“Security vulnerabilities.” He runs his fingers along my windowsills, behind picture frames, under the coffee table. “If they’re watching you outside, they might have tried to access your apartment.”
I watch as he checks the electrical outlets, unplugs my clock radio, examines it, then plugs it back in. He moves to the smoke detector, standing on a chair to inspect it closely.
“Is that necessary for a security check?” I ask.
Hunter removes something tiny from behind the detector. “Yes. Because this isn’t a security feature.” He holds up what looks like a black grain of rice between his fingers. “It’s a listening device.”
My blood runs cold. “Someone’s been... hearing everything?”
Hunter crushes it between his fingers. “Not anymore.”
I stare at the crushed remains of the listening device in Hunter’s palm, cold fear spreading through my chest.
“Who is doing this, Hunter?” I ask again, more forcefully this time. “And don’t just say ‘business rivals.’ I need a real answer.”
Hunter’s expression shifts subtly—a tightening around his eyes, a slight clench of his jaw. He tosses the broken device into my trash can and wipes his hands.
“It’s likely someone working for Westcott Technologies,” he says smoothly. “They’ve been trying to sabotage my latest acquisition. Standard corporate espionage.”
I watch him as he speaks. Something doesn’t add up. His explanation is too rehearsed, too clean. And if this were just about business, why would they be following me specifically?
“So why not just bug your office? Why follow me?” I press.
Hunter runs a hand through his hair. His usual composed demeanor shows the faintest crack.
“They’re trying to find my vulnerabilities.” His eyes meet mine with an intensity that would normally distract me. “You’re becoming one of them.”
The words sound sincere, but there’s something hollow behind them, like they’re only part of a larger truth he’s deliberately withholding.
“Hunter, I need to know what I’m dealing with.” I step closer. “If someone’s listening to my conversations and following me, I deserve to know exactly why.”
His phone vibrates. He checks it, and I catch a glimpse of the text before he turns it away:
SECURE HER NOW. JAX INBOUND.
“Who’s Jax?” I ask.
Hunter’s expression hardens instantly. The room temperature seems to have dropped by 10 degrees.
“No one you need to worry about.” His voice is cold steel, nothing like the silky persuasion he typically uses with me. “Pack a bag. You’re staying with me tonight.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s really happening.”
Hunter’s eyes narrow. I can practically see him weighing how much to reveal against how much he needs my compliance.
“I asked you a question.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel. “Who is Jax?”
Hunter’s expression is completely void of the humanity I’ve come to associate with him. This is a different Hunter; one I don’t recognize.
“This isn’t a negotiation, Aurora.” He steps closer, towering over me. “You’re in danger. We need to leave. Now.”
“Not until you tell me what’s happening.” I cross my arms, planting my feet firmly despite the fear tightening my chest. “I deserve to know why I’m being followed, why my apartment is bugged, and who this Jax person is.”
Hunter checks his watch, jaw clenched. “We don’t have time for this.”
“Make time.”
He stares at me for a long moment, then exhales sharply. “Jax is... a business associate. Someone I work with closely.”
