Lucas nodded and carried the audio player back into the interrogation room. The rest of Hunter’s thoughts went unsaid. There could only be one reason, and both men knew it. If Devlin Harrington wanted everyone to think the Groom Killer was Demi, it would be because he wanted to hide the true murderer from the authorities. Which meant Hunter’s suspicions had been right all along.
Turning to watch, Hunter listened as Lucas asked Paulie to listen and tell him if the voice on the recording was the same as the one who’d hired him.
When Paulie said yes without hesitation, Hunter silently fist-bumped the air. Finally. Now if they could get Paulie to admit to breaking into Layla’s house and also stealing her car, they were golden.
Trusting that Lucas would make sure Paulie was questioned and charged for all crimes, as well as making sure they got his sworn statement, Hunter rushed off to see if it was too late to amend the search warrant request from the judge. If the original request citing purchasing stolen goods hadn’t been enough, Paulie’s statement was sure to be.
* * *
The sound of the garage door opening made Layla sit up. She must have fallen asleep, despite her phone’s constant vibrating. Anticipating her father’s reaction when he learned about Hamlin, she’d put the ringer on Silent.
As if on cue, it vibrated again. She shook her head.
No way was she dealing with her father right now.
Goose jumped down and ran to the kitchen so she could greet Hunter the instant he came inside.
Swinging her legs over the side of the couch, Layla stretched. She felt stiff and sore and figured she probably would have a few bruises. But she considered herself lucky it hadn’t been worse. She didn’t know how she’d cope with broken bones or something like that right now.
The instant the door opened, Goose began wiggling, simultaneously spinning in circles. Hunter crooned a greeting to his dog, bending down to fuss over her. When his eyes found Layla, her entire body tightened.
“Are you okay?” Hunter asked.
She wanted to shout out her news that she’d broken the engagement to Hamlin, but she didn’t. They needed to deal with one thing at a time.
“Yes,” she answered softly. “I’m really thankful for Elsie. She’s the dog I was walking. She took the guy down.”
“Yeah.” His voice sounded rough. “We have your attacker in custody. I watched his interrogation.”
“Did he say why he wanted to hurt me? I have no clue why I keep getting attacked.”
Hunter nodded, crossing the room to sit beside her on the couch. “Devlin Harrington is behind all of this. Apparently he really doesn’t want you marrying Hamlin.”
Though shocked, she wasn’t surprised. Her phone buzzed again. When she made no move to pick it up, Hunter eyed her. “Are you going to get that?”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s only my father, freaking out. As a matter of fact, now might be the perfect time to tell you my news. I broke off the engagement. I’m not going to marry that man after all.”
He didn’t move. “Because of Devlin?”
“Not at all.” She let herself smile, hoping he could see the hope in her gaze. “Because I don’t love him. I’m done trying to live my life for my father.”
He gazed at her, searching her face. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent.” Taking a deep breath, she decided to tell him the rest. “There’s one more reason I broke off the engagement. I can’t marry Hamlin because of you. You’ve made me realize that I want—”
Reaching for her, he didn’t even let her finish. Covering her mouth with his, he showed her how he felt with a deep, sensual kiss that rocked her to the core.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard. Hope bloomed inside her, along with a desire so tender the depth of it brought tears to her eyes.
“I want you,” he told her. “And now that you’re free, you get to choose.”
“That’s easy. I choose you.” She ran her hands up his strong biceps, leaning in just enough to lay her hand tenderly alongside his cheek. Though she didn’t say the rest out loud, she knew that from this day forward, she would always choose him. Someday, maybe she could tell him that.
Hunter didn’t move, though a muscle worked in his jaw. His gaze had darkened. She couldn’t tell if her words or actions had moved him or not. Either way, her entire body ached for him.
Trembling, she touched her mouth to the hollow just below his throat, where she could see his pulse beating strong and steady. “I want you, Hunter Black. Right here, right now.”
“Damn,” he groaned. Fascinated, she watched as he relaxed his apparently ironclad self-control. “You have no idea what you do to me, Layla.” And he proceeded to use his hands and his mouth to show her exactly what he meant.
Later, still wrapped in each other’s arms, Hunter simply held her. With her head on his chest, Layla thought if there really was a heaven, this had to be it. Goose, who’d fallen asleep on the armchair, woke and jumped down, whining softly, nudging Hunter’s bare foot as she demanded her dinner.
With a husky laugh, he grabbed his boxer shorts and stepped into them. Tucking the throw blanket around Layla, he headed into the kitchen to take care of feeding his dog. Sated, warm and comfortable, Layla snuggled under the blanket and let herself doze.
A sharp rapping on the front door startled her, making her jump. Whoever it was continued to pound the door, not letting up. Goose ran in, growling and barking, turning circles in front of the door.
Hunter rushed into the room, frowning. “What the...” He looked out the peephole and recoiled. “It’s your father.”
“No way. He’s out of town.” Fenwick Colton didn’t take no for an answer. Since she hadn’t been taking his calls, had he decided to simply fly back home show up and try to force her to see reason?
