Page 10 of Betrayal

“That’s bullshit camouflage,” Casildo muttered and ducked closer.“He ignored you for years.Your mother’s death triggered this cycle of hell and his belief you used her money to bankroll your growth.He’s been escalating since then.”

“Because Nick believes he should have inherited Mum’s estate, that she was nothing until Nick married her.”

“Why don’t you just tell him what you did with the money?”

“Because it’s none of his damn business.”The venom and persistence behind Nick’s latest attack had taken Hunter by surprise.

“Does your uncle know your silence has unleashed Nick’s inner prince of darkness on you?”

“Ben’s out of the building game.He’s no longer competition.”

“He’s running a charity funded by your mother’s inheritance,” Casildo whispered close to his ear, his frustration scorching the air.“I hope you buried those financial details in some secret impenetrable vault with a password known only to a Tibetan lama and a Swahili tribesman.”

“Nick will run out of steam.”Hunter was counting on it.“Soon.”

“If you believe he’ll give up whatever crazy revenge he’s planning, you’re clutching at straws.”

“I just need to prove I’m not successful enough to be a threat.”Hunter was juggling new initiatives and didn’t have the time for this crap.Nickalwaysran out of steam.

“How do you plan to manage that when most builders in town would rather give you a discount than work with him?”

“I’ve overcommitted my resources.”Hunter suggested a different approach.“I stay out of the property market until he loses interest.”

“And if he doesn’t lose interest?He’s an emotional vampire.”

“There’s no one else left for Nick to target.He thinks he’s already squashed my uncle.Gina and I agreed we didn’t suit.He’s just had a go at you and your dad.”Until Nick lost interest, Hunter had no plans to add people to his life who might become targets for Nick.“I’m safe, and I plan to live my life my way.”

“I don’t trust him, and I’m not disappearing.I won’t tell any strangers or alert Bizgos that I love you like a brother.But don’t ask me to bad mouth you either.”

“You’re my brother in every way that counts.”Hunter signalled for two more coffees.“Which is why I’m talking to you about how we can do this.”

“I know you.”Casildo shook his head.“You’ve already decided the childcare centre’s non-negotiable.”

“She was cheated.”Hunter’s bones carried the scars of betrayal, and he wouldn’t be party to another innocent’s suffering.

“That’s your only interest?”Casildo raised an eyebrow.

“You said she’s not my type.”Hunter shrugged.

“If it comes to a showdown between Anna Turner and Nick Richardson, my money’s on Anna.”

Anna wouldn’t be in Hunter’s life long enough for Nick to notice her existence.

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“Come in,” Antonio Perezbeckoned Anna into the room.

Hunter’s assessment didn’t change when she stood in the open doorway.Anna Turner delighted in leaving clues to distract rather than inform.He’d seen other businesswomen wear charcoal pant suits and cream shirts.Anna’s deftly applied minimal makeup and elegant silver necklace were further statements she was a professional.No knuckleduster rings in the office.The plum-coloured boots were probably a stock item for creatives.But her tousled gamine haircut looked like she’d tumbled straight from bed.

At five in the afternoon for pity’s sake.

“Take a seat, Anna,” invited Antonio Perez.“Hunter tells me you and he have already met.”Perez’s mouth had tightened when Hunter first mentioned it, confirming Anna had told Perez about their first meeting before Hunter had admitted it.

“I’ve had that pleasure.”A pleasure akin to being nibbled to death by ducks from her steely glare.She sat with one leg crossed over the other, leaving him on the outer.

“Hunter’s bought The Hariri building where we hoped to locate our childcare centre.”Antonio rubbed his hands together.“He’s discovered we were on the point of signing a lease with the managing agent and has a proposal for us.”

“That’s”—her throat moved as if she was swallowing expletives, then she moistened her luscious, water-proof, bruised-plum-lipstick lips—“interesting.”

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