The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 144

HUNTER POV

My hands are steady as I draw both guns, training them on the armed intruders who dare violate my sanctuary.

The weight of the weapons feels familiar, comforting even–a reminder of skills I had hoped never to use again.

“Move and I’ll put a bullet through your brain,” I say, my voice deadly calm. “Trust me, my aim is flawless.”

The men freeze, their own weapons half–raised, Smart. They should be afraid.

I’ve never felt this wild need to protect before–this savage instinct that roars through my veins like wildfire.

Celine, Caesar, our unborn child….they are my world now, my everything. I would gladly fall into hell itself before allowing harm to touch

them.

The seconds taut as we face each other in this deadly standoff. But something’s off. These men aren’t firing. They’re not even trying to take

cover.

Professional killers would have already engaged.

Then it hits me like a physical blow.

“Fucking hell,” I breathe, my eyes widening with the terrible realization. “She sent you.”

My mother. Eleanor Reid had orchestrated this.

“Who sent you?” I demand, my voice cutting through the pressure like a blade. “Think very carefully before you answer, because I’m not

afraid to die–and I’ll make damn sure to take you with me.”

The distant wail of sirens reaches us, growing louder. Someone must have called the police when the explosion rocked the building.

Good.

Let them come.

How dare she? How dare my own mother blow up my penthouse and send armed men after the woman I love and my son?

The check for two million dollars was one thing–cruel, calculated, but this? This crosses every line that exists between mother and son.

“How much did she pay you?” I ask, studying their faces. They exchange hesitant glances.

“Because you’re not leaving this building. It’s already surrounded. Your only choice is whether you want to make this easy or spend the rest of your lives in prison.”

One of them shifts nervously. “And if we refuse?”

“Life sentence for attempted murder and breaking.” I shrug as if discussing the weather.

“Your choice.”

Through the chaos, I catch a peek of the bedroom door where Celine disappeared with Caesar. She doesn’t need this stress. None of this is good for the baby.

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THE

thought they euld be cats here. In my panties, any from my mother the

Twat wrong

The first gunman cracks. “Fuck it,” he mutters, ignoring his partner’s sharp protest.

“I’ve put a family to think about. A sick daughter who needs surgery. The lady approached is at the casino downtown–knew everything

about us, offered any amount we wanted.”

My blood turns to fre. “What lady?”

“Hall payment upfront,” he continues, words tumbling out in a rush. “The rest when we delivered the woman and the child.”

Delivered. Not killed. Delivered.

The meaning hit me like a sledgehammer. My mother doesn’t just want Celine gone–she wants her taken somewhere.

Somewhere I will never find her.

Heavy footsteps echo in the hallway as police and security crowd the penthouse. I quickly holster my weapons, my mind already racing ahead to what comes next.

“Sir, are you injured?” The lead officer approaches cautiously.

“I’m fine.” I watch as they cuff the intruders, my jaw clenched tight. “These men were hired to kidnap my… to kidnap the woman and child in my care.”

The security chief looks embarrassed. “Mr. Reid, I’m so sorry. The camera system has been malfunctioning–we’re having maintenance come in to fix it tomorrow.”

Of course. Nothing about this was random. My mother had this planned to the last detail.

Murmurs ripple through the crowd of tenants who have gathered to gawk.

1 catch pieces of their whispered conversations–speculation about who Celine is, what she means to me, why I’m hiding a woman and child in my penthouse.

Let them talk. I have bigger concerns.

The bedroom door opens, and Celine appears with Caesar clinging to her like a lifeline. Her face is pale, her eyes wide with terror.

Every protective instinct I possess screams at the sight of her fear. I cross to them immediately, my hands gentle despite the violence still coursing through my system.

“Are you okay?”

She flinches at my touch, and something dies inside my chest.

“What’s going on?” Her voice is barely a whisper. “Who were those men?”

I meet her eyes, seeing the brightness there, the doubt when I offer her the obvious lie. “Robbers. Nothing for you to worry about.”

She knows I’m lying. Of course she does. Celine’s too smart to buy such a weak explanation.

I lift Caesar into my arms, feeling his small body trembling against mine. “Hey, buddy. You’re safe now. I promise.”

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“I was scared, he whispert againe my nek

know. But you don’t have to be scared anymore. I’ll always protect you AB of your

Looking at Celime over Caesar’s head, I make the decision that will change everything, “We’re leaving. This place isn’t safe anymore!

Why?” she asks, though I can see she already suspects the answer.

