The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

HUNTER’S POV-

The Gulfstream’s engines hummed beneath my feet, but all I could hear was Vincent’s endless comment on everything from the flight attendant’s smile to my alleged sexual frustration.

“Six hours,” he said, checking his Rolex for the third time in ten minutes. “That’s how long you’ve been separated from Celine. Your left eye is twitching.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response, focusing instead on the contract spread across my lap. contract spread across my lap.

Numbers blurred together as my mind wandered to Celine, probably laughing with Caroline somewhere over the Pacific.

I should have insisted we travel together, bachelorette party traditions be damned.

1

“Seriously though,” Vincent continued, obviously immune to my silence, “how are you handling the celibacy? Because your jaw’s been clenched since takeoff, I’m starting to worry about your molars.”

“Don’t you have anything better to do than psychoanalyze my sex life?”

“Not really. It’s fascinating research.”

I looked up from the contract. “Research for what?”

Vincent’s grin was pure mischief. “Understanding how you managed to lock Eleanor Reid in a mountain fortress. That kind of ruthless decision–making requires serious emotional investment.”

The mention of my mother sent ice through my veins. “She needed time to reconsider her priorities.”

“Maybe. But you realize you’re making things exponentially worse for Celine, right?”

My hand stilled on the papers. “Explain.”

“Eleanor doesn’t strike me as someone who accepts defeat gracefully. You’ve essentially declared war on a woman who’s spent thirty years perfecting the art of psychological warfare.”

Vincent’s voice lost its teasing edge.

“I like Celine. Hell, I would take a bullet for that woman after everything she’s endured. But I’m terrified of what happens when your mother gets out.”

The plane touched down in Vegas with a bump that jolted my stomach. Or maybe that was Vincent’s words settling like lead in my gut.

Forty minutes later, we stood outside the Bellagio while a valet took my keys.

The desert heat hit like a wall, but it was nothing compared to the cold fury that froze my blood when I saw someone walking out of the hotel’s sliding doors.

Clancey Morrison.

1/4

1702 Thủ 28 Aug

Chapter 192

Phone pressed to his ear, designer sunglasses reflecting the afternoon sun, looking every inch the entitled trust fund baby who had spent months trying to steal my family.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” The words escaped before I could stop them, my hands automatically clenching

into fists.

Vincent followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. “Well, well. This weekend just became infinitely more interesting

“What the hell is he doing here?”

“Probably the same thing we are. Caroline’s bachelorette party, Frederick’s bachelor weekend.” Vincent shouldered his bag with clear amusement.

“Family duties and all that.”

Clancey hadn’t noticed us yet, too engrossed in his phone conversation.

I could hear pieces of his voice carried on the desert wind: “…told you she would be here…” and “…perfect opportunity…”

Every instinct I had inherited from three generations of Reid men screamed danger.

“This was planned,” I said quietly.

“Probably. But come on Hunter, you always think everything is planned, but even if it is, why would he?”

I didn’t answer, but we both knew. My mother might be locked away in the mountains, but her influence reached everywhere.

And Clancey Morrison had always been too eager to please, too willing to be used.

~CELINE’S POV~

The silver dress twinkled like liquid mercury as I turned in front of the full–length mirror in our suite.

Caroline had made a great choice…..the dress was classy enough for dinner but bold enough for a night out in Vegas.

The fitted bodice grazed over my barely–there bump, our joy, our miracle,

Behind me, Hunter moved around the bedroom like a caged wolf. He had been on edge since we had landed, his mood darkening with each passing hour.

“I still don’t understand why Clancey has to be here,” he muttered, yanking a black t–shirt over his head with unnecessary.

force.

I turned from the mirror, watching him struggle with the simple task of getting dressed.

His hair stuck up at odd angles, giving him a messy look that was somehow sexier than his usual perfectly styled appearance.

