22. Hunter
Hunter
A s Ash drives, Mace is next to him, constantly monitoring Hugo’s movements. Hugo’s car hasn’t left the estate, and there’s been no activity from the security camera at the entrance gates. We’ll be the first visitors of the day.
Maddie has accompanied us against my better judgement. She tells me she isn’t afraid of Hugo anymore, but as I thread my fingers through hers, her palm is cold and clammy.
“I don’t like this,” I say to her. “We can always turn around and take you back.”
“She’ll be fine,” Ash says, answering for my wife. “If anything, Hugo’s at greater risk from you. If we’re going to get what we want, you need to keep this civilized, Hunter.”
“I got through a board meeting without killing him,” I reply. “I can wait a little longer.”
“About that…” Ash begins.
Anger sharpens my words. “Don’t fucking say it, Ash,” I warn. “I’m not leaving that lowlife to inflict any more misery on his family. Killian’s on board. And if you go behind my back and talk him out of it, I’ll find another way to deal with Hugo.”
Ash glances over his shoulder. He’s seated directly in front of me so he can’t see my face. But he can see Maddie’s. “And are you OK with that?”
She manages a nod, and I squeeze her hand.
It must be surreal to hear us talking so openly about ending someone’s life during a simple car journey.
If we were talking about anyone else, I suspect she’d be horrified.
But Hugo? I can’t wait for Ash to meet the man he doesn’t think is worth the extra effort of erasing.
We come to a screeching halt in front of the Corbyn mansion. Ash does like to make an entrance, and he and Mace are first out of the SUV. I wait for the dust to settle so Maddie isn’t choking for air when we hammer on the door.
“You don’t take any chances in there,” I say. “If you can help Mace, great. But I don’t want you out of my sight for longer than necessary. Do you understand?”
Maddie manages a smile. “I wouldn’t want to be.”
I cup her face and kiss her. “Hugo might still see you as his prey, but you have claws, little bird, and we’re going to rip that fucker to shreds. Figuratively and literally. Remember that.”
As we get out of the car, Mace uses the butt of his gun to knock on the door.
There are hurried steps and we’re greeted by the housekeeper who’d welcomed us on our first visit.
This time, she doesn’t acknowledge Maddie at all.
I can only presume that Hugo, in his pettiness, has instructed his staff that his sister is dead to them all.
“We’re here to see Hugo,” Ash says.
“There’s no one home, Sir,” she replies, avoiding eye contact. “If you want to– to leave a card, I can pass on a message. ”
“Sure,” Ash says as he pushes the door open with just enough force to send the housekeeper scurrying backwards. He steps inside and we all follow. “Tell him Ash Griffin demands a meeting.” His voice grows in volume as he bellows the next word. “ Now !”
With his yell echoing around the foyer, I position myself slightly in front of Maddie, our hands still clasped.
A second later, there’s the sound of running footsteps, but they’re too light to be Hugo’s.
In a blur of pink cotton, a little girl appears from the left wing of the house.
The six-year-old comes to a sliding stop in front of Ash.
She tips her head back and her mouth gapes opens as she stares up at the giant of a man.
When Maddie goes to step around me, the housekeeper springs into action. She holds a hand out in warning for Maddie not to draw closer. Maddie stops. Not because she fears what her brother might do to her, but what he would undoubtedly do to the rest of her family.
“Rebecca, hurry back to your mom this instant,” the housekeeper says as she checks the corridor to the right. Judging by the fear in her eyes, that’s the side of the house where Hugo is hiding.
“It’s OK,” Ash says, crouching down until he’s almost at eye level with Maddie’s niece. “And how old are you, Rebecca?” he asks in a gentle tone.
The little girl swallows hard. “Six, Sir.”
“You’re very polite for a six-year-old,” he replies. “And please, you can call me Ash.”
She frowns at him. “Is that a real name?”
“Rebecca!” Hugo barks as he appears in the foyer. I note there had been no echo of footsteps. He’d crept up on us to eavesdrop. Figures.
The little girl flinches at the sound of her father’ s voice, and I feel Maddie’s thumb brush the back of my hand. It’s her turn to soothe the tension rippling through my body. I want to rip Hugo’s head off.
Becks backs away just as Hugo’s wife arrives. “I’m so sorry, Hugo,” she says, tugging at a woolen cardigan that’s too warm for such a sunny day. I wonder what bruises it hides. “It’s not Rebecca’s fault. I should have been watching her more carefully.”
