15 Chapter - 16

I Can't Figure Him Out

"No. He is not." Hunter shook his head and clasped his hands on the table. His friends raised brows for an explanation for his statement.

"I hired him Kai. I know him. He is upset for days because of his father." Hunter said.

"That drunkard? What's he want now?" Kaiden asked irritably.

"Allison's custody."

"Hell no! He will probably sell her to someone." Drake growled.

"No one is taking her. I will handle him later. Right now we have a bigger problem. We should find him sooner. I have a feeling something is going to happen." Hunter sighed, massaging his temples.

Silence fell between them, each thinking about the scenarios they have to face in future.

"How is it going with him?" Kaiden asked with a smirk, breaking the silence.

Hunter got what he is asking. He thought for a while. Honestly, he doesn't know what to say about his relationship with the doctor. He closed his eyes and leaned back sighing, "I can't figure him out. It's like...he have mixed feelings." He stated staring at the ceiling.

"What do you mean?" Drake asked, crossing his arms.

"He is terrified of us, but at the same time comfortable. One time he will act all brave and courageous and the next moment, cowers like a coward. Does that make sense? I don't know if it's the frustration or sadness, he cries a lot too."

"Is he bipolar?" Drake wondered to which Kaiden snorted.

"If so, he is perfect match for you." He said to Hunter earning an eye roll from him and a smack from Drake.

"He likes you?" Drake asked with his rare smile.

Hunter groaned, "I don't know. Like I said, I don't know what's going on his head. He would kiss me back but then push me away. He will shout at me, then starts to plead. You will see fear, anger, sadness and hatred at the same time in his face. I don't freaking know how he does that! I just..can't figure him out." Hunter let out all things pent up inside him. That was their bro time, so he doesn't need to act like their boss. There is only two person he can talk about anything and everything. He doesn't need to hide anything from them.

The two friends was surprised at Hunter's rambling. They never seen him like this. Hunter never been with anyone in his life. Even when they were in highschool, he wasn't like the guys who slept around and swooned over girls and stuffs. He had only one dream, boxing championship, which shattered because of his stubborn father.

He had to take over a huge responsibility at such a young age. There was times where losses were greater than gains. But he proved himself to the ones who criticized and spat at him. Ever since he took over his father's position, Hunter became a new person. He talked less, observed more. But still, deep down he is the same guy who would turn red if anyone complimented him or confessed to him. He wasn't too goofy and hot-headed like Kaiden or too cold and anti-social like Drake, but a perfect balance for the trio.

There wasn't a girl or boy in his love life back then till now. But something changed the day Neal came into the picture. His friends don't know why is he so attracted to that guy and that's what confusing them.

"Why do you like him so much? What's so special about him?" Kaiden asked, genuinely curious to know how people can fall for a person so quickly. He wasn't like the other two. Kaiden had so many girls and boys at school, and was never a disappointment to them. But he is not that kind of person who wants to be tied in relationships. And he is not planning to. Ever.

"I don't know." Hunter shrugged.

"Here we go another August Froster." Kaiden muttered, rolling his eyes. Drake glared at him who sat beside him, but Kaiden didn't back down this time.

"What!?" He hissed, "I know you like him. Don't dare deny it. If you don't want to let him go, go and get him. You aren't doing anything but confusing him with your behavior. I don't even know why he likes you in the first place." Kaiden fumed.

Drake was silent. He is always, whenever the guy's name brought up. Both guys stared at the blonde one, expecting him to say something.

Drake sat there with hard face, but when he spoke up, his voice was soft and calm, "I don't want to take him away from Adriel. He may be a savage, but the affection he has for August is same as we have for Ricky."

"So you pity him?" Kaiden scoffed.

"It's not pity Kai," Drake gave him a pointed look, "We know how he was years ago. It's not our fault he had gone through that all, but he does believe otherwise. There is only August left. Taking him away from Adriel is not an option. It's like... releasing a beast inside him. Whatever patience he had now will be destroyed." Drake ended.

No one said a thing, because whatever Drake said was true.

"I need a smoke. See you guys." Drake muttered before standing up and rushing out of the room.

Kaiden sighed, "Why are we so fucked up?" He said leaning back, closing his eyes. Hunter had no answer. He continued his staring contest with ceiling.

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"Um....what happened?" Neal asked to a still scowling Ricky who sat beside him. They were in backyard, enjoying the evening with Beau, his new puppy. Neal was happy to be outside, breathing fresh air. He actually felt a little relieved now that he got to call Dylan and Reksha. He hadn't seen Hunter or others since the morning incident. Ricky was with him whole day, but he doesn't know why the boy was huffing and groaning time to time. He is like this since he came back from his brothers.

"I'm being punished." Ricky muttered with a pout. When he saw Neal's confused face, he continued, "I have to cook for two days. You tell me, is it a sin that I wanted to see them? I just wanted to surprise them!"

"But you could have called them." Neal regretted as soon as the words exited his mouth. Ricky throw him a glare that nowhere near intimidating. But he too know Neal was right.

"But I don't like to cook. I only like eating, and they know that. That's why they are doing this." He whined, clinging to Neal.

Well...that's the whole point of punishment, he thought, but didn't said out loud.

Neal let out a small laugh shaking his head. He looked at Beau who slept half of the day before decided to play. The little thing was observing a beetle on the grass with his curious eyes, his little head tilted slightly to left.

Neal smiled at Beau's adorableness and tapped Ricky's head which rested on his shoulder, "Let's go inside. We are sitting here for hours."

Ricky hummed before standing up. He was still pissed about the punishment. Neal walked ahead and picked up Beau.

"Shall we go?" He cooed scratching behind it's ears.

They were passing the living room, but both boys halted in their steps at the sight in front them. Neal's caressing hand froze on Beau's head.

There was a pool of blood in front them. A middle aged man was lying in it, eyes wide open with a glass bottle brutally stuck in his stomach! Neal shivered at the sight. He looked up to find an unfaced Hunter, covered in blood. Neal's breath hitched in his throat. He felt nauseated at the whole sight. There were around twenty people inside. Everyone's attention was on their enraged boss. No one noticed the two guys until Drake's gaze fell on them.

"RICKY!" Derrick flinched at his brother's booming voice but Neal was frozen. Hunter and Kaiden's eyes found them and the latter let out a curse. Drake gave his brother a look which he got well. He tugged at Neal's shirt urging him to go with him. But Neal was rooted to his place, eyes never leaving Hunter.

Hunter turned around without a word and stomped towards the elevator.

"Clear this!" Kaiden shouted at the guards. Beau let out a whimper at the thundering sound and that's when Neal decided to move.

Ricky glanced at the absent minded person beside him worriedly.

Neal couldn't take his mind away from the scene he just saw. He was starting to adjust to the Rendells, believing that they are not cruel as he heard. And he was so touched by Hunter's kindness that morning. Above all, he was starting to like him a bit. But everything is shattered now. Whether he has feelings for him or not, whether Hunter is a good person or not, at the end of the day, he is still a ruthless mafia boss.

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