Exclusively His

CHAPTER 3

I watched Hunter’s men scattered in the street, frantically looking for me. By the time I turned into the right alleyway, they had already lost their chances of following me. I knew this place like the back of my hand—every nook and cranny stored in my brain as I knew the day would come that I’d be able to use it just in case. And it did happen. Not for the people I was expecting, but rather at these goons who obviously wanted to get revenge because of my actions last night.

At the back of my head, I kind of regretted helping the woman. But it’s already too late to blame anyone for what I did. Clearly, it was my choice to help her at that time. Seeing myself in her brought back terrible memories that I didn’t wish to remember. I had long forgotten what I was in the past and I don’t plan on returning to that kind of life just because of some woman I tried to save that night.

Do I need to move to another city? That’s the only option I had right now. As much as I wanted to confront those goons to send Hunter a warning, I’m sure they’re not just ordinary mobsters who had ties with the local Mafia. There’s something about that man yesterday, something absolutely evil that lies behind those dark eyes of his—it truly resembled a man that I wanted to forget so badly that I did everything I could just to get away from his grasp.

I sighed.

Climbing up the emergency stairs like I flew certainly had its consequence. I was already tired when I reached the rooftop of a medium-sized building that probably had ten to twelve stories. I dropped on the ground and heaved a loud sigh. There’s no way they’d find me here. Those idiots were underestimating me, thinking that I was just another ordinary citizen they could scare just because they’re big and strong.

I didn’t retire from my previous life just to come back again like this. I’m happy with what I’m doing right now—being a normal guy who’s attending school, working as an assistant in a bakery, and a deliveryman at a pizza parlor, I couldn’t wish for anything anymore as my life right now had been nothing but perfect.

I stared at my hands and grimaced at the callouses that would never disappear no matter how hard I try.

It’s going to be alright, Miles.

No one will be able to find you here.

I stayed for another hour on the rooftop. I’m sure they had already given up finding me. I glanced at my watch and could only groan in annoyance. It’s way past lunchtime. I could already see the wrath in Jenny’s face after not getting what she wanted to eat. But did it matter now?

I had to settle matters with that woman and Hunter’s group before I could live normally again. I had to know what she saw that night. Why was his group desperate to find her? If she was just a random b***h that they picked up to have s*x with and get over their kinks, they wouldn’t be this pressed over her disappearance.

Standing up, I decided to take the stairs rather than the emergency ones as I’m not in a hurry anymore. I knew this building—an apartment complex where most people that lived here were out at the time of day, working their hardest to earn money for themselves and their family. I had to thank myself for actually researching before moving here and working at Anton’s bakery. One couldn’t be too sure about his surroundings.

While going down the stairs, I couldn’t stop thinking about what connection Hunter had with that woman. Was there something special about her that he wanted him?

And why in the world am I addressing that guy so casually? Yes, I’m sure I’m older than him, yes, I’m also sure that he’s not new to this game, and double yes, I’m definitely sure that he’s not just some small fries that had a gang.

It’s not every day you get to see people loyal to their master. But those guys who were chasing me, I saw their passion about following that Hunter kid, as if he was their ruler.

I had to know what Mafia group he’s in.

When I first moved in here, I researched the local gangs and the people who run this place. Fortunately, it was just some small Mafia group that was obviously under a bigger one that operates in the city. They’re far too irrelevant to even be considered a threat.

But maybe this part of the city was hiding something.

F*ck.

I hurried down the stairs, careful not to make any sound. I haven’t run for a while and it annoyed me that I’m getting tired from just the stairs. Before I wouldn’t even be breaking a sweat just from this activity, it’s ridiculous how much I had let myself go just because I quit.

Upon reaching the foot of the stairs, I was glad no one was in the building to see me. It’d be really annoying if those people walk around the place and ask if they had seen me.

I straightened my shirt and walked as casually as I could down the side of the building that led into the road. I put my hands in my jacket pocket, making my way back to Anton’s bakery. I had to apologize to Jenny for not getting her lunch.

But the second I turned around the corner where the bakery was, my eyes widened at the sight of a black Mercedes sedan parked right in front of the store. I quickly hid behind a wall, my heart beating out of my chest. I’m not an i***t not to know that that car wasn’t just an ordinary vehicle that belonged to an ordinary guy.

No, being in this industry for so long, I trust my guts. And my guts were telling me that I shouldn’t go back to the bakery.

Shit, damn it. And here I thought I could at least apologize to Anton for bailing out so suddenly. I’m definitely fired after this, definitely.

I clenched my fists.

I had to go back to that woman and demand answers from her before she gets taken by Hunter.

I—

“You’ve given us so much trouble just to find you.”

The hair on my back stood as I recognized that voice. Turning around, my eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when I saw the devil himself behind me. For the first time in my life, I was speechless.

How did he—?

