Hello everyone!

First of all, special thanks to @sinyorina16 for the amazing cover.

Here I am with a new chapter.

Enjoy reading!

★★★★★★★★★

It had been five years since Hunter saw Ethan, his older brother. Five years since he convinced himself that Ethan doesn't exist anymore in this world. But seeing him now standing before him changed everything. Five years of denying his brother came crashing right in front of his eyes.

"Let me take a look at your injury," Ethan stepped closer and tried to reach for his brother's arm.

Hunter took several steps back and spoke coldly."Uncle Edward will take care of it."

Hunter squeezed Anna's hand tightly trying to calm his nerves. She was his anchor at the moment, and the only reason he didn't punch his so-called brother. Hunter took a deep breath when Lillian appeared in the scene and whispered something in Ethan's ear that seemed to make him understand that his help wasn't needed.

"Edward is waiting for you in the medical wing," Lillian spoke in a gentle voice.Without another word, Hunter started walking with Anna beside him.

"are you okay?" Anna asked in a hushed tone.

Hunter inhaled deeply and tried to make his voice reassuring as much as he can at the moment. He realized that Anna never saw him that angry, and the emotions that crossed his face earlier certainly scared her. He stopped walking and faced her.

"I am fine Anna. Don't worry about me. Uncle Edward will fix my arm."

Hunter saw a lot of questions on the tip of her tongue and more curiosity dancing in her eyes, but he was grateful when she just nodded and resumed walking again. True to Lillian's words, they found Edward waiting for them. He motioned for Hunter to lay down on the bed, but the latter shook his head and spoke determinatively.

"Examine her first."

Edward knew better than arguing with his nephew and instructed Anna to stretch on the bed so he could disinfect the several scratches marring her arms. He was impressed with the girl who kept still and didn't complain about the sting he was sure she was feeling. He handed her two pills of ibuprofen to lessen the pain in her sore muscles.

Hunter saw the hesitation in Anna's eyes when his uncle ordered her to go to her room. So with heavy steps, he went to her and held her hands.

"Go to your room, Anna. I will visit you tomorrow first thing in the morning."

"But I want to stay and make sure you are okay. Your arm is looking worse by the minute." Anna objected.

"Don't argue with me, Anna. Go and rest. Knowing you are okay, will ease my mind."

Anna nodded silently and kissed his cheek, then turned her back and left the room. Hunter saw the hurt in her eyes, but he can't bring himself to let her stay and witness what will happen next. His life will take wild turns in the next upcoming days. And he doesn't want her to see that ugly side of his life yet.

He sat on the bed and remained silent while his uncle dabbed his arm with cotton full of disinfectants.

"The wound isn't that deep but it will need stitches," Edward informed then headed to his cabinet to retrieve the necessary equipment for performing the task.

Hunter stayed stone-faced through the ordeal and didn't show any emotions, apart from the occasional flinches when the needle would prickle his skin.

As Edward was bandaging Hunter's arm, a knock sounded on the door. Then moments later, Damien entered and leaned against the wall watching silently.

Edward was aware of the growing tension between his brother and nephew so he made hastened work in throwing away the used cotton and needles then examined Hunter one last time.

"I want you to spend the night here so I can monitor you. You can leave in the morning," he instructed and took his leave.

Hunter sat with his back rigid on the bed. He can see anger and frustration in his father's eyes, but he could care less. He was also angry and frustrated at the moment, and he wouldn't back down so, with a glare of his own, he held his father's gaze.

"Lay down, you need your rest." was the first words his father spoke after minutes of silence.

"Why is he here?" Hunter countered.

Damien exhaled deeply through his nose and murmured something incoherent between his lips, then said flatly.

"It is not time to ask questions Hunter, and when the time comes, I will be the one who will ask questions and you answer them, am I clear son?"

Hunter knew his father was at the bottom of his patience and decided to let it go for the moment. His heavy eyelids didn't help his resistance against his father's orders. Without another syllable, he laid down and brought the sheets to his chin. He heard the sound of a chair being dragged to his bedside.

