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"You spend way too much time watching me. You should watch yourself, George. Everyone in my father's life has an expiration date, and you're probably coming close to yours." He saw the flash of panic cross his face and felt a little satisfaction.
“Does that include you too?” George shot back.
"My worth expired years ago. The only person who matters to my father is Dave Jr. Everyone else is expendable. He's just waiting till someone more clever and charming comes along, and then you will be history." Hunter didn't wait for a response but rather walked away to join a gathering of marketing specialists from the Sonoma vineyards, and thankfully, George did not follow.
The auction would start in the next half hour, so he would fill the time networking and checking for job openings. The people from Tindale Vineyards were not in the room, but there was still time to meet up. The conference continued throughout tomorrow with tours, seminars, and forums. He was aware that everything he'd said to George was probably now being reported to his father, so when his phone rang, he was not surprised.
What did surprise him was the fact he felt no compulsion to answer; instead, he turned it off and found himself a spot among those milling around and waiting for the auction to begin. Several lesser bottles were auctioned first, and then finally, the time came for the main event, the two bottles of a century-old Pinot Noir along with the lovely case.
The bid started at a thousand dollars and quickly rose to five and then to eight, and Hunter feared that his ten thousand was going to be nowhere near what he needed to win this prize. It was when he realized that it was George who was bidding against him that his anger began to flare. He continued to bid up to his ten thousand, and he turned to see that cocky grin on George's face as he raised the bid to eleven thousand.
Hunter vowed to escape his father, brother, and the Rose vineyard. Even if he had to take a pay cut,. It didn't matter; he just wanted out from under those people and their miserable games. The auctioneer was ready to call it and hand those amazing samples over to an oaf like George, who was undoubtedly financed by Hunter's father.
Hunter stood back and dropped his head, waiting for the end, and suddenly, someone else placed a bid. It was now twelve thousand, and George bid to thirteen, and then the other, whoever they were, bid twenty, and George gave up, conceding to the unknown bidder. The failure wiped the smug smile off his face. George was heading out the door, but Hunter managed to get in a dig of his own as he passed by.
"You better call Daddy and tell him you failed George, and don't be surprised if he sacks you." George rushed out the door in an angry huff, and Hunter could not have been happier. He took a look around the room and tried to see who it was that had stolen the prize from George or rather from David Rose, but there was no indication as to who it was that won the bid.
The bidder was not trying to get a deal because those bottles, although precious, were not worth twenty thousand dollars. Perhaps they simply wanted to give to the charity, or they enjoyed a good Pinot Noir, whatever; it was just satisfying to know that neither George nor his father would be enjoying those bottles.
As the festivities were coming to a close for the night, he left the ballroom and headed up to his room to freshen up before going to the Black Dog to meet Simeon. On his way, his phone began to ring again, and this time it was Dave Jr., but Hunter was still not in the mood to hear whatever they wanted to say.
Their need to control him was becoming insane since Hunter had no power in the company, no stake in anything. Everything belonged to their grandfather, Levi Rose, who had recently died. The will had not yet been read, but it was a foregone conclusion that everything would be left to Hunter's father, with perhaps a few shares being bequeathed to Dave Jr. Hunter's actions were inconsequential in the whole scheme of things, so their need to control made no sense apart from the fact they seemed to find it entertaining.
He entered his room, then locked and barricaded the door out of habit and tossed his phone on the bed. Hunter washed up and changed from his suit into a nice light crew neck sweater and a pair of black pants. After styling his hair and making sure he was looking his best, he left the room and took the elevator down to the first floor. The anticipation of seeing Simeon Cortell again was getting his heart racing. Thoughts of drinks turning into more filled his mind once again, and his heart beat even faster.
Exiting the elevator, he took a cursory look around to ensure George was not lurking nearby. His advice regarding Hunter's chances with Simeon had not been well received earlier, but that had never stopped his brash arrogance in the past, so he doubted it would now.
The area appeared clear, so with his head down, Hunter hurried over to the Black Dog, eager to get this evening started. Maybe Simeon could tell him who had won the auction. Being part of security, he probably had access to that information.
CHAPTER THREE
Simeon arrived at the Black Dog right after the auction ended and waited for about forty minutes. He watched the door, confident that his beloved would not stand him up, and he was fully prepared to go to the man's room if he did. He'd watched him in the ballroom, although Hunter did not see him, and he noticed several things about the tiny human.
The first thing he saw was that Hunter worked hard at being unnoticed. He faded into groups and hid on the edges with an expertise that was only possible with much practice. His work, home life, or both taught him to be invisible.
Second, someone at the convention appeared to be bothering him, and it became apparent when this man deliberately bid against Hunter for the Pinot Noir. Simeon ensured the dog did not take from his beloved what he so clearly desired.
The man's name was George Crawly, and he worked with Hunter at the Rose Winery. They didn't travel together, and George's ticket to the conference was purchased mere days prior to the event. It was a last-minute, spur-of-the-moment attendance which brought up many questions.
Lastly, Hunter was a man with a plan. Simeon observed him moving among the attendees picking up information and phone numbers. He was subtle and very careful, but he was looking for a change in employment. Hunter was exploring any openings at rival wineries.
That news was quite welcome, for Simeon would make sure there was an opening at Cabot Wines, and it would be one that Hunter could not refuse. If he were looking to get away from his family, moving across the county was a good first step, and Simeon was more than happy to assist.
Two drinks showed up, and the server said they were compliments of Derek Vaughn, who was seated at the bar with his mate Leo. He raised his glass to Simeon, who nodded his thanks. Apparently, Koa wasted no time in letting others know that Simeon had found his beloved. It made him realize that he would have to contact the Master soon so that he did not hear about it from others first.
But for now, he was too on edge waiting for his beloved to walk through the door to think of anyone else. He was not surprised when Sam came into the bar looking for him. He walked over and stood next to the table but did not sit down. "Hunter Rose from the Sacramento vineyard?" He questioned, not that he didn't already know, but that he needed verification. Sam liked clarity in everything, and if Sam knew, Master Emmanuel knew as well.
"Yes, he is my beloved, and he is to meet me here shortly," Simeon stated the facts. Sam smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"I was hoping I'd be next, but congratulations anyway." He said, feigning jealousy. "He's handsome, well-mannered, and knowledgeable from everything I've observed. He has attended these wine-tasting events before you know." He goaded his uncle's second in command. “You should have accepted one of my invitations from years past.”
"Perhaps, but I believe Fate works in her own time," Simeon responded.
"So do I." Sam agreed. "I'm happy for you, Simeon, and I'll inform my uncle. You concentrate on your beloved. I think he is going to need you." Without further explanation, Sam left the bar. It wasn't just Simeon who had sensed a vulnerability within Hunter.
Approximately ten minutes after Sam had left, Hunter walked into the bar, looking around and smiling when he spotted Simeon. Simeon stood, and Hunter hurried over. He looked fantastic, having changed into something more casual but still sharp and classy.
He towered over his beloved as he came up to stand beside him and looked up at Simeon with those warm, expressive eyes. He never thought he could love someone so much, so fast and so completely, yet here he was in the thick of it with this little human. He slipped his arm around Hunter’s shoulders and guided him to the chair opposite his at the small table.
