282 Hunter and the Russo family 3 (1/2)

8:24 AM

”It's almost time for breakfast!” Mia's shout from the door woke up Hunter.

He looked at her and smiled. ”Come here…”

”When did you sneak out?” Hunter asked drowsily while pulling her in the bed next to him. They made love until late last night, and he remembers enjoying her attempts not to make loud sounds.

”I got out on time for no one to notice me, and I made sure to make ruckus now so that people know I just got inside your room.” Mia said smugly.

”You don't think that your dad has cameras and some other spy-stuff installed?”

”He probably does.” Mia admitted before adding: ”But the fact that I am doing this secretively will make it easy for him not to call it out.”

Hunter nodded in understanding. ”So, it's a matter of pride as a father… that he can control you.”

Mia made a face. ”It is pride, but it's more about respect than control.”

”Respect? You are not the one changing lovers like socks.” Hunter blurted out and regretted when he saw that Mia's mood worsened. ”I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just stressed with the current situation and I had a need to say something mean about people who are causing us to sneak around.”

”You noticed?” Mia asked after some time.

Hunter knows that her question is about his comment that Fabricio is a womanizer. ”Your mood change when you saw Penelope was obvious. Is that why you are keeping your distance from him and from this place?”

Mia frowned. ”Can we talk about it some other time?”

”Sure. Let's switch to better topics. When is breakfast?”

Mia stifled a laugh. Sure, talking about the upcoming meal is one of the best topics. ”At nine. Go shower. You always take forever to get ready.”

Hunter narrowed his eyes at her. ”It takes time to be perfect.”

Mia looked at Hunter dreamily. Yes, her Hunter is perfect.

…

Later that morning…

Mia and Hunter followed Fabricio and Keith down the path behind the mansion.

Mia frowned when they stopped at a clearing. ”Shooting?”

Fabricio confirmed. ”Keith suggested that Hunter shows some of his skills without contact with the opponent. It will reduce the chance for Hunter to get hurt.”

Mia looked a Keith who smiled innocently.

At first, Keith thought that Hunter is just a pretty boy from a wealthy family and that Hunter will be intimidated by Fabricio enough to run away and abandon any desires of being with Mia. But after last night, Keith has to admit that Hunter is someone he needs to deal with.

There is nothing more Keith wants than to pummel Hunter into a pulp, but Keith is aware of how Mia will not approve and probably hate him for harming Hunter directly, so he needs a more subtle approach.

Mia turned to Hunter and looked at him with concern obvious on her face. She does not care much about these silly competitions but she knows that a loss will impact Hunter negatively. He has his pride as a man and she loves that cocky side of him.

Hunter gave Mia an assuring smile. ”It's OK. If Keith suggested this, he must have a plan. I am touched that Keith is concerned about my safety.”

Keith forced a smile. ”Of course. Pick your weapon.” Keith gestured toward the table with a variety of rifles and pistols.

Hunter casually glanced at the firearms and shrugged. ”Can you pick? I understand that you are giving me an opportunity to pick the one I'm most proficient with, but honestly, there is no such weapon. They are all the same to me so I will use whatever you decide on.”

”If you insist. We will use the same.” Keith smiled smugly and went to pick a gun.

Mia saw that Keith picked his favorite pistol and her expression dropped more. ”Hunter, you don't need to do this.”

”It's OK. You told me that your family would want to test me, and Keith already thought about my physical safety. I am willing to do this for you. For us.” Hunter wrapped his arms around Mia's waist and looked into her eyes. ”I would cross the oceans and climb mountains in order to spend my life with you. What is a little shooting match? And if I lose, will you love me less?”

Mia smiled and put her arms around Hunter's neck. ”No matter what happens, there is no way I will love you less.”