Page 70 of Betrayal

“I didn’t know that.”

“He doesn’t talk about it much, although the kids are regular visitors at the office.”

“Okay.I’ll talk to Maha.Fix a date.”He threaded his fingers through her hair, part caress, part pushing it away from her face.“Any more ideas, or can you start touching me again now?”

“I have ideas about touching you.”

He settled more comfortably.“Show me.”

––––––––

Afew days later, Annaand Antonio walked the short distance from Changing Minds headquarters to The Hariri building, a building whose name, Anna now knew, would never change.For Hunter, the Hariris were family.

“Thanks for the invitation, Anna.I wasn’t expecting it,” Antonio said.

“You were sweating on it.”She glanced sideways at him.“And you dropped enough hints.”

“Did I?”He grinned.“Didn’t know I was so obvious.”

“If I haven’t already told you, I respect and admire you as a person, a boss, and a friend, and I simply love working for you.”

“Nice to hear.And it goes both ways.You’d hardly joined the company when I dumped a load on you.Beth was dying.The boys were devastated.”

“It was a terrible time.”

Anna had acted as a personal assistant and office conductor for a time, coordinating projects and timelines, mothering the teams that needed it, challenging the ones that didn’t.Antonio had had a good staff even then.It was much bigger now.

“Your support probably saved the business from going under.”

“Nice to hear.”She elbowed him in the ribs.“Even if it’s an exaggeration.Everyone pulled their weight.”

“So, why now, Anna?Why do you want me to meet Maha Hariri?And I’ve been meaning to ask, is she related to the Raed Hariri, who previously owned the building?”

“Damn.Should have guessed your sharp eye for detail would catch me out.”She linked arms with him.“She’s Raed Hariri’s daughter and Casildo Hariri’s sister.”

“Didn’t twig to that one.What’s the deal?”

“We’re here.”Anna stopped in front of the building.“I’ll fill you in later.But for now, I’m using you for cover.Previously, I met Maha at her other centre.Our conversations were strictly business.I want to get to know Maha better.”

“You mean pump her for info about Hunter?”

“I mean bring her into our world a little.”

“Good luck with that.From my research on Hunter, his close associates are tight as clams.”He waited for the front doors to slide open.“After you.”

“It’ll take a few minutes.I need to text Hunter so he can send the lift designated for construction activity.”

“Makes sense.I like a man who puts safety first.”

“Right on time,” Hunter said when they stepped out of the elevator.“Maha beat you by a few minutes.She’s already donned safety gear and gone through.”

“Thanks for the invite, Hunter.”Antonio stuck out a hand in greeting.“I’m looking forward to seeing where Anna spends all her spare time.”

“Not all,” she protested.

“She haunts the place.”Hunter handed her the safety helmet reserved especially for her, before turning to fit out Antonio.He led them through a door plastered with safety and construction warnings, and shouted, “Maha.Coming, ready or not.”

Maha popped her head around a doorway.“What happened to decorum, Hunt?If you don’t behave, I’ll tell them stories of your dissolute youth.”

---