Dana and Jamie frowned at the same time.
Jamie glanced at Dana’s expression and responded flatly, “Don’t know him. Tell him to get lost.”
+5 Free Coins
He hung up the phone, turned to her, and asked gently, “Are you hungry? Want something to eat? I can have Daisy whip something up.”
Dana shook her head in silence.
“You don’t like Daisy’s cooking? Then tell me what you want–I’ll make it myself.”
Dana shook her head again. “It’s not that. I just don’t have an appetite.”
Jamie hesitated. “Because of Hunter? Do you want to see him? If you do, I’ll call and tell them not to send him away. It’s your call, and I’ll respect it.”
“No,” Dana said firmly. “I don’t want to see him.”
Just as she finished speaking, Jamie’s phone rang again. It was the bodyguard–same number, more urgency this time.
“Mr. Brewer,” the man said, his voice strained. “No matter how I try, I can’t get him to leave. He’s taken a few swings at me and still won’t back down. He insists on seeing Ms. Archer.”
Jamie cursed under his breath. “What’s with Hunter and this clingy routine? When did he turn into chewing gum?”
Before Jamie could hang up, the sound of a scuffle filtered through the phone, followed by the bodyguard’s voice.
“Sir, Mr. Brewer says he doesn’t know you and doesn’t want to see you. Please leave the premises immediately!”
Dana could hear the dull thuds of fists hitting flesh.
Then Hunter’s voice rang out, furious and loud. “Jamie! Let me in! I’m here for Dana!
“What’s the matter, Jamie? Is Jamie too cowardly to allow me in? Worried the second she sees me, she’ll leave with me? Is that why you’re pulling this petty move?”
Jamie clenched his jaw. He knew Hunter was trying to provoke him–but he didn’t know how to respond.
Dana, watching him struggle, asked calmly, “We’re overseas, right?”
Jamie nodded.
“And owning a firearm here isn’t illegal, is it? This island–it’s your private property, am I right?”
Jamie blinked those big, earnest eyes at Dana and nodded once more.
Dana stepped to the window. The villa was close to the dock, and from where she stood, she could clearly see Hunter wrestling with the bodyguards.
She let out a dry laugh. “Then shoot him.”
1/2
58 pm GPpp.
Chapter 15 Shoot Him!
The bodyguard was strong, no doubt but Hunter was a solidly built man. A few punches didn’t faze him.
45 Free Coins.
But once a firearm entered the picture? That was a different story. A gun wasn’t just a threat–it was a life–or–death decision. Dana figured there was no way Hunter would stay once he saw they meant business.
Jamie understood what she was getting at. Speaking into the phone, he gave the order, “I don’t want to see him. Pull your gun and tell him to leave–now. If he keeps pushing, fire a warning shot. If that doesn’t stop him, shoot him.”
The bodyguard followed the command. Drawing his gun, he aimed it directly at Hunter and shouted, “Mr. Brewer says he doesn’t want to see you! If you know what’s good for you, leave now–or I will shoot!”
At that moment, Hunter spotted Dana standing at the window. His eyes turned red with emotion. “I’m not here for Jamie,” he shouted. “I came all this way. I’m not leaving without seeing Dana!”
He ignored the warning, shoving past the bodyguard and charging toward the villa.
A gunshot cracked through the air. The bullet pierced Hunter’s left arm, sending him stumbling to one knee.
“Don’t you dare move another inch!” the bodyguard bellowed.
Blood spilled fast, dripping from Hunter’s arm and soaking through his shirt. He winced in pain, his body trembling, but still, he dragged himself forward, inch by inch. “Nothing can stop me,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Not bullets, not you. I’m seeing her today–even if I die doing it. If I have to go, then let me die in her arms.”
He hadn’t seen her in a long time. He missed her dearly.
Every day without her had felt like a prison sentence–long and unbearable.
He couldn’t go on without her. Hunter came to take her home. He was determined to see her today.
The bodyguard stood frozen, caught off guard by Hunter’s sheer determination.
Jamie may have claimed he didn’t know this man, but the guard wasn’t stupid. Hunter had known both their names the moment he set foot on the island. These three had history–deep, complicated history.
And he couldn’t just kill him.
Dana had assumed a show of force would scare Hunter off. She never thought he’d take it this far.
Her expression darkened, and she muttered under her breath, “Lunatic.”
2/2
2:58 pm G
Chapter 16 Shattered Illusions