“Don’t answer it,” she started to tell him, but then changed her mind. “Wait. Just a second.” More pounding, as if he beat on the door long enough he thought it would magically open.
She snatched up her bra and panties and put them on. Hunter grabbed his jeans and shirt and did the same. Once she’d shimmied into her leggings and buttoned her flannel shirt, she took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. Go ahead and let him in.”
The second Hunter unlocked the door, Fenwick burst through. His mottled complexion and furious gaze attested to his mood. “I knew I’d find you here,” he shouted.
Hunter cleared his throat. “I suggest you lower you voice.”
Ignoring him, Fenwick advanced on his daughter. “What the hell where you thinking?” he yelled.
Hunter grabbed the older man’s arm and spun him around. “I said lower. Your. Damn. Voice. My house, my rules.”
Clearly not sure how to respond, Fenwick blinked. “All right,” he said, his tone normal. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my daughter. Alone.”
“He stays,” Layla interjected. “Hunter can hear whatever you have to say.”
Fenwick swallowed, clearly biting back a retort. “This is family business, Layla. And this man, whatever he may be to you, is not family.”
“He stays or you go.” Layla gave a shrug, hoping her father couldn’t tell how fast her heart was pounding. To go from making love with Hunter to having to defend her life choices to an infuriated parent—talk about ruining what had been an amazing day.
“Fine.” Fenwick glared at Hunter before returning his furious gaze to his daughter. “I got a call from Hamlin Harrington. He says you broke off the engagement.”
“That’s right,” Layla replied, amazed at how calm she sounded. “What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were in Jamaica for the holiday weekend.”
“I was.” He grimaced and gave a dramatic sigh. “But I had to cut my trip short after you told Hamlin you weren’t going to marry him. You know how badly Colton Energy
needs that money.”
“I guess you’ll have to figure out another way to get it. You can’t just auction me off like a prizewinning heifer.”
Recoiling, Fenwick actually appeared hurt. “I would never do that.”
“Yet you did.” Amazingly, her confidence returned. Not in tiny bits, either, but in a huge rush. Due, no doubt, to actually knowing she was in the right. What kind of parent would ask such a thing of their daughter?
Her father opened and then closed his mouth. Scratching the back of his neck, he glanced at Hunter. “What about you?” he asked. “Do you have something to say? Otherwise, why don’t you give us a little privacy?”
Shaking his head, Hunter looked past him. When his gaze found Layla’s, she smiled. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll be fine. This shouldn’t take long.”
Hunter nodded. He located his boots and socks and sat down in the chair to pull them on. Then he whistled to Goose. “Let’s go outside,” he told his dog. Goose chuffed happily.
The instant the back door closed behind them, her father dropped all pretense of civility. “Layla, I’ve been trying to be supportive. I granted you unplanned vacation days, didn’t say anything when you shacked up with the cop. But I cannot let you throw away your future with Hamlin Harrington. Do you not understand how rich and powerful you will be?”
“That’s not the point,” she explained with exaggerated patience. “He doesn’t love me and I don’t love him. If there actually is a better reason not to marry, then I sure as heck don’t know it.”
“Love?” Fenwick repeated, his eyes bulging. “You’re ruining everything over love? I know you’re young, but true love doesn’t really exist.”
“Yes, it does.” Thinking of Hunter and how he made her feel, she smiled. “I’m sad that you’ve apparently never experienced it.”
“That is not the point.” He stamped one foot, a childish display of frustration. “We have an agreement, Hamlin and I. I can’t go back on my word.”
She eyed him in disbelief. “Dad, this isn’t about you.”
“Oh, no? When it’s my company that’s going to go down the tubes, I think it is. I raised you better than that. We Coltons don’t go back on our word. The three of us—me, you and Hamlin—entered into a business agreement. While it was only verbal, you gave your word. You have to marry Hamlin.”
The desperation in her father’s voice failed to move her. “I’m sorry, but this is going around and around in circles. I don’t know how else to make you understand. But please, listen to me. I broke off the engagement. It’s over. It’s final. There’s nothing you can say to make me change my mind.”
The back door opened, and Hunter and Goose came back inside. Goose ran over to Layla, wagging her tail furiously. “There’s my girl,” Layla crooned. “She’s such a good dog.”
When she looked up, she was surprised to see an expression of distaste on her father’s aristocratic face. When he noticed her looking, he lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “You know I’m not a fan of animals. That was your mother’s thing.”
Though she nodded, Layla’s gaze slid past him to Hunter. His large size and muscular physique made the room seem smaller. And while she’d never been one to care much about things like physical beauty, something about Hunter struck her dumb. She looked at him, aware her heart shone in her eyes, glad she’d found him. Right now, she might not know for sure where this thing between them might lead, but that was okay. It made her happy, brought her passion and peace and contentment. A good start, for sure.
“Are you effing kidding me?” Fenwick snorted. “Is that what all this is about? You and K9 Cop here are having a fling?”
Layla opened her mouth, but before she could respond, her father continued.
