by Ivy Nelson
By the time Patrick finished his errands, it was time to pick Holly up. Austin phoned to let him know she would be working until six or seven but could do dinner and drinks after that.
The schedule she kept worried him because it included very little sleep. The Dom in him wanted to do something about it, but he knew she would balk if it seemed like he was trying to interfere with her work life. He just hoped she didn’t flip out on him when she got home and discovered he’d hired someone to handle her laundry.
Now, he stood with Holly in the museum curator’s office while he repeated the spiel with them about how the next two days would go.
“I can’t wait to see the diamonds,” Holly said. “The only one that was ever on display when I was living at home was the pumpkin diamond, but Daddy put that one away after mom died.”
Patrick felt his fists clench at the mention of their mother who had died at the hand of his father.
“Shall we go have a look then?” the curator asked. The press will be waiting in the east wing, but we have time for you to see the gems.”
The curator led them to a back room that housed a vault. He twisted and turned the knobs until the tumblers fell into place and he pulled the large door open.
“Just in here,” he said. Patrick and Holly stepped inside, and Holly gasped. “I didn’t realize there were so many of them,” she whispered.
Patrick nodded. “That’s why it’s a big deal that it’s part of his plea agreement. These are a big part of his fortune.”
Holly whistled as she stared at the collection that lay neatly arranged. Most were polished gems not in settings, but a few were cut and set in intricate jewelry pieces that would likely be loaned out to high society people for red carpet events in the future.
“Are you ready for the press conference?”
Patrick nodded. He wanted Holly to do all the talking. She was skilled in media relations and he was not. He often lost his temper with the press. But she had convinced him that Patrick was the one people needed to hear from most after he stormed out of the courtroom last week.
The spindly curator stepped to the podium and introduced himself as cameras flashed.
“It’s a great honor to have two members of the Sutton family with us for the unveiling of the collection tomorrow. We’ve taken possession of this stunning historical collection of diamonds, and it is currently being cataloged before it goes on display tomorrow afternoon. Does anyone have any questions about the diamonds themselves?”
A few reporters shouted out questions, but when they veered into asking about Patrick and Holly, the curator gently encouraged them to stay on topic, reminding them that the siblings would be giving statements momentarily.
Patrick leaned over and whispered to Holly, “Should I take questions today? He said I have to tomorrow.”
Holly nodded. “Take one or two, but if it veers into territory you’re uncomfortable with, pivot to me and tell them you’ll answer more questions tomorrow.”
The curator introduced Patrick and he stepped to the podium. Reporters began shouting questions, but he held up his hands.
“Please, I have a statement.”
Patrick took a deep breath and read what the teleprompter displayed. It was a good speech Holly had put together, but most of it was bullshit about how he was grateful that a piece of history finally had a proper home.
When he finished, he pointed to a reporter, indicating he would take a question.
“Patrick, is it true that you stormed out of the courtroom because the pumpkin diamond was part of your inheritance?”
Patrick scowled. “Where the hell did you hear that?” he snapped. Behind him, Holly kicked him, and he coughed.
“No, that is not why I stormed out. I was upset about what I saw as too much leniency by the courts. I believe my father should pay for his crimes.”
“So, you don’t want the pumpkin diamond? A source tells me you’re trying to replicate it in one of your diamond production labs.”
“That’s all the time I have. I’ll take more questions at the unveiling. My sister would like to give a brief statement now.”
Holly took his place and soothed the press with her skilled speaking style. When she finished, she politely declined questions and they were ushered out and to their car.
“Who the fuck told them I was trying to duplicate that diamond? Only a handful of people know that. It’s a private fucking project.” Patrick combed a hand through his hair as the car pulled away from the museum.
“You know how the press are. I’m sure they got someone to spill on accident. I wouldn’t stress about it. Let’s just get through tomorrow and we’ll be done with this whole mess.”
Patrick laughed. “You know that’s not how this will go, Holls.”
“Hey, let me have my optimism, OK?”
Patrick slung an arm around her. “Fine. I’ll be a pessimist for both of us. We still have a few hours before dinner. Want to go be tourists for a little while?”
