Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
DYLAN\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCan someone please get me some warm water and a clean towel?\u201d I told them as soon as they were done putting Hunter down on the bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
93\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can retire for a night and go back to your room, madam. We can handle the boss,\u201d one of his men said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter was so drunk he could barely stay on his feet. It took two of his men to haul him up, each of them gripping one arm as they slowly guided him back to his bedroom. He stumbled along, his head drooping forward and his legs dragging like dead weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood near the door, watching the whole thing with a long, tired sigh. One of the men assured me, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, madam. We\u2019ve got him. There\u2019s no need for you to stay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reluctantly, I nodded. Fine. If they could handle him, then I didn\u2019t need to be here babysitting a drunken man. I turned around and reached for the doorknob, ready to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t even get a full step outside before a deafening crack of a gunshot echoed through the room, followed instantly by a sharp cry of pain. I spun around so fast, my hair whipped over my shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And there he was, sitting on the bed with a gun smoking in his hand. One of his men writhed on the floor, clutching his leg where blood was already pooling fast across the marble tiles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked, stunned. One minute. I turned my back for one minute, and this man had already turned his room into a war zone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I folded my arms across my chest. \u201cOh, you\u2019ve got him under control, huh?\u201d I said, raising a brow in mock\u00a0<\/p>\n
amusement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the guards scratched the back of his head, trying not to look too nervous. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, madam,\u201d he said with a half\u2013smile. \u201cWe\u2019re used to this. The boss gets a little unpredictable when he drinks. We\u2019ve handled worse.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes. \u201cYou mean this isn\u2019t even the worst of it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, ma\u2019am. Not even close.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I roll my eyes in annoyance. I let out a loud breath of exasperation. \u201cNot because you can take it doesn\u2019t mean you have to tolerate it,\u201d I said as I watched a bunch of men struggling to calm Hunter down. How strong is this man that it took more than five strong men just to pin him down on the bed? And despite that, Hunter still managed to free himself and take everyone down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know why, but instead of fear, I felt something unfamiliar as I watched him lose control. I\u2019m not used to violence, so even I was having a hard time understanding why I act as if all of these were normal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe because it was him. Despite the danger lurking in every corner of this place, I know for a fact that I\u2019m safe here as long as Hunter is here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody, out!\u201d I shouted, and my voice was echoing in every corner of the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
693\u00a0<\/p>\n
They all turned their heads towards me, including Hunter, whose eyes were still barely open, yet he to subdue those men who were trying to calm him down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
managed\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMadam, it\u2019s dangerous. You\u2019ve seen how hard it is for us to pin him down, yet he still manages to bring down every one of us. You\u2019ve also witnessed how he shot one of us mercilessly,\u201d one of his men said in panic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right, madam. We can\u2019t leave you here alone. It\u2019s not safe for you!\u201d The other one agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smirked. \u201cHe\u2019ll never hurt me,\u201d I said confidently. The truth is, I\u2019m not sure about that. But I have faith in him. That beyond the influence of the alcohol, he\u2019ll recognize me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were staring at me as if they\u2019d seen a ghost. They probably don\u2019t believe me, so I had an urge to prove it to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter\u2019s men created a circle of barricade, stopping him from doing more damage. I bravely walked right into the center of the ring where Hunter was standing. I looked him straight in the eye. He can barely open his eyes, but I\u2019m sure he saw me, and he quickly lowered his gun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Though he was glaring at me, it wasn\u2019t fear that I felt. His gaze was seeping through my very soul as if he could see right through me. I take a step forward until we are only a few inches away from each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It took me by surprise when he suddenly wrapped his hand around my neck tightly, as I almost couldn\u2019t breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBoss!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their panic filled the room. I felt their guns raise instinctively.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t flinch. Instead, I lifted one hand and held it up calmly, silently signaling to them that I\u2019ve under control.\u00a0<\/p>\n
got\u00a0<\/p>\n
it\u00a0<\/p>\n
His palm was rough as it held my neck. His thumb brushed over my pulse, feeling it race wildly beneath my skin. Our eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, everything fell silent again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve made your point, love,\u201d I whispered softly, not daring to move. \u201cIt\u2019s time to call it a night.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His grip started to loosen. His breathing was ragged, his chest rising and falling with deep, uneven gasps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked. Once. Twice. And then his hand dropped from my neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a shaky breath I hadn\u2019t realized I was holding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stumbled back a step, almost falling if not for me reaching out and grabbing onto him. His body collapsed into mine, heavy and worn out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few of the guards rushed forward, cautiously, but I shot them a look.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBring me the things that I was asking for a while ago,\u201d I said firmly. \u201cYou can all go back to your posts. I\u2019ll take\u00a0<\/p>\n
care of him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt their hesitation lingering in the air, but I think I\u2019ve already proven my point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:32 Thu, Dec 25 M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
I gently guided Hunter toward the bed with his arm draped over my shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
