Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series) (9 page)

 
I had never considered the prospect of my
sister being hunted down by the tabloid rags, but as the new girlfriend of
Lucas Hunter, it was definitely a distinct possibility. I had no idea about
what went on at Hunter Industries, but it was clear from Lucas’s reaction that
he was aware of the risks much more that I was. The family had become important
to me, and the last thing I wanted was to create any problems, publicly or
privately. It sounded like they had plenty as it was.

“I’d prefer it if
you end the arrangement and I’ll substitute the extra money you earn,” he said
as I shook my head. That wasn’t going to happen. I viewed this as more than a
job and enjoyed helping them out. They’d been good to me and I wasn’t about to
turn my back on them.

“They need me and
they trust me. Please do the same,” I said, pulling Lucas Hunter’s usual trick
and leaving the room before he had a chance to respond.

I decided to evade
the inevitable barrage of questions that would come from my sister and made my
way down to the lodge, alone.

I sorted out my
hair, brushing through the knots and pulling it back into a high ponytail
before changing my grass stained jeans for a cute top and skirt combination. I
curled my legs beneath me, lost in my thoughts and sitting quietly by the fire.
I needed a bit of space from the Hunter family for a while. I’d go back to the house
later, but between Roman, Charlie and Lucas this morning; things had been more
than a little intense. Roman walked in an hour later, sitting opposite me and
staring into the flames.

“Charlie’s pissed
off,” he said without looking up.

 
“Well he has no right to be, Roman. We’re
friends and I don’t dictate who he can and can’t fuck,” I said as he chuckled
gently.

“That hardly
matters. He’s a guy. I didn’t realise until just now how bad he had it for
you,” he said as I shook my head.

“Just in case it’s
escaped your notice, Charlie is with Scarlett. That’s his choice. Am I supposed
to wait around until he decides he might want to do more than fuck me for one
night?” The words were out and sounding completely wrong before I could change
them.

Roman looked up at
me slowly, piercing me with that incredible gaze as I held my breath. “So I’m
second choice?” he grinned as I shook my head.

“Of course not,
don’t be ridiculous. There has never been anything but friendship between me
and Charlie, and I don’t get why everyone finds that concept so difficult to
reconcile,” I huffed as he laughed.

“Don’t get your tits
in a twist. You know how he feels about you, and you’re lying if you say you
don’t. You have my brother wrapped around your little finger, Chas. His head is
all over the place. Guilt drove him back to Scarlett. Now he’s fucked up and
he’s in a difficult position. He’s too much of a gentleman to turn his back on
her now,” he said as I shook my head.

“I’m not sure
that’s true, Roman. From what I hear, Charlie can be a shark,” I said,
deliberately using Turnbull’s words and wondering what Roman’s response would
be.

“In the boardroom,
yes, but with affairs of the heart he’s a lot more sensitive than you think,
Chas. He went through a hard time with Scarlett and according to Lucas, it
knocked him for six.”

I’d had enough of
talking about Charlie. I was supposed to be here helping the brothers through
their grief and seemed to be doing nothing but causing more trouble. “Have you
read the letter?” I asked, wondering if that’s what he’d been doing up at the
house. He shook his head, staring at the fire. “Would you like me to read it to
you?” I asked as he turned to face me, frowning for a moment, seemingly unsure
whether this was too intimate a proposal to share with someone he’d only known
for a couple of days.

“I won’t share it
with anyone. I owe you, Roman. You saved my life today,” I said as he laughed.

“With what I’ve
got planned for you, you might have been better taking your chances with the
horny bull,” he grinned as I frowned.

“Don’t even joke
about it. Weren’t you scared?” I asked, wondering what make this man tick.

“I didn’t have
chance to be scared, Chas. You were screeching like a fucking banshee. To be
honest, that was more disconcerting than the bull,” he laughed as I threw a
cushion at him.

“It was terrifying.
I thought I was going to die.”

“When I was there?
You won’t die on my watch, sweetheart,” he winked, warming me with the
affectionate smile that followed as I swallowed hard. He’d been a hero today,
and a girl could fall for a hero way too easily; particularly one that looked
as glorious as Roman and fucked like a God.

