“No.” His answer was quick and difficult to dispute.
“Ever wanted to?”
He paused. “I saw a woman leave her child in a hot car once . . . the thought occurred to me. Other than that, no.”
Gabi couldn’t confirm his claim . . . couldn’t deny it, either.
“Have you ever harmed a woman?” The question was her own. Gabi had a second set of questions that weren’t a part of Sam’s list.
“According to many . . . I have. But if you’re referring to physically . . . no. I hold no responsibility to women claiming to love what they don’t know.”
So the tabloids were right about the player inside the billionaire.
The arrogant man didn’t even appear to care that he’d broken hearts in the attempt to have a good time. Gabi wondered how many women fell for his devastating smile and natural charm.
Pushing past his exterior, it was time for Gabi to fire questions. “I need the name of your closest friend.”
He shrugged. “I don’t have a close friend.”
Not the answer she expected. The tug at Gabi’s heart threatened to kill the interview. “Everyone has a friend.”
“I have enemies, Miss Masini . . . people who want a piece of me. I don’t think of anyone as a close friend. Not someone I confide in.”
A shadow passed over his gray eyes.
She shook off the feeling of déjà vu and continued.
“Who is your biggest enemy?”
He laughed. Tossed his head back and caught the attention of the coffee shop. “I’ve been told since I was a child that I would be my greatest enemy.”
“So that’s your answer?”
Hunter Blackwell’s jaw twitched. “My enemies are too many to count. I’m sure your research has taught you that, too.”
It had, which told Gabi that Hunter Blackwell’s future bride would be in danger regardless of the disposition of the husband.
“Why are you looking for a wife, Mr. Blackwell?”
He held his chin high, narrowed his gaze on hers. “As I explained to Mrs. Harrison, the Forbes list of eligible bachelors has made my life a maze of insanity. I need a year to escape the chaos and refocus. Removing my eligibility status will clear my head of dating and temporary relationships. Sounds trivial, but the amount of women claiming I’ve slept with them and promised a ring has tripled in the last year. It’s tiring, Miss Masini.”
He did look a little fatigued, but that wasn’t the answer she was looking for.
“Are you sure there’s nothing else?”
He shook his head.
Too bad.
Gabi pushed her tea aside and gathered her purse from the floor. She looked at her watch . . . four minutes had passed since Hunter Blackwell sat down. She was one minute under her limit. “Thank you for considering Alliance, Mr. Blackwell. But at this time we’re going to have to pass on any future contractual relationship.”
She stood.
He was up and in front of her in a second. “Excuse me?”
“We’re going to pass.”
He shook his head. “Why?”
Instead of laying out all her cards, she started with the easiest. “I asked you for one name . . . someone you considered a friend . . . nothing. I asked you for an enemy . . . again your answer was nothing. I’ve sat across from politicians who are more forthcoming than you. Honesty is something Alliance holds sacred. Without it, two parties entering marriage can have devastating results. I wouldn’t allow my sister to marry you, Mr. Blackwell, let alone a client.”
She started to walk away, felt his hand on her elbow.
Without thought, she flinched, pulled away, and placed a foot between them.
Mr. Blackwell dropped her arm immediately. “I can send a list of potential enemies within the hour. As for friends . . . I can call Blake Harrison an old acquaintance, but can’t say I’ve spent any time with the man in over a decade.”
“I’m sorry.”
He moved in front of her. “I need a wife,” he said under his breath.
She swallowed her fear and took a closer step. “Then I suggest you ask your latest conquest for the privilege. Alliance isn’t going to help you.”
Gabi pushed around him, headed for the door.
“This isn’t over.”
She glanced over her shoulder, noticed more than one set of eyes watching them. “I’m afraid it is.” With one last look at a man who on the surface was a woman’s dream, she shoved through the swinging glass doors and out of the building.
She climbed into the back of the waiting car and noticed the darkened gaze of one ticked-off billionaire following her as they drove away.
Holy shit.
Hunter’s eyes fell on the slim butt and long legs in a tight-fitting skirt as Gabriella Masini marched across the street toward a waiting car. A driver jumped out and opened her door. Without realizing his own actions, he followed the car with his eyes as his future sped away.
That did not just happen.
He’d walked in expecting an entirely different outcome.