When Romance Prevails (The Dark Horse Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  “Look, they’re not going to take us seriously if we sneak around some more. They’re not going to give us their blessing as long as they can weasel around and find excuses to keep us apart until we ‘get over’ each other.”

  “If I can’t get over you in three months…”

  “Right. That’s why we’ve gotta get out of here. Out of town. Out of this damn mess of their own creation.”

  Something clenched Kerri’s heart, and it wasn’t her undying love. “You mean run away?”

  “I wasn’t going to put it quite that way.”

  “I don’t know.” Kerri pulled herself away from him and wrapped her arms around her legs. “Where would we go? What would we do? They would come looking for us.”

  “I know. But we could buy some time. The media would definitely latch onto it.”

  “Hunter!”

  “I know. I don’t like it either. But we could use it to our advantage. I don’t know how, but it will happen.”

  “You’re talking nonsense. Listen to yourself. You’re asking me to take a huge risk in my family. You can brush yourself off from a scandal. You can get a job anywhere. What do I have? If I lose my parents’ favor, then I’m screwed.” Kerri didn’t even want to think about it.

  “I know it’s crazy. But I don’t know what else to do. I refuse to live like this when we know we want to be together. How can we let our foolish parents dictate this sort of thing? Are we not adults?”

  “Adults talking about acting like children.”

  “People have done crap like this for more foolish reasons. If we’re still mad about each other after three months apart, then this is something we must pursue… with or without them.”

  Kerri shook her head. “I don’t know. I can’t even contact you. They took my phone.”

  “Here.” Hunter reached into his pocket and pulled out his. “Take it. I’ll turn off the GPS. I’ll text or message you when I have news on where we should meet to get out of here. Give me a few days. I promise I’ll get this sorted out… and then we’ll be together.”

  “Hunter.”

  “You don’t have to meet me when I contact you. But I hope you will. Pack light, but be prepared to be away for a while.”

  “I can’t believe I’m listening to this.”

  “What do you have here, Kerri? Security? They’re going to keep using you until they ultimately get what they want, and you know exactly what that is. Some guy they have picked out for you. Probably some trust-fund douchebag who will treat you like his trophy wife.”

  “You make it sound like I would agree to such a thing.”

  “And if you don’t? They’ll make your life hell. Stand up to them, even if it’s like this.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “It is easy for me to say. But I’m hoping you’ll do it. I can’t bear the thought of living like this anymore.”

  The phone her parents had given her buzzed on the nightstand. Speak of the devil. Kerri reached over and saw a message from her mother. “She’s coming,” Kerri said. “You better go.”

  Letting him kiss her goodbye was the hardest thing she had done in a while. But it was done, and Hunter quickly leaped off the bed and went to the balcony doors. Kerri followed him as far as the door and watched him eyeball how to get down before choosing a ledge that gradually went down toward the wild irises. She nearly had a panic attack just watching him shuffle along before making a hazardous jump and sprinting off in some direction.

  “Kerri!” Brenda knocked on the door. Her daughter thrust the curtains closed, ran to her bed where she smoothed out the covers, and made sure she was presentable before going to answer. “You okay in there, honey?”

  No. Kerri cracked the door open and saw her mother standing in the hallway like a solicitor. I’m not okay. Whatever her mother wanted, it was inconsequential. Not like what Hunter wanted. He desired his girlfriend to run away with him to God knew where and defy the only people she had ever trusted.

  The fact that she did not trust them at all now was not lost on her.

  Chapter 3

  Deciding how he and Kerri were to make their great escape was no easy task. There were many matters to consider, such as money (which Hunter had) and trusted connections (which he did not have). Going to the bank every day and withdrawing funds here and there so he wouldn’t have to use his cards when they took off was easy. Finding someone he could trust in case everything went wrong was another.

  He considered telling Ronnie, since she seemed like the only authority in this situation who had any sympathy. But she was a pushover, especially with Terrence. It hadn’t taken her long to agree with him that she had been foolish in keeping Kerri a secret from Terrence and Paul. She would fold under his pressure like a cardboard box without its tape.

  There were no friends around he trusted as honored confidants. Sure, he had friends – in all four corners of the country, most of whom could easily be bought out by somebody. No, at this point the only person he trusted wholeheartedly was Kerri, and she was the one putting more faith in him during these times.

  Within a couple of days Hunter had what he thought the best plan he could manage. There were just a few loose ends he had to tie up before he took Kerri and ran away for God knew how long. At least until the election was over, however they would effect it.

  He drove to one of Joshua Payne’s rallies out in the middle of nowhere. More farmland. Why Payne was trying to appeal to them, Hunter had no idea. Didn’t he know by now that most of the people he would attract would be city folk? Whatever. Hunter stepped out of his car and into a drizzle. People were handing out plastic umbrellas and he took one, even though he was sure a wind gust would come by and destroy it.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Hall?” Joshua sat behind a barrier while he went over something with his campaign manager. “Come to have another chat?”

  Hunter stood beside the barrier, a heavier rain dripping off the ends of his umbrella. “In fact I did. May we talk in private?”

