When the scorching midday sun pierced through the window and landed on the bed, Sam's eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes.
"Mmm?"
Blinded by the bright light, Sam squinted and let out a soft, drowsy hum.
"You're awake."
A man's gentle voice drifted from beside her.
Sam instinctively turned toward the sound, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the glare.
As her vision cleared, she saw the incredibly handsome Asian man lying on the other side of the bed, watching her with a warm smile.
Noticing the sun was bothering her, he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
He then rolled out of bed and walked over to the window, pulling the heavy curtains shut to block out the harsh light.
With her eyes fully adjusted, Sam had a clear view of him. Wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, Hunter's deeply chiseled, muscular physique was on full display.
Remembering everything that had happened last night, her face flushed crimson.
She never would have guessed that this man—who had seemed so gentle, considerate, and perfectly mild-mannered all week—would turn into an absolute, untiring beast the moment the bedroom door closed.
Briefly comparing him to her hot-tempered ex, Jared, Sam suddenly realized just how pathetic Jared had been in every possible category.
"Are you hungry?"
Hunter closed the curtains, plunging the room back into a comfortable dimness. He smiled and walked back to the bed but didn't climb back in.
He could read her perfectly. Even though they had shared an incredibly intense night, Sam was currently too shy to even meet his eyes.
Pushing too hard right now would be counterproductive. Giving her space to process and remember the pleasure of the night would help her adapt to their new reality much faster.
He trusted his [Acting] skills, and more importantly, he trusted the passive power of his maxed-out system skills.
When Sam didn't answer out of embarrassment, he continued smoothly. "Wait here a minute. I'll make you something to eat."
Without waiting for a response, Hunter picked up his clothes from the floor, dressed quickly, and left the bedroom.
While he had certainly enjoyed himself last night, his stamina—more than four times that of an average man—meant he hadn't slept until noon like the utterly exhausted Sam.
He had actually been awake for hours. In fact, he had left the villa for a few hours that morning to tie up three loose ends.
The first, naturally, involved Amanda.
She had called him to collect. Hunter met her, handed over the remaining $80,000 in cash, and concluded their transaction. He had to admit, he respected her ruthless efficiency.
The second matter was a special request from Amanda herself.
Assuming Hunter was a powerful local player, she had asked him to "cause some trouble" for her fake boyfriend, Bryce, to make him disappear for a few days.
Hunter wasn't stupid. Having stalked the group, he knew Bryce was Jared's best friend and that he and Amanda weren't actually a couple—just a broke, indebted lawyer and a gold-digger who hooked up on a flight from New York.
Hunter easily deduced that Amanda had realized Bryce was trying to cut her out of the drug plane profits to split it solely with Jared. Furious, she wanted Bryce out of the picture so she could partner directly with the newly-single Jared and take half the score herself.
Hunter had no intention of stopping her from walking into her own grave.
However, while he was out that morning, he did quietly take care of Bryce. He also planned to eliminate Bates before leaving the Bahamas. He knew Bates had been staying suspiciously quiet, waiting for Jared to pull up the treasure so he could swoop in and steal it. Hunter would tie up all the local antagonists neatly.
The third matter was arranging his departure.
A few days ago, Hunter had noticed a luxury cruise ship from the US docked in Nassau. He checked the itinerary and found its next destination was the Dominican Republic, departing tomorrow morning.
He had bought two first-class tickets.
His goal for the next two days was simple: convince Sam to get on that ship with him.
Within twenty minutes, Hunter returned to the bedroom carrying a tray with a simple but incredibly delicious meal and a glass of warm milk.
"Eat up."
Knowing he had pushed her past her limits last night—hence her sleeping until noon—he kept his tone soft and encouraging.
Sam had managed to sit up against the headboard, wearing one of his clean bathrobes he had left out for her. The brief time alone had helped her compose herself.
Seeing him bring her food, she offered a shy, grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Taking the tray, the starving and exhausted girl began to eat enthusiastically.
Hunter sat beside her, watching her eat with an affectionate smile.
Seeing her mood stabilize, he seized the opening.
"Sam, I bought two tickets for a cruise to the Dominican Republic. It leaves tomorrow morning."
"Come with me. We can get away from all this and just relax."
Sam froze mid-bite. She looked up, instinct telling her to refuse.
But before she could speak, Hunter gently interrupted.
"Sam, just give me a chance."
"It's only a four-day cruise to the Dominican Republic. If, by the time we get there, you still don't want to be with me..."
"I won't force you. You can fly back to the Bahamas, and I'll return to the US. Deal?"
Sam looked into his eyes. They were so intense, so full of heat.
She wanted to give him a flat refusal. She really did.
But for some inexplicable reason, the words simply wouldn't form. The thought of leaving his side suddenly felt impossible.
She fell silent, looking down at her food.
Seeing her silence, a victorious smile spread across Hunter's face.
He knew the passive effect of his [Reproduction: Level Max] skill was taking root. His efforts last night hadn't instantly brainwashed her into utter dependence, but they had fundamentally altered her psychological resistance to him.
She hadn't said no. After another night or two of "deep communication," she wouldn't even think of resisting his suggestions.
He was just about to seal the deal when a sudden noise shattered the quiet.
Ring! Ring!
Hunter sighed internally and stood up.
He walked over to his jacket. When he pulled out the ringing phone, his easy smile vanished.
It wasn't the burner phone he bought in the Bahamas.
It was the encrypted satellite phone issued to him by the Continental Hotel.
Hunter's expression turned serious. He answered the call and walked out of the bedroom into the hallway.
The familiar, perfectly modulated voice of Charon, the concierge of the New York Continental (and proxy for the LA branch), came through the earpiece.
"Mr. Sun. The Hotel has officially smoothed over the... complications you left behind in Arizona."
"As payment for this service, you are required to complete a contract for the Hotel, free of charge."
"I see you are currently in the Bahamas."
"I have already forwarded the contract details to your secure terminal. Please review them at your earliest convenience."
It was an official assignment from the High Table's underworld.
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