Thirty minutes later, Gina was driving home in the sleek black car the Huntley Corporation had given her. The engine purred beneath her fingers, the seats hugged her body like luxury should, but her mind wouldn't stop spinning. The adrenaline from the day hadn't faded. Her thoughts looped like a broken reel:
Why had she been hired? Why did Adrian Huntley look at her like that? Why did his voice make her body react before her brain could?
She was still unraveling that when her personal phone buzzed.
Tess.
"Don't come home," Tess said without preamble. "Marcus is here."
Gina's chest went tight. "He what?"
"He broke in," Tess hissed. "He's been pacing and talking in circles. I've tried to get him to leave, but he said he's waiting for you."
Gina didn't hesitate. "I'm on my way."
She wasn't going to run. Not anymore.
As she pulled up to the building, her stomach sank. Marcus's red Porsche 911 was parked outside like a trophy. He always loved flashy things. It was like he couldn't believe he had money, always needing to prove it. Once, Gina found that kind of confidence charming. Now it just made her nauseous.
She clenched her jaw and walked up the stairs, the sleek sound of her heels echoing against the stairwell. If he wanted trouble, he was going to get it.
She opened the door to hear Marcus and Tess mid-argument. But the moment she entered, silence fell.
Marcus turned. His eyes locked on hers and then flicked down to her stomach. Gina watched the muscles in his jaw twitch. He took a step toward her like instinct was pulling him in, like he'd forgotten time hadn't even passed.
Tess looked relieved.
Marcus looked smug.
As if her returning somehow validated his delusion: that she was still his.
Gina walked right past them into her room. She didn't slam the door. She didn't need drama. She needed armor.
She shed her work clothes… the shirt and fitted slacks… and slipped into a hoodie and sweatpants. Fluffy slippers. Comfort. She tugged out the band holding her hair, letting the long black waves tumble around her shoulders. She stared at herself for a second in the mirror.
This version of you is not afraid anymore.
She stepped back out and crossed the living room, pausing only to give Tess a hug. "You okay?"
Tess nodded, eyes flicking nervously toward Marcus.
Gina sat at the table, then turned her attention to the man who had once broken her heart in the most unthinkable way.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice sharp, unwavering.
Marcus stood taller. "You. And my child. I'm not letting my baby grow up in this cramped third floor apartment. You're coming with me. Pack your things."
She laughed, cold and cruel. "Oh? To your wife's house? Or maybe your mother's? What would your family say when they see me carrying your child while your wife is picking baby names too?"
His jaw clenched. "You know I didn't want that marriage. If I had known you were pregnant…"
"But you didn't," she snapped. "Because you were too busy cheating. With my best friend. You broke us before I could even take a pregnancy test, Marcus. You destroyed this."
"I'm the love of your life," he said, stepping forward. "The father of that baby. And I know how to take care of you. I have the means to…"
"There you go again," Tess interjected, throwing up her hands. "Throwing your money around like it's a personality!"
Marcus turned on her. "Stay out of this. You stole her from me!"
"I stole her?" Tess laughed dryly. "You married and knocked up Jessica. You lost your right to her, Marcus."
Gina leaned in, her voice low and biting. "You left me the moment you chose her. The moment you betrayed me."
Marcus looked like he was about to explode… his pride, his entitlement, everything in him boiling.
Then…
A knock on the door sliced through the tension.
Tess rushed to answer it and froze midstep.
Adrian Huntley stood there.
No jacket. Just a pristine white shirt, open at the collar, exposing the sharp line of his throat. His dark curls framed his face with infuriating perfection, and his presence… it wasn't just handsome.
It was devastating.
Dark. Controlled. Dangerous.
His green eyes were fixed on Gina, but even Tess felt it, the pull, the gravity of him. The way the air changed when he stepped inside.
"Adrian Huntley," he said, his eyes finally meeting Tess's and a voice as smooth as a velvet knife. "May I come in?"
He didn't wait for a response.
He stepped in, carrying a black container that smelled of roasted garlic and spices. As he passed Marcus, he didn't even look at him. It was like he didn't register his existence.
Adrian walked straight to the table, placed the container beside Gina, and looked at her.
"You worked hard today," he said in that same velvety voice. "And I was informed you only ate once. That won't happen again."
Gina blinked, suddenly aware of her racing heart. Every syllable out of his mouth stroked the base of her spine.
Marcus found his voice. "Who the hell are you?"
Tess, her voice a pitch higher than usual, asked, "Wait, Huntley? As in Huntley Corp?"
Adrian didn't even glance at her. "That's right."
He handed Gina the cutlery from the box and opened it. Steam rose from a chicken dish so rich it made her mouth water but she could barely focus.
Because Adrian Huntley's attention was entirely on her. His eyes fixed on her, like there was nobody else in the world. And she couldn't help but meet his gaze… something was willing her to.
Then Marcus stepped forward, anger climbing again.
"This is what I think it is? You doing this to make me jealous?"
"You're married, Marcus!" Tess snapped. "Jealousy isn't in your rights anymore!"
Gina rose, facing Marcus. "You broke into my home. You made demands. You married my best friend. And now you think you have the right to accuse me of being with someone else?"
Adrian leaned against the wall, arms folded. He looked like he was watching a stage play, but there was heat in his eyes. Taking in Gina's rage was interesting to see…
But—
Marcus's final mistake was grabbing her arm, tugging her toward the door.
Adrian moved.
One step. Silent. Lethal.
He was between them in an instant, towering over Marcus. Calm but ice-cold.
"Let her go," he said… low, quiet, and terrifying.
Marcus froze. His grip fell away like it burned him.
Adrian didn't blink. "You need to leave."
Marcus puffed his chest. "Who do you think you are?"
Adrian tilted his head, surprised by Marcus's new found strength. His eyes digging into his soul and when he spoke, it was bone-chilling. "Gina belongs to me now." As if testing to see his reaction.
Silence.
Tess gasped audibly.
Gina's knees almost gave out.
Marcus's mouth fell open.
Adrian turned to her. "Are you alright?"
She nodded.
"Good." Then back to Marcus: "You have five seconds to disappear. Or someone outside will help you understand how I handle disobedience."
It wasn't a threat.
Everyone in that room felt the darkness that enveloped those words from Adrian. His eyes, a darker shade from the green Gina was used to.
It was a guarantee.
Marcus left.
Adrian turned to Gina. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
The command curled around her, wrapping heat through her core.
And just like that, he left… leaving behind stunned silence, a confused best friend, and a pulse pounding ache in Gina she couldn't begin to explain.
Tess looked at Gina… and she knew she had some explaining to do. Where would she even begin because she was just as confused.