I forced my gaze
away. “The letter?” I asked as he nodded eventually, pulling it from his shirt
pocket and handing it to me. I tentatively opened the thick cream envelope and
pulled out two sheets of matching stationary. I took a deep breath, praying
that whatever was in here would help Roman put his ghosts with his father to
rest, overwhelmed by the enormity of what I was about to do.

“Dear Roman,

If you’re reading this letter then the worst has happened and I have
gone before ever having had the chance to make things right with you. Please
know, Son, that this is the biggest regret of my life. I acted in rage, grief
and anger, wanting to hit out at the world for your mother’s death. What I said
and did was absolutely indefensible, and I hope that somewhere in your heart,
you will one day find the strength to forgive me.

I want to start by letting you know, that you are my boy in every
true sense of the word, and I have loved you since the second you came kicking
and screaming into this world. Your brothers came quietly, but you made quite
the entrance, and from the moment I set eyes on you, my love was unswerving.

I didn’t always show it and our relationship has been blighted over
the years, not because of our differences, but because of our similarities.
Your lack of respect for authority, your determination to strike your own path
and that dogged independence to do what you want. I can’t remember a time when
that wasn’t the case. In that respect, we are more alike than you realise. I
should have recognised the pattern, nurtured that determination and encouraged
you in your endeavours, but I didn’t. I tried to harness it, control it and
guide you like I did your brothers. I should have known that wouldn’t work. No
one could control me either.

I tried to mould you, but please understand that it was only because
I know the hardship and danger that comes with the path you chose. All I ever
wanted was to provide for your mother and give all my boys the upbringing that
I never had. However misguided, it was driven by love and a fierce desire to
protect you all.

If possible, Roman, don’t tell your brothers about your true
parentage. I feel certain that it won’t change how they feel about you, but I
know it will hurt Tyler particularly badly. I would rather they didn’t know
about your mothers affair, simply because I don’t want to taint her in their
eyes as I have done in yours. The affair was entirely my fault and I don’t
blame her, I never did. She had Lucas and Charlie and I was never around. I was
so busy trying to make it in business that I neglected her badly and looking back,
I’m not surprised she sought affection elsewhere. Everett was waiting in the
wings. I knew how he felt about her, but he was my best friend and I didn’t
ever think he’d act on it. When she confessed, there was no hesitation that I
wanted you both. I wanted my family. It gave me the jolt I needed to get my
priorities in order and I had never forgotten that until the day I threw you
out.

You are my son, you have always been my son and I love you with all
my heart. I am trying desperately to find you, but you don’t want to be found.
I hope you come back to your brothers, your bond is unbreakable and whatever
happens going forward, don’t make the same mistake I did and turn your back on
the ones you love. You are stronger as a unit, Roman. Always remember that.

My P.I did find out why you left the Special Forces and I laughed
hard at that one. I’m surprised you took orders in the army for as long as you
did. I don’t know what you’re doing now, but please be safe, son. The last
thing we need is another Hunter going into the ground before their time.
 

Live hard, love hard and laugh hard. One day we will be reunited and
I can throw my arms around you and tell you how much I love you. Until then,
take care of your brothers, especially Lucas. He’ll take on everything when I’m
gone, it’s just how he is, but help him where you can because he will never ask
for it. Charlie has amazing business prowess, but remind him not to make too
many enemies, and tell Tyler I’m proud of him. He thinks I don’t know about his
career, but of course I know everything; usually before he does. He has a rare
talent and I’m proud that he followed his own path.

As for you, Roman, please never doubt my love for you. It runs
through my veins every bit as deep as it does for your brothers. I can never
take my words back and wish only that I could. I hope you never have to read
this letter, and that I will have all the opportunities in the world to sit
down and talk with you, explain my behaviour, argue with you, laugh with you
and see you find the happiness you’re searching for. I hope it finds you out,
and you treasure it as much as I have treasured all of you.

Goodbye, Son.

Dad”

Tears were weaving
down my face in silent tracks. Roman said nothing at first, rising from his
seat by the fire. “I’m going out on the bike,” he said firmly, taking the
letter from my hands and throwing it on the corner of the grate, before he
stormed out and the lodge door slammed behind him.