Three men stood behind him but instead of guarding their boss, they were just lounging around, not even giving a damn while he confronts me.

I smirked. Still underestimating me, huh?

He took off his sunglasses and once again, I stood frozen in awe as I saw his amber eyes—so sharp and clear, it made me breathless.

I took a step back but sensed there were people behind me. Great. I’m cornered now.

“Where the hell did you, you little rat,” someone behind me asked. I didn’t need to see his face to know he was mad. I would be too. I just vanished in front of their eyes and they’re too stupid to know how easy it was for me to outrun them.

“I really the jelly doughnuts there,” Hunter said, lifting one brow as the corner of his lips curled into a smile. Damn, he looked gorgeous. “It’d be bad if I destroy that place, don’t you think?”

“It’ll be dumb if you do that,” I said, my eyes never leaving his stunning face. He’s wasted in this job. He could have been a model or an actor with that kind of face, I’m sure it’d be easy to learn how to act. A lot of artists right now couldn’t even sing a tune and yet girls flocked over them because of their looks.

But who am I to judge? I’m way too old to know what teenagers liked anymore.

“True,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “My mother loves this place. She won’t let anything happen to her territories.”

I raised a brow, surprised. Mother?

“Come with us and I won’t kill the kid inside,” Hunter said.

“Kill? Who?”

“That pretty kid. She has big boobs, she’ll be nice to f*ck once she gets older.”

“Why can’t we just f*ck her right now?” someone from behind him said while the others laughed in unison.

I rolled my eyes. We’re chitchatting here like we’re a bunch of friends. “And what will you do if I come with you?”

Hunter stared at me for a good minute. I tried hard not to blush as his focus was all on me. I’m not a narcissist, well, maybe a little, but I loved that I got his attention even just for a short time. “If you behave, maybe we’ll just break a bone or two.”

“For what? So that I can tell you where that woman was?”

“That woman took something from me. I must get it back.”

I chuckled. “Was it your virginity?”

I swore the others who laughed at my little joke would be killed tonight. The glare Hunter gave me was exhilarating and I couldn’t help but grin at him like a cheeky kid.

You like that, huh?

“Someone, just take him, I’m tired. I need something sweet. Get me some, Bradley.”

“Yes, boss.”

One of the men in his group left the circle, leaving me with Hunter and his posse. “And how exactly are you going to take me?” I asked as if daring him to touch me.

Hunter smiled at me, the annoyance in his face from my joke disappeared completely as if it didn’t happen. I could tell this guy had a laidback attitude, and the fact that he’s prioritizing sweets while nabbing me on the street, yeah, he’s eccentric and I liked that.

“I’ll politely ask you to get inside the car or we can do it the hard way.”

“And what’s the hard way?” I asked.

I saw him move but it happened too fast that I didn’t get the chance to step away. Normally, I would have seen it coming, but this guy was as fast as lightning—it’s as if he could read my mind on what I could do.

He’s not underestimating me at all. In fact, he probably knew who I was and what I’m capable of doing.

“Shi—!” Before I knew it, Hunter was already carrying me over his shoulder like I’m some sack of potatoes. It didn’t help that I was a lot smaller than him. His muscles were huge and hard as he easily carried me to the black Mercedes-Benz waiting on the side of the road. “Put me down, you little—!”

“Don’t forget the gun pointed at your friends, Miles.” The way he called my name sent shivers down my spine. But that didn’t stop me from thrashing around. I would have easily unlatched myself away from him and make a run for it, but his grip was too strong that I’d end up falling and hitting my head. And that’s not an option I wanted to choose right now. One wrong move and it would cost me my life.

Hunter might look like he’s a calm and collective guy, but I should know better. People like him were the most dangerous out of the bunch.

“Tell Bradley to hurry it up, I’m starving.”

Someone nodded and raced back to the bakery. Hunter didn’t even think twice about throwing me in the back seat. I howled in pain when I hit my head against the roof, hissing at him in anger. “You could have thrown me in gently, you know!”

He sat next to me, slamming the door shut. “Let’s go,” he said to the driver who had been waiting behind the wheels.

The car moved, driving into traffic and blending in with the other vehicles in no time. There was another guy beside the driver, both their gazes focused on the front as they ignored my string of complaints.

“What does that woman know?” I asked, glaring at Hunter.

He sat on the leather seat, his arms crossed in front of me and his legs wide open. Even if he’s just sitting down, he looked so damn handsome and cool, it’s really unfair. “It’s better if you don’t know, kid.”

Stop calling me kid. I’m sure I’m older than you. “Telling me what she did will help you find her. Since I’m the one who hid her.”

Finally, Hunter turned his head to look me in the eye. Every time our gazes meet, a jolt of electricity ran through my whole body, prickling me all in the right places. “Forget about that woman for a second,” he said, smirking at me. He looked too damn confident like he knew he was on top of the hierarchy. This guy was untouchable.

