Page 75 of Strut

He choked on whatever he really wanted to say and settled for, “Fine.” His gaze narrowed. “But we’re not giving him a single thing to use against you, understand? And that meansno onecan see you there. You watch from a distance and you letmetalk to him.”

“But—”

“No, Alec!” Hunter grabbed my shoulders, his brown eyes flashing in unmistakable warning. “Listen to me. Darcy wants to makeyouthe problem and we are not going to give him that. You said he has no idea about me and you, right?”

“I never mentioned your name or anything about us.”

“Good. Then when he sees me, he’ll have no clue why I’m there. Promise me you’ll keep your distance. Promise me.”

I scrubbed my hands down my face and reluctantly nodded. “Fine. But he’s not going to listen to you.”

“Maybe not.” Hunter’s mouth set in a thin line. “But he’s going to know that I know about him, and that’s going to get under his skin. Plus, it might make him more careful what he says about you. I’m a photog just like him. We move in the same circles. None of that’s going to be comfortable for him. I want to make him feel the pinch of that. Wipe that smile off his face.”

I shook my head. “But he might come after you then, as well, and I can’t live with that.”

“In the words of someone close to me, this isn’t your choice, Alec.”

Goddammit.I squeezed my eyes shut and growled, “What the fuck ever. Let’s just do this. But if he lays a hand on you, all bets are off.”

“My hero.” Hunter pulled me to my feet from the couch, pushed my coat into my hands and smacked a kiss on my lips. “You’re sexy as hell when you’re all pissed and prickly.”

“Don’t,” I grumbled, slapping his hand away. “I’m two inches taller than you with a few more to spare in other places. Don’t make me use them.”

Hunter’s mouth turned up in a wicked grin. “Oh, we are so revisiting this conversation.”

“Get outta here.” I flung the door open and bundled a laughing Hunter into the hallway.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Hunter

Central Park wasin fine Sunday form, heaving with half of Manhattan looking to escape into nature and leave the clogged New York streets behind. It made me laugh every time I came.

But today, I wasn’t laughing. With Alec’s hand firmly in mine, I had the Uber drop us off on Terrace Drive. From there, it was an easy five-minute walk to Bow Bridge, a sixty-foot Victorian cast-iron pedestrian bridge that traversed the lake and a popular and romantic backdrop for a photoshoot with its stunning shot of the Fifth Avenue skyline in the distance.

The photographer in me couldn’t help but appreciate the weather and the setting. I’d set up a few times here myself, and today was perfect for a fashion shoot. Still and cool, but not cold, and with a light ceiling of clouds that didn’t grey the background too much but added a soft diffused light. Contrast would be a challenge but there was a lot that could be done after the fact to correct any problems, including adding interest to a background that might be lost to the dull sky.

As the Uber drove off, I glanced at my phone. Twelve fifteen. “You said the shoot was at one, right?”

Alec nodded and his grip on my hand tightened.

“Good, then they’ll still be finalising the set-up. Come on.”

“Hunter.” Alec tugged me around to face him. He looked worried.

I kicked myself.Shit.I was doing it again. This is not about you, Hunter.Notaboutyou.

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid?” Alec implored.

“Define stupid.” It was a poorly timed joke and Alec simply scowled at me. “I’m sorry. Look, I’ll do my best. I have no intention of doing anything other than talk. The rest is up to him.” I wasn’t going to lie.

He grimaced. “Not exactly what I was hoping for. Besides, how are you going to start things off? Ask about the rumours and pretend you don’t know me? Just hope he says something?”

I shook my head. “He’s been doing this a long time and he’s not stupid. He’s hardly going to change his story to a professional colleague he only knows casually, is he? No. Our best chance is to shock him. Make it clear I know the truth and hope that’s enough that he lets something slip.”

“I guess.” Alec chewed nervously on his lip.

I cupped his cheek. “Hey. You only have to say the word and we leave, now.”

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