"you don't have to stay here dad. I can take care of myself." Hunter spoke in his emotionless voice.

"Sleep Hunter."

Hunter took a deep breath and closed his eyes to the feeling of his father's long fingers running through his hair.

************************

With a groan, Hunter woke up and looked at the white walls and sterilized space around him. His eyes landed on the chair beside him. His father was sitting there with his eyes closed and neck reclined against the back of the chair. The position looked uncomfortable, and his father will suffer from stiff muscles for sure.

Hunter stretched his body and had to wince when his stitches burned. He headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower then wore the clothes lying on the other bed in the room. When he went back to the room, he found his father full awake and waiting for him.

"How are you today?" Damien asked with concern palpable in his voice.

"I am fine dad, don't worry."

"Good, lay back on your bed, I will bring breakfast to you."

"We need to talk. I am well-rested, and I am not hungry." Hunter argued and didn't make a move to obey his father's orders.

Hunter saw as his father's blue eyes darken and prepared himself mentally to receive the man's wrath, But before Damien could utter a word, his phone started ringing. He took his phone from his pants' pocket and answered.

"Hello father, yes, he is with me."

Hunter didn't know about what the Don was speaking to his father, but judging from the latter's expression, he knew his father wasn't happy with the direction the conversation was taking.

"Yes I know, here, talk with him."

Damien handed his son the phone and left silently.

"Good morning, sir." Hunter greeted formally. He didn't know the mood his grandfather was in at the moment and didn't want to risk it any farther. It was enough his father will have his head later.

"Hello Hunter, how are you?"

"I am fine grandpa, it was just a mild injury, nothing more." Hunter dropped the formalities this time and spoke freely. The tenderness in his granddad's voice was indicating that the Don was permitting him to speak without holding back.

"Your performance in the race was perfect Hunter. The attack after wasn't planned, and whoever planned it, will pay dearly. But we will benefit from this slip. We will have Ignacio's family at our mercy considering the attack was on their territory."

"Why is Ethan here? You know my feelings towards him." Hunter ignored his grandfather's praise and asked the question bugging him since yesterday.

"Ethan is a part of our plan now. He knows everything about Anna and what will happen next." the Don spoke plainly as if Ethan being there was something trivial.

Hunter squeezed the phone tightly in his hands to contain his anger, and continue this conversation without smashing it against the wall.

"If he stays here, I will be out of this mission. I can't work with him." Hunter spoke resolutely.

"Your role is irreplaceable. Learn to work with your brother Hunter. If you want to be a successful leader, you will learn to work with your worst enemies. I won't force you to amend your differences with him but working with him will be unavoidable in the future, am I clear?"

"yes, sir. What will be his role in the mission?" Hunter knew better than arguing with the old man and agreed with him for now.

"We will discuss farther plans when you come back from the camp. As for now, I wish you a quick recovery."

The line went dead and Hunter put his father's phone on the table and slumped on his bed in defeat. It was hard to picture himself working with Ethan. His brother changed a lot physically, and Hunter could only imagine how much he changed mentally. From his brief encounter with the man, he noticed the coldness in his usually warm green eyes. The hardness in his features, the straight line his lips were formed. His body was more muscular and toned. He looked strong and powerful.

Hunter listened as his room's door opened but didn't look up. He could feel his father's eyes on him. The intensity of his look promised a hard time on Hunter's part.

"I took breakfast to your room. Eat and rest, you and I will have a very detailed conversation later this day." Damien spoke with his no-nonsense voice.

"I need to check on Anna first. I promised her to visit first thing in the morning." Hunter didn't waver under his father's hard posture.

Damien exhaled through his nose as if every taken breath will dissipate his growing anger.

"Alright, go ahead and visit her. She will be the main topic of our discussion anyway."

After his father left his room, Hunter allowed himself a moment of complete silence then decided it was time to go and visit his girl.