I want to know more about him.

“Tell me something about you, Miles.”

He said my name again. “I’m just an ordinary guy doing ordinary stuff to make a living.”

“And yet you didn’t think twice on helping that b***h,” Hunter said as soon as I finished speaking. His smirk widened, excitement filled his gaze. For a second, he looked younger—like a teenager that didn’t give a damn about the world, who only wanted to have fun and experience what’s it like to be a kid.

Something I couldn’t experience in the past.

I scowled. “What if I’m just a good Samaritan?” I asked.

“We both know you’re not,” he said. I was surprised when he grabbed my hand. His palm was as rough as mine, but his scars weren’t fully healed. “This isn’t a hand of an ordinary guy doing an ordinary job. Are you a hitman? You’ve held guns before, don’t you?”

Not only was this brat good-looking, but he’s also observant. “No. I’m not,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll tell you where the girl is, but you need to tell me what she took from you.”

“See? You know how to make deals,” he said, ignoring what I just offered to let go of this matter without any bloodshed.

“I can get out of this car right now and you’ll never find me again, brat,” I said. I wasn’t playing the bubbly fool anymore and Hunter knew that.

“Tell me who you are and I’ll tell you why I want that whore.”

“So, my identity is much important than what she took from you?”

Hunter smiled. “I have other ways to find her. You, not so much. You’re a blank canvas. It’s as if you don’t even exist.”

So, he did try to find out who I was, huh? Too bad I’m off the radar.

“And maybe that’s for the better,” I muttered.

We stared at each other for the longest time. No one uttered a word, not even his goons sitting in front. Finally, it was me who heaved a defeated sigh after the long, awkward silence. “You already know what my name is. I’m Miles Hudson and I’m currently going to college to finish a degree. I’m juggling several jobs to support myself after I quit.”

“Quit what?” he urged.

I stared at him before smiling. “Quit killing people like you.”

The delight on his face was unfathomable. His assumptions were right about me. “Then, tell me what your real name is.”

I smirked at him. “Earn the right to know, boy.” Glancing outside the window, I caught the perfect time to escape. I managed to open the door of the car before throwing myself outside. I rolled on the asphalt floor, my body curled to protect my head before getting up as fast as I could to avoid the oncoming car.

Hunter’s car skidded to a stop, but I had already bolted out of the place and ran into another alleyway to get away from them. My heart was beating out of my chest as an exhilarating grin appeared on my face. It’s been so long since I felt this kind of thrill.

It’s too late to regret things now but now that Hunter was involved in this s**t, I better get something out of it.

--

I returned to that room where I told Tanya to stay for the time being. And as expected, it was empty. Tanya had long left this place without any traces of where she could have been gone to.

I narrowed my eyes. I made a left, walking into one of the locked rooms, and opened the door with a keycard. The loud beep echoed as the door opened automatically. Seeing the inside of this room brought back memories I never wanted to visit in my head.

I walked in, deliberately ignoring the display of weapons to my right, and went straight to the phone that sat on the table. This was the only gadget I could use to contact those people. I could already see the panic and surprise in their faces once they receive my call.

Before picking it up, I froze to where I was standing.

Was this really the right choice?

The second I picked up the phone and pressed his number, it’d be the end of me. They’d know I had come back even if I wasn’t. That would leave me no option but to abandon my early plans of living here in peace.

Just for that woman?

I narrowed my eyes.

No, she’s not just an ordinary woman. I wanted to know what she stole from Hunter that made him so adamant about getting it back.

Maybe personal information about him that would ruin his life and his group?

Or maybe she stole money from him, a big amount that they couldn’t ignore.

Or…

I stared at the phone.

I knew I’m making a big mistake. But for some dumb reason, I couldn’t stop myself from taking the phone and dialing a number I knew by heart.

Why am I risking my retirement for people I barely even knew?

I—

“Have you finally decided to come back, Miles?”

It didn’t even take a few rings for this motherf*cker to answer his phone.

I should have known that by now.

“I want to know who Hunter and Tanya are.”

“What? You’re not even going to say hello? You break my heart.”

I rolled my eyes. “How much for information?”

He chuckled. “I can’t give it to you for cheap bucks, Miles. Come meet me in person. I want to see you.”

I hesitated. Biting my lip, I held in a sigh. “Same place?”

“Yes, same place.”

“Fine. I’ll be there at thirty.”

I was about to hang up the phone when he spoke, “Carter will be delighted now that you’re back.”

I cringed.

I am so f*cked.

“I’m not coming back, I just want information,” I snapped.

He chuckled. “We’ll see about that, Miles. I’ll see you soon.”

I resisted the urge to throw the phone in frustration.

It’s over for me.

Just because of that damn Hunter.

Shit.

An excited smile escaped my lips as I remembered his face.

This is going to be interesting.

--