A knock jolts me out of my state. When I open my eyes, I see a figure in a black sweatshirt, a black bandana covering their face. I scream quickly, pushing the lock down on the door. The figure doesn’t move, but just stands there and even though I can’t see their eyes, I know they are trained on me. When they move toward the front door, I throw myself up there, pushing the button to lock all of them. The person raises their fist, slamming it against the window and I scream. Hunter isn’t that far away but with all the people, the sounds of the ocean, and the windows closed, he can’t hear me. What the hell do I do?

I look over and Hunter is still standing there, talking to her. I never saved his number in my phone. That’s when I see the button for the moon roof. I press it and as soon as the smallest opening appears, I scream for Hunter. His head immediately turns toward the car and he drops the food in his hand, running toward me. The figure lays a black rose on the hood of the car before running away. I sink to the floor of the car and curl into the fetal position. The walls of the car feel like they are closing in on me. Someone really is trying to hurt me. They came close today.

Would anyone have noticed?

Even if they did, nobody would really care.

Chapter Six

Samantha

My anxiety is setting in and everything is muffled. I hear banging, yelling. I think I can pick out Hunter’s voice. I want to open the door. I want to move. I can’t. I’m frozen. My body hurts as an ache radiates through my bones. Tears are streaming down my face but as much as I try, I can’t yell for help. It’s like my brain has stopped communicating with my body.

When I feel arms wrap around me, I try to struggle at first, pushing them away until I hear his voice. “Sam, you’re safe. I’m here,” he whispers next to my ear, his breath warming a patch on my neck. His touch calms the nerves that are on high alert. My body rests against him and when I look up we are sitting in the car, alone. My hands are gripping his shirt as if I’m holding on for my life. “Calm down.” His hand slowly runs up and down my back.

The door of the car opens and I see my mother. “Are you done now, Samantha? The paparazzi are eating up this little show you are putting on.” I look at her in disbelief. I can feel Hunter’s muscles tense underneath me. “Joe, get the car out of here now.” The door shuts and I start to cry again.

I know that she is my mother. I know that she loves me. Sometimes I just wish that she liked me.

Hunter’s arms tighten around me. He probably thinks I’m pathetic too. The girl who collapses after the littlest thing. The fact that I’m still on top of him like a damn baby doesn’t help either. I move to climb off of him but his hold keeps me in place. I look up into his eyes and am taken aback by the emotion I see behind them.

“Don’t put up the wall with me. You have every right to be upset.” It’s all he says, and it’s all I need to hear from him. Today has definitely changed my perception of Hunter. Before he was just an asshole that used me, threw me away, and thought I was a toy to be played with. Now he has shown me that he cares, even if it is just a little bit of progress. I feel like if I need him, he will be there for me. I shake my head, realizing how crazy I sound. I don’t matter to him. I’m a job. A paycheck. Just like every other person, man or woman, who has ever put in effort with me, I serve a purpose for him.

The car stops and I recognize the front of the hotel. “You think you can walk?” I nod my head, slipping on my sunglasses to try to hide my tear stained eyes. The door opens and Hunter takes my hand, leading me past the flashing lights and the heinous remarks being yelled at me. The elevator ride is quiet, and laced with an awkwardness that has never been present before.

When we get to the room, I walk to the couch and sit down, lying my head against the arm and closing my eyes. Maybe if I wish that today was just a dream, I will get a do over tomorrow.

“I’m sorry.” He takes a seat next to me.

I look up at him in confusion. “For what?”

“I should have been there with you. I can’t believe you aren’t more pissed at me. What happened is my fault. You could have been hurt and I would have been to blame. I’m sorry.” He isn’t looking at me but more just staring out the large window.

I touch his arm, causing him to look at me. “I don’t blame you. I would still be lost inside myself if you hadn’t been there for me. You were there when I needed someone to care. You have no idea how rare that is for me.”

His hand skims my cheek, and his eyes soften. His mouth parts slightly, as if he is trying to think of what to say. That’s when the door swings open. Hunter’s hand drops like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

“Mr. Stone you are dismissed. Your compensation was sent to your company.” No. She can’t do this. “I expect that you will keep quiet about anything you have encountered, as stated in the NDA you signed.”

“You can’t be fucking serious.” Hunter stands up. “What is you goddamn problem lady?”

My mother’s eyes go wide as she looks at him. “My problem is you not doing your job. That and I see the way you look at my daughter. She is not your kind, and as I made clear to you earlier, I will not have you trying to sink your claws into her.”

Earlier? What happened earlier?

“Maybe if you opened your eyes, you would see that your daughter went through some traumatic shit today and you treated her like a piece of trash afterwards.” His fists are clenched at his sides as he yells his response.

“Maybe if you weren’t flirting with that little tart on the production team, none of this would have happened. You obviously can’t be trusted with my daughter’s safety.” The mention of him interacting with that girl has jealousy coursing through my body, but it quickly disappears when my mother continues. “As I said, you’re dismissed.” Her hands fold over her chest as she tries to assert her authority.

“No.” They both turn my way. “It’s my safety at stake and I want him to stay.”

“Samantha, you can’t be serious.”

“I am.” I can tell she is shocked; I have never gone against a decision she has made for me.

“You need to let me handle this. You are obviously infatuated with him and can’t think straight.”

Hunter turns to me and seems to assess me before giving me a small smile. Ass. “I am thinking straight and I am saying that he stays.”

She looks back and forth between the two of us, her disbelief evident. “Have it your way, for now. When he gets you knocked up and you end up in some dingy apartment on welfare, I will tell you I told you so.” She leaves without another word, the door slamming after her. Sometimes her attitude really surprises me. We used to live in a dingy apartment and received aid. I guess that’s all easy to forget once you have money.

Hunter sits back down next to me. “You okay?”

I nod my head, taking a deep breath. “I’ve never disagreed with her. I usually just follow her lead and say yes. It actually felt good to say no.”

He laughs. “Why don’t you go take a bath and relax? Promise I won’t interrupt you this time.” He stands up and walks toward his room, but turns as he reaches the door. “Unless you want me to interrupt you.”

I throw the pillow at him, hitting his head. “You’re an ass.”

“Just thought I’d offer. Have fun, cupcake.” He winks at me before disappearing into the room.

He’s still an asshole, but an asshole with a sweet side.

Chapter Seven

Hunter

I’m laying down, trying to push thoughts of Sam out of my head. My usual asshole defense mechanism didn’t work on her. She didn’t care that I was a dick. I can’t be anything close to what she needs, but I also don’t want to quit and leave her here defenseless against her tyrant of a mother. Why she puts up with her is beyond me. I would have kicked that bitch to the curb a long time ago.