Owned By The Billionaire Devil

Chapter 12

Hunter~

Just as I felt the last of her resistance start to fade, a sharp ringtone suddenly broke the moment.

It was my phone.

For a single, frustrated moment, I considered ignoring it. The taste of her surrender was still on my lips, more intoxicating than anything I had ever known.

But duty...my kind of duty couldn’t wait.

I withdrew my hand, pushing myself up in one frustrated motion. She scrambled away instantly, limbs tangled, cheeks burning as she dragged her dress back into place. She wouldn’t look at me.

Fairs. It was only fair to feel embarrassed.

I took the vibrating phone from my pocket and answered it, my gaze never leaving her.

"This better be important.".

“Boss. You were right,” a calm, serious voice said through the phone. “They were exactly where you said they’d be. We got all three.”

Her head jerked up when she heard the word ‘boss.’

"What’s this about then?"

"They’re not talking."

Something cold settled inside me. That was definitely not what I wanted to hear right now.

"I’ll be there in forty minutes," I said evenly. "Until then...make them cooperate. Start with the fingers. Don't stop until they give you a name."

I ended the call and the silence afterwards was heavy. She didn’t wait for an explanation, she launched herself off the bed, a beautiful, panicked creature, and rushed out, the door slamming behind her.

I stood there for a moment, then looked at the bed. There, a small, lacy scrap of white fabric lay tangled in the sheets.

Her panties.

A slow, genuine smirk touched my lips. She’d run out without them.

*****

The welcome party felt fake and overwhelming, full of strong perfume and people pretending to be nice. I stood in the far corner, holding a glass of whiskey while relatives I hadn’t seen in years offered me stiff smiles.

I was a spectacle. The feral twin, back from Italy. I was polite in a way that felt like a threat. I answered questions with questions. I smiled without it touching my eyes.

And I ignored Maisie completely.

Eventually, I started to move.

I watch her standing alone by the deep end, looking at the water as if considering jumping in. The blue light from the pool reflected on her skin. She was the most beautiful, trapped thing I’d ever seen.

I stepped in close enough that she sensed me before she heard me.

"Hey babe."

She went rigid.

"You forgot something,"

She turned, confusion in her eyes.

My gaze traveled and settled on her waist. Then memory hit and a stunning blush flooded her cheeks, visible even in the moody light.

She quickly glanced around, her hand flying up to cover my mouth, but I caught her wrist without effort, turned her hand over, and pressed a slow kiss to her knuckles.

Her lips parted in a silent gasp.

People were close by, laughing and talking. They could see us.

I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. "It’s safe with me."

I noticed her entire body trembled and just before she could protest, Alistair was there. He appeared like a guard dog summoned by a silent alarm. He slid between us smoothly, prying her from my grasp and tucking her against his side like reclaimed property.

"Hunter," he said coolly. "Enjoying the party?"

"Well, I enjoy interesting things," I replied, eyes still on Maisie.

His jaw tightened.

Just then, my uncle oozed over, his smile as greasy as the champagne in his glass.

He exchanged a look with Alistair who left almost immediately.

"Hunter! The prodigal son returns," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. I didn’t move, I just let his hand sit there until it felt awkward and he pulled it away. "We heard such… wild stories. Glad to see you in one piece."

"Well, I’m pretty tough to kill. Unlike your last investment."

His smile faltered, but he quickly forced a laugh. "Still haven’t changed, I see."

"You know I’ve never pretended," I replied. "Why start now? Though change is important and you need it more. Especially after your shitty little cover-up twelve years ago."

The color drained from his face. He tried to fake a laugh again… but it came out like a choking cat.

Before he could sputter a reply, Alistair stepped onto the small poolside podium, glass raised, drawing the crowds attention.

"My family and I have some wonderful news," he announced, pulling Maisie closer. "We’ve decided not to wait. The wedding will be in two weeks."

Applause followed.

Mrs. Grimshaw joined him, smiling. "And to prepare properly, Maisie will move into the mansion tomorrow."

Maisie’s eyes found mine across the water and the terror in them was almost visible.

Nice.

As the congratulations continued, I held her gaze, lifting my hand casually, miming a small plucking motion at my hip.

She frowned at me. The cutest frown I’d ever seen. How could anyone be so bad at frowning?

Then I shaped the words silently, sending a message she could understand even from meters away.

"Come get it."

With that, I set my empty glass on a passing tray and walked out of my own welcome party that really wasn't mine.

****

The cool night air was a relief. I was halfway into my car when I heard her voice.

"Hunter.”

She stood there on the driveway, her dress glowing under the mansion’s lights, looking like a lost princess. I said nothing, just turned around and pushed the passenger door open.

She hesitated for a lifetime, then slid in.

"Did you tell anyone you were leaving?" I asked, pulling away.

She shook her head, staring straight ahead. "Alistair got a call. It’ll take hours."

I drove in silence for a few minutes, then pulled into the darkened overlook that showed the whole city glittering below like a stolen diamond necklace. I parked and turned to her.

She shifted in her seat, putting distance between us.

I leaned closer. "Why even get in the car if you’re going to act like this?"

"You might think I came because of my... panties, but..." she paused, biting on her lower lips. "I came to apologize and to tell you to stop,” she whispered. "This is so wrong. I..."

I leaned over and kissed her, the unexpected gesture catching her off guard.

"You talk too much."

Her breath shook. "Hunter, you just got home! And what? You’ve… we’ve… What if everyone finds out? I, doing these things with a man who has my fiancé’s face."

Fiancé.

It ignited a cold, familiar fury in my chest. "I hate that word."

She frowned.

I turned fully, pinning her with proximity alone. She pressed her palm to my mouth when I leaned in again.

"Stop this madness," she said seriously. "I’m getting married in two weeks."

I caught her wrist, slid my hand to the back of her neck, holding her in place. My mouth brushed her jaw, my tongue traced her ear and I felt her shudder.

"Maisie Whitlock," I murmured, "unless I say otherwise...you’re not marrying anyone."

She pushed at my chest, breathless. "I should have known you're insane."

I pulled back just a little to look into her eyes, trying to see the truth she was fighting. “Do you want to marry him?”

She froze and immediately looked away, out at the city lights, unable to answer.

That told me everything.

I smiled, started the car, and headed toward my real destination.

She didn’t want him.

She didn’t want him. She was just terrified of wanting me.