Slater's Apartment.
"Don't," Slater whispered, pushing his hand away. "Seriously, I'm sore."
The beautiful master thief looked at the man beside her. She didn't know what had come over her lately. If she went a day or two without seeing Hunter, she felt an ache that was more than just physical.
Today, she had broken another one of her rules. She had let him cross a line she swore she never would.
It was... intense. Not bad. But definitely damaging.
Thinking about how she might be walking funny for the next few days, Slater playfully punched Hunter's solid chest.
"I told you no, but you wouldn't listen."
Hunter lit a post-coital cigarette, smiling as he absorbed her gentle blows. He could feel her dependency on him growing. It wouldn't be long before he could move her to the farm. She would find out about Tally and Maggie eventually, but by then, she would be too deep in to leave.
Slater complained for another minute before exhaustion took over. Her stamina was impressive for a thief, but it was nothing compared to Hunter's superhuman endurance. Soon, her breathing evened out into sleep.
Hunter slipped out of bed, showered, and walked onto the balcony.
He leaned against the railing, watching the Los Angeles skyline. The cool night air mixed with the ocean breeze.
He reflected on the last two weeks.
Since joining the Continental, life had been smooth. The LAPD had stopped harassing him. Jane Smith's agency had gone silent.
He spent most of his time at the farm, leveling up his Construction skills and deepening his bonds with Tally and Maggie.
Even Matilda, the little girl Maggie brought along, was warming up to him. She was attending a public school in Pomona now, and the farm life seemed to be healing her trauma.
Professionally, Hunter had completed two more contracts for the Hotel. Simple hits. They paid less than a million combined, but he earned four Gold Coins. Easy money.
Next step: Expansion, Hunter thought.
He planned to buy the three neighboring farms. If he combined them with his current land, he would own nearly 3,000 acres.
That was enough space for a private kingdom. A shooting range. Bunkers. An armory. Maybe even a testing ground for heavier ordinance.
Joining the Continental had been the right move. It provided cover, resources, and a steady stream of income. If they ever turned on him... well, he'd be ready.
"I'll take a few days off," Hunter mused, flicking ash over the railing. "Do one more contract to boost my Contribution Rank. Then... I need to find Mia."
Since Dom Toretto and the crew went underground, the FBI had issued warrants for everyone. Except Mia.
She was safe to return to the US.
As for Dom... Hunter could probably use his Continental connections to clear Dom's name. But then again, if Dom wasn't a fugitive, the Fast & Furious plotline would break.
Better to let things play out, Hunter decided. Adventures need conflict.
His mind drifted to the Caribbean.
Among the loot from Stanfield's apartment were several old maps. They looked like treasure maps. Cryptic coordinates. Landmarks that didn't appear on modern charts.
Hunter had cross-referenced them. They pointed to locations near the Bahamas, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic.
He didn't know what the treasure was, but Stanfield had kept these maps in the same safe as his black money. That meant they were valuable.
A treasure hunt in the Caribbean, Hunter smiled. Sounds like a nice vacation.
Ring. Ring.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone buzzing on the bedside table.
He walked back into the bedroom, careful not to wake Slater, and dug the phone out of his pile of clothes.
Unknown Number.
He hesitated, then answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, little man."
The voice was sultry, teasing, and dangerously familiar.
"I heard you joined the club. Congratulations."
Hunter's eyes narrowed.
"Perkins."
"The one and only," she purred. "Listen, I have a proposition for you. A private contract. I need help with a job."
"And don't worry," she added with a laugh. "I pay very well."
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Authorizz