268 Hunter finds out about Keith

Mia and Hunter reached into their apartment.

After Hunter's fight with Ashton, the two of them didn't speak much.

Hunter was uncomfortable by the fact that Mia is totally cool with what happened between him and Ashton and he has a strong feeling that this goes beyond her being understanding as his fiancée. "You are not going to ask me about what happened with Ashton on the driveway?"

"No."

Hunter was not willing to let it go. "Aren't you curious?"

Mia was not sure why he is pushing for this, but she decided to voice her thoughts on the topic. "I said during dinner that every family has its ways of acknowledging new members. What you did, didn't seem to be a test or anything predetermined, it was more you beating him up while he only defended in an attempt to minimize damage. My guess is that you did that in order to ease your frustration and to establish your dominance over Ashton; even though when you face Rina, it's obvious that you are not a match for her. So, no matter if you are subduing Ashton when it's just the two of you, in front of Rina he will get back at you. However, I will not judge you. You did what you thought it's right, at that moment."

Hunter was surprised by Mia's analysis. She is spot on. He was angry and felt betrayed and he wanted to let out some steam and to show Ashton that he is not worthy of Sabrina and that by staying by her side, Ashton is in it over his head. Maybe it's childish, but at that moment, it was the only way Hunter could think of to deal with the current situation.

Mia's choice of words confirmed one more thing that is bugging Hunter. "Will your family have something like that for me?"

"Let's not talk about it now." Mia brushed him off.

"When should we talk about it? You told me some bits and pieces while setting up the traps through the apartment. I was on the verge of staying in a hotel because I didn't feel safe to come and sleep here. I had nightmares of flying knives, weight-triggered spears hidden in the mattress, and tarantulas crawling out of my pillowcase." Hunter took a deep breath to compose himself. "Mia, I agreed to meet your family, but I want to know what is waiting for me when we get there. I thought that we agreed: no more secrets. We can't hide things from each other if we want to make this work."

Mia sees his point and she knows that he is right. "I was afraid to tell you, thinking that you will back out of it."

Hunter was confused. "Back out of what?"

Hunter felt that his fighting spirit left him. He sat on the sofa and pulled Mia into his lap.

"There is no way I'm backing out of this. Mia, you are the only woman for me. I never said this to anyone else, and I mean it. I hear you saying that you don't care about their opinion and I have no idea how your childhood was when you ended up so detached from your family. But I would like to prove to you and to them and to everyone that I am worthy of being by your side until the end of our days. Instead of you deciding that it's too scary and that I can't handle it, how about you tell me what are they preparing for me?"

Mia thought for some time before responding. "I didn't tell them that we are engaged, but the fact that I am bringing you to meet my family, means that we are serious. My dad and my Uncles will look at you as someone who is challenging the position of the head of the family. It does not matter if you are interested in it, or not. I have a younger half-brother who is hoping to inherit my father's position, but my father never spoke about it and officially I am the heir, so he will see you as a threat. And then there is Keith…"

Hunter wondered why Mia paused, and he had to ask: "Who is Keith?"

"Uhm… In terms of ranks, he would be something like a general in the army. His results were always impressive, and my father took him under his wing. Everyone acknowledged his skills and quick thinking but because he is not related by blood to my father, this is as far as he can go. I was about eighteen years old when my dad said how he would love if Keith is his real son, and at that time, Keith announced that he will become the next head of the family after he… marries me."

Hunter's eyebrows shoot up. "He wants to marry you so that he can take over the family?"

Mia shook her head. "It's not that simple. Keith always had a big crush on me."

Hunter understood that if Keith is in love with Mia, Keith will fight him not only because of the position in the family, but also because he wants to take Mia away from him. Others might test his skills and maybe cripple him in the process, but Keith will not be happy until Hunter is out of Mia's life.

However, more than Hunter's concern about Keith attacking him, Hunter had a bigger thing on his mind. The possibility that Keith has a chance with Mia was suffocating.

"And you? Did you have a crush on him?" Hunter asked reluctantly.

Mia waved her hands defensively. "I would never be interested in a guy who can't beat me."

Hunter's face lit up. He remembered their first date. They spent the afternoon together in the sports club and then he took her for dinner, and after that, the two of them sparred. Of course, as a gentleman in a sparring match, Hunter held back his punches, but he is confident that Mia did the same. In the end, they were about evenly matched, and it was wonderful.

The Keith story rubbed Hunter the wrong way. It seems that he will need to punch some sense into that guy for daring to covet Mia, and one thing stood out. "So, that Keith guy is weaker than you?"

Mia's expression turned complex. "He was, while I was still living with my family. I am the official heir because of who my father is, and also because of my skills. However, as you know, I moved to New York, and my days were spent traveling and blogging while Keith was training."

Hunter frowned. "If he beats you, will you go to him?"

Mia slapped Hunter's shoulder. "What got into you? Is that what you think of me? I am engaged to you. No matter what skills Keith has, he is lacking the most important one… He never stirred my heart. In my eyes, there is only one man. Nothing can change that."

Hunter smiled smugly. If Mia's heart is determined, nothing can stand in their way of happiness. And he can't wait for them to get married. But first, they need to deal with this. "Alright, let's go and visit your family. I want them all to acknowledge us. Only like that, we can live with ease."

Mia thought that it's a good idea to go, but now that she remembered her father and Uncles and half-brother and Keith, she is not so sure anymore. "We don't need to do this. We can stay here…"

"Mia, maybe you left that life behind, but how much I've heard, your half-brother sees you as an obstacle, and Keith needs you by his side to achieve his goals. Do you think that either of them will give up? Isn't it better that we go there and face them in the open, than to fear shadows? That is your house and we will not be trespassing. Let's go there and show them that we are not easily manipulated."

Mia pressed her lips into a line. She has to admit that Hunter is right. Her father refused to see them is only his show of strength, but actually, that is Mia's home and he has no right to keep her away from there. The guards and the staff and anyone else will not dare act against her, the young Miss of the Russo family. And she can handle her father.

"OK. Let's go to Portland when you complete your deal with Rina and Ashton."

Hunter's mood fell. How does Mia know about it? It was only Sabrina, Ashton, and he in the living room. He wondered if Mia put some listening devices on him.

"What deal?"

"Do you think I don't know? You need to go to Rina's studio and work with Ashton in order to prove that you will get along with him." Mia said and observed Hunter's expression. "Don't tell me that this whole brave talk about facing my family was only so that you avoid your sister and her new boyfriend?"

Hunter denied it. "Of course, not. How do you know about it?"

Mia snickered. "Hehehe… the real Russo never reveals her secrets. Are you avoiding to address the point that you are scared of facing Ashton?"

She will not tell Hunter that she followed after him and stood at the door. Her goal was not to eavesdrop, but to prevent any more fights. After all, everyone was charged up. Mia didn't hear the beginning of the talk, but she heard that Hunter agreed to work with Ashton in the studio until Sabrina is satisfied.

Hunter lifted his chin proudly. "I scared of Ashton? I am not afraid of anyone."

Mia giggled. "How I see it, Ashton is not to be underestimated. He took your punches and kicks without a single word of complaint. And he won Rina's heart…"

Hunter had to agree, but he does not want to talk about Ashton. "And I've got your heart."

"It's all yours…" Mia said dreamily and kissed Hunter on the lips. Once, twice… And by the time her third kiss landed, Hunter was carrying her to the bedroom.

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