Page 16 of Simeon's Beloved
Hunter sat on the edge of the bed and reached up and touched the sensitive little scar that was left where Simeon had bitten him. He told him that it was a bonding scar and signified their Fated bond. It was like an honor to wear Simeon's bond scar, and he had a crazy desire to show it off. Simeon had gone to the outer room to take a call from Sam, who was leading the investigation at the Hotel.
Hunter understood that Simeon was trying to shield him from the worst of the news regarding his family and their plans for his demise, but honestly, he was okay now and could handle the worst. With that thought, Simeon came back into the room, still speaking with Sam, and continued their discussion, and took a seat next to him on the bed. Hunter smiled, knowing that the bond had alerted him to Hunter's need to know. Simeon closed the call and then shared with him everything they had discussed.
"The Hotel is secure, although they haven't identified the man who was caught on camera speaking with the shooter. He managed to keep his back to the cameras, not wanting to be seen in any CCTV footage. They're still tracing his movements through the Hotel and speaking with staff who may have seen him. We'll find him, don't worry."
“I’m not worried at all.”
"Good." Simeon wrapped his arms around Hunter and rolled him onto his back. Just then, Hunter's phone began to ring. Simeon moved back and allowed Hunter to sit up and reach for his phone.
"It's Dave Jr." He said, quite surprised. "What the hell could he possibly want from me? He has to know that the game is over, and I know about the Will."
"He isn't aware that you know about the hitman." Hunter stared at Simeon wide-eyed for a few seconds and then answered the call.
“Hello.” He said sharp and clipped.
"Hunter, thank God you're alright. I know you're upset about the Will, but there is something so much worse going on right now, and you need to know." He sounded out of breath and frightened, but he was a good actor.
"I don't need anything from you, Dave you and Father can go rot for all I care." Hunter shot back.
“Please listen.” He yelled. “Father hired someone to hurt you.”
“Who?”
"I don't know. He said he would have it professionally done, so I'm assuming he is a hitman of sorts. He used an old army buddy of his to contact this man, whoever he is, and he's paid him $25,000 to kill you and make it look like an accident or a random act. You have to hide, Hunter." He was really laying it on, and Hunter found himself buying it and sympathizing with Dave Jr. to a degree.
"What should I do? Call the police?" Hunter suggested, not sure where he was going with this conversation.
"No, if you call the police, I will deny ever saying anything to you. If you call them, it will ruin us." Dave continued, but Hunter was unsure what the man wanted him to do with his dire warning.
"I'm at the Hotel, I need to see you speak with me, and we'll figure something out. I'm afraid Father may have included me on his hit list. Things are so insane right now I don't know what to do." Dave was becoming hysterical.
“Okay, I’ll meet you at the hotel.” Hunter agreed.
"Okay, text me when you get here, and I'll tell you where to meet."
“I’ll text you.”
"Thanks, Hunter and I am sorry."
"You're going to the hotel to meet with him?" Simeon sounded incredulous, so Hunter hurried to explain.
"I need to see him to look in his eyes and try to understand. You can come with me. I won't put myself in danger, I promise. Besides, the Hotel is crawling with wolves, so Dave Jr. doesn't stand a chance if he tries anything." Hunter batted his eyes at Simeon, who eventually agreed.
"Alright, but you're not meeting with him alone." Simeon was not about to back off on that point, and Hunter understood.
“No meeting alone, got it.”
“Good.” Simeon shook his head. “I don’t like this, but I won’t stop you.”
“Thank you, Simeon.”
Hunter walked into the Hotel as if alone. Simeon stayed a few steps back from him so that Dave Jr. wouldn't know they were together. Once inside, he walked over to the lobby and took a seat on one of the soft benches there, and shot off a text to his brother.
“I’m in a room on the third floor. Use the stairwell. The elevators aren't safe.” Dave Jr. texted back. That didn’t sound suspicious at all, was his first sarcastic thought. Dave Jr. was up to something.
Hunter sent the text to Simeon and proceeded toward the stairwell. He might feel a modicum of pity for his brother, but he didn't trust him any further than he could throw him. Hunter slowed his steps, making sure Simeon was close by as he took to the stairs.
He felt him channeling his calm, and Hunter instantly relaxed. There was nothing and nobody that could hurt him with Simeon close by. He made the first flight and stopped when he heard someone enter from above. Simeon was a few feet behind him moving silently. After a short pause, Hunter began the next flight only to be confronted on the landing by George Crawley.