93\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once I got him onto the bed, I covered him with the sheets and brushed a damp strand of hair away from his forehead. His eyes were completely closed this time, and his breathing became even. It seems like he finally fell asleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I turned around, they were still standing there watching us like some miracle happened right before their eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs everything okay?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were all startled as if they were getting back to their senses. \u201cNothing, madam. I\u2019ll ask someone to bring warm water and a clean towel.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After that, they all went out of the room, leaving Hunter and me alone. Now that it\u2019s already peaceful and quiet, I had the pleasure of looking at his handsome face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without the tension in his jaw or the fierce fire in his eyes, he looked so different\u2013peaceful, almost boyish. It was hard to believe this was the same man whose name made people tremble. The same man whose stare could cut sharper than a knife. But now he looked soft. Gentle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His lashes rested against his cheeks, long and dark. His lips, usually pressed in a hard, unreadable line, were slightly parted, as if he were finally breathing easy. His chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm that calmed something inside me too. There were no walls between us right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I inched closer and sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes never leaving his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found myself smiling softly. I wonder how many people had the privilege of seeing him like this? And the thought of another woman being this close to him sent a sting into my heart. I wanted to be the only one who could see the real him behind those powerful guns and that intimidating glare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as I was lost in thought, a soft knock broke the silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Dylan?\u201d a gentle voice called.\u00a0<\/p>\n
water\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood and opened the door slightly. One of the maids stood there holding a silver basin of steaming water with a folded towel draped neatly over her arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s the water and the towel you asked for, madam,\u201d she said quietly, eyes downcast. \u201cDo you need some help?\u201d she offered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no need. Go ahead and take a rest. I can take care of this,\u201d I politely decline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw relief wash over her. It seems like she was afraid to be near Hunter, yet she still managed to offer some help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cT\u2013Then, I\u2019ll go ahead, madam. I\u2019ll be right downstairs. Please don\u2019t hesitate to call me if you need anything,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:32 Thu, Dec 25 M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
(93)\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled in response before I closed the door behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart was tapping against my ribs as I carried the basin to the bedside table. The scent of soap wafted up as the steam curled into the air. I dipped the towel in, wrung it out, and sat down beside Hunter once more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at him, suddenly unsure. His shirt was unbuttoned already\u2013half\u2013hanging off his shoulders from when the guards tried to get him in bed. Slowly, carefully, I reached for it. The fabric was warm from his skin. My fingers trembled slightly as I pulled it off his arms, revealing the hard lines of muscle underneath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even in his unconscious state, his body radiated raw, effortless power. His muscles were drawn in tight, clean lines. His chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm, the steady beat of his breath sounding louder in the hush of the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes traced the strong curve of his collarbone, down to the hard planes of his chest and abdomen. Faded scars marred his skin buried under his tattoo, scattered like a secret map only those close to him were allowed\u00a0<\/p>\n
to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had seen him shirtless before, back in his penthouse. But this is the only time that I manage to look at his tattoo clearly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reached out on instinct, my fingertips brushing lightly over the edge of one of his older scars. His skin was warm. My breath caught in my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How can I feel safe with a dangerous man like him? Honestly, even I don\u2019t have an answer for that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blew a loud sigh before I continued to press the damp towel against his collarbone, gently wiping away the sweat and faint traces of blood or dirt from earlier. The contact made my breath hitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every time the towel touched his skin, I felt something stir inside me. Something warm. Something reckless. My hand moved lower over his chest carefully, but the tension between us was almost unbearable. Like the air itself crackled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I brought the towel lower, toward his stomach, my eyes flicked to his face. His brows twitched slightly, his lips parting as if sensing the intimacy even in sleep. My throat went dry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I paused, unsure if I should continue. But I couldn\u2019t stop. Gently, I traced the edge of the towel down the ridges of his abdomen. My fingers brushed against his skin beneath the cloth, and for a moment, it felt like he moved toward my touch. And for a moment, I was scared that he was going to wake up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he didn\u2019t move. His breathing stayed slow and steady, his eyes still closed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pulled the towel back, careful not to touch him more than I needed to. Still, every time my fingers brushed his skin, a strange warmth spread through me. I dipped the towel back into the warm water, steam rising gently around us. My hands were shaking a little as I wrung it out. My heart was beating too fast, and I couldn\u2019t understand why. He was asleep\u2013there was no reason to be nervous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at his face again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then suddenly, he moved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His whole body jerked, and a low sound escaped his throat. He turned his head, and before I knew it, he leaned forward with a loud choke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:32 Thu, Dec 25 M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait-!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But it was too late.\u00a0<\/p>\n
93\u00a0<\/p>\n
He threw up right on me. Warm, sour\u2013smelling vomit spilled across the front of my borrowed clothes. I froze, shocked, the wet cloth still in my hand as he fell back again with a groan, completely unaware of what he\u2019d just done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding me,\u201d I muttered, staring at the mess.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The shirt clung to me, sticky and disgusting. I let out a dry laugh, more from disbelief than anything else, and shook my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI need a shower.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
*******\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u7530\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alchemist of Broken Dreams by Sienna Rose Blackwell 30 Chapter 30\u00a0 DYLAN\u00a0 \u201cCan someone please get me some warm […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-alphas-golden-cage-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24381\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}