Hunter was ready to jump into his grave right then and there. It appealed more comforting than facing his grandfather at the moment. He never felt this awkward feeling of being at the peak of embarrassment. 

‘Fucking hell! The last thing I want is my grandpa keeping track of my sex life.’

Hunter glared at Matthew with an accusing gaze. His trusted bodyguard shook his head in denial. 

He glanced at his father through his peripheral view and to his surprise, even Alessandro held the same witty yet smug expression.. Meanwhile, Luca Baresi looked ready to kill. 

“What do you mean, Carlo? I may not be as powerful as you are. But it doesn’t mean I’ll fucking stand here like a dog and lick your feet while watching you insult my family,” Luca boomed with anger and took a threatening step towards Francesco. With one quick step, Hunter stood in front of his grandfather protectively. His height easily towered over Luca, and the menacing look in Hunter’s eyes made him shiver in fright. Within a blink of an eye, men surrounded Luca, pointing their guns at him. 

“Don’t forget, Baresi, you are talking to my father and remember your place. You’re allowed only to wiggle your tail, not your tongue. I’ll make you disappear from the earth within minutes if you even dare think about harming him. And what my father stated earlier, he meant what he said. You should question the women in your family instead of us,” said Alessandro, who now had his hand wrapped around Luca’s throat, squeezing enough to make him struggle to breathe while Hunter avoided eye contact with his father. 

“And address my son with respect, Luca. He’s your new King. The only way you’ll greet him is either as Chief or Boss. You may call him Mr Carlo if him being so young bothers you. He’s a Carlo, and no one needs to teach him how to rule. It runs in our blood. And trust me when I say, he doesn’t need any weapon to kill,” Alessandro said through his gritted teeth. The warning only intensified Luca’s fright. 

Francesco signalled his men to back off and stopped his son from harming Luca any more. 

“You heard my son, Baresi. Don’t forget what he said. Wiggle your tail all you want, but not your tongue. Now stop shaking your body like a stripper. We don’t harm our guests. You can relax now and enjoy the party,” Francesco said in an amused tone, but Luca didn’t miss the hidden mockery behind his smile. A single nod from him and his son Alessandro let go of Luca’s throat. 

“I’ll go and get a drink for myself,” Hunter muttered and tried to escape, but he’d no such luck as Alessandro decided to accompany him. Reaching the bar, they ordered drinks and Hunter took a long sip. Breaking the silence, finally, he dared to ask. “How did you know?” Alessandro chuckled at his son’s question and turned sideways to face him. 

“You mean how did I know about you fucking Baresi women?” He asked in return, and Hunter lowered his gaze, looking into his glass. He cringed at his father’s question. Both his grandfather and father had said women using the plural because Hunter had screwed Claire’s younger sister as well. 

“Did you seriously think I wouldn’t know about what’s happening in my only son’s life?” Alessandro asked while Hunter pursed his lips in embarrassment. “Does my mom know?” Hunter asked, eyes searching for his mother. “Well, can’t be sure. That woman has her spies planted everywhere,” Alessandro stated, and laughed in good humour. But Hunter didn’t feel the amusement. 

He looked at his father for reassurance and Alessandro shook his head in a no. “Oh, thank the Lord,” Hunter sighed in relief. “You two won’t tell my mom, right? She can’t know about it, please?” He nervously asked in a requesting tone, his voice hopeful. Alessandro smirked at his son before replying. “I’m not sure about, that old man,” he said, pointing his finger to where Francesco, his father, stood talking to his guests. “But I can assure you that your secret is safe with me, Junior.” Alessandro grinned as Hunter’s tensed posture relaxed. 

“Thanks, Dad. I owe you for this. That crazy woman has a weird way of punishing her only child. And I’m not ready for the punishment,” Hunter confessed while his facial muscles tensed in worry. His father chuckled and said, “But we love that crazy, weird woman.” They both laughed at that. “That we do,” Hunter agreed. They both loved that woman to the moon and back. But her way of punishing had always frightened them both. 

Whenever they would get into trouble and make her upset or angry, her only way to punish them would be giving them a silent treatment. She wouldn’t talk to them for one whole week. Hunter didn’t get to see his parents every day, but he spoke to them regularly over the phone. He wouldn’t give his mother a chance to punish him because of his stupid mistake. 

“And that’s why I need to keep my image clean to stay in her good books,” Hunter stated with determination, smiling subconsciously as his eyes fell on his mother. Alessandro patted his son on the back in appreciation. He knew how much his son valued their presence in his life. 

“And, Dad, is he going to be a trouble? That Baresi man, I mean,” Hunter asked, worry written all over his face. Alessandro chuckled, shaking his head in ridicule. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll handle that scum. That spineless coward is all bark and no bite anyway,” he said and took a sip from his glass. 

Rotating the golden brown liquid in his glass, Hunter hesitated before speaking. “Dad, about those girls, I didn’t know they belonged to Baresi family, and I swear I didn’t approach them. They made the first move and willingly came to me. I’m sorry if I caused trouble,” he said awkwardly apologizing. Alessandro smiled in return. 

“You know, your mother calls you a troublemaker, right? But I bet she wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re never a trouble for us, son. You are our pride,” he said, ruffling his son’s hair affectionately. “Have fun, Junior. Just be careful and don’t forget to use protection,” he said and winked at Hunter. Tossing the contents of his glass into his mouth in one go, Alessandro left him to join his friend Thomas. 

Meeting and greeting people since morning, Hunter got bored as the evening wore on. He was tired of people teaching him about why, when and how to handle their business. He didn’t need a tutorial. As his father said, it runs in their blood. And besides, he’s trained in every style of martial arts already. He knew how to use all types of weapons. He never missed his target, and his shot always hit bull’s eye. 

He slowly swirled the class of whiskey in his hand, eyes wandering here and there, not particularly looking at anyone. He returned the glass to the bartender. He’d enough and didn’t want to get drunk. His phone buzzed in his pocket, alerting him of an incoming message. 

Hunter grinned once he got a glimpse of the message. It was Lanson’s message. She had sent him a picture. 

Hera’s picture. 

Hera was all dressed and ready for the party. She looked stunning in the black dress she’s wearing. It was a strapless, off-shoulder dress reaching up-to her mid-thigh. It had small slits on either side so that she could walk comfortably. Hunter himself went shopping and bought that dress for her. The shopkeeper told him not to worry about the fitting as the dress was figure-hugging and made with stretchable fabric. And it fitted Hera perfectly. 

He’d planned a welcoming party for Hera a week ago. But unfortunately, he had to miss it because of today’s event. 

As he zoomed the picture, his eyes scanned every inch of her from head to toe. She looked different, looked even more beautiful than before. Now Hunter regretted buying that dress for her. He could imagine the lustful eyes of the other boys, roaming all over her body, eye-fucking her. Unfortunately, he won’t be there to smash their faces. 

Hera was smiling sweetly for the camera. Her long, soft, brunette hair fell on her shoulders, covering her upper torso. Hunter wanted to run his fingers through her silky hair. His thumb subconsciously caressed her lips on the screen of his phone. 

‘Those intoxicating eyes and those enticing lips.’

His lips ached to kiss her. He brushed his face with his palm and sighed in frustration. 

‘Damn, she’s turning me on.’ 

Just one look and he’s going insane, that’s how much she affected him. He couldn’t wait to go back to her. 

He was fourteen when he had sex for the first time. And needless to say how amazing having sex felt. Ever since he learned about sexual pleasures, his heart, his body and his manhood craved for only one person. 

His Hera.