*************************

Upon his arrival at Anna's room, Hunter found the girl still sleeping in her bed and looking quite comfy. He was about to go back to his room and come later, but her angelic face and the soft breaths leaving her slightly parted lips changed his mind, and made him drag a chair and place it by her side.

At first, he just sat there and watched her. He studied every detail in her face closely as if trying to memorise it. He extended his hand and ran it through her black silky hair. The feel of his fingers caressing her locks was indescribable. Something in his chest cracked at the sight of her sleeping without a worry in the world. It was a long time since his heart twitched in guilt about something.

He committed a lot of things he wasn't proud of, but this time it was different. He was deceiving a girl who didn't know a thing about their world. Her only fault was her unique abilities.

For the last week, he convinced himself that his relationship with her was pure business and nothing more, but today and right this moment, he confessed for himself that Anna was more than this. He can't say he was in love with her. But certainly, he felt something for her even if it was just mild adoration.

Hunter's hand froze in mid caress when Anna's eyes fluttered open. He can't help but let a heartfelt chuckle when confusion crossed Anna's face, then the realization hit her and she sat upright in her bed looking at him with eyes opened widely.

"What are you doing here?"

"I promised you to see me first thing in the morning, didn't I?" Hunter asked rhetorically.

"Yes you said it last night but I.....I didn't know you meant I will wake up to you in my room." Anna countered.

"And here I am in your room sitting beside you, and watching you sleeping then seeing you wake up with your hair in disarray and a bit of drool on your mouth and......." Hunter teased.

"Hey! Stop it. You are making my worst fears come to reality." Anna cut him before he could continue his speech.

"So your worst fears are me seeing you sleeping or seeing your hair imperfect?"

"Well, I don't think there is a girl who would love her boyfriend to see her in my current state." Anna groaned and placed her head between her hands.

Hunter shook his head and reached a gentle hand to Anna's hands. He lifted her head and made sure they maintain eye contact.

"Anna I don't care if you are wearing a ball gown or a sack of potatoes. I don't care if your hair is brushed to perfection or if it is a mess. You will always be my beautiful girlfriend, and I won't allow you to put yourself down, ever."

Anna felt her heart swell in joy at his words. The boy has a talent with words and can play with them as he pleased. In less than a week, he crawled his way to her heart and sat there like a king would on his crown. He didn't even make a lot of effort to gain her love, but he did it anyway.

All her pep talks about being cautious in this relationship and trading carefully went out the window. Today it was confirmed, she was head over heels in love with him.

"Okay I am flattered with your speech and comforting words, but you are not kissing me before I brush my teeth," Anna said blocking Hunter when he leaned closer to kiss her.

"I wasn't going to kiss you on your lips. I wanted simply to kiss your cheek good morning."

Anna huffed and said in her way to the bathroom.

"Whatever."

Fifteen minutes later, Anna emerged from the bathroom in denim shorts and a pink tank top. She found Hunter still sitting on the same chair but with a tray filled with food. She smiled and joined him. They ate together in comfortable silence and enjoyed each other company.

"Your arm is looking better than yesterday," Anna commented while observing the neatly bandaged arm.

"Yes, I am okay. Uncle Edward did a perfect job as always. "

"I never pictured your uncle as a doctor."

"You will be surprised, ma belle. I know you see us murders and killers, but all my family members have professions. My father is a lawyer, uncle jasper is an economist, uncle Edward is a doctor, and Jackson is a physical therapist." Hunter stated.

Anna gaped at him in astonishment.

"You are kidding."

Hunter laughed at her comical expression and smiled.

"I am not joking with you, ma belle. You will be surprised by a lot of things in my family. "

Anna snapped her wide-opened mouth shut and changed the topic.

"Lillian told me that training is canceled for the next two days ."

"Yes I am aware of that fact, and I am pretty sure uncle Jasper is planning how to torture us after the stunt we pulled yesterday," Hunter said while forking a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"Your uncle doesn't need a plan to torture us, it is in his blood."

