Chapter 7 When Hunter heard Ryan make that grinning , sleazy request , his face turned dark . The cold , detached look in his eyes sharpened into fury , and his voice dropped , low and dangerous . " Ryan , I'm here to make a serious deal . This isn't a goddamn joke . " " I'm serious too , " Ryan replied , still smiling . " You've got Ms. Steele . What other kind of woman could catch your eye ? It's just an assistant . What's the big deal if I take her off your hands ? I saw the way her eyes lit up at all that jewelry . Girls clearly have a thing for money . If she comes with me , she'll never have to worry about a thing for the rest of her life . I get the beauty , you get the jewels for your girlfriend , and she trades a few years of youth for cash . Win - win - win , right ? " With every word coming out of Ryan's mouth , Hunter's expression turned darker . Rage ignited in his chest and roared up in an uncontrollable blaze . Without another word , he lunged forward and smashed his fist into Ryan's face . The first blow left him bruised and bleeding , but Hunter didn't stop . He kept going , landing punch after punch for at least a dozen until he was on the floor , howling in pain , his blood splattering across the marble tiles . Hunter finally stopped after he'd knocked out Ryan's teeth and snapped his arm clean at the joint . He stared coldly at the man curled up on the floor , his voice laced with murderous intent . 1000 01 : 130 " From this moment on , every deal between Langdon Group and Mercer Group is over . Done . Finished . Ryan , this is your first and only warning . If you ever so much as look at my assistant again , it won't just be a broken arm next time . I'll skin you alive . You'll wish you were dead , and I'll make damn sure you won't get it . " The venom in his voice was enough to send chills down anyone's spine . Lena heard every word from behind the wall . Her mind swirled with memories . She remembered in her second year of high school , a boy cornered her after class , confessed his feelings , and then tried to force a kiss . When Hunter found out , he beat that boy so badly that the kid didn't get out of bed for a month and was ultimately forced to transfer schools . The next day , Hunter stood in front of the whole school , declaring loudly and proudly . U ' Anyone I like , no one else is allowed to touch . Period . Or deal with the consequences . " Back then , Lena believed he would always stand by her , that he'd be her shelter and protector from the storm . But now she understood . His umbrella had room for others , too . It had once shielded her , yes . But it could just as easily shield someone else . She looked at his still - bleeding hand , and a sharp , aching pain pierced her chest like a thousand tiny needles . Her nose stung , tears threatened to spill , but she tipped her head back , refusing to let them fall . Just as Hunter turned to leave , ready to return to the auction hall , Lena tried to slip away before he could spot her . 01:13 But Eleanor ran out of the stairwell before she could move and threw herself into his arms . " Hunter , everyone says I'm just a fling to you . That you'll dump me when you're tired . But I know you care about me. Even if I only showed up late in your life , even if I had to play dirty to be with you for these three months , it doesn't matter because you fell for me . You'd give up everything for me , right ? You'd be my man and no one else's . Isn't that true ? " And then Lena watched as Hunter wrapped his arms around Eleanor . Softly , firmly , he answered , " Yes . " In that instant , it was as if the last piece of her shattered heart had turned to dust , scattered , gone , without a trace . Numbness spread from her chest to her entire body . She forced a twisted , painful smile , lowered her head , and quietly blended into the departing crowd . She caught a cab alone and went home . When she arrived , she saw a message from Hunter sent half an hour earlier . " Lena , something urgent came up at work . I have to head out now . I need to grab a cab home , okay ? I've got a business trip over the next few days . Stay home and get some rest . I'll be back soon . " =