Ash remains crouched, his arms resting on his thighs as he assesses the family dynamics. Now he gets it.
Hugo simply glares at his wife. I doubt whatever he intends to do or say to her, won’t be played out in front of guests. My jaw aches as I grind my teeth.
Jen’s head remains bowed as she takes her daughter’s hand. She doesn’t acknowledge our presence.
Hugo flicks a hand towards her. “Take her away.”
Maddie takes a faltering step as the mother and child are about to disappear from view. “Hey, Jen,” she calls out.
Her sister-in-law keeps moving, but Becks looks over at us.
There’s a slight hesitance in her steps when she spies Maddie, followed by a flash of anxiety that doesn’t belong on the face of a young child.
In an instant, Becks snaps her gaze away, as if simply looking at her aunt was a punishable offense.
“My wife’s name is Jennifer,” Hugo snarls. He’s looking at Maddie, correcting her for daring to use a shortened version of his wife’s name.
“Hello, Hugo,” I say to force his eyes off my wife. “That nose is taking time to heal.”
Hugo gestures towards the housekeeper to dismiss her, and she practically bolts out of the foyer. “This is an unexpected pleasure, Hunter.”
“I’m sure it is,” I reply .
Hugo takes a step closer to our group, his eyes darting towards the one Griffin he hasn’t met yet.
Ash has remained crouching. He waits. And he waits some more until Hugo is less than three feet away.
My brother is an expert at making the most of his imposing frame, and when he draws up to his full height, he’s intimidating as hell.
“We need to talk business,” he says without introduction. “Do you have a room where we could sit and talk?”
“There’s the drawing room,” Maddie suggests, slipping her hand from mine.
I shadow my wife as she steps in front of Ash to lead the way. Her pumps don’t make a sound on the marble floor, and will be perfect for flitting in and out of rooms. Mace’s rubber heels have the same effect, but he’s had more practice than most at moving around undetected.
“This isn’t your home anymore, Maddison,” Hugo says.
“The codicil, Hugo,” she reminds him. “You might own the house, but I have a right of access.”
He makes the mistake of stepping towards her, and it’s just the excuse I need. I’m there in two strides and my arm snaps out to grab his shirt collar. “Go any nearer my wife, and your housekeeper will be cleaning up blood stains for a week,” I growl.
Hugo reaches instinctively for my hand, but he makes the right decision not to complete the move. “Please, I meant no disrespect. We’re family now.”
I twist the collar, tightening it around his neck. “I suspect family means something different to you than it does to me.”
When I let him go, Hugo stumbles back. I don’t wait as I follow Maddie and Ash towards the drawing room. Ash disappears inside, but Maddie waits on the threshold where I position myself in front of her, shielding her from Hugo as he follows Ash.
“I’m just going up to my room to collect some things,” Maddie announces.
“Take Mace with you,” I say as I exchange a final look with Maddie. Don’t take any chances.
Before Hugo can object, I close the door so it’s just the three of us.
The drawing room is light and airy, filled with elegant dressers and overstuffed chairs.
Ash takes a folded document from his inside pocket and drops it onto a low table.
He places a pen on top then takes a seat on one of the couches, legs spread wide as he relaxes back against the cushions.
“Sit, Hugo,” he says, pointing to the couch opposite. “And tell me why you haven’t signed the contract. I don’t like time-wasters.”
“Your brother forced me to agree to the sale under duress,” Hugo replies. He’s trying his best to assume a commanding tone, but his voice dries up too soon. His last words are more of a squeak when he runs out of breath.
While I watch Hugo perch on the edge of his seat, I remain on my feet, standing between the two couches. I keep my arms crossed and my fists curled.
“You should know, Hugo, that I’m even better at putting someone under duress than Hunter.”
“I’m not too sure about that, brother,” I say. “You might have to prove it. Maybe Hugo can be the judge.”
Hugo twitches. “I want to sign, I really do, but as I explained to Hunter, I have obligations to other people. Barrett’s offer was far more generous, and it would have kept everyone happy.”
“Debatable,” I say.
“I’m talking about notable people,” he tries .
“Again…”
Hugo bristles. He knows we’re talking about his sister.
“Maddison would have been taken care of, either by Barrett, or by me. And she agreed to the marriage,” he insists.
“I accept that not everyone else would have benefited. Our workers would have lost their jobs, but what job can be guaranteed these days? As a businessman, I’m sure you understand that. ”