“For the third time, Hunter…..Clancey is Frederick’s cousin. Family.” I picked up the navy leather jacket from our bed, the buttery soft material warm from the afternoon sun streaming through the windows.

Chapter 192

“He has every right to be here.”

“Family,” Hunter repeated, the word bitter on his tongue.

I walked over to him, letting my fingers trail across the hard planes of his chest.

His muscles tightened when I touched him, filled with frustration and something darker that I couldn’t identify.

“Play nice tonight,” I murmured, looking up into eyes that burned like blue flames. “This isn’t about you. It’s about Caroline and Frederick.”

Hunter’s hands found my waist, his grip possessive and desperate. “You’re asking me to ignore every instinct I have.”

“I’m asking you to trust me.“I stood on my toes and kissed him. I could taste the mint toothpaste and feel his nervousness.

“Can you do that?”

His forehead pressed against mine, and for a moment, the predator disappeared. In its place was just Hunter….my Hunter….vulnerable and afraid.

“Always,” he whispered.

My phone buzzed against the dresser, shattering our moment. The screen showed Caroline’s name and a string of party emojis.

“She says they’re meeting in her suite for drinks and games before hitting the clubs,” I read aloud.

Hunter’s face immediately darkened. “Caroline’s idea of games usually involves someone ending up naked or in jail.”

I laughed despite the tension crackling between us. “Come on, grumpy. It’ll be fun.”

“That’s what terrifies me.”

I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door, checking one last time that we had Caroline’s gift….a custom photo album I had spent weeks putting together.

The elevator ride to the penthouse floor felt endless, Hunter’s thumb tracing nervous circles on my palm.

Music and laughter filtered through Caroline’s door, the sound of a party already in full swing.

I smoothed my dress one final time, suddenly nervous about facing a room full of people who still saw me as the maid who had gotten lucky.

Hunter must have sensed my hesitation because he squeezed my hand and kissed my temple. “Hey. You belong here. With me. Always.”

The simple words steadied me more than any pep talk could have. I squeezed back and nodded toward the door.

Hunter pressed the doorbell, and we stood there waiting, fingers intertwined, both expecting to see Caroline’s bright smile or maybe Blake’s friendly wave.

17:02 Thu 28 Aug

Chapter 192

Instead, the door swung open to reveal a nightmare wrapped in black silk.

ཚད་ ཞིམ་གས་ ོག་གྱུར་ ད ་ཚོ་

Mia Blackwood stood in the doorway, looking ferocious like a spider in its web. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail that highlighted her sharp features.

The dress she wore hugged her curves tightly, revealing much more than it covered.

But it was her smile that made my blood freeze – perfectly rehearsed, razor–sharp, and absolutely triumphant.

“Hello,” She spoke softly, her voice sweet but sharp.

Hunter’s hand tightened on mine so suddenly I almost gasped. I felt rather than saw his entire body go stiff beside me, every muscle coiled for attack or flight.

This wasn’t a coincidence. And I hated it, hated that we had walked straight into her trap!

“Mia.” Hunter’s voice was deadly quiet, the kind of calm that came before volcanic outbursts. “What are you doing here?”

Her smile widened, showing teeth white as fresh snow. “Same thing you are, I imagine. Celebrating love.”

I could see into the main room of the suite behind her. People I recognized were talking and mingling while holding champagne glasses.

Their smiles looked predatory.

Caroline was nowhere to be seen, but I spotted Vincent near the bar, his expression grim as he caught sight of us.

“Where’s Caroline?” I asked, proud of how steady my voice sounded.

“Oh, she’ll be along shortly. She asked me to play hostess while she finished getting ready.” Mia moved to the side and signaled for us to enter. It felt more and more like we were walking into a trap.

“Please, come in. The party’s just getting started.”

As we walked in, I saw Hunter’s reflection in the hallway mirror. He looked furious, but his eyes showed something even more dangerous than anger.

This was going to be a very long night.

I didn’t think any of us would come through this without getting hurt.