24 Chapter 24

The next evening, Hunter and Grace joined their father, Martin Ashford, at a five-star restaurant on the beach. A storm was brewing over the ocean and it had just started to rain. They were waiting for Adam to arrive with his guest and the whole evening seemed tense.

Hunter was more than irritated at the thought of Eve arriving with his half-brother. He loved their conversation, and she seemed like a good person, and she deserved better than a man like Adam. Adam, on the other hand, had seemed a little off since they met and Hunter didn't trust him one bit, nor did Grace.

Grace nudged her brother with her shoulder, grabbing a bread stick. "What's up, Bro? You have been acting crazy since I told you Eve was in Daytona with Adam. It's not like you didn't know they were friends."

"Friends? Or are they something more? It's messed up and you know it, Grace. This whole thing is fucked up."

Martin looked up from the wine list at his son, grumbling, "It's not our business, Hunter. As far as we know, Eve knows all about --" He was stopped in the middle of the conversation as soon as the couple stepped up to the table.

"Sorry we're late, Dad. Traffic is a little crazy and the storm is picking up. This is Eve Calloway--"

Interrupting. Eve stepped forward with an enthusiastic smile to greet Martin. "I'm Adam's girlfriend. Nice to meet you, Mr. Ashford. It's an honor to be here. I can't believe I'm really meeting you all. I'm a huge fan of all of the Ashford family."

Grace and Hunter looked at each other in shock. Did she just say girlfriend? There was more than a friendship that Adam had portrayed the relationship to be. They family had no idea they were dating and Hunter instantly felt rage build within him. He knew Adam was up to something shady and this proved it.

Grace looked at Hunter's face, that was turning beet red, and the vein in his neck twitching as he gritted his teeth. Looking down his fist her so tight she was sure his nails would break skin.

Grace reached over and squeezed his hand to get her older brother to look at her. She shook her head no at him, leaning over to whisper, "Don't. Not now."

"He's..." Hunter was pissed, now looking directly at Adam who was slyly glaring at him. Hunter glared right back. "I knew it. That little weasel. Grace, this is going to be a long night."

Martin greeted his son and helped Eve sit down next to him at the table. "It's wonderful to meet you, Ms. Calloway. You have certainly made a great impression on my children. They all seem to love you."

"I hope so. I really like them too. You have a wonderful family, Mr. Ashford. I'm excited to be working with you all."

"Please, dear. Call me Martin."

"Yes, sir. Martin. Please, call me Eve."

He waved over the waitress to order addressing his son. "So, Adam. I have looked over all your information about the project that you sent. I like what you have in mind for the agency. I can't exactly be part of the actual operations, but I don't see why I can't be a silent investor. I think I can help you, Son. With your brothers and sisters on board, we can do great things together. I am sure once you get to know them better, they would be willing to share their connections to help build up your client list. Family first in the Ashford clan."

"Thanks, Martin. I mean, father. It's going to be great. When do you expect we can get the first installment on the investment?" he asked.

"Within the month. Family or not, I keep business professional. I'll have my finance officer and lawyers contact you to lock down the details."

Hunter spoke up. "I don't think he needs our family contacts, Dad. He seems to have it all under control. Don't you, Adam? He has plenty of help in LA working with clients. Isn't that right?"

Adam glared at him. "I do, actually. Enough anyway."

Hunter looked at Eve and back at Adam. "Is it ever enough, Adam? You seem to be getting more than your share from what I can see."

Eve looked at Adam, who was suddenly furious. Martin hook his head, knowing what Hunter was implying as Grace just drank her wine, looking over her glass, waiting for the drama to blow up. She smirked and a little giggle escaped her. Adam and Hunter looked over at her, annoyed at her amusement.

"Sorry. Wine makes me giddy. What about you, Eve? Are you a wine girl?"

"I love wine. But it makes me a little light-headed." Eve smiled, not sure what was happening. She was just happy to be with her idols.

Adams' phone rang, and he jumped up. "I have to get this."

He walked away toward the restroom, leaving his girlfriend alone at the table.

Eve sighed with disappointment written all over her face that everyone at the table could clearly see. It was frustrating for her to watch him walk away again. She was sick of the phone calls and instantly being ignored. She knew as soon as he came back he would be mad, as he always was after the phone calls. He was already upset with Hunter for some unknown reason.

She dropped her chin, fiddling with her napkin, and Hunter saw the sadness in her eyes.

Quickly, Grace nudged him. "Hunter, say something. She's upset," Grace whispered.

Hunter nodded. "Eve, are you all right?" Hunter calmed his tone.

"I'm fine. He takes a lot of those calls. I just… I guess I don't understand the constant business calls. He gets pretty angry easily and he never just takes time to relax."

Martin looked over at Adam across the room. "Business and personal time are two different things. I've noticed that Adam does tend to take those calls all too often. I have asked him about it and he refuses to talk to me. I taught my other children that work stays at work. We have to keep a balance. Family and friends are more important than money."

"That's encouraging. I wish Adam saw it that way. He could learn a lot from you." Eve looked out the window near their table, trying to change the subject. "The storm is picking up."

Hunter looked out the window facing the ocean. "Yes. We may have to cut the evening short. I hear they upgraded the storm a while ago."

Grace felt bad for Eve seeing the tears puddled up in the corner of her eyes. Adam's calls obviously upset Eve. "So, Eve. Who is he talking to?"

Adam was making his way back to the table when Eve brought her attention back to Grace. "Oh his cousin, Sylvia. Do you know her?"

Adam sat down while hearing her say Sylvia's name. He tried to change the subject as he sat. "So. This steak is great. Dad, are you enjoying your food?"

Hunter leaned up to the table, pushing his plate forward to rest his arms on the table. Getting more enraged as he wiped his mouth. "Cousin, huh? So, Sylvia is your cousin now? Did you marry your cousin, Adam?"

Grace gasped at her brother's outburst. "Hunter. Hush."

"No. I've heard enough. Answer the damn question, Adam."

Eve looked at Adam and back at Hunter in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"This bastard is a lying, cheating, good for nothing, piece of SHIT! Eve, I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but Sylvia is his wife. Not his fucking cousin."

Eve turned to him. "Adam? Is this true? Are you married?"

"Babe. It's not what you think?"

Grace was getting mad now, too. "What exactly is it then? Adam, that's messed up. You told us that Eve was just your friend."

"Friend?"

"Okay, yes. Sylvia is my wife but --."

Eve stood up, slapping him across the face. "BUT NOTHING! You lied to me, you asshole!" Eve ran from the room crying and Grace tried to stop her.

Martin just sat in silence, watching his children's drama unfold. "Grace honey, go find Eve. Adam. We need to talk, Son."

Hunter stood up. "I'll go. Grace, you stay here. The storm is starting to pick up and you don't need to be out there."

Adam looked at the older man, who was clearly disappointed in him. "I have to go find her, Dad. I made a mistake."

Grace grabbed his arm. "Leave her alone! You've done enough to that poor girl."

"Mind your own business, Grace."

"Don't turn this on me. You shouldn't have lied to her. It's wrong and you know it."

Rolling his eyes, Adam just sat back in his chair, sipping on his wine, as if not a care in the world.