281 Hunter and the Russo family 2

In the dining room, they were greeted by an alluring woman in her late thirties who smiled at Fabricio before looking apprehensively at Mia.

"And this is…?" Mia asked her father stiffly.

"Penelope." Fabricio responded.

Mia glanced at the long dining table and noticed that it's set up for four. "Should I call her 'mother'?"

Fabricio cleared his throat awkwardly. "That is not necessary. Penelope, this is my daughter Mia, and her friend Hunter."

"My BOY-friend, Hunter." Mia corrected her father and didn't care about approaching Penelope for a handshake.

Based on the sudden change in Mia's behavior, Hunter concluded that her father is changing women who are by his side more often than what Mia approves of. He remembered that Roberto is Mia's half-brother, they share Fabricio as a father. And then there is this woman… How many women did Fabricio change? Is that the reason why Mia distanced herself from here? Hunter decided to observe. There is a reason why Mia didn't talk about it, it's probably that she is not comfortable, and Hunter has no intention of bringing it up.

The food was served, and awkwardness disappeared.

Mia's mood always improves with good food and when she started eating happily, everyone relaxed.

Fabricio started asking about Mia and what she is up to, and Mia responded with a mouthful of food while trying not to mention that she and Hunter are cohabiting.

Penelope and Keith were quiet.

Penelope tried to diminish her presence and Keith was busy glaring at Hunter.

Fabricio could not miss that all of Mia's responses involve Hunter. Of course, his men are keeping an eye on Mia and he knows that since she moved to Seattle, Mia is living with Hunter. But reading dry reports and listening to chatter full of emotions, are two different things. From the way Mia's eyes turn gentle whenever she talks about Hunter, Fabricio knows that Mia cares about Hunter.

Fabricio noticed that Mia's and Hunter's movements at the table are almost identical and even their chewing is in sync. He found that amusing and wondered what else they have in common.

"You are an active guy?" Fabricio asked Hunter when Mia told him that they usually go hiking on weekends.

"I try to stay in shape." Hunter responded.

"What else you do?" Fabricio was curious how Hunter will answer this open-ended question.

"I'm helping my brother in the company. When I'm not in office, I try to get out as much as I can, and I love a good book."

"I know the rules."

"Let's play a game after dinner." Fabricio said with a smile, but Hunter knew how that is not a suggestion. It's an order.

Hunter glanced at Mia and when she nodded, Hunter agreed.

After dinner, Hunter and Fabricio went to the study for their game of chess, leaving Mia and Keith in the living room. Penelope excused herself as soon as the dinner was over and no one saw her for the rest of the evening.

In the study…

Hunter set up the board and Fabricio told him to start.

Hunter realized that he has a dilemma. Should he win? Absolutely not. But losing is also a bad thing. Chess is a game of strategy and outwitting the opponent. How can he show that he is a man who can take care of Mia if he loses? The best thing is if it's close and in the last moment he loses, but he can't make it obvious either. Really, a tough spot.

"I see that my daughter likes you." Fabricio broke the silence.

"And I like her as well. I love Mia and I am not fooling around."

"From my experience, love is not enough."

"I can assure you that I can provide for Mia and for our family." Hunter said confidently.

Fabricio frowned. "Do you plan to trap her as a housewife?"

"No. I said that I can provide for everything Mia needs so that she can do whatever she wants."

"What if she decides on a profession that requires killing people?"

"If that is what she wants to do, I will support her." Hunter knows that Fabricio is testing him, but he really means it.

"I'm not concerned if you will support her. I am worried that you will hinder her, become her weakness. In our line of work, we can't afford a weakness. Enemies are always watching, and when they find out that Mia's partner is an office worker, they will use you to get to her."

Hunter understood that Fabricio is telling him that he is not good enough for Mia. Well, that is expected from any doting father, even if they are not the Boss of an organization of assassins. "I am not defined by what my job is. I can take care of myself and Mia."

Fabricio was amused by Hunter's confidence. "We will see about that. I believe that Mia told you what coming here means."

Hunter decided not to play games. "Mia told me that I will meet her father who only wants the best for her, her half-brother who sees her as an obstacle in inheriting the position she is not interested in, and your right-hand man who has an unrequited crush on her since they were teenagers."

Fabricio was fascinated by Hunter's straightforward response. "So, you came willingly to spend the weekend with three men who will scrutinize you and probably do something to harm you and your relationship?"

"I am not a masochist, Mr. Russo. But I will do whatever I can to make Mia happy and I know that if we manage to get along, that will make her happy. If someone wants to harm me, they need to have such ability, and to harm my relationship with Mia is… impossible."