Hunter laughed at her words and shook his head in amusement.

"Well, when my father is in the picture, they will need planning. He doesn't do things without previous preparations."

Anna gulped and said quietly.

"Your father is scary without doing anything. I thought Jasper was intimidating, but after I saw your dad, I changed my mind. Your father is the definition of intimidation."

"It is okay. He is a fair man and won't go extreme on you, so don't worry." Hunter spoke emphasizing the word you.

"But he will be extreme with you, won't he?" Anna said.

"Don't concern yourself with my problems. I can handle it." Hunter reassured her with a gentle smile.

They continued eating in a comfortable silence enjoying the delicious food.

"Hey, Anna do you...." Lilian stopped mid-sentence and froze in her place at seeing Hunter eating with her friend.

She closed the door completely and moved to the center of the room.

"Hunter, how are you?" She addressed her cousin awkwardly.

The boy in question didn't acknowledge her and rose from his chair.He planted a soft kiss on Anna's hair and bid her goodbye. Then, he left the room with a cold look aimed at his cousin.

Anna watched with shock clear in her eyes the scene happening in front of her. It was nearly unbelievable to see Hunter treat Lilian like that. He was always warm with her and look like he would die for her.

"What's the matter, Lilian? Why did he ignore you like that?" Anna asked apprehensively.

As if Anna's question pulled her from a deep trance Lilian smiled at her.

"How are you today Anna? Are you feeling better than yesterday?"

Anna looked at her friend suspiciously.

"You didn't answer my question, Lilian."

"Huh, what did you ask me? I wasn't listening." Lilian smiled tightly.

"what's happening between you and Hunter? Why he is acting coldly towards you?"

"He is just angry with me. He will get over it soon. Don't worry about me. I can handle myself."

Anna rolled her eyes in annoyance. Lilian was similar to Hunter in many aspects. She even repeated his earlier sentence. She took purposeful steps in her friend's direction.

"We are friends Lilian, don't put me in the strangers' zone. What is the matter? Answer me truthfully this time."

Lilian sighed heavily and plopped down on the couch.

"He is angry with me. Heck, he is furious with me. Last night, when I went to check on him, we spoke and he concluded I knew about Ethan's arrival and didn't inform him. Let's just say he took it personally and felt betrayed. I tried to apologize time and time, but he is hardheaded and won't listen to my reasoning and pleadings."

"Is it really that bad? I mean between Hunter and his brother?" Anna asked curiously.

"It is not my call to tell the story. But it will be a miracle if Hunter spoke to me again. He trusted me, and I throw it in his face. I didn't want to tell him about Ethan joining us to avoid any farther problems between them. I thought I was doing them a favor and was planning to help them work out their differences, but it backfired on me. I love both my cousins Anna, but it seems that to be with one means letting another go."

Anna took in her friend's tired face and the dark circles under her usually shining green eyes.

She took her hand in her own and squeezed it comfortingly.

"Hunter loves you so much, Lilian. I am sure he will forgive you soon. He is just angry at the moment. Let him cool down a little, and he will come around. Just be patient, and remember he loves you more than anyone, I see it in his eyes."

"I am sure it is not the same look he gives you every time he sees you. He looks at you with pure love and adoration." Lilian wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Anna pushed her friend playfully.

"you are an incorrigible girl."

Lilian moved closer to her friend and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you so much, Anna. Your words mean the whole world to me. Promise me, Anna, promise me you won't break our friendship under any circumstances. "

Anna laughed lightheartedly and nodded.

"I won't break our friendship, Lilian. You are my best friend, and I experienced a lot with you. I won't let you go no matter what."

Lilian hoped her friend was the kind that never broke a promise.

****************

Hunter was laying in his bed and trying to relax when a knock sounded on his door.

"come in." He permitted.

Edward entered the room with his first aid kit box and sat on the chair facing his nephew's bed.

"how is the arm today?" Edward asked while pulling his needed tools from the bag.

"the soreness faded away, but the stitches are a little bit tight."