“She’s my girl,” I confirm. Ireallywant these assholes to keep their grubby hands to themselves. “So fuck right off if you know what’s good for you.”
My director of photography has enough sense to put his hands up in mock surrender. “Whatever you say, boss man. Whatever you say.”
Ashton’s too high to keep up with the conversation. “What did he say?” I hear him mumble stupidly as I storm off in search of Eden.
She’s easy to spot. In the sea of stars present at tonight’s party, she’s a supernova. It also helps that all the men —and a handful of women, too— practically break their necks to get a good look at her, effectively pointing me in the right direction. I just have to follow the line of gobsmacked stares to know exactly where she’s wandered.
Eden’s at the bar talking to someone. When I get close enough to see who it is, I freeze.
Jack Walton.
Fuck.
There aren’t many people in the world who strike fear in me, but old Jack Walton is uniquely capable. I thought I was free of him. I thought he was rotting away in a cell somewhere.
So what is he doing talking to my woman?
I approach cautiously, wrapping an arm around Eden’s waist.
She looks at me and beams. “Oh, Hunter! I was just about to find you. I think I’ve met an old friend of yours.”
Jack Walton smiles. He seems pleasant enough on the surface, but I know the truth. This is what a wolf in sheep’s clothing looks like. “Well, if it isn’t my good friend, Hunter Stride. I hear you’ve made quite a life for yourself while I’ve been away.”
“What are you doing here?” I demanded curtly.
“Whatever do you mean? This ismyhouse.”
I frown. “Charlie invited us.”
“Who do you think invitedhim?” He smirks, a malicious tint to the expression. “Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily? You may have half this city wrapped around your finger, butIhave the other half.”
Blood rushes violently past my ears, deafening. I didn’t know Charlie was connected to Walton. In all the years I’d known my cinematographer, I never linked the two of them. If Walton has Charlie under his thumb, I need to do what I can to help. I know firsthand what it’s like to suffocate under Jack Walton’s influence. Just because Charlie’s annoying as hell sometimes doesn’t mean I’m going to let him sign away his life.
“How much does he owe you?” I grumble under my breath.
“That’s none of your concern.”
“I pay you to keep him off your list. Whatever his debt is, I’ll settle it.”
“The same way you did for Thomas Halloway?”
Eden glances between Jack and me, understandably confused. “What’s he talking about?”
“She doesn’t know?” Jack asks, sounding way too pleased. “Well, this is certainly interesting. Did your father never mention me? I’m guessing our dear friend Hunter has failed to explain who he worked for before all the fame and success went to his head—”
Slap!
In the blink of an eye, Eden’s hand whips out. She strikes him across the face with such speed that it feels like she’s managed to stop time. People turn to stare, whispering amongst themselves behind their hands.
“You talk too fucking much,” Eden seethes. “I don’t know who you are, I don’t know how you know my father, and I quite frankly don’t give a shit. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep his name out of your mouth.”
I’m both horrified and amazed at her ferocity. She clearly doesn’t understand who Jack Walton is, but it doesn’t matter. Seeing her so damn fearless is a huge fucking turn-on.
“Thanks for the party, Walton,” I say, tightening my hold around Eden’s waist. “Glad to see you’re still kicking.”
He snorts, his polite mask slipping before our eyes. “I’ll be seeing you. Both of you.”
I whisk her away before Jack has the opportunity to do something I’ll make him regret.