Chapter 2 - The Girl Nobody Knew Existed
Khloe returned forty minutes later carrying two shopping bags.
Hunter immediately noticed something was wrong.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You're lying."
"So are you, Mr. Construction."
She tossed him sweatpants, a hoodie, socks, bottled water, antibiotics, and a prepaid phone.
"How'd you get antibiotics?"
"I know people."
Hunter studied her.
"You stole them?"
"I prefer resourceful."
She handed him a sandwich.
He took one bite.
Then stopped.
Khloe was staring at it.
"When did you last eat?"
"I'm fine."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Hunter handed the sandwich back.
"You eat."
"You need calories."
"I weigh twice what you do."
"Probably more."
"Eat."
She reluctantly took it.
Hunter activated the phone and dialed a number from memory.
A man answered immediately.
"Yes?"
Hunter said one word.
"Rome."
Silence.
Then—
"Boss?"
Khloe stopped chewing.
Hunter's expression became ice.
"Who knows?"
"Everybody thinks you're dead."
"Who found the car?"
"Nobody. It disappeared."
"Good."
The voice became frantic.
"Where are you?"
"Not important."
"Boss, we've got thirty men searching—"
"No."
Hunter looked at Khloe.
"Nobody searches for me."
"Understood."
"I want Matteo, Dominic, and Salvatore brought to Warehouse Nine separately."
"When?"
"Six tomorrow morning."
"Alive?"
Hunter paused.
Khloe stared at him.
"Very alive."
He disconnected.
Khloe slowly lowered the sandwich.
"Construction?"
Hunter sighed.
"Technically, I own construction companies."
"Who calls a construction executive 'boss' at three in the morning?"
"Dedicated employees."
"And Warehouse Nine?"
"Staff meeting."
"You're mafia."
Hunter said nothing.
Khloe backed away.
"Oh my God."
"Khloe."
"I saved a mobster."
"You saved a man."
"Who kills people."
Hunter's eyes hardened.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't need to."
She grabbed her backpack.
"I'm leaving."
"Where?"
"Anywhere you're not."
"You can't."
She turned.
"Excuse me?"
"The people who tried killing me don't know you're involved."
"Great."
"But if they discover you—"
"They won't."
Hunter looked toward the road.
A pair of headlights appeared.
Khloe froze.
Black SUV.
Hunter moved despite his injury.
"Down."
He pulled her behind the pillar.
The SUV slowed.
Khloe whispered, "Is that them?"
"I don't know."
The vehicle stopped.
Hunter reached beneath his discarded jacket.
Khloe saw the pistol.
"You had a gun this whole time?"
"Water ruined it."
"Fantastic."
The SUV door opened.
A tall man in a charcoal coat stepped out.
"Boss?"
Hunter relaxed slightly.
"Marco."
Marco hurried toward them.
Then stopped.
His gaze landed on Khloe.
"Who's she?"
Hunter answered without hesitation.
"The reason I'm alive."
Marco looked stunned.
"This girl pulled you out?"
"Yes."
"By herself?"
Khloe folded her arms.
"I've had a very annoying night."
Marco stared at her another second.
Then something unexpected happened.
He lowered his head respectfully.
"Then the Russo family owes you."
Khloe looked between them.
"I don't want anybody owing me."
Hunter stood.
"You should come with us."
"No."
"Khloe."
"No."
"You can't stay here tonight."
"I've stayed here ninety nights."
"Tonight is different."
"Because of you."
"Exactly."
She stared at him.
Hunter extended his hand.
"Twenty-four hours."
"Then?"
"I disappear from your life."
Khloe looked at his hand.
"Promise?"
Hunter hesitated.
"Yes."
She took it.
May you like
That promise lasted less than six hours.
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