Exposed - Part Three (Exposed 3)

"How did you know about the party?" He leans forward, resting his elbow on the table.

"I knew there was a party. I just thought it was the opening of a restaurant that Hunter, or, Zander was helping with." I grimace at the fumble of his name.

"One of his restaurants?"

"One of the ones that he's been consulting on," I push back. I didn't come to talk about him. I came based on the tone of the text messages that Clive had written last night. I felt I could help him deal with the pain of losing Coral. Now it's all turned into an inquisition about Hunter.

"He owns Axel. You know that right?" he snaps.

His words hit me like a sharp slap across the face. I feel as though I'm a sitting duck and he's the hunter with the rifle. In this case, the ammunition is the truth and it's hitting me square in the face.

"The one in Boston too?" I ask sheepishly.

He nods. "He didn't tell you that?"

I shake my head slightly. He didn't tell me anything. I don't even know him and I shared so much of myself with him.

"What's going on with the two of you?" There's a dark edge to his voice.

"Nothing," I whisper. "Nothing."

"He told you he was Coral's boyfriend, right?" He leans back in his chair and I feel as though the room suddenly has more air.

"Yes and that I had her heart." I instinctively look down at my chest.

"Did he tell you my sister and mother wanted desperately to meet you?" His arms are crossed. I can sense that he's shifting into an offensive mode. Maybe he knows that something is going on with Hunter and me.

"He told me about them." I sit up and stare directly at him. "He told me about you too. He said you were an asshole."

He laughs and I see something shift in his eyes. "He's the asshole," he counters.

"I won't argue with you." I smile.

He cocks a brow and a sly grin runs over his lips. "My mother wants to see you. She called me twice already today asking me to arrange it."

"I want to see her too." I give him a brisk nod. "I have to go back to Boston today. I can come back in a week or two." I mean it but right now I can't even imagine seeing Coral's mother.

"I can bring her to you," he offers. "She'd like to talk to your parents if they're open for that."

I exhale sharply. I haven't even considered the thought of my parents meeting Coral's family. "I'll need to talk to them first."

He runs his index finger over his lips as he takes in my reply. "Just let me know when the time is right."

I move to push myself back from the table. As much as I wanted to help him by talking about Coral's heart

, I need to get back to the room so Alexa and I can make it to the train station on time. "I have to go."

"He didn't say a word about you to any of us." He stands at the same moment I do. "Nothing. We didn't realize he'd found you."

"He's full of secrets," I whisper before I turn and walk away.

Chapter 4

"We need to talk."

I jump at the sound of his voice behind me as I lock the heavy door of the bistro. I should have taken Alexa up on her offer of a ride home but I wanted to walk to clear my head. Now, after avoiding him for days, I'm finally going to have to face Hunter face-to-face.

"Zander," I pull the name across my lips slowly. "Leave me the fuck alone."