Masuk“Emily—EMILY!”Scott’s voice tore Emily from sleep.Her eyes shot open.Scott was struggling with someone—Nate.Nate’s hand was on Scott’s arm, pulling away—What the hell?Emily screamed.The sound ripped from her throat, raw and screeching.Nate’s head whipped toward her.Then he bolted.Scott lunged after him, stumbling off the bed—And collapsed.His body hit the floor hard.“SCOTT!”Emily scrambled to his side, dropping to her knees.“Scott—Scott, wake up—”His eyes were half-open, unfocused.His chest rose and fell, but shallow.“Scott, please—”Nothing.Emily screamed again, louder this time.So loud she thought her lungs might explode.So loud she thought she might pass out from the force of it.The door burst open.Gerry rushed in, his face tight with alarm.He dropped to Scott’s side, pressing two fingers to his neck.Emily’s heart stopped.“He’s alive,” Gerry said.Emily’s breath shuddered out of her.“But his pulse is weak.” Gerry looked up at her. “Call 911. Now.”Emily
Nate Sullivan POV-----The gas pump clicked off.Nate pulled the nozzle out and hung it back on the pump.His phone rang.Jane.He reached for it—“Hey!” A gas station attendant shouted from across the lot. “No phone calls near the pumps!”Nate looked at him, then at his phone.“Fuck off,” he muttered under his breath.He walked away from the bike, toward the edge of the lot, and answered.“What?”“Where are you?” Jane’s voice was sharp.“Gas station. Filling up.”“Nate—” She paused. “I’m worried.”Nate rolled his eyes. “You’re always worried.”“Because you’re a knucklehead who volunteered for something you shouldn’t have.”“I’m fine, Jane.”“It’s too dangerous going back there. You barely got away last time.”“That was different.”“How?”“I wasn’t prepared. This time I am.”Jane sighed on the other end. “You’re being reckless.”“I’m not,” Nate corrected. “Mia’s already texting me to come over. She has no idea. I’ve got this.”Silence.Then Jane’s voice, low and threatening. “You bet
“We should get to the bottom of who wrote those articles and sue them,” Scott said, his voice sharp. “It’s outrageous.”“Scott—” Paul’s voice came through the phone, measured and calm. “I understand you’re upset, but suing the press right now will not improve your reputation. If anything, it’ll make you look defensive.”“I am defensive,” Scott snapped. “They’re calling me a murderer.”“I know.” Paul paused. “But the hearing is in two days. You need to be in New York tomorrow. That’s what matters right now.”Scott exhaled sharply, his jaw tight.“I’ll be there.”“Good. We’ll go over everything when you arrive.”Scott hung up without another word.He dropped his phone on the desk and rubbed his face with both hands.Emily’s hand touched his back, warm and steady.She rubbed slow circles between his shoulder blades.“You okay?” she asked softly.Scott let out a humorless laugh. “No.”“You will be.”He turned to look at her. “You don’t have to be here, you know. You should be at work.”Em
Jane Sullivan POV-----“She threw me under the bus!” Nate yelled, slamming his fist on the table.Jane sighed and leaned back in her chair.Here we go.They were at Kevin’s Cuisine again. The private back room that was starting to feel less like a restaurant and more like a villain’s lair.How fitting.Susan barely looked up from her phone.“You were already caught coming out of Emily’s room. What did you expect me to do?”“You could’ve defended me!”“Defended you?” Susan’s voice was sharp. “You froze at the dinner table like a guilty child. I saved you.”Nate’s face reddened.Jane raised an eyebrow. “Is it true? You got caught?”Nate hesitated, then muttered, “Yeah.”“What were you doing in there?” Jane asked, though she already had a sinking feeling she knew.“Looking for more stuff,” Nate said quickly.Susan snorted. “Or you were collecting underwear again, you little freak.”Nate’s lips curved into a sinister smile.“Oh my God, ew.” Susan dropped her phone on the table. “That’s h
Emily woke to warmth.Scott’s arm was draped across her waist, his chest pressed against her back, his breath soft against her neck.For a moment, she just lay there, eyes closed, letting herself feel it.This.Whatever this was.She shifted slightly, and Scott stirred behind her.His hand moved, sliding up her stomach, slow and deliberate.Emily’s breath caught.“You awake?” His voice was rough with sleep, low and close to her ear.“Mm-hmm.”His lips brushed her shoulder. Then her neck.Emily turned in his arms, facing him.Their eyes met.Neither of them spoke.Scott’s hand moved to her face, his thumb tracing her jawline.Then he kissed her.Slow. Deep. Like he had all the time in the world.Emily’s fingers slid into his hair, pulling him closer.Scott rolled her onto her back, his body settling between her thighs.“I missed you,” he whispered against her mouth.Emily’s chest tightened.“I missed you too.”Scott’s hand moved down her body, exploring every curve.Emily arched into h
Scott’s head felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. He dragged himself to the dining area, each step sending a fresh wave of pain through his skull. Dora appeared at his side with a steaming cup of coffee. “Breakfast will be served soon, Mr. Hunter,” she said gently, like she knew exactly how much noise his brain could tolerate. “Thanks, Dora.” Scott dropped into his chair and took a long sip. The coffee burned going down, but at least it was something real to focus on besides the throbbing behind his eyes. Mia and Nate walked in and sat across from him. Mia took one look at Scott and smirked. “Wow. You look like shit warmed over and left out in the sun.” Scott didn’t have the energy to respond. “Rough night?” she pressed, clearly enjoying herself. “Something like that.” “Strip club or casino?” “Both.” Mia laughed. “At least you’re honest.” The door opened again. Emily walked in. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before both looked a
Emily rushed into her office building.Nadine stood nervously at her office entrance.“She’s inside.”“How is she?”Nadine’s expression said everything.Emily had kept Sophia Delgado—CEO of Everdale Pottery—waiting over thirty minutes.She adjusted Rosa’s dress and entered. Nadine followed.Sophia
“Scott is Ian’s half-brother and also rightful heir to the Hunter Legacy.” Her throat tightened. “He’s new in town.” Confusion flickered across her parents’ faces. She had no better way to explain it. “Scott, this is my mom and dad—Ruth and Thomas Everson.” She looked at Scott from the corner of
“Do I have to repeat myself?” Scott’s gaze bore into the guard. “Or does he have to do it for you?” He gestured to Gerry. Gerry moved his arms from his sides and locked them in front, a silent threat. The guard released Emily’s arm. It was too late to play it cool—the whole lobby was watching
Emily glanced at her phone.8:00 a.m.Too early to go to work. But she left anyway.She'd been avoiding Scott since the night he pinned her to the bed.She couldn't trust herself around him anymore.Staying for breakfast meant tension.Staying for dinner meant contact.Every look felt like losing c







