet you all.” I step away from the table and stalk toward the elevator. Hunter catches my elbow as I press the call button.

“Don’t walk away from me Bella,” he growls, his body hard behind me. I’m caught between the doors and him. “This can be discussed.”

“Like you discussed your niece’s life before marrying her off?” I snap as the elevator doors open. Hunter follows behind me as I step inside, the jeers from his friends disappearing as they close. “No, Hunter, this isn’t the life I want. I can’t stand by and watch another woman forced into marriage. That’s not love.”

“It was for us,” he challenges, but I ignore him. We are not the norm in our world. I’ve known dozens of women over the years who were married off to men who didn’t love them. I remember as a child how empty they were when we met them.

“Do they know one another? How old is he?” I continue, desperate to find a shred of evidence he looked into this more than a simple business deal.

“What’s with all the questions? You don’t know Tilly. Why does it matter?”

“Because…” I throw my hands up in the air, and he stares at me, completely blindsided by my outburst. In a way, I am too. “This was my life, and it fucking sucked. I can’t stand by and say this is okay.”

“I wasn’t looking for your permission, Bella. The purpose of today was to highlight the dangers we all face from our enemies. I need everyone to be aware at all times. That means increased security, and no random trips out. From today, we are on high alert.”

We reach the ground floor. I am out of the elevator and running for the car, needing to put space between him and I. As I jump into the back seat, Ronan turns around and nods. Hunter slides in beside me without a word. Ronan’s softer personality disappears, and he returns to being staff.

“Where to, sir?” he asks, turning back to face the front.

“Home, Ronan,” Hunter responds without looking my way. We sit in the back of the car together but miles apart, our few days of happiness evaporating with each turn of the wheels. Only hours ago, I believed we were on the right track; now I’m not so sure. Today has proven to me that this world is still one I don’t want to live in, but to have him I must. The question is, is our love enough?

Upon returning to the house, I excuse myself and make my way to my room. After throwing myself down on my bed, my head sinks into the pillows. I stare up at the ceiling, my mind bursting with all the crazy events that have happened since Hunter burst into my Zumba class a few months ago.

Our dead relationship has been revived. We’ve discussed moving forward and creating a family. When I’m with him, it’s all I want. But when I step back, it all seems too much to handle. Right now, I don’t know if I am cut out for this.

Time passes without notice. I keep myself busy tidying. Not that there is much to clean with Kasia’s attention to detail, but I pretend that there’s something to do. The sound of footsteps in the corridor outside takes my attention, then I see the small pink envelope being pushed under the door, my name written across the front like all the others.

My Darling Bella,

These past weeks with you have been the happiest I’ve known since the day you walked away. Having you back in my life has reminded me of everything I lost, everything I’ve longed for, and everything I still dream of.

There is no doubt in my heart that we were always meant to be. Time may have stolen years from us, but it could never take what we are to each other. No matter how much distance or heartache stood between us, my love for you never faded. It never wavered. It never could.

Every word I’ve spoken to you, every promise I’ve made—I mean them with every breath in my body. You and I, Bella, we deserve the life we once dreamed of, the family we always wanted. It may have taken us two decades to find our way back, but here we are. And I refuse to believe it’s by chance.

This is our moment. Our chance to finally have the life we were always meant to share. But I need to know, can you accept me with flaws, mistakes, and all the complications that come as part of me? Because, my love, I will spend forever proving to you that we are worth it.

I love you, Bella. I always have. And I will until my last breath.

Please, don’t walk away. Not this time. We can do this together. We can finally have our forever.

All my love,

Hunter xxx

And just like that, Hunter Devane pulled me back in with a few words. For every negative, there are an infinite number of positives. The biggest one being, I love him. I always have.

But my concerns over his niece haven’t gone away. His lack of awareness as to how close her story is to our own is maddening. Loving him doesn’t mean agreeing with him.

Our time together is precious, and I plan to use it to help him see the error of his ways. Maybe my presence could be a benefit to Tilly. Maybe, just maybe, I could help a fellow woman live the life she wants, assuming arranged marriage isn’t it.

Hunter and I have a future to look forward to, and I hope to help those around us do the same.