“The Harrison situation,” he says without preamble. “It’s becoming a distraction.”
My pulse quickens, though my face remains impassive. “The merger with Harrison Industries is progressing as planned. Derek will sign next month.”
Jax’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not referring to Derek or his shipping empire.”
Fuck.
“Aurora Harrison,” he continues. “Quite the fascinating woman, from what I understand. Smart. Beautiful. Her sister’s fiancée’s obsession.”
I feel a chill despite the underground chamber’s warmth. “You’re monitoring me.”
“I monitor everything that threatens our interests.” Jax steps closer, his voice dropping. “Your engagement to Olivia secures Derek’s cooperation. Now you’re risking it for what? A few nights with the stepsister?”
“I know what I’m doing,” I reply, my tone sharper than intended.
“Do you?” Jax looks genuinely curious. “Because from where I stand, you’re letting your cock make decisions your brain should be handling.”
“The engagement was temporary. I’ll end it without compromising Derek’s deal.”
Jax’s laugh is hollow. “And if he takes exception to you fucking his stepdaughter while discarding his true heir? Family men can be unpredictable when their children are involved.”
“I’ve calculated the risk.”
“Your personal desires,” Jax states, “must never compromise this organization. We’ve sacrificed too much to let one man’s obsession destroy what we’ve built.”
As he walks away, I’m left wondering exactly how much he knows. The cliff. The garden. The night at her house. Are there cameras I missed? People reporting back to him?
Or worse, is Aurora herself compromised?
21
AURORA
The elevator ride to Hunter’s penthouse feels like ascending to my own execution. Each floor ticks by with the steady rhythm of a countdown, my reflection in the polished brass doors showing a woman I barely recognize with haunted eyes and rigid posture.
I shouldn’t be here. I should have called instead. But some conversations need to happen face-to-face.
My phone buzzes with another text from Olivia, sending photos from London Fashion Week. My stomach twists with guilt. I couldn’t tell her before she left. The words formed in my throat but died before reaching my lips.
“The worst part about guilt is how it eats you from the inside,”my mom once told me. She was right. I haven’t slept properly since that night with Hunter, since I betrayed my sister in the most fundamental way possible.
The elevator doors slide open to reveal Hunter’s private foyer. The penthouse sprawls before me with sleek lines and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Beautiful and cold, just like its owner.
I step inside without announcing myself. He’ll know I’m here. He always seems to know exactly where I am.
“You need to stop sending me messages,” I say into the apparent emptiness of the apartment. “This, whatever this is, it’s over.”
My voice sounds stronger than I feel. Good. I need that strength now.
“I mean it, Hunter. I can’t do this to Olivia. She’s my sister.”
Movement catches my eye as Hunter emerges from his home office. He’s barefoot, dressed in black pants and an unbuttoned shirt that reveals the muscled torso I’ve tried and failed to forget.
“Aurora.” My name on his lips sounds like both a prayer and a curse. “I wondered how long it would take you to come.”
“I’m not here for that.” I clench my fists at my sides. “I’m here to end it.”
His eyes never leave mine as he approaches, each step deliberate. “Are you?”
