Last Target

Hunter resumed unpacking, organizing his clothes and meticulously placing them in the guest room's closet which was nothing like his walk-in closet.

Looking around the bedroom, he chuckled seeing that the whole of the bedroom was the size of his walk-in closet at his house.

Thinking about how she had suggested that he was a gold digger made him even more amused.

As he folded the last of his trousers, his phone rang. Seeing Damon's name flash on the screen, he answered with a smile.

"Hey, man."

"Hey, you! How's your new home? Have you moved in yet? Or did she throw you out?" Damon's amused voice boomed through the phone.

Hunter chuckled, appreciating his friend's humor. "I've moved in. Still organizing my clothes," he replied, placing a neatly folded turtleneck sweater on the shelf.

Damon's laughter echoed through the line. "I still can't believe you're actually doing this."

Hunter chuckled. "Neither can I. But I'm committed now."

"I wish you good luck with that! Let's hope she doesn't murder you in your sleep," Damon said and they both laughed.

"She wouldn't. Besides, her sister is cool. I'm sure she won't let her murder me," Hunter said and Damon raised a brow.

"She has a sister? Is she a gold digger too? Perhaps it's a family business," Damon asked jokingly.

"Nah. I don't think so. She's a widow."

"That's too bad. By the way, how about going home for dinner as your grandmother requested?" Damon asked curiously.

"I can't go home. I will find time to go, but it can't be today," Hunter said, knowing his grandmother was just going to nag him some more about getting married.

As they chatted, Hunter heard a familiar voice in the background. "Daddy, can I have the pink juice?"

Hunter's smile widened, and his heart softened. "Is that Em I hear?"

"Yeah, it is," Damon said, a smile evident in his voice. "She's been a handful this morning. She's waiting for Sharon to pick her up," Damon said, the affection clear in his voice.

"Sharon's turn to pick her up, huh?" Hunter asked.

"Yeah," Damon confirmed. "She should be here any minute now."

"Can I say hello?" Hunter asked, leaning back against the bedpost, his organizing temporarily forgotten.

"Of course," Damon replied, "Em, guess who wants to say hello to you?" Damon called out to his six years old daughter.

"Mummy?" Hunter heard her ask.

"Who's your favorite person apart from mummy and daddy?" he asked and Hunter laughed when he heard her screech.

"Uncle Hunter!"

A moment later, Emily's cheerful voice came through.

"Hello, Uncle Hunter!"

"Hey, Sugarpie! How are you?" Hunter asked, his tone warm and friendly.

"I'm fine! I'm waiting for mummy to come get me," she said, her excitement palpable.

"Sounds like you're going to have a fun week. Make sure you give your mummy a big kiss from me when she gets there, okay?"

"I will!" Emily promised, giggling. "Will you get me a doll when you come?"

"I'd buy you an entire doll shop, darling…"

"No, you won't. She has too many dolls already. And you should stop spoiling someone else' daughter and get your own," Damon said and Hunter chuckled.

"Your daughter is mine too," Hunter called back.

"Bye, Uncle Hunter! Mummy is here!" Emily called out.

Hunter smiled, his mood lifted by the brief interaction. "Bye, Emily." He heard the phone shuffle back to Damon.

There was a brief pause, then the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Damon said. "I've got to go. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"You too, Damon. Thanks for checking in," Hunter replied.

"Anytime," Damon said before hanging up.

Hunter placed his phone on the nightstand and returned to his task. As he was hanging the last of his shirts, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," he called, and Jessica poked her head through the doorway.

"Breakfast is ready," she announced with a smile. "You should join us."

Hunter nodded, feeling a pang of hunger. "Thanks, Jessica. I will be right there."

Jessica flashed him a quick smile before disappearing back down the hallway. Hunter took a moment to smooth out the last of his shirts, then made his way out of the guest room and down the hall.

The dining room was bright and welcoming, the table was set with an array of breakfast foods – scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and a pot of steaming coffee. Jessica was already seated, pouring herself a cup.

"Smells great," Hunter remarked as he took a seat across from her.

"Thanks. Help yourself," Jessica said, gesturing to the spread.

Hunter filled his plate, grateful for the semblance of normalcy. As he took his first bite of scrambled eggs, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging.

Despite the circumstances, there was something comforting about sharing a meal in this house, with Jessica's easygoing presence providing a balance to Delilah's icy demeanor.

"Isn't Lila joining us?" he asked, glancing around.

Jessica shrugged. "She will join us when she's ready. She's probably still trying to wrap her head around everything," Jessica said with a grin.

Hunter nodded, understanding. He couldn't blame Delilah for her reaction. It wasn't every day someone found themselves in a sudden, unexpected marriage.

"You really like her, don't you?" Jessica asked as they ate and Hunter met her gaze.

"Yes, I do," he said simply.

"And you are not here to cause any trouble for her, are you?" She asked again, her concern for her sister evident in her tone and eyes.

"Only good trouble," he said, and Jessica smiled.

"What sort of trouble is good?" She asked amused.

"I might make her fall for me and I trust she would consider that as trouble," he said, and she nodded.

"I approve of that sort of trouble as long as your intentions are good," Jessica said simply.

She was leaving in a week's time, and she really wanted to be sure that she wasn't leaving her sister alone with a psychopath or something close to it.

"So, what's your plan now that you're here?" Jessica asked, and Hunter shrugged.

"Get a job, win her heart, and live happily ever after," he said, and Jessica nodded.

"I can't help you with the getting a job part, but if you need my help in winning her heart, I'd be happy to render it," she said and Hunter looked at her with interest.

"You don't mind that I'd get in the way of her other business?" Hunter asked, and Jessica raised a brow.

"What other business?" She asked in confusion, and when Hunter cocked his head to the side as though he was waiting for her to figure it out, her eyes widened.

"You know about that?" She asked and he nodded.

"Yeah. She told me when we met."

"She told you that? She must have been pretty drunk. And you too. How drunk were you to have gone ahead to marry her?" Jessica asked, and he shrugged.

"I told you I like her. I meant it," he said, and Jessica smiled at him.

"I will definitely help you win her heart then. I'm on your side. And you don't have to worry about her job, she promised me that she will stop after this last one," Jessica said and he raised a brow.

"She said that?" Hunter asked with interest.

"Yes. And I believe her," Jessica said and Hunter grinned.

So, he was her last target? Interesting. He was very flattered.