When Passion Flares (The Dark Horse Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  Hunter shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Bet you got a good look at the governor’s daughter, eh? Ain’t she around your age?”

  This time Hunter almost lost his poker face. Do they know? He had one split second to determine the amount of information Paul had. Forget Terrence – he wouldn’t know a monkey was scratching his shoulder – but Paul was paid to know everything about the opposition. “I don’t know much about her, but I’m sure I saw her.” It seemed safe enough for an answer.

  Paul smiled. “She’s hard to miss. Beautiful young lady. Hard to believe those two old fools made such a lovely one like her.”

  Watch it. Fine thing if Hunter’s relationship with Kerri was found out because he decked Paul for sounding like a bastard. Kerri would be livid to know such Neanderthal behavior occurred, but damn would it be satisfying. “I suppose. What is this about again?”

  Paul leaned back into the couch while Terrence continued to soak up the smug air in the room. “We’ve recently discovered something quite interesting about the Mitchell family. We don’t have any proof yet, but once we do, this election will be in our bag.”

  “I see.” Hunter squared his shoulders. “What does this have to do with me?”

  “Nothing. Just thought you would like to make a toast to your father’s…”

  Something beeped in Terrence’s pants. “Whoa there!” he exclaimed, jumping up to snatch his phone from his back pocket. One look at the caller made his cheeks redden. “Afraid I gotta take this one in private, fellas.” He exchanged a look with Paul that Hunter could not translate. “Go ahead and leave your old man alone for a while, son. This stuff would bore you.”

  Says the man who wants me to go into the family business. But Hunter nodded his head and took his leave of his father and the campaign manager. There were more pressing things he wanted to get back to anyway.

  Like locking himself in his room and attempting to call his girlfriend once more.

  Hunter sat on the edge of his bed, his jacket loose on his shoulders and his necktie almost strangling his throat. He loosened the knot to give himself some air. By the fifth ring on the other end of the line, Hunter swore he had stopped breathing. I just want to hear her voice.

  “Yes? Hello?”

  Finally, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Kerri’s voice filtered through the phone. Hunter heaved the biggest sigh of relief in his life. “Kerri. It’s me.”

  A pause. Then, “Of course it’s you. Don’t you think I’ve known who’s been calling?”

  “Then why didn’t you answer? I’ve gone crazy imagining what has happened to you.”

  “Happened to me? Do you think my parents locked me in some tower to keep me pure and secluded from the rest of the big, bad world?”

  “…Maybe?”

  At last, Kerri laughed a little, although it did not assuage any of Hunter’s worries. “You better believe I got a stern talking to. But I am hardly a princess locked in a dungeon. My mother has been watching me like a hawk, that’s all. This is the first time since we were together last that I’ve had my phone to myself. She got lazy and forgot to take it away from me tonight.”

  So they are monitoring her… Or at least Brenda was. Hunter figured if Raymond had found out, he would have heard about it. From the other end of Raymond’s fists. “I’m glad you’re okay. Kerri, I have to see you.”

  “Have to? Or really want to? Go on, flatter me.”

  It was that sort of talk that made Hunter smile and want to shower his girlfriend with every compliment in the world. Oh, he would flatter her. He would flatter her to suffocation if he could. What were their families to them when they had fun like this to share? In any other circumstance, we could be together. The more he became entranced by Kerri Mitchell’s beautiful existence, the more Hunter thought of the term “star-crossed lovers.” Something he hadn’t thought of since high school English class.

  “I want to see you too.” The words trembled at the tip of Kerri’s lips. “Oh, this has been the worst. I’m afraid my mother is up to something.”

  “My father certainly is.” Hunter told her about what he heard in his father’s study.

  “Something on my family? I have no idea what it could be. Then again, it’s not like I know everything that goes on around here. I’m just an ornament to these people.”

  “It could be anything. It could even be completely false, knowing how these things go.”

  “Uh huh.” Hunter was sure he didn’t have to tell her twice about it. “At any rate, we need to figure something out soon. Specifically, when are we going to meet again?” Kerri lowered her voice. “I miss you. A lot.”

  Hunter did not expect that tone of voice to punch him in the gut. “I miss you too,” he said softly. “Well,” he reclaimed the confidence that was almost sapped out of him, “I don’t know about you, but I still have free reign. Or at least I don’t think I have anyone following me around.”

  The chuckle coming over the phone told Hunter he had no idea what he was talking about. “It’s not like I’m under house arrest. But I wouldn’t be surprised if someone is watching me. You can probably guess how my mother is.”

  Controlling? Fearful? The exact opposite of Ronnie? Hunter did not envy his girlfriend. “If there’s something you need me to do, say the word.”

  Kerri took her time responding. “Come rescue me, Romeo. Your princess awaits you.”

  There were a lot of things weighing on Kerri’s mind those following days, but nothing as heavily as what her mother was scheming behind the scenes.

  She has got to be kidding me. Kerri woke one sunny morning to find brochures about Rome, Venice, and Milan slipped underneath her bedroom door. Brenda had circled anything that seemed “hip and cool” through the eyes of a woman who had long been out of touch. Don’t think I’ll be going on any Gondola rides soon. Kerri had nothing against going to Italy one day. God knew she loved anything romantic like that, but not when it was her mother’s idea.

