Mine

“Will you go to the prom with me?”

Hunter always thanked the girls and appeared super embarrassed by the attention.

On prom night, he went by himself, pretty much shoved out the door by Mom. I helped him get ready—everything from picking out the tuxedo to fixing his crooked necktie. Mom chaperoned. Unofficially, York and I knew she volunteered to watch over Hunter. She reported back that he leaned on the wall and scoped everyone out the whole time.

It should’ve been no shock to her that he went into security later.

“York, Ellen, and you are the only family I have. That’s it. Three people. You think I would change that to nothing…”

Hunter’s philosophy of life was always all or nothing. No one would throw him away just because we had a relationship. Not Mom or York. They loved him too much.

Right?

Nervousness filled me. I wasn’t sure what York and Mom would think if we did mess around. I was starting to see what Hunter was thinking, but not with so much finality.

“Love is rules.”

Hunter was wrong about that. Sure, there would be a reaction from Mom and even my brother. Maybe it would be good. Perhaps, it could cause a little division at first. But it was none of their damn business. What I knew for sure—after being herded around and ordered by executives, photographers, stylists, and everyone else everyday—I didn’t give a fuck about what anyone else would think.

Hunter was worth it.

Back in the club, Trigger mumbled something to me. I’d forgotten he was there, or that the night was about him. I kept glancing back at Hunter, completely hypnotized.

And Hunter wasn’t standing in his spot for too long before a girl in a tight, black body suit swayed his way. She flashed him a sensual smile. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

No, sweetheart. He’s taken…kind of.

Seconds later, she frowned and walked off.

And then he returned to looking deadly and dangerous. His every calculated move held precision and was completely controlled.

Now that he’d come back into my life and confessed his feelings to me, we would have to deal with it. And deep inside, I yearned to deal with him.

I tasted it on my tongue.

Well, that’s one reason to thank the stalker. He brought Hunter and I back together.

The song ended.

Okay. It’s showtime.

Clearing his throat, Trigger rose and held out his hand. I rose. Cameras flashed. I glanced over my shoulder. A glare covered Hunter’s face. He’d already appeared not to be enjoying himself.

Trigger moved his arm to the center of my back. Hunter’s view turned to that. He moved fast and headed over.

What?

Before I realized what he was doing, Hunter knocked Trigger’s hand off my back. More cameras flashed. Trigger’s men glared at Hunter.

That’ll be viral tomorrow.

“Yo, what the fuck, man?” Trigger roared.

Hunter got to his side. “The contract doesn’t include touching.”

Trigger pointed at him. “Motherfucker, you don’t know what you’re talking about—”

“We’re fine, Hunter.” I stepped between them. “We should dance, Trigger. I’m exhausted and have to go soon.”

His coked-up boys surrounded us.

Trigger grinned at Hunter.

Hunter grinned back, and it didn’t appear friendly. If anything, it was a certain threat of death.

Trigger inched away. My heart boomed in my ears. Trigger was a douchebag, but he didn’t deserve what Hunter would do to him.

I took control and grabbed Trigger’s arm. “One dance and then I leave.”

Trigger wasn’t having it. “That’s not what the contract—”

Hunter interrupted, “She’s trying to save you from dying tonight. Take it.”

Thankfully, the DJ started Trigger’s song, and he could save face by shifting his attention to the dance floor. But, in the end, I knew Trigger turned away because he saw the dark promise in Hunter’s eyes.

The music rose as his new song, Hearts Torn, came on.

I didn’t even understand the words. It was all jumbled lyrics on top of a hot beat. Whoever produced it should get an award.

It was an odd song to dance to, but I shifted my hips back and forth and swung my hands as if I’d never before heard better music. Hunter watched a few feet away. Every now and then, he studied how others looked at us as if he was scoping out my stalker.

Everything’s going to be okay. Now that he’s here.

The song went on and on for too long. Finally, it shifted to another song. I smiled and leaned Trigger’s way. “Okay. I’m leaving. I know the release party was a success.”

“What do you mean you’re leaving?” He softly gripped my arm, but I could tell he had no intention of letting me go. “Give me a few more songs, Zola. The money is worth it, baby. And even more…I’m worth it.”

He slipped his hand down to mine and tried to twirl me.

Somehow, Hunter switched the move. First, he appeared out of nowhere. Second, the move wasn’t overly aggressive. It almost looked practiced, like he’d intended on having Trigger twirl me into him.