  “I’m always prepared for a chat with you.”

  Prepared? What an odd way of putting it. Joshua nodded to his manager and led Hunter to the same trailer they conversed in before. When Hunter shook the rain off his umbrella and left it by the trailer door, he noticed a cameraman taking a picture in their general direction. Should I smile? Would be hilarious if someone tried to drum up a scandal about another Hunter Hall affair. I get around.

  “I haven’t seen you in a while.” Joshua poured himself a glass of something and offered another to Hunter. He declined. “Ever since that, ah, scene you’ve made yourself scarce. Can’t blame you. That was a trip.”

  Considering Joshua was the one who had the front row seat to Raymond Mitchell taking a swing at Terrence Hall, yes, Hunter was sure it was. “Didn’t have something to do with that, did you?”

  It was something Hunter had been wondering for a while now. Kerri once told him that Joshua Payne visited her and implied that the two lovebirds should be careful. Not long after that it came out that they were dating. And we had just been talking about taking down your opponents when you can’t win on merit alone. Joshua had no idea why Hunter was scarce lately.

  Joshua, after widening his eyes in surprise, quickly laughed and said, “Hardly. Even if I did have something to do with it, I wouldn’t have let it come out at the debate I had been practicing for weeks for. It was my goal to upstage both your father and Mitchell. That was a huge loss for me and my campaign. No, if I had hired some reporter to dig it up, I would’ve had him leak it to the press sometime after. But there was nothing for me to gain from that. Why take the risk and lose money?”

  He had a point, not that Hunter really believed Joshua was the culprit anyway. Odds were the reporter was just opportunistic when the governor’s daughter and beau were seen together. Still, I had to ask.

  “Why is it that you’re really here?” Joshua hooked one leg over the other and leaned bac
k in his chair. He was mighty relaxed this time around. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, Mr. Hall, but I’d think you would try to lay low after that. Election day is only a month away.”

  Hunter cleared his throat and maintained the air of dignity that he searched for. “I wanted to inform you of something.”

  “Oh, what is it?”

  “Nothing specific, I’m afraid, but you seem like the kind of man who has good ethics and can take things in confidence. Would I be wrong?”

  Joshua fought back a frown. “Depends on what you’re telling me in confidence. May I remind you that we barely know each other? You should trust me as much as I trust you. Which is to say, be cautious.”

  “Right. But I still trust you more than I trust either my father or Governor Mitchell.”

  “Well, I have that going for me then.” Joshua took a last sip of his drink and continued, “Does this have something to do with Kerri Mitchell? I haven’t heard anything about her other than what the media is shilling. Is she all right?”

  I wish I knew. There hadn’t been much time to talk about what had happened those past three months. “Her parents have her locked up in the mansion like a princess in a tower. I doubt they’ll let her out of the sights until the end of the year.”

  “Damn. Unfortunate… but not surprising. And you?”

  “I got out of it much more unscathed. By the way,” Hunter leaned forward, “she told me that you came and saw her at the animal shelter and said something… that disconcerted her. You knew about our relationship?”

  That was the longest drink Joshua had yet to take. “I did,” he finally said, although he refused to look Hunter in the eye. Shame? Doubtful. More like a man who did not want to let down one of his biggest – and least expected – fans. “I swear on my honor that I had nothing to do with that reporter or what happened at the debate. But I knew. I may not have the money or support of big donors like your father or Mitchell, but I have loyal men and women who tell me everything they think will help my campaign. I usually ignore it. But one of them is a busboy for a restaurant you took her to once, and he told me right away. I was surprised.”

  “You could have exposed us.”

  “I have nothing against you or Kerri. In fact, it’s quite a sweet premise if you think about it. So to that end I had no intention of destroying your relationship together. That was about you two, not your fathers.”

  “I see. That tells me that you’re really the right person to mention this to then.”

  “Oh?”

  Hunter pulled on his chin. “Kerri and I do not intend on separating, no matter what our families want. I’m afraid that this may be the last time you see me for a while. Hopefully the last time anyone sees her or me for a while.”

  “Are you implying…”

  “Implying? Certainly. But I reveal nothing.” In truth, Hunter still didn’t have any solid plans. “But it’s important that I let someone know that we are safe and that nothing bad has happened to us. Because someone will ask.”

  “You would rope me into this.”

  “At this point I have no choice. I’m sorry for the trouble it will inevitably cause you. But someone must know, and there is no one in either of our families we can trust.”

  “That I can understand. But I’m not sure what you think I can do to help. I will not let on that I know anything. For both your sake and mine.”

  “Duly appreciated. All we’re asking is that you be the one person who knows. We hope to lay low until after the election is over. Whoever wins, it won’t be pretty for us. But then we’ll know what our next step should be.”

  Chuckling, Joshua stood up and put his glass to the side. “People do crazy things for love. I can’t criticize. I once moved across the world on a whim to be with my wife, who was then my girlfriend. She wanted to teach English in China, but we knew that if we parted we may never rekindle our romance when she returned. So I went with her. We’ve been married ever since.”

