Page 77 of Unleashed
My brothers are not subtle about this at all.
"Yeah. I'm not marrying him. No way. His dad just needs to sign over those papers, then I'm free."
I look at her. Really look. I've got so many questions. When she's free, does that mean she wants to come home? Or is her life still in LA? There are so many things, yet all I can do is fight, however I need to, to keep her as mine.
And all of this is my thought process, when we ain’t even kissed yet.
Hunter straightens up. His eyes darken. When he speaks, it's the boss talking. Not the brother.
"I'm saying this now. In front of you both." He looks at me. Holds my gaze. "Ace. Under no fucking circumstances do you go to LA with Harper. You do that, you risk starting a war. Enzo already knows the situation there—he's making moves that will obliterate both families, so we can insert one more aligned with our organization. But you go there? You're a direct target. You hear me? I have no doubt the Milano’s already know about us."
"I hear you, brother."
Hunter just name-dropped Enzo in front of her, and that tells me that he trusts her enough. That kinda information would get someone killed.
"I know you have history. I know you've got things to work out. But don't get killed over it. And don't bring a war to our doorstep. This ain't about us. This is about Wyatt. About my unborn kid. Your future kids. Everything Dad gave us." He pauses. "LA is not our war. But getting the Greeks out of New Falls is."
Hunter turns to Harper.
"Those are the terms of my deal. We will help you if you help us. We can get you the intel for Gianna. But if anything happens to Ace—" His voice drops. "If you run off again and he follows you and something happens to him, I will hold you personally accountable for that. Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes. I understand." She meets his eyes better than most men can.
Hunter picks up his beer. "Good. Now I'll get my men together, and we'll look at getting hold of some Greeks for the answers."
He stands. Colten joins him.
"We appreciate you lookin' out for us, Harper," Colten says. And the way he says it tells me she's earned something from my brother that most people never do.
The door crashes open behind us.
We all turn. Jett, out of his flamingo shirt, dressed like an actual cowboy for the second time today, skids into the room.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Colten laughs. "Late? Didn't realize you were invited."
Jett scowls. "Yeah. Did the pigeon get shot delivering my invitation?" He looks at Hunter.
"I think you've done quite enough for today, Jett," Hunter says, fighting to keep a straight face.
Jett glances at me. Then Harper. His eyes go wide.
"Oh. Harper. Hi." He scratches the back of his head. The confidence evaporates. "Sorry, you know. For earlier."
"For kidnapping me dressed like a divorced dad?" Harper says, without missing a beat.
"Hey! That's exactly what I said he looked like!" I laugh, turning to her.
Jett holds up his hands. "Wasn't my finest moment, I appreciate that. I am very sorry, though, Harper."
"You're fine, Jett. Just don't do it again."
She leans into me. Her lips brush my ear. "I need to use the bathroom. Do you mind?" She looks at Jett and squints. “I drank a lot of blue Gatorade while tied up.”
I bite back a laugh. "I'll wait here for you."
She stands and walks past Jett. His eyes follow her out. I clench my fist on the table.