I thought it would
be what he wanted to hear. Silus Hunter’s letter had moved me to tears, but
Roman had showed no emotion whatsoever. I bent, pulling the letter from the
flames that were licking at its edges, stamping out the charred corners on the
stone hearth and waiting for it to cool. I’d keep it safe. One day he might
want to read it again, when the dust had settled and the hurt had subsided. It
wasn’t my decision, but burning it made it irretrievable, and Silus Hunter had
been right about one thing. People made terrible choices while lost in the
awful grip of overwhelming grief. I heard the roar of the bike on the gravel,
tearing down the huge driveway, making my way up to the house to put my sister’s
mind at rest that I wasn’t on the back of it.

Chapter Seven

 
“The boys are coming over, do you want to
watch us jam,” Tyler smiled as I nodded excitedly. There was no sign of Jess or
Lucas and I assumed Charlie was still with Scarlett.

“Absolutely,
Tyler, will you sing Obsession for me?” I asked as he laughed.

“Sure, and I’ve
got some lyrics in mind about a girl who has two brothers fighting over her,”
he winked as I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t you start,”
I huffed as he slung his arm casually around my shoulder, leading me into a
room at the back of the house that I hadn’t seen before, soundproofed and
filled with instruments. “Nice little set up,” I smiled as he nodded, picking
up two drumsticks and hammering on the kit that was standing in one corner.

“We can’t practice
in Roman’s apartment, the neighbours would go mental, and this is more relaxed
than the studio. We can just piss about without everyone from the record
company watching,” he smiled. One thing he’d said had caught my attention.

“Roman’s apartment?”

 
“Yeah. Don’t tell the others, but it’s been
pretty hard to make a living as a musician. Dad flat refused to give me an
allowance, but Mum did secretly. Roman wanted to buy a place to invest some
money, but he needed to do it someone else’s name. He used mine and has let me
stay there since I dropped out of University. I got an advance from the record
company recently, so money is less of an issue, but it’s pretty tough trying to
keep up with billionaire brothers when you’re pulling in £300 a week on the
club circuit.”

“I can imagine,” I
laughed, wondering if the others realised how much he’d struggled. I doubted
it. They’d have helped him out if they did, and Tyler was probably too proud to
ask for handouts. “What happened to your allowance when your Mum died?” I asked
as he grinned broadly.

“It just
continued. The old man never mentioned it and neither did I, but he must have
realised that a decent wedge of cash was going into my account every month. It
was a point of principle for him. He always said if I dropped out of school;
that financially I was on my own. Luckily for me, Mum didn’t see it that way,
but he didn’t change it when she died. I guess he wanted to honour her wishes. I
was going to talk to him about it the day I came to visit, tell him I didn’t
need it anymore, but I never got the chance,” he said sadly as his eyes fell to
the floor.

“I’m sorry,” I
smiled as he looked up at me. “What will you do now?”

 
I’ll stay on at Roman’s place. It’s great and
he’s never there, but I’ll be buying my own pad soon,” he smiled proudly,
opening the back door to let his band mates in. They were obviously used to
coming here, taking the opportunity to run their eyes over me as they walked in.

“You got a new
bird, Ty?” asked a tall, slim man with long chestnut hair who I recognised from
the MTV clip.

“This is Chas,
she’s a friend of Roman,” he said as they raised their eyebrows.

“I didn’t think
that bad bastard had friends,” he quipped, laughing and staring at my tits for
way too long.

I decided to play
on his reputation to ensure the inappropriate glances wouldn’t continue all
afternoon. “Well he does, and you might want to know that he doesn’t appreciate
other men leering at my breasts. So I suggest if you want those fingers to stay
straight, you move your eyes upwards,” I smiled sweetly as Tyler laughed. From
that point on I was treated as one of the boys.

I could hardly
believe I was getting a private concert and sitting in a jamming session with
Heat. This would be one to tell the Grandchildren. They were playing a mix of
tracks, perfecting their sound before experimenting with new ones, riffs and
lyrics that Tyler was throwing around. It was enthralling, and for a few
moments I couldn’t take my eyes off the younger Hunter brother. I could see the
attraction, and wasn’t surprised the record company were thrusting him forward
as the face of the band.