“Pack what you need. I’ll send someone for the rest”

She starts to protest, but I cut her off with a harshness that makes her step back. “Listen to me for once in your goddamn life.”

The drive to the cabin passes in tense silence.

My knuckles are white on the steering wheel, rage and fear warring in my chest.

Caesar chatters occasionally from the backseat, but Celine says nothing, staring out the window with that distant look I’ve come to dread.

The cabin comes into view as twilight settles over the lake.

The last time we were here was for Celine’s birthday–that perfect, golden afternoon when I had kissed her for the first time and allowed myself to believe in happiness.

Now it feels like a lifetime ago.

Caesar perks up immediately. “Can we go swimming?”

“Not tonight, sweetheart,” Celine says softly. “We just got here.”

I unlock the door, breathing in the familiar scent of wood and lake air. This place has always been my haven, but now it feels like a fortress.

Which is exactly what we need.

“You’ll be safe here,” I tell Celine as we step inside. “I’ll send someone with supplies and your things from the penthouse.”

She turns to face me, and I can see the questions burning in her eyes. “We need to talk about what happened. About what’s really going on.”

“I know. But not tonight. I need to go take care of something.”

Her face pales further. “You’re leaving us here alone?”

The fear in her voice nearly breaks my resolve. I want to gather her in my arms, promise her I will never leave her side again.

But I can’t.

Not until I’ve dealt with the source of this threat.

“This place is safe. Camera system, neighbors in the other cabins. You’ll be safe.” I crouch down to Caesar’s level. “I’m counting on you to

take care of your mama and the baby, okay?”

His little chest puffs out with pride. “I promise, papa.”

I stand slowly, my eyes finding Celine’s one last time. If only she knew how far I’m willing to go for her. How much I love her with every fiber of my being.

How she’s become the very air I breathe.

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But she hates me. I can see it in her eyes, feel it in the way she flinches from my touch.

Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe her hatred will keep her safe when my love couldn’t.

Without another word, I turn and walk out into the gathering darkness, leaving my heart behind in that cabin with the only people who’ve ever truly mattered to me.

Vincent answers on the first ring. “Jesus Christ, Hunter. What the hell happened?”

“My mother hired men to kidnap Celine and Caesar.” The words taste like poison. “I’m done playing games, Vincent. This ends tonight.”

“Don’t do anything stupid, man. Who knows what else that witch has planned?”

“I’m going to confront her. Put an end to this once and for all.”

“Hunter….”

I hang up and press harder on the accelerator.

The Reid family estate looms before me like a mausoleum of childhood nightmares.

I bypass the butler entirely, my footsteps echoing through the marble halls as I make my way to the tea room–my mother’s favorite sanctuary.

I don’t knock. I never knock anymore.

She’s there, of course, sitting across from Mia like they’re discussing the weather instead of attempted kidnapping. Both women look up as I enter, but I only have eyes for one.

“How could you?” The words come out raw, accusatory.

“Hunter,” Mia starts, her voice falsely bright. “I was hoping you would….”

“Get out.” I don’t even look at her. “Now.”

Eleanor waves her hand dismissively. “Mia, dear, perhaps you should give us a moment alone.”

“Of course.” Mia’s smile is strained as she gathers her purse. “I’ll call you later, Eleanor.”

The door closes behind her with a soft click, leaving me alone with the woman who gave me life–and who just tried to destroy it.

“You’ve forgotten your manners,” my mother says calmly, setting down her teacup. “Acting like a savage in front of my guest.”

I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “That scared little boy who worried about your approval? He’s gone, Mother. Now I have something actually worth protecting.”

Her eyes narrow. “That woman has corrupted you. You would never have spoken to me this way before….”

“Before I found love?” I step closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Before I discovered what it means to have a real family? You’re right. I wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up to you before.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m warning you.” I lean over her chair, close enough to see the hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “This is your last warning. Don’t mistake my years of silence for weakness.”

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She straighises, trying to reexin he compere “won’t with you any home and ene

your

If you touch one haunt than heads,” i interrupt, my voice desely wit at of my life se comptakaly, you’ll snifar il pris drat hart & san at sh

The words hit the mark 1 see her flinch, see the first crack in her perfect facade.

she is the pregnant again? The question comes out strangled.

I don’t answer, I simply turn toward the door, my message delivered.

But as i reach the threshold, I pause without looking back

“Don’t push me, Mother. You created this monster. Don’t make me show you what I’m truly capable of.”

The door closes behind me with a finality that echoes through the halls of my childhood home.

And for the first time in my life, Eleanor Reid is left speechless.

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