Exposing the Heiress by Jennifer Apodaca Page B

leaned in to see a full-color picture of Alyssa sitting on Hunt’s lap at the cliffs, the two of them locked in a searing, intimate kiss.
    “Oh God.” She jerked back, wrapping her arms around herself in a protective gesture. “It wasn’t a gun you saw, it was a camera. I haven’t even announced my breakup with Nate yet.”
    “Looks like social media did it for you,” Erin said. “Twitter has blown up with ‘runaway bride’ hashtags. And some that are less than flattering.”
    All the color drained from Lyssie’s face. “Eli. Nate will hear about the picture. What if he does something else to him?”
    Hunt caught her upper arms, cutting off her escalating panic. “Griff and his team are watching the boy 24/7. He’s safe. No one can get to him.”
    She calmed, tugging her arms free. “All right, thank you.”
    Before his eyes she deflated. This was his fault. He should never have kissed her out there. Hell, he’d done more than kiss her. Shit, there could be other, worse pictures out there. What the hell had he been thinking? It was his job to protect her, not expose her like this. She’d been trying to avoid media attention. “I’m sorry. I’m supposed to protect you and I let this happen.”
    She shook her head. “I did it, I asked you to kiss me.” She turned to Erin. “I went to Hunt because I was desperate. I know it looks like I’m cheating on my fiancé with Hunt, but it’s not the case. I broke up with Nate, then went to Hunt because I was scared and needed help. This…” She gestured to the phone. “Just happened.”
    Hunt couldn’t believe how everything had gone to shit in seconds. “Lyssie—”
    “I need to make some calls.” She slipped between him and his sister, heading toward the hallway.
    “Alyssa!” Erin called out.
    She halted by the sofa and looked back.
    The anger and frustration had drained from his sister. Now she appeared confused. “Who’s Eli?”
    Hunt tensed, ready to tell Erin to back off.
    Lyssie closed her eyes, then opened them. “He’s my son.” Then she was gone.
    Hunt ran a hand over his face. “Goddamnit.” He snatched his phone out of his pocket and saw a dozen missed text messages and voicemails. He’d set it on vibrate earlier today after finally deciding which statue to show Lyssie.
    He’d shared a part of his darkness with her and she’d still wanted him, trusted him, just like she’d trusted him at the cliffs, and he’d failed her.
    Erin put her hand on his arm. “Alyssa has a son?”
    He met his sister’s eyes. “She gave him up for adoption at birth. It wasn’t long after her mom died. Her ex is threatening her and the boy to force her to marry him. That’s why she ran to me for help.”
    Erin’s face blanched. “Damn.”
    “Yeah.”
    She peered up at him. “You care about Alyssa.”
    He gripped the edge of the counter and met his sister’s eyes. “I shouldn’t touch her. I’m too damaged.”
    Erin popped her butt up on the counter and swung her legs. “Didn’t look like she was fighting you off in that picture. Or when I walked in tonight. I don’t even want to know why your shirt is balled up on the counter.”
    Hunt glanced at his T-shirt, regret digging in. Lyssie was so damned giving and trusting, and he hadn’t protected her. It crawled up his spine, tightening his jaw. “She’s lonely.”
    His sister snorted. “Yeah. The rich, beautiful heiress that rocks the cover of every magazine is so lonely that you’re her only choice for a hookup.” She glared at him. “I was her best friend, you think I don’t know she had it bad for you?”
    Hunt crossed his arms. “I’ve changed.”
    Worry shadowed her eyes. “Yeah, you have. You came home with scars, Hunt. We all know it.”
    “I’m dealing with it.” That’s why he needed his studio. Art was the only way he could give voice to his nightmares.
    She nodded. “So yeah, you changed, but one thing hasn’t.” Erin leaned closer. “You’re the one Alyssa ran