Chapter 48
Hunter
W atching my mom and sister with Jade makes something in my chest ache. My dad throws his arm over my shoulders and chuckles. “Realizing that thing in your chest beats for someone other than family, son?”
“She's incredible. She can do everything I can, but backward and in heels.”
“I know someone else like that.” He stares lovingly across the ballroom and my mom’s eyes meet his, a look passing between them.
“I finally understand when you said someone will come into my life and flip it upside down, bringing chaos but also calm. When I’m not with her I want to be, and when I am, I can’t get close enough. I just need to figure out how to tell her exactly how I feel.”
“You’ve found her son, your missing piece and I can tell by the little glances she’s throwing your way, she feels the same. You’ll find a way.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Right, I had better go chat up some more of these rich fuckers so they invest their money with us. I hate this part of my job.” He sighs as he walks off into the crowd. I’m left by myself when I feel a presence behind me and sharp nails run across my back.
“What are you doing?” Turning to look at Maddison, I remove her hand.
Laughing, she takes a sip of her champagne. “Relax, Hunter. I just wanted to get your attention. I would like you to meet my new boyfriend.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because you aren’t an arsehole, Hunter.” Rolling her eyes she grabs my bicep pulling me towards a group of people I know to be Peak investments employees. “Everyone, this is Hunter Stone, CEO of Bright Investments .”
Why is she presenting me like some sort of prize?
A rumble of hellos comes from the group, and I can’t help but wonder what Maddison’s game is here. “And this,” she releases my arm and kisses a tall, handsome man with dark brown hair and piercing green eyes that are focused on me in an unfriendly gaze, “this is Dave, my boyfriend.” Maddison smirks like she knows a secret.
“Pleasure to meet you, Dave.” I extend my hand to his. Taking it he grips it tightly, like he’s trying to prove he’s the dominant one here. Nothing to fear from me, Dave. I don't want your girl. Just when I thought things couldn’t get more uncomfortable, Ezra and Trixie join the group.
“I see you have met my team.” Ezra puffs his chest out as he motions to the people around us.
“Your team?”
“Yes, my team. I’ve just finalized the buyout of Peak. Seems we’re now in competition, Stone.” This fucker can’t have bought out Peak. It’s the biggest investment firm in the UK and our rival. It’s worth billions. My blood is boiling. This fucker used our connections and my sister’s heart to get this far.
A hand touches my lower back. “Hey, I’ve been looking for you,” Jade murmurs. “You okay? You looked…” Her words trail off. “Dave? What are you doing here?” Her voice falters as she freezes next to me and looks this Dave up and down.
Maddison’s venomous smile widens.
“Jade, you look beautiful.” Stepping forward Dave grasps Jade's hands in his. I don't fucking think so . My hold on her tightens and that's when it clicks: Dave is her ex, her cheating ex. He rears back like I’ve struck him when he spots my hold on Jade. “So you and Hunter are a thing?” He straightens his spine and crosses his arms, assessing me. “Seems you have a boss kink, Jade.” He smirks at her, and Jade’s body locks at his words.
“Boss kink? Are you serious?” Jade shakes her head. And my girl stands a little taller. “You would know all about workplace kinks, wouldn’t you Dave?”
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Dave stumbles over his words as the group whispers around us.
“Nice to see you with your clothes on, Karen.” She nods towards a woman who looks like a fake version of my girl, who rolls her eyes in reply. “He wasn’t worth the effort, was he?” Jade asks.
“Careful, Jade,” Dave grits out.
“Definitely not.” Karen sniggers. The whispers around us become titters of laughter.
“And what? You think a man like him is worth the effort?” He points towards me.
“Watch it,” I growl and revel in the fact that he backs away slightly.
“A man who has fucked his way around the world? A man who has been eye fucking my girlfriend ever since he came over here?” I glance down at Jade but I can sense the anger bouncing off her. I choose to keep silent as I know she’s got this.
“The only person doing the eye fucking is the viper on your arm, Dave.” She turns towards Maddison. “You keep eye fucking my boyfriend and I’ll show you how comfortable I am in my nice shoes .” She pulls out of my grasp, spitting out the words. “Trust me, I’ll make it fucking hurt.”
I clap Dave on the shoulder. “You fucked up, man. But I’m definitely not going to.”
“Hey, boss, what’s up with our little pixie?” Ted asks.
“You’ve picked up on that?”
“Yeah, she seems like she’s not here with us. Her body is, but her mind is elsewhere.”
“Well, it seems ‘our pixie’ as you so wonderfully said.”
“Correctly said, I adore that woman. I’m afraid sharing her with me is non-negotiable.”
“Noted Ted. I don’t mind sharing her with you. Just not all of her.” I wink at him, before continuing.
“Like I was saying, as you know our pixie used to work for Peak Investments and has an ex who cheated on her. It turns out he was also her boss, but he’s now with Maddison. She got into it with her ex, but Ted she was fucking brilliant. She took both her ex and Maddison down.”
