Page 127 of Submission

“That’s not what we’re talking about,” he bristles.

“I disagree,” I say, leisurely running my fingers down the center of his chest. “I think love is at the center of everything we talk about.”

He doesn’t respond but simply bends his forehead to meet mine, and with this simple gesture, I know exactly how he feels.

“I underestimated my opponent and overestimated my power in this city, Megan. I failed you. But I’m not going to allow that to happen again. Not while I still draw breath.”

“You can’t promise me that,” I tell him.

“Do you doubt me?” His head draws back as if I’ve smacked him. “Do you not trust me anymore?”

“That’s not it, Hunter. I’m saying that you can’t promise that I’ll never get hurt again. The Blue Whiskey has a reputation and a notoriously powerful owner. There’s no getting around that. And because of that, people will always come after you and sometimes that may mean indirectly through me. I’ve accepted that truth, and I still choose to stay. To love you.”

“You’ve been talking to Lars,” he grumbles. “I can tell.”

“Does that even sound like something Lars would say?”

“His beliefs. Your words.”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

I’m not snitching on Lars or Parker…ever. Outside of Lena, they’re probably my only true allies in Hunter’s inner circle.Vaughn and Christian are nice guys, but they have Hunter’s best interest at heart, not mine.

“My beliefs.” I place my palm against the side of his face. “My words.”

He kisses me gently on the lips and I close my eyes as our tongues do a delicate dance around each other.

“You are everything to me, Megan. I know I don’t tell you enough but I love you, and I love the little human you’re growing inside of you. You are the only things that matter.”

“Well, there’s Lena.”

“That’s different. Of course, I love her, but we don’t really know each other yet. Hell, I don’t even think she likes me.”

“But you’re working on that,” I assure him.

“Yeah, I am.”

I finally manage to free myself from the warmth of our shared bed and use the bathroom. When I check the time, I realize I need to make a call.

“Ooh, I need to call Naomi,” I say as I enter back into the bedroom, tip-toeing on the cold hardwood floors. I notice when his gorgeous face drops.

“Why?” he asks incredulously.

“You know why. She’s going to meet her scary ass father in like three hours, and I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“You already know she’s not going to be okay, but there’s nothing you or I can do about it. It’s none of our business.”

I exhale a long sigh.

“When have you ever cared about something not being your business?”

“She lied to you.”

“She withheld some things.”

“You thought she was your friend.”

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