CHAPTER TEN
The next morning, we meet with Dimitri and Alexander at the safe house.
“What happens now?” Alexander asks.
“Now we make sure John never bothers any of us again,” Hunter says.
“How?” Dimitri asks.
“I’ve been working with the DA,” Hunter explains. “They want to build a case against John, but they need witnesses. People who can testify about his criminal activities.”
Dimitri and Alexander exchange glances.
“You want us to testify?” Dimitri asks.
“I want to offer you the option,” Hunter says. “If you do, the DA will offer you immunity and witness protection. You’d be safe from John permanently.”
“And if we don’t?” Alexander asks.
“Then you stay in the safe house until John is dealt with through other means,” Hunter says. “But that could take months. Maybe years.”
“I’ll do it,” Alexander says immediately. “If it means my mom is safe and I never have to look over my shoulder again, I’ll do it.”
Dimitri takes longer to decide. Finally, he nods. “Okay. I’m in.”
“Good,” Hunter says. “I’ll set up a meeting with the DA for tomorrow.”
After they leave, Hunter turns to me.
“What about us?” I ask. “What happens when my two weeks are up?”
“What two weeks?” Hunter asks, confused.
“The arrangement,” I remind him. “We only agreed to two weeks.”
It seems like it was ages ago, but it’s true.
I signed up for a pseudo matchmaking site maybe a month or so ago and was paired up with Hunter.
I was fresh out of my divorce, and so it seemed like an easy way for me to have some fun and make some money.
We only agreed to two weeks. At the time, that’s all I thought this would be, but it’s turned into so much more.
Hunter’s expression softens. “Lorelai, after everything we’ve been through, do you really think I’m going to let you leave after two weeks?”
“I... I don’t know,” I admit.
“I want you to stay,” he says. “Not because of some arrangement. Not because I’m paying you. But because I love you and I want to build a life with you.”
“But we barely know each other,” I protest weakly.
“We know the important things,” he says. “We know we love each other. We know we’re good together. The rest we can figure out as we go.”
“What if I drive you crazy?” I ask.
“You already drive me crazy,” he says with a smile. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“What if I snoop through your things and eavesdrop on your phone calls?” I ask.
“Then I’ll punish you appropriately,” he says, his eyes darkening with heat.
A shiver runs through me.
“Is that a promise?” I ask.
“Absolutely,” he says, pulling me close. “Now, let’s go home.”
“Home,” I repeat, testing the word. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good,” he says. “Because you’re stuck with me now.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“Promise,” he says, sealing it with a kiss.