“So what?” he sneered. “The two of you go ahead and get it out of your system. I see no reason why you can’t go through with the marriage to Hamlin once you’ve finished. He won’t care. He’s already made it clear that he has no expectations of faithfulness since he has no intentions of being faithful himself.”
Layla didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. “I meant what I said. I won’t be marrying him. Not ever.”
“But—”
Hunter stepped forward, the swift movement cutting off Fenwick midsentence. “Mr. Mayor, I think it’s time for you to go.” He opened the door and waited.
Fenwick spun to face him, fists raised. For one heart-stopping moment, Layla thought he meant to actually fight Hunter.
Instead he spun on his heel and left without another word.
Chapter 15
After Layla’s father roared off in his expensive car, Hunter closed the door and locked the dead bolt. When he turned, he took one look at Layla’s ashen face and went to her, gathering her close and simply holding her. Smoothing her hair, he breathed in the intoxicating scent of her. “It’s going to be all right. I promise.”
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, mouth against his chest. “I have no idea what it will take to get him to understand that I’m serious.”
Hunter knew better than to say anything. He waited another moment or two and then released her. “I have an idea. How about we get cleaned up and then you can come with me to pick out a Christmas tree?”
“A Christmas tree?” She pulled back, gazing up at him, her expression perplexed. “What exactly do you mean?”
“A day or two after Thanksgiving, I always go to the big Christmas tree lot on Third and get one. Usually a Douglas fir, though I’ve had a few Scotch pines. I wouldn’t mind some help with making my choice.”
“Help?” she asked, her eyes huge. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t be much good there. Not only do I have no idea what a Douglas fir or Scotch pine is, but I’ve never in my life picked out a Christmas tree.”
Again that squeeze to his heart. Careful to keep his expression neutral, he shrugged. “All the more reason for you to go with me. You’ve got to learn sooner or later.”
“Really? I thought most people went with artificial these days.”
He made a show of clutching at his heart and staggering backward. “That would just be wrong. There’s nothing like a live tree at Christmastime.”
Her answering grin made his spirit sing. “From what I understand, that’s a highly debated topic. Of course, I’m not in a position to take either side, since I’ve never actually had my own tree. My father always has a designer come in and set up an artificial one at Colton Energy.”
“What about when you were a child? I’m assuming your family had something when you were growing up, right?”
The fact that she actually had to think about his question was telling. “We probably did,” she finally replied. “But honestly, as long as I can remember, my father took trips during the holidays. Las Vegas or New Orleans at Christmas and New Year’s, the Caribbean at Thanksgiving. He never was big on family get-togethers.”
“What about your mother?” he asked, careful not to display his shock. “Surely all you kids got together and celebrated, right?”
“Maybe they did, but I was the only child of my father’s first marriage. Bea and Patience were from his second, and Blake and Gemma his third. My mom belonged to a religion that didn’t believe in observing any holidays, including birthdays, so we didn’t, or so I was told. I don’t remember much. She left when I was four.”
Again, he had to struggle to keep from showing shock or, even worse, pity.
“Then I guess you’ve got a lot of celebrating to catch up on, don’t you?” He kept his tone light. “Starting with helping me pick out a tree.”
Forty-five minutes later, they were on their way to his favorite lot. He’d watched them getting set up, enjoying the sense of anticipation. Now he’d be among those who wanted first crack at finding the best tree.
As he’d known it would be, the parking area was full. He circled twice before someone
backed out, tree tied to their roof. This particular task always made him feel like a little kid, but having someone special to share it with made it that much more enjoyable.
After parking, he jumped out of the SUV and hurried over to open Layla’s door. Already halfway out herself, she eyed him with surprise.
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand. Together, they slipped into the festive crowd of people moving among the trees. Christmas music played over loudspeakers, and a stand near the big tents sold hot cocoa and apple cider.
Layla gazed around, her expression full of wonder. “Wow.”
Squeezing her fingers, he smiled. “It’s impossible not to get in the holiday spirit once you’ve been here. Now come on, let me show you the different kind of trees and then you can help me pick one.”
The next half hour was spent debating the merits of several trees. Finally, they narrowed their choice down to two. One Scotch pine, the other Douglas fir.
Of course, Hunter liked the fir while Layla preferred the pine. Since he enjoyed watching her passionate defense of her choice, he let her argue a bit before finally agreeing with her.
When he did, she actually jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck, planting an excited kiss on his mouth.
After he signaled the attendant and paid, their tree was wrapped and tied to the top of his SUV. Once he’d started the engine and backed from his space, Layla fiddled with the radio until she found a station already playing Christmas music.
“That was so much fun,” she enthused, bouncing in her seat even with the seat belt on. “I had no idea. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you.”
“It wouldn’t have been the same without you,” he told her, his quiet answer nothing but the truth. “And the fact that you and I chose this tree together makes it that much more special.”
Silent for a moment, she finally nodded. “You’re right. It really does.”
Back in his driveway, he carefully untied the tree and lowered it to the ground. He leaned it against the side of the garage while he went to get his saw.
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