“How did I miss that? I bet she was fucking epic.”
“She was. But she wasn’t expecting it and she was called out in front of her old colleagues and me. I think it struck a nerve. She’s reeling.”
“Need to calm her down then boss.” He shimmies next to me.
“You’re terrible.”
“Terribly fabulous darling.”
“Of course. Oh and to top this fabulous evening off, Ezra St Claire has taken over Peak, and I hate him. I’d rather get dry fucked in the ass by a cactus than breathe the same air as that prick. And he’s also dating Jade’s housemate, Trixie.” Ted’s looking at me unblinking. “You okay man?”
“Sorry, that’s…” he takes a huge gulp of his champagne. “That’s a lot to take in. And sounds fucking painful.” He shivers, and I can’t help but laugh. Trust Ted to make light of a pretty shit situation.
“Man, I need another drink.” I rub at my temples.
“I've got that covered.” Maddison appears out of nowhere and passes me a scotch, causing Ted to roll his eyes.
“Maddison,” he says bluntly.
“Ted. You haven’t changed.”
“Neither have you,” he grits through his teeth and then coughs which I’m sure was him saying a subtle bitch. I hide my laugh behind my drink. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two to it.” He drifts off into the crowd, but not before giving me a look which I can only describe as a I’m watching you look.
“Hunter, can we get a bit of fresh air?”
“Why?” I frown.
“I want to apologize for my behavior back there. I was just taken by surprise, and so was Dave.”
Yeah right .
“You’ve apologized. I accept. We don’t need to go outside to do that?”
“Look I’ve got something I think you need to see and I’d rather not do it here." She seems flustered so I relent and lead her out of the ballroom towards the gardens.
Once outside we seat ourselves on an ornate bench beneath a large oak tree wrapped in fairy lights. “I was out of order back there. I tried to make Jade uncomfortable. When I saw her in your office the other day I thought she looked familiar.” She takes my hand in hers. “But you look happy with her, Hunter. And I’d hate for you to have your heart broken.” My brow furrows at her hand in mine. It feels wrong and I try to remove it but she holds strong. “I think they’re hiding things from us.” This takes me aback and I pull my gaze from our connected hands to her face. “I’ve been with Dave for a while now and I saw him with Jade a few weeks ago. They looked very close. I haven't brought it up with him yet. I think Jade and Dave are still very much in love, they're playing us, Hunter. That little scene out there was nothing more than foreplay and to build up tension.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I scoff, yanking my hand out of her hold.
“I’m not. I think she’s using you. Dave has said how she wants to be a CEO and isn’t worried about how she gets there.”
That doesn’t sound like the Jade I know. She’s hardworking, clever, and resilient. Reaching into her clutch Maddison retrieves her phone and starts scrolling until she gets to what she wants to show me. “I took these photos.”
The photos are grainy but it’s definitely Jade and Dave. I almost forget how to breathe as dread hits me square in the gut making my stomach roll. “I saw them having a cozy coffee and the look on both of their faces doesn’t look like they’ve moved on. And neither does the kiss he gives her as they leave.” I let out a breath my nausea easing as I can see from the date at the top of her phone that the photos were taken a few weeks ago. We weren’t what we are now. I can’t jump to conclusions Jade needs to be able to have her say.
“We weren’t even together when these were taken, Maddison. I think you’re blowing those pictures out of proportion. And why haven’t you brought this up with Dave?” She shifts in her seat.
“I can’t bring myself to ask him, not yet. I brushed it off and tried to put it to the back of my mind, but seeing them tonight, it’s brought it all back. I just don’t want to see you hurt. I care too much about you.” Leaning in her lips only a millimeter from mine she whispers, “Don’t you feel this spark between us? This pull we have?” I turn my face away just as a flash of blonde and green comes into my eye line.
“Fuck, Jade.” I try to untangle myself, as I rise from the bench to chase after her.
“Leave her. You’re where you’re meant to be.” She desperately rushes behind me and brings her arms around my waist.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I push her off me, and she stumbles almost falling onto her ass in the grass. “Why can’t you take the hint.” A guttural roar rips through me and my lips curl as I spit my next words. “I don’t want you, I never wanted you. You need to stay the hell away from me.” Feeling my pulse pounding in my ears I clasp my hands behind my head and stare up into the dark night sky.
“She’ll never love you like I do, Hunter,” she screams, trembling with anger, her eyes wild and crazy.
“I hope she doesn’t, because I don’t want your love.” I stride towards her my whole body shaking as I jab my finger at her. “You’re unhinged. And Jade’s everything you're not. She loves with her whole heart, whereas you,” I look down my nose at her, “you’re my worst mistake. And if your actions have lost me my future I’ll ruin you. Because if I haven’t got her, then I’ve nothing to lose.”