Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. “I need to talk to you about the past. About why I really left the organisation, and why I need your help now.”
Mr Hunt leans back in his seat and looks directly at me. “Go on, lad.”
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “When I left here with my brother, I didn’t know who I was. There was turmoil twisting in my gut every day, and I wasn’t at peace with the job.”
“I know, Hadrian. You don’t have to explain. This life isn’t cut out for everyone. You were a good soldier. You are a good man.”
“So are you,” I insist. “If you weren’t, there’s no way you would have raised a strong, kind, independent woman like Harley.”
A smile I haven’t seen before on his face tells me this man dotes on his daughter and the woman she’s become.
“Over the years, I’ve kept an eye on you and your brother, so I’m aware you considered the priesthood before becoming a member of the Royal Bastards.”
“I joined the motorcycle club straight after leaving the seminary. It gave me a sense of purpose, a place to belong. But I soon realised there was more to the club than just riding bikes and brotherhood.”
Mr. Hunt nods, his expression unreadable. “Yes, I am aware. The Royal Bastards are infamous among the organisations we sell our goods to. They’re all rather afraid of you lot.”
“We try to keep things legal, but the club needs to make money, and the weapons that come in from shipments are our bread and butter, so to speak,” I continue, my voice steady. “Recently, some of these shipments have been going missing, and we know where from.”
He raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “You’re saying they’re being stolen from us?”
“We’ve tracked all the new imports, and the only ones that have gone missing are the ones from South Shields. I agreed to take on this investigation for my President because I don’t believe you’re responsible. I’m certain someone is trying to overthrow you,” I say, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I’ve met with Harley, and we have a plan, but I wanted to come to see you before we proceed. I want to apologise for walking out on you, even though you know I wasn’t happy, and I also want to ask for your blessing to work with your daughter on this.”
Mr Hunt’s eyes narrow. “And what would Harley need to do? I don’t want her to become a target any more than she already is.”
“I can promise you I will never let anything happen to her,” I reassure him, a little more passionately than I intended, and I feel a shiver run down my spine when Shaun’s mouth tilts into a knowing smirk. “I mean, I know she’s your little girl, and I’ll do anything to keep her safe. I always have and always will.”
For a long, silent moment, he watches me. I’m sure I’ve fecked up, but then he nods. “I know, Hadrian.” I’m not sure what he means by that, but before I can question it, he continues, “And now you need my help.” His tone is not unkind but firm.
“Yes,” I say, meeting his gaze. “There’s something else…”
“Oh?” He arches a brow at me and gestures for me to continue.
“I know Harley is worried about your health and doesn’t want to worry you until we have gathered all the evidence, but I think you should know of our concerns. We think that the person who is trying to overthrow you is someone in your organisation,” I come out and say it before I lose my nerve.
There’s something about Shaun Hunt that unsettles me. I have no doubt the man could and would kill me if he wanted.
He leans forwards, his eyes intense. “My daughter has kept me informed of the missing shipments, but she hasn’t mentioned it might be an inside job. But then again, I know Harley worries about me. What makes you think someone who is loyal to me would turn traitor, Hadrian?”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question. “We’ve had our hacker look into every man in your organisation, and the only one who is suspect is Gordon. He’s been pushing Harley to breaking point with his condescension, telling her how she can’t do the job. He believes he’d be better at running things, so it’s logical to suspect him and his motives. I don’t want him to hurt you or Harley.”
Mr Hunt’s expression softens slightly at the mention of his daughter again. “Harley. She’s always had a soft spot for you.”
“I know,” I say, my voice earnest. “And that’s why I need your blessing to catch the bastard and put him away or put an end to him. I want to ensure she never has to face the consequences of being a Hunt.” I don’t mean that as an insult, and he knows it.