The other three
were attractive in their own way, but he stole the stage when he opened his
mouth. His voice was angelic, then raw, powerful and deeply sexual and he had
the most incredible range. He could flip from soft ballads to heavy rock as
they played around with different options and it was mesmerising to watch. It
didn’t hurt that he also looked like a sexy son of a bitch, lean and muscular
with a naughty twinkle in those dazzling blue eyes.

He was different
to the others, especially when he performed. In the house he was just the
youngest of four incredible brothers. When he sang, he was something else. He
was confident and flamboyant; acting like he ruled the world and had every
right to be there. He wasn’t serious like Lucas and Roman, or charming and
funny like Charlie. He was the impossibly attractive mix of hot man meets
naughty schoolboy with a cheeky charisma that morphed into smouldering sexy in
one strum of those strings.

The drummer, known
simply as ‘Basher’ turned to Tyler, half way through a song called ‘Brighten
the night’ and told him to slow it down. “I think this is one of our strongest
tracks. We’ve got a gig at the Academy in Manchester to coincide with its
release, but I think we should try it softer,” he said as Tyler span to face
him.

“Why didn’t you
tell me about the gig?” he asked, as Basher shrugged.

“I just did. We
only found out a couple of days ago and you’ve had enough to deal with,” he
said as Tyler nodded.

“The Academy?” he
grinned and I knew instantly this was a pretty big deal for the boys.

“Yeah, and when
this album launches we’ll be playing the arena. Get ready for the big time,
Ty,” he winked as Tyler laughed.

“You need to
create some interest, cause a bit of a stir and get some publicity for us,”
Mick the bass guitarist said as Tyler flashed a glance at me.

 
“Sex, drugs or women?” he smirked, gauging my
opinion.

“If you really
want to create a splash, I suggest all three. But as far as drugs are
concerned, you’d better be careful, and for God’s sake don’t tell Lucas I
suggested that.”

I looked up as
Roman walked into the room and Tyler grinned broadly. I was assessing his face
for signs of his mood as he sat, pulling me onto his lap. “Basher, Mick, Si,”
he nodded to each of the band in turn. “Show us what you’ve got then, Tyler,”
he said, holding me in place as Tyler began to sing Obsession again. He was watching
the band closely and giving little away regarding the events of earlier.

“Play me another song
from the album,” he said as Tyler looked around at the band.

“Can we try
‘Wonderment’? I’m still not happy with the chorus on that track,” Tyler suggested
as Si moved to the piano and Tyler grabbed his guitar. The song was slower than
the others and softer in style. The gentle rock track gave Tyler the
opportunity to showcase his vocal range as Roman suddenly picked me from his
knee and moved to grab another guitar that was resting in the corner.

“It needs to pick
up at the chorus, right before you slam into that low gravelly sound. You need
to make more of it, the transition is just too smooth,” he said, playing out
the notes as Tyler watched him closely. I raised my eyebrows. I had no idea
Roman Hunter was musical. He didn’t seem the type, but he was concentrating
hard and certainly looked like he knew what he was doing.

“Basher, do you
get what I mean?” Roman asked; turning to look at him as Tyler practiced.
Basher nodded, playing out his understanding as Roman walked across to him,
reaching out for his drumsticks. “Like that, but harder as Tyler goes into the
third line of the chorus,” he said, demonstrating twice on the drums. He picked
up the guitar again, playing with them as they took the track from the top.

He looked as sexy
as sin, rocking out with his brother and he was totally immersed in the sound,
as though music were his second nature. It was as captivating as it was
surprising. As soon as they hit the chorus I knew he was right. Roman Hunter
had nailed it. It was just what was missing, adding a new depth to the song,
and by the time they finished I was applauding hard.

“That sounds
incredible,” I smiled as Tyler grinned.

“I knew there was something,
I just couldn’t figure out what it was. You should be in this band, Roman.”

“He’s right, you
should,” I smiled at him as he laughed softly. “I didn’t even know you could
play.”