  “So what did you think, dear?” Brenda asked at breakfast. They were alone in the vast dining room, with only the echoes of voices in the other room to keep them company as sunlight streamed through the east facing windows. “I hear Italy is absolutely beautiful in summer. The sooner we get you there, the better.”

  Kerri made the sourest face she could muster. “I don’t want to go to Italy right now.” Like I’m letting you ship me off to be rid of my scandal with Hunter.

  But Brenda wasn’t listening, not that such a thing surprised her daughter. “I’ll make the arrangements today. How does a month in Italy sound? Or how about the rest of the summer? We’ll tell the press you have an important job lead there. Yes, good. You studied Italian in school, right? That will work.”

  “French, Mother. It was French.”

  “Close enough.”

  Kerri excused herself from breakfast after that.

  Not that she had anything good to do. For once she had no appointments with interviewers or photographers. Some young women may have pined for such a life, but Kerri did not appreciate having her mug splashed across every newspaper and local journal talking about “The Essentials Of Women Today.” If only she knew that was how it would be spun! When the interviewer arrived that fateful day, she asked Kerri routine questions: what she studied in college, what she wanted to do in the future, what she looked for in potential partners, and what she thought the state needed the most in terms of policy. Kerri had given her safe, stock answers, posed for some pictures, and went on with her day. Later that same week, she opened a regional magazine to see everything had been spun as if she were saying all women should get married as soon as possible and forget about pursuing careers. “It’s difficult making such important decisions…” she was quoted as saying. “…Husbands… have the right of it.” She had no idea in what context she originally said everything, but that was not it.

  What does this state need? Kerri sat in the den and watc
hed some TV. Better education, better infrastructure, better everything! She wasn’t sure what her father would do about any of that. He would make promises, as always, but he would never deliver. No politician on either side did. Kerri still didn’t know who she was voting for. Maybe she would abstain. At least then she couldn’t say she voted for Terrence Hall if pressed.

  Kerri wasted most of her morning watching TV. It was the same bullshit no matter the channel. Her parents paid for the cable news and debate channels… not that either of them watched them. Instead, they paid interns to watch the news. I wonder how normal that is. The first few dollars Kerri earned in her life were from watching TV for her parents. The thought disgusted her, and she changed the channel to some home improvement show.

  Brenda emerged from the other room an hour later, ripping the eyeglasses off her face as she flopped onto the couch beside her daughter with an exasperated sigh. “I tried, honey!” She patted Kerri’s curled up legs, but not without making a comment about how she needed to shave them. Once a day isn’t good enough? Oh, of course not. Brenda should talk. Kerri got her fast-growing hair genes from her mother’s side of the family. “I found the perfect Italy package for you. One month, three cities. Only the best tour guides and events!”

  “Great.”

  “I know, isn’t it? Sadly, when I went to try and purchase it, I found out we were low on funds in the personal account. I’m steamed! Your father should have told me he was taking out more for his campaign. He took out a chunk two weeks ago and… oh, you don’t want to hear about this.”

  “No, really, I’m riveted.”

  Brenda ignored her daughter’s insubordination. “I’m sorry, honey. Maybe in a couple of weeks we can get it together.”

  “I’m fine, Mother. Really. Italy can wait a few months.” I’d rather wait until the election is over and go with Hunter. To think, they could vacation where Romeo and Juliet lived. Was Verona a real place?

  “I’m still annoyed with your father…” Brenda continued to mumble about it as she got up and left the room. “Should’ve told me he was moving funds around… oh well, not the first time this has happened…”

  As she left, Kerri received a curious text message. “Hello stranger.” It was from Hunter. “You got some time for me today?”

  Smiling, Kerri responded with alacrity. “I seem pretty free today. Where are you?”

  “Down the road from the Governor’s Mansion. If anyone asks, I’m going say that I’m scoping out where I’m going to live come this January. Can you sneak out and meet me?”

  Kerri glanced at where her mother had gone. “Well I’m not forbidden from leaving the premises. Can you wait twenty minutes?”

  “For you I’ll wait the whole day.”

  Somehow that made the breath catch in Kerri’s throat. Maybe he’s a poet. She put her phone away and went up to her room to get ready for her surprise date.

  She put on a flowing cotton skirt with a loose blouse made for the summer day. A sunhat covered her face and sandals dotted her feet. With any luck, nobody would recognize her on first glance. Not unless they were intimately familiar with her wardrobe, and few people could claim that. Like Hunter, who was becoming quite familiar with the kinds of clothing Kerri wore.

  “And where are you going?” Brenda asked from the dining room as Kerri walked by with a straw tote bag over her shoulder.

  “Just going for a walk.” Kerri tried to keep it cheery. No sense making her mother suspect something on a beautiful day like this. “I’ll be back before dark.”

  “Should I send an escort with you?”

  Scoffing, Kerri put her hand on the front door of the Governor’s Mansion. “I’ll be fine, Mother. I’ll call or text if something delays me.” With a happy wave of the hand she stepped out into the delectable sunshine.

