Chapter 98
Piper
We arrive at a sprawling estate. It’s obnoxious, really.
There’s a fountain out front, which feels entirely in keeping with the rest of the place.
The moment we step inside, I’m greeted by marble.
Marble everywhere.
A large round table dominates the entrance hall, a huge vase overflowing with flowers at its centre. As I pass, I notice they aren’t artificial either.
The artwork covering the walls is something else entirely. So are the drapes.
Everything about this place practically screams money.
And it’s enormous.
As we move further inside, I come to an abrupt halt. Lined up in front of the grand double staircase stands an entire row of staff.
Men and women.
Impeccably dressed. The women even wear neat bows at their collars.
It’s so very Hunter that I almost roll my eyes.
“Everyone,” Hunter says as his arm circles my waist and pulls me to his side.
I have no idea why he insisted on bringing me here.
There is no chance I’m going home to America.
The thought of facing my father makes my stomach turn.
But I should be on my way back to the academy.
I want nothing more than to hide beneath the covers in my room, read, cry, and fall apart in private.
I haven’t had time to process any of this, and I can feel the breakdown waiting just around the corner.
“This is Piper Ashthorne,” Hunter says. “From this moment on, you’ll extend her the same courtesy and respect you extend to me. If she needs something, you provide it. If she asks for something, it gets done.”
His arm tightens around my waist.
“And if anything happens to her, you’ll answer to me.”
Everyone nods in my direction, but I’m too stunned to respond.
Maybe the blows to my head were worse than everyone thought. Perhaps I’ve developed short term amnesia and missed a few important chapters.
Because the last thing I remember is Hunter loathing me.
And fair play.
I was married to his father.
Still am.
It’s a difficult thing to swallow, so I force a smile, or at least something resembling one, but all I want is to burst into tears.
“Nice to meet you all.”
Every member of staff wears a name tag, and I look up at Hunter with a raised brow.
His expression doesn’t change. It’s still that indifferent look he wears so well, but it softens slightly as he looks down at me.
Almost as if that dimple wants to appear.
“Until you learn their names,” he says simply.
As if I’m going to be here long enough for that to happen.
I need to get out.
The sooner, the better.
We were doomed from the start, and nothing has changed.
I need to leave before I fall any deeper into this mess and lose what little remains of myself in the process.
Though, if I’m being honest, that ship may already have sailed.
He notices the shift in me because his eyes drop to mine once again.
“What’s wrong?”
I swallow.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” The lie tastes bitter. “I could do with sitting down, though.”
He nods, and before I can say anything, or even move, I’m swept off my feet and carried towards the staircase.
My arms instinctively circle his neck.
“Put me down.”
“No.”
“I can walk.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“Then put me down.”
“The answer remains no.”
As though to emphasise the point, his hold on me tightens slightly as he continues up the stairs.
Once upstairs, he turns right and continues down the corridor until he stops outside a door. He pushes it open and steps inside before nudging it shut behind us with his foot.
He lowers me onto a large bed.
I look around the room.
Wow.
The man either has impeccable taste or hired a very talented designer.
Though, if I’m honest, this has Hunter written all over it.
It suits him perfectly.
It’s dark, elegant, modern, yet somehow timeless at the same time.
Everything has its place, minimalist without feeling empty.
The large bed dominates the room, with matching bedside tables. A lamp sits on one. A book, a glass and a bottle of water on the other.
“Why am I in your room?”
He doesn’t spare me so much as a glance as he disappears into the dressing room and returns a moment later with a shirt and a pair of boxers.
He places them on the bed beside me.
His fingers slip beneath my chin and tilt my face up.
“Where else would you be?”
“We need to talk,” he adds.
I shake my head.
“Not now, Hunter.”
His eyes hold mine for a long moment before he finally takes a step back.
“I’ll give you a chance to get comfortable. Take a shower. Get some sleep.”
He leaves without another word, and the door closes behind him.
Before I can process any of it, however, he’s back, carrying my bag and a bottle of pills.
He sets them down before placing two tablets beside the glass and filling it with water.
“I’ve asked the cook to prepare something for you. It should be here shortly. Eat, then take your medication.”
He turns and heads for the door, but just as his hand closes around the handle, he glances back at me.
He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at me with that same intense expression.
For a moment, I think he’s going to say something.
Instead, his jaw clenches.
Then he turns and leaves.
Almost as if it physically pains him to do so.
To leave, I mean.