Chapter 3: Who Is Hunter Rivers?

Adriana's POV

"What do you mean you sold me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I sold you," he sighed, looking down.

"To who??" Mom yelled, her face contorted with anger. "Why?"

"Hunter Rivers," Dad gritted his teeth and huffed.

"Hunter Rivers?" Dylan raged, clearly furious.

"Who's Hunter Rivers?" I asked, my frustration growing. But no one answered me.

"Why on earth did you sell her to Hunter Rivers??" Mom yelled, her voice shaking with disbelief. "Why did you sell her in the first place?!"

"I didn't have a choice!!!" Dad snapped, his eyes wild. "Here were my options: watch him kill all of you, or give him Adriana. Luckily, he bought her for $100,000,000. But she has to move in with him… today."

"Today?!" I argued, feeling my heart race. "I just got here! And I don't even know who Hunter Rivers is!!".

Dad sighed and motioned for me to follow him. We all followed him into his office, and he told me to sit down. He took his seat behind the desk and let out another heavy sigh.

"Now Adriana," he began, "promise me you won't get mad."

"I'm already mad," I huffed.

"Fair enough," he said with another sigh. "Now, my corporation Hayes Industry isn't really what it seems."

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. Mom and Dylan moved behind Dad and stood by his side.

"Hayes Industry doesn't invest in stocks," he admitted. "We're a drug business. A gang, as a matter of fact."

"What?" I stared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, he's serious," Mom sighed.

I stayed silent, trying to process it all.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" I snapped, my voice shaking with anger.

"We were trying to protect you," Dad said softly. "You always had such a bright outlook on life. I wanted to keep that for you to let you live without fear, without constantly looking over your shoulder."

"Then why did you tell Dylan?" I shot back, still reeling. I couldn't believe they had all kept this from me.

"Dylan got involved when he was seventeen," Dad explained with a heavy sigh.

"I didn't even know Dad ran a gang until I made my first drug deal with his people," Dylan added quietly.

"Wow," I breathed, finally starting to absorb it all.

"We did it to protect you," Mom said, her voice gentle but firm.

"I get that," I replied, trying to steady my emotions. "But who is Hunter Rivers? And why did you sell me to him?"

"Exactly!" Mom burst out. "Why would you sell our daughter to Hunter Rivers?!"

Dad sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Like I told you earlier, I didn't have a choice," he muttered, his voice tight with frustration.

"How did this even come up in the first place?" Dylan growled, disbelief lacing his words.

"Alright, let me explain from the beginning," Dad said. "I was supposed to meet with Hunter about some money I owe him. I told him I'd have it next week, but he's unforgiving, and I pushed him too far."

"Pushed him too far?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Yes," Dad continued, his voice growing heavier. "Hunter doesn't let things slide. He's dangerous, Adriana. He'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and I crossed a line that I shouldn't have."

"Anyway," he went on, "things escalated quickly, and he put a gun to my head. In the chaos, I knocked over a picture of you, and he saw it. He got curious, and that's when he gave me my options. But I wasn't letting you go without making him pay. I made sure he forked over the $100,000,000, and I'll give you half."

"Why didn't you fight back?" I wondered.

"Sweetheart, Hunter Rivers is younger and stronger than I am," Dad sighed.

"Oh," I mumbled. I was still furious that he sold me, but there was nothing I could do about it. A few tears rolled down my cheeks, and I buried my face in my hands. Soon, I felt strong arms wrap around me. Dylan.

"Don't cry, Adri," he cooed. "I'll get you out of this."

"Thanks, Dyl," I smiled at the old nickname I used to call him.

"No prob—" Dylan was cut off by a loud knock at the door.

"Rivers," Dad muttered.

"Shouldn't someone get that?" I asked.

"That's why we have butlers, sweetie," Mom smiled softly.

Soon, one of the butlers walked in, three men following behind him. The three men were all muscular, intimidating, and slightly attractive. They all had dark brown hair and tattoos on their necks and arms.

"We're here for the girl," one of the men boomed.

"Where's Hunter?" dad asked.

"In the car, he was on a phone call," the man explained.

"Well, all of her luggage is in her room," dad stated.

"Zane, Luke, go get her stuff and put it in the car," the man ordered. The other two men nodded and left the room.

"Adriana," dad began, "This is Marcus. One of Hunter's goons." Marcus and I locked eyes, and I gave him a weak smile.

"Goons? Really, that hurts," Marcus smirked and looked at me, "Well, Hunter was right. She is hot."

I could feel Dylan tense up next to me, which made Marcus chuckle.

"Anyway," Marcus sighed, "Let's go, Adriana. We have other things to do."

"O-Okay," I stuttered, standing up. Mom, Dad, and Dylan hugged me goodbye and escorted me outside. I wanted to cry, but I reminded myself that I was strong. I could get through this.

At least, I hoped I could.

When we reached the driveway, we were met by three sleek, black 2024 Range Rover Autobiographies with tinted windows. The two men Kent had sent to gather my belongings were carefully loading them into one of the vehicles.

"Call us if you need anything," Mom sobbed, her voice thick with emotion.

"Don't cry, Mom, I'll be fine," I reassured her, trying to stay calm.

"If Hunter tries anything, don't hesitate to kick his ass," Dylan said, offering a playful smirk. One of the men beside the cars chuckled softly.

"Roger that," I replied with a nervous laugh.

Dad then pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Remember, he's dangerous, so stay on his good side," he reminded me, his voice full of concern.

"Hunter doesn't have a good side," Dylan muttered, and the dry humor of his words made me smile.

"Adriana, I'm serious," Dad warned.

"I'll be careful, Dad. Don't worry," I reassured him.

"Here," Dad said, handing me a present.

Where did this come from? Had he been holding it the whole time? "Open it when you're alone. And use it if you need to," he whispered. I nodded and walked up to Hunter, who opened the car door for me.

I slid into the car and was surprised to find a very attractive man around my age.

"Hello, Adriana," his deep voice boomed, sending a shiver down my spine.