"You are confident."

"I am confident that I will do my best. But it takes two people to make this work." Hunter smiled and gestured toward himself and Fabricio, indicating that the two of them are the ones who need to get along.

"What about Roberto and Keith? Don't you think that they are important?"

Hunter shook his head. "How much I've understood, Mia is superior to Roberto and she does not put much weight on his opinion. As for Keith, as long as you tell him to be nice, he will obey. The only approval I need to get is from you."

Fabricio smiled smugly. "You understand how things work. But that does not mean that you will succeed."

"I only hope that you will give me a fair judgment."

"What if you fail? Will you give up on Mia if you fail?"

Hunter was irked by these questions. Does this mean that Fabricio will give him some test and if Hunter fails he needs to break up with Mia? There is no way that is happening!

Hunter reminded himself to answer, as politely as possible. "By the end of this weekend, you should have an idea if you approve of me as Mia's partner or not. However, if I failed overall will be up to Mia to decide. I have no intention of forcing Mia to be by my side if she is not willing but don't take that as a sign that I will give up easily. I love her, and I know that she loves me back. In the world I come from, that is all that matters…"

They didn't finish the game when Fabricio told Hunter that he can go to his room.

As much as Hunter didn't like being told what to do like he is a child, he took this one without complaint. This is Mia's father, and also in this way, he does not need to figure out how to finish this game of chess. Fabricio was either very distracted or not a good chess player.

Later that evening…

Hunter got ready for sleep and plopped on the bed.

Before dinner, Mia told him not to come to her room recklessly. Hunter sent her a text after returning from his chat with Fabricio, asking what she is doing to which she replied that she is missing him, but she has something to deal with and that she will reach out to him when she gets a chance.

Hunter exhaled while wondering if she is with that Keith guy. Probably. Hunter does not see Keith as a love rival. If Keith was unable to win Mia over so far, he will not be lucky now either. And Hunter is confident that there is only one man in Mia's heart, and that is him.

Hunter left the bedside table light on and silently observed the room. He remembered the traps Mia set up for him to practice and he was getting more nervous by the minute. What if the bed flips and he ends up trapped in a dungeon? Or poisonous darts shoot at him from the painting on his right? What if…? Hunter shook his head while silently repeating that he should not spook himself out. There is only one wrong thing, and that is how Mia is not by his side.

Hunter jolted out of his bed at the faint sound from the far left corner. The bookshelf moved! Will there be a zombie? A rabid werewolf? Or a…

"Mia?" Hunter whispered when he recognized the shadow which dashed toward his bed.

He moved the cover and welcomed her in his embrace.

"Did you miss me?" Mia asked sweetly while rubbing her cheek on his chest.

"My arms were empty." He admitted while pulling her closer.

"How was the talk with my dad?"

"I think it went OK. How about on your side?"

Mia knew that Hunter is asking about Keith. The two of them were left behind and Keith took the opportunity to tell Mia how the city boy (aka Hunter) is not a good man for her, and how Hunter will be killed, and she will be in danger as well while she tries to save Hunter or to avenge his death… but Mia will not tell that to Hunter.

"Nothing important. I assumed that you will stay with my father for a long time, so I went to my room. I waited to make sure it's late enough, and that no one will come to check on me before coming here."

Hunter stifled a laugh. "It feels like I am a teenager. Sneaking around with my girlfriend."

Mia narrowed her eyes at him. She wanted to ask if he ever had sleepovers like this with his ex-es, but she decided not to. She does not want to know.

Mia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Let's sleep. You will probably have a busy day tomorrow."

"Did you come to my bed to sleep-sleep, or…?" Hunter didn't finish his question. His hands slipped inside Mia's pajama bottom and he squeezed her buttocks.

Mia squirmed. "This is where I grew up. We can't do it here…"

Hunter chuckled. "Will it be like a sacrilege?"

"No, it's just… when I think of this place it reminds me of childhood, innocent memories."

"Maybe it's time to add more memories." Hunter said mischievously while pulling her pajama bottom lower, together with her panties.

"What if someone hears us?" Mia asked and peeked under the cover after Hunter.

"Then… you need to be quiet…" Hunter mumbled and buried his face at the cradle of her thighs.

"Shit!" Mia cursed when Hunter's tongue stroked between her folds.

Hunter chuckled. "Do you want me to stop?"

"Hell no!" Mia exclaimed and put a pillow over her face to muffle her sounds.

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