  With only the beautiful day to keep her company, Kerri could be happy. It’s good to get some fresh air. Aside from the occasional stroll in the gardens, she didn’t get out much on her own these days. What was the point when someone was bound to follow her if she stepped off the road and toward town? The governor’s daughter out for a walk… what a great photo op that was! Kerri was surprised her father didn’t think of it first.

  Sure enough, she saw Hunter’s car poking out at the end of the road. Kerri looked this way and that to make sure nobody was watching before she darted into the alcove and dove into the passenger’s seat. Hunter barely had time to give her greetings before he stepped on the gas and tore out of there as if they were driving off to get hitched. Don’t tempt me. Coming back as Kerri Hall would be the biggest middle finger she could give her family.

  “So where are we going?” She contorted in her seat, attempting to correct her posture as she fished for the seatbelt. Hunter took a curve dangerously fast, and Kerri yelped in both anxiety and excitement. “Hopefully not the morgue.”

  Hunter laughed as he shifted gears. I like the way he handles a stick-shift. Look at him, giving Kerri ideas in the car. “It’s a surprise. But I hope you brought your sunscreen.”

  “I’m not wearing any, no.” Kerri wished that he could see her winking, but Hunter kept his eyes firmly on the road. “Good thing you have those big strong hands to help me out, huh?”

  Naughty Kerri, making her boyfriend take his eyes off the road. “I’m not opposed to helping a beautiful woman out with her…” A car honked at them, and Hunter had to pull a smooth move while Kerri laughed beside him.

  True to his word, Hunter kept their destination a surprise until they were almost there. It took twenty minutes to drive wherever they were heading, and that was somewhere far out in the countryside. Kerri watched farms and ranches roll by on a quiet highway, the cows grazing while a rainbow of wildflowers bloomed both on the side of the road and in the gentle fields around them. Eventually developed land turned into wild woods full of dispersed sunlight and meadows full of butterflies. Hunter eased down a dirt road and parked the car behind a large oak tree. Like a gentleman, he opened Kerri’s door, a picnic basket slung over his other arm. One of those days, huh? Kerri held her sunhat against her head, hooked her arm with Hunter’s, and enjoyed the fresh air of the woods as they transformed into a green meadow overlooking the countryside.

  “Is this public land?” she asked, Hunter shaking out a cloth blanket to lay on the edge of the woods. “Or do you know the person who owns it?”

  Hunter finished spreading out the blanket and opened the basket to reveal bits of this and that. The biggest surprise was a small bottle of wine and two plastic glasses. He really thought this through, huh? Kerri tried to contain her blushing, but found it so difficult that she had to look away and hide it beneath the wide brim of her hat. “My family owns this land, actually.” Hunter sat on one side of the blanket and opened the wine. The satisfying pop echoing in the meadow attracted Kerri’s attention again. “Never have done anything with it. My father’s owned it since I was a kid. I think he was going to build a summer home here, but then we moved into the city for his job. No sense building a cabin only a few miles away.”

  “I see.” Kerri flattened her skirt against her legs and sat on the other side of the blanket. “We never really had vacation homes. My father was always too busy to take enough vacations somewhere to make it worth it. We rented places.”

  Wine almost spilled out of a glass. Looking at me, love? Kerri wouldn’t deny that she got a rush from almost making her boyfriend spill an expensive drink everywhere. Explain that to your family. “Well, I don’t think most people in the world have vacation homes of any kind.”

  “We’re not like most people.”

  With wine glass passed to his girlfriend, Hunter leaned back on his arm and clinked his against hers. “No kidding. Most people get to openly date whoever they want. Sure, their parents may not like it, but it’s not like it will cause a huge scandal in a whole state.”

  Kerri shivered and masked it by taking a sip of the wine. A luscious rose wine.
Too bad she couldn’t savor it because she was thinking of her family. “Oh, I don’t know. I dated some boys in college that my parents would say are ‘scandal ready,’ as they put it.”

  “That so? You can’t stop there. Tell me more.”

  Uh huh. Because men loved hearing about their girlfriends’ histories. Kerri would try her luck anyway. “There was this guy named Logan – I know, I know – who was fine on his own. I don’t think they would have objected to his appearance or behavior, really. But his family was, shall we say, not even half as affluent as mine.”

  “Ah, yes, lacking campaign funds. My family would never say it, but in my experience, women are allowed to come from poorer families. Then they make a nice Cinderella story.”

  “Don’t even remind me.” Kerri knew her fair share of such stories. Of course, it would be better if Hunter married a woman from a rich family for the same reasons the Mitchells wanted her to have a man of means, but the public loved a story about rags to riches… especially when someone as good looking as Hunter was involved. That thought was the only thing able to lower Kerri’s blood pressure again. “Does it ever end? Do we ever become old enough where it doesn’t matter anymore?”

  “When your parents have the last names Mitchell or Hall around here… no. I don’t think it ever ends.” Hunter put his hand on the small of Kerri’s back. “That’s why if… well, if we decide to continue this relationship, we’re going to have to figure out how we handle our parents. They’re never going to condone it.”