“We all play
something. My mother insisted we all learned an instrument. She said music fed
the soul and it would be good for us. I think she wanted us to be like the Von
Trapp family,” he said as Tyler laughed.

“With looks and
talent like that, you’d go global,” I said as Tyler raised his eyebrows.

“I think you might
have just insulted my band,” he laughed, glancing around at Si, Mick and
Basher, but they didn’t seem bothered. I imagined anyone who hung around the
Hunter’s too long got used to the continued adulation of everyone they met.

“I didn’t mean it
like that,” I smiled apologetically.

“Well, Charlie
would struggle. There isn’t much call for a Cellist in a rock band.”

“Cello? Why on
earth did he pick that?” I gasped, wondering what he’d been thinking. Electric
guitar was far sexier.

“I have no idea.
Lucas plays guitar and drums, Roman can play just about anything and I guess
Charlie wanted to be different,” Tyler shrugged as I shook my head, laughing
softly.

“Can you really?”
I asked, turning to Roman as he nodded. “Why aren’t you in the band then?”

“Good question,”
quipped Tyler, holding his brothers gaze.

“Because it’s too
high profile. Appearing on album covers and MTV is not conducive to the work I
do, trust me,” he said seriously, moving to sit beside me again.

“And do you sing,
Roman?” Tyler was smiling broadly, nodding in response to my question. Roman
stayed silent. “Will you sing for me?” I asked, turning to face him, holding
his gaze. That was something I
really
wanted
to hear.

He was quiet for a
moment. “One day,” he smiled, running his fingers slowly across my lips. “I bet
this angelic mouth makes some pretty cool sounds.” It really didn’t and I
couldn’t help but laugh.

“You know the
orgasmic pig?” I grinned as Tyler laughed and Roman just stared at me, bemused.
I realised I’d relayed that story just before he’d made his grand and
unexpected entrance. “Well, when I sing, it sounds like the orgasmic pig is
being simultaneously strangled.”

 
Roman headed to the fridge in the corner and
pulled out five beers. “I don’t want one, thanks,” I said as he handed them
out, deciding I’d go and get some juice, kissing him on the cheek before I made
my way back to the kitchen, gasping at the mess and wondering whose decision it
had been to give the housekeeper time off.

They were clearly
used to people picking up after them, and my sister was no better. Breakfast bowls
and plates still littered the table and there were mugs, cups and glasses
everywhere. I’d met tidier students. I started to collect the pots, loading the
dishwasher and filling the sink with soapy water. I wasn’t certain how it
happened, but at home we’d slipped into a routine where I did everything
because I seldom worked in the day. She’d need to pull her finger out, but then
again, if things worked out with Lucas she’d have a housekeeper of her own one
day. Lucky bitch!

I searched through
the cupboards for the dishwasher tablets, crouching on the floor in pink rubber
gloves, looking up as Charlie walked in. “What are you doing?” he asked as I
resisted the urge to say ‘What the hell does it look like?’

I settled on, “I’m
cleaning up after you scruffy buggers,” as he glanced at me briefly before
making his way into the lounge. So he hadn’t cooled off then. Roman came in
moments later, watching me as I rifled through the cupboard of cleaning
products.

“I’ve never wanted
to fuck the help, but you’ve just created a whole new fantasy, Chas,” he said
as I turned, trying not to laugh.

 
“The help? You really have been raised in a
different world. Some of us have never had a servant, and it seems like none of
you even know how to load a dishwasher,” I said, biting my lip to stifle my
smile at the look on his face. “Seriously, Roman, you might be able to survive
single handed in the jungle, but pots don’t wash themselves. Some skills are
more valuable than others,” I said as he laughed.

“That depends on
where you are. Soaping up breakfast dishes isn’t much use when you’re fighting
an alligator,” he grinned as I wondered for a second if he’d actually done
that. Nothing about this man would surprise me.

“Well as far as I
can see, there are no alligators in this kitchen; so do me a favour and grab
the rest of those cups,” I said as he picked them up, placing them on the side
and I finally found the dishwater tablets. I set it going, pulling out the
kitchen cleaner and getting to work on the surfaces as Roman watched me
curiously, picking up the last dirty mug and dropping it on the floor by his
feet.