Page 66 of Betrayal

The Quinn-Turner family with Thompson support had achieved as much as they could tonight.From here on, it was up to Niall and Lucy.What was the takeaway?Love was bloody hard work, but it was worth it.Tonight, he’d dwell on the joy of taking Anna home to his bed.

Hunter was the first to act, but they’d all recognised from the moment Niall had made his short speech and claimed Liùsaidh McTavish, not Lucy, as his inspiration that Niall and Lucy needed time alone.Liam and Kate needed time alone.She looked like she might drop her baby in the next ten minutes.Fortunately, Mrs.Quinn Senior was staying with them.Mary—she said to call her Mary.And Hunter hoarded every moment he got with Anna, storing up memories.

He moved around the room, quietly urging people on their way, making sure the catering staff started clearing plates and packing up leftovers.He’d got a surprising kick out his part in the night, and a few more ideas about different directions for his business.Maybe, a dedicated building for emerging artists to showcase their designs.

The art critic lingered, forlorn hope in his gaze.He’d like to be escorting Anna home, but Hunter had that privilege.She never tried to make him jealous, to boost her ego through having men brawl over her.She was simply gorgeous.Hunter knew he was a lucky man.He just wasn’t sure how long his luck would hold.

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“Roll over.”Anna hadbeen nestled under Hunter’s arm and now took charge.When he rolled onto his side, she curved her body around his and wrapped an arm across his upper chest.“I want to hold you tonight.”

Hunter breathed her in, not for the first time tonight, but this scent was mellowed by the desire and tenderness of their lovemaking.There was always desire, and whatever sex they had—hard, fast, playful, slow—the end was always tenderness.

“Thanks for organising that space by the way.It’s stupendous.”

“His work’s stupendous.Thank you for my birthday present.”She’d bought Hunter one of Niall’s wooden burl bowls.

She giggled sleepily.“You still haven’t told me the actual date.”

“It comes around every year.”He hooked his free hand over her thigh to keep her close.

“I’ll ask Casildo.”

“Blood brother.Sworn to secrecy.”

The phone had barely beeped, but she was gone in an instant”— “That’s Kate”—rolling to her side of the bed to answer it.“I’ll be there.”She sent him a look over her shoulder before diving for her clothes.“Kate’s in labour.I’ve gotta go.Can you call me a ride share, please?”

“Call us a ride share.”He was dragging on his pants.“RPA?”

“Yes.”

The car was waiting when they reached the external door.

“Royal Prince Alfred,” Hunter confirmed.

“I’m part of her birth team.”Anna looked calm, but repeating stuff he already knew showed she was rattled.

He slipped his hand into hers.“You and Liam are her birth buddies.”

“Her waters broke just after they got home.They had a bag packed and were all set.”

“Is this your first birth?”A question Hunter already knew the answer to.

“Yes.”

“I’m ahead of you.It’s my third.”

“You dork.”She giggled, before resting her head against his upper arm.“Maternity unit,” she repeated for the driver.

With little traffic on the roads, they reached the hospital quickly and found a different world.Buildings were lit up, people were moving with purpose behind windows, and ambulances were arriving at and departing from the emergency ward.Anna knew the specific building she wanted, knew the floor, and headed for the nurses’ station.

“Kate and I walked the corridors as a test run,” she muttered.

“I thought I heard your voice.”Mrs.Quinn emerged from a waiting room near the nurses’ station.“You were fast.”

Anna huffed out a breath.“Where are they?”

“Second room on the left.”

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