Chapter Eighty-one

Chapter Eighty-one
Mirabella frowned and looked up at him. “Did you tell him you didn’t know she was his?”

Hunter hesitated. He wanted to tell her the truth… that even if he had known, back then, he might not have cared and might still have done it. But the way she was looking at him now, with those jealous eyes and trembling lips, made him think twice.

“I did,” he said instead, brushing his fingers against her waist. “But he wouldn’t listen. And honestly,” his voice dropped lower, and his face became darker, “I understand why.”

Her brows rose. “You do?”

He nodded once, his jaw tightening. “If something like that happened with you… if another man touched you, I’d hunt the fucking bastard down and kill him straight away.” He said with a dangerous edge in his tone.

Mirabella’s lips parted. “So, you all dominant men have egos that drive you, huh?” she asked, her voice a mix of sarcasm and disbelief.

Hunter smirked. “You drive me,” he murmured against her ear. “Not my ego.”

Then, before she could say another word, he leaned in and bit her earlobe playfully.

“Ouch!” she squealed, pretending to glare at him as she covered her ear.

Hunter chuckled, a deep, warm sound that filled the kitchen. He caught her chin and kissed her lips softly, his voice dropping low as he spoke. “Save your screams for tonight, baby.”

Mirabella blinked, her face heating instantly. “You’re a fuck beast,” she muttered, trying to push him, but he only laughed and held her tighter.

“I know." He stepped back a little, running his thumb over her bottom lip before saying, “Now, let’s go get the things needed for the picnic tonight ready.”

She tilted her head at him. “You’re in?”

“Of course,” he said, smirking as he followed her towards the door. “I can’t possibly be all alone in the room while you’re out in the living room… all alone.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing. “I won’t be alone, old man.”

Hunter grinned, his tone playful. “Yeah, but let me believe what I want.”

As she walked ahead of him, he reached out and gave her a light smack on the butt.

“Hunter!” she gasped, turning to glare at him, her hand rubbing the spot.

He laughed, completely unapologetic.

He smacked her butt again.

She chuckled and rubbed her ass with her hand. “Stop it"

“Then stop shaking it in front of me,” he teased.

Mirabella groaned dramatically. “Arghhh… whatever!!!”



At Tobias’s home, Aria was standing in the middle of his room, hands on her hips, glaring at him like she was ready to throw something at his smug face. The man was really getting on her nerves.

He had told her to come help him with something, she didn't know the help would be to arrange the bed he slept on.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, bulky guy,” she said, her voice filled with irritation.

Tobias leaned against the doorframe, a smirk tugging at his lips. He looked far too relaxed for someone who had just dragged her into his bedroom.

“What?” he asked innocently, shrugging. “You agreed to help me.”

“I thought you needed help with something important,” Aria snapped. “Not to arrange your damn bed.” She threw her hands in the air. “You’re annoying.”

Tobias couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped him. Since morning, he’d been looking for an excuse to get her alone with him. He’d watched her all through lunch… the way she blushed softly at Beverly’s continuous teasing, the way her hair fell into her face when she made a slight movement. Every little thing she did pulled him closer, and now, here she was… all alone with him, in nothing but a short black simple gown that hugged her body in all the right places, standing in his room, bedside his bed, exactly where he wanted her.

Aria sighed dramatically, sitting on the edge of the bed. “What was I even expecting from you,” she muttered, tugging at the sheets.

Tobias crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, watching her every movement. “You look sexy when you’re angry,” he said, his voice dropping lower.

She looked at him up and down. “Don’t even start, bulky guy.”

“What?” he asked, feigning innocence again, though his grin was anything but innocent. “I’m just saying. You do.”

Aria rolled her eyes at him. “Whatever,” she said under her breath.

Tobias pushed himself off the wall and walked closer… slowly and deliberately. “You may be angry,” he said softly, “but you still came.”

She turned again, glaring at him. “You tricked me!”

He laughed, stopping just in front of her. He squatted down to her level. “Did I? You could’ve said no,” he murmured seductively.

Aria stared at him. He was too close… close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, she could smell the faint scent of cedar and soap on his skin. Her heartbeat picked up against her will.

“You’re such a…” she started, but before she could finish, Tobias reached out and gently placed his index finger on her lips.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “You might say something you’ll regret.”

Her pulse jumped.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension in the room grew thicker and thicker.

The feel of her lips against his finger felt soft. His hand traveled to the back of her head and he placed it on her nape.

Aria tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened slightly around her neck, just enough to stop her from moving without hurting her. “Tobias…” she said warningly.

He leaned in just a little, his lips close to her ear. “You keep saying my name like that,” he whispered, “and I might think you actually like me.”

Aria’s breath hitched. She turned her head sharply to glare at him, but the corner of his mouth lifted in that same teasing smirk.

“Get your bed done yourself,” she said finally, pushing him slightly, she got up from the bed, and stepped away from him.

Tobias only chuckled, watching her march toward the door.

“Aria,” he called.

She stopped but didn’t turn. Her face was too hot and maybe red. “What?”

“Movie night still on, right?” he asked casually, leaning on the wall again, his tone light but his eyes full of heat.

She sighed, half exasperated, half flustered. “I think so,” she said, and left the room before he could say anything else.

Tobias smiled to himself, shaking his head.



At the small mall they went to, Mirabella was humming softly as she packed snacks and drinks into the basket. Hunter followed her quietly, watching her. Every now and then, he’d reach out to ruffle her hair or touch her just to see her roll her eyes.

But behind his playful smile, worry lingered.

Victor's voice kept echoing in his mind over and over again. Geret knew. About her. About Rena. And that changed everything.

He wasn’t going to tell her that this had been more than words. That Victor had hinted Geret was already plotting and making a move

For now, he’d keep the peace… for her, for their daughter. But deep down, he knew peace never lasted long in his world.