  “Thank you.” Hunter stood as well, his hand extending to shake Joshua’s. “Good luck on your campaign, sir. You’ll need it.”

  “Ha. I was about to give you the same sentiment.” Their handshake was firm, and binding.

  Although he had not revealed much, Hunter was still happy to have that weight off his shoulders as he drove away from the rally fifteen minutes later. There was still much to figure out in terms of where to go and when to leave. Hunter had his eye on a cabin far away in another state, free from internet, TV, and even most cell phone reception. It’ll be like a romantic getaway for a month. But there were other things to sort out, such as transportation and food. Both he and Kerri were too recognizable. Thinking about these things made him sigh at stop signs, much like the one he was stuck out now.

  The street in front of the Hall residence was packed with cars. Great. More campaigners. When he left earlier that day he was barely able to get out as it was – had to call more than one person to come out and move their cars so he could get away in his. Now every spot along the street was taken, and the small parking lot by the intersection was stuffed to absurdity. Hunter had his own parking spot in the three-car garage, but that was taken up by someone else now. Probably Paul. He was always eyeballing a better place to park.

  Hunter ended up parking at the end of the road, reminding himself to come back out later to move it after most of the campaign crew left for the day. He locked his car and pushed through the closeness of a compact and a sedan. Even the sidewalk was littered with bicycles.

  “Oh, you again?”

  He stopped just short of a driveway to the neighbor’s house. “Huh?” Turning around, Hunter discovered Holly peering out of the sedan. “What are you doing here again?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.”

  Smart. Hunter kept a respectable distance from the car, but moved in close enough to see Holly play with the end of her dark hair. “I live here. Or did you forget that my father is the representative?”

  “I didn’t forget. You’re Hunter Hall. You’re in trouble.”

  Hunter balked at that notion. “In trouble for what exactly? What have you heard?”

  “That you’re dating someone you shouldn’t be dating. My mother says you’re going out with the governor’s daughter. She thinks it was some publicity stunt. Was it?”

  “You ask a lot of questions.”

  “Because nobody around here ever gives me any answers.”

  Astute. If Holly had spent the past twelve years of her life growing up in a house of politics, she would know just how many non-answers she could get. “I’m sorry to hear that. Not sure what I can do for you though.”

  “Who said I wanted anything from you?”

  “Holly!” A woman traipsed down the street. Hunter recognized her from the debate. Holly’s mother. Or so he presumed. The woman stopped in front of the driver’s side door of the car, and huffed from her run as she looked in at her daughter. “Who are you talking to?” A quick look at Hunter made her cheeks turn red. “I’m sorry Mr. Hall! Please forgive my daughter for bothering you.” The lock opened in the car, but the woman did not hurry to open the door.

  “Nonsense. It’s fine.” Hunter took another step back. “You have a charming daughter.” Even if he didn’t know why both she and her mother were always showing up around their house – or why Terrence dropped everything that one time just to talk to Holly in private.

  “Oh, thanks.” The door finally opened. “As I said, please forgive us for our intrusion. I hope you have a good day. Say goodbye, Holly.” The door closed again as soon as the woman sat in the driver’s seat.

  The girl gave a lackluster wave. “Bye. Say hi to your girlfriend for me.”

  “Holly!”

  Before anyone could say anything else, the car pulled out of its spot and disappeared down the road. What is that all about? The woman had been coming from the direction of the Hall residence. Was she a volunteer?

&nbs
p; Predictably, Terrence stood on the stoop of the manor and surveyed what he hoped would one day be his future kingdom. “Amazing, isn’t it?” he said to Hunter as his son ascended the steps to the door. “Of all the people in the world, it’s amazing which ones come into your life.”

  Hunter didn’t know what his father was talking about. But he understood, and that was enough to make him sour for the rest of the day.

  Chapter 4

  Kerri received a call from Hunter one week after she last saw him.

  It was strange answering another person’s phone, and she wondered where he was calling her from. “Prepaid phone I picked up a few days ago,” he explained. “I told my parents my old one stopped working and I sent it in to be fixed. So far so good.”

  Kerri waited to hear the inevitable. It came after a few platitudes, the usual greetings, and a frantic plea to be able to see her again. “Everything’s ready. Are you going out tomorrow?”

  As a matter of fact, she was. “My mother is taking me shopping.” Even though we don’t have the money. “The Evening Boutique. Do you know it?”

  “Yeah. The one across the street from that bakery, right?”

  “Yes.”

  They were silent for a moment, Kerri’s heart pounding beneath her chest. “What do you want me to do?” She couldn’t believe she was going along with this.

  “Pack light. Like only one or two bags you can carry and won’t raise suspicion. What time will you be there?”

  “Probably after lunch.”

  “I’ll text you when it’s time to go. I’ll be parked and need you to sneak out and get in my car as fast as possible. If we leave early, we can get where we’re going by nightfall.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Just in case someone happens to hear this conversation.” Kerri opened her mouth to protest, but Hunter then continued, “It’ll be clean and safe. Somewhere we can hide out for a little while. Away from the media and from our parents chasing us down, at least. Don’t worry about money. I’ll take care of everything.”