Holly’s eyes lit up, so Patrick directed the driver to Time’s Square where they donned hats and sunglasses and blended in with the rest of the New York City crowd. When they were tired of walking, they ducked into a small pizzeria for pizza and beer.
“I’m sorry,” Patrick said as he watched his sister happily eating her slice.
“For what?” she asked, cheese stringing from her lips.
“For leaving you with dad when I left. I missed out on so much of your life. I’m glad we get a second chance.”
Holly gave him a sympathetic smile. “You’re sweet, but it’s not like you had much of a choice and you didn’t abandon me entirely. We got together when we could.”
“Still, I plan to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. You’re stuck with me now.”
Holly reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Thanks, big brother. Just please don’t tell me you’re going to follow me on my honeymoon.”
Patrick grimaced. “Absolutely not. You’re still a virgin in my head.”
Holly laughed. “I wasn’t a virgin before I met Elijah.”
Patrick put his hands over his ears. “Blah, blah, blah. I can’t hear you.”
As he picked up his pizza, he felt his phone buzz.
Got done a little early. Want to meet me at my apartment and bang me before dinner?
Patrick felt his cock twitch. He wanted to say yes, but he wasn’t going to ditch Holly for a quick lay.
Sorry. I want to, but Holly and I are playing tourist in Times Square. Come meet up with us. We’ll have pre-dinner drinks.
She sent a frowny face emoji and he took the opportunity to have a little fun with her.
Since there’s no paddle emoji, I’ll just tell you no pouting unless you want me to spank you in a New York alley.
He wouldn’t of course, but she didn’t need to know that. She sent back the heart eyes emoji and he just shook his head.
“I feel like a third wheel now,” Holly teased.
“Speaking of extra wheels, how does Elijah feel about Grant joining us for dinner?”
Holly glanced at her phone. “Um… his plan landed an hour ago?”
Patrick threw his head back and laughed. “Of course it did.”
“The fun news is, he brought Hunter and we’re going to a soft opening of one of his night clubs. It’s kind of a test run before the big weekend opening.”
“Why am I just now hearing about this?”
Holly giggled. “Because we knew you would say no. Don’t worry, Austin already knows.”
“And the little minx didn’t tell me? I am so punishing her later. Speaking of, she got off early and wants to meet up with us somewhere.”
An hour later, they met Austin, Elijah, Hunter, and Grant for dinner. Grant seemed surprised by the appearance of Elijah and Hunter, but he recovered quickly.
“I hope the restaurant can seat us,” he said. “I only reserved a table for four.”
Hunter waved his hand. “No w
orries, I own the restaurant. They’ll seat us.”
Patrick smirked. Hunter Novak owned half the restaurants and nightclubs in the country it seemed. Not to mention several Vegas casinos. Half might have been a slight exaggeration, but it didn’t feel that way sometimes.
True to his word, the upscale restaurant quickly made space when they realized Mr. Novak was one of the extra guests in the party.
Patrick held Austin’s hand and twisted her bracelet with his thumb while they waited.
As they were walking to the table, Patrick slowed their gait, so they were trailing behind the group. When there was a good distance between them, he leaned in and whispered, “You’re in big trouble for not telling me about the nightclub.”
Austin tried to squirm away from him, but he gripped her hand harder. “I’m glad you’re wearing a skirt. As soon as we get to the table, you’re going to the bathroom to take your panties off. In fact, you should probably just stop wearing them without my permission.”
Austin whimpered as he pressed a kiss to her neck. They were approaching their table now and he pulled her chair out for her.
“Actually,” Austin said, “I think I’ll excuse myself to the ladies’ room before I sit.”
Patrick pecked her cheek and sat in the chair next to hers. Holly followed Austin to the bathroom and Patrick was left alone with the other men.
“No girl tonight, Hunter?” Patrick asked as the waiter poured water into all their glasses.
Hunter grinned. “I’ve got a few lined up for the club.”
“Of course you do.”
“Hey, I’ll share,” he said with a wink.
“I’ve got a date, but maybe you can hook Grant up,” Patrick said for Elijah’s benefit.
The girls returned to the table, and Patrick and Elijah stood to pull their chairs out for them.
As Patrick slid back into his seat, he felt Austin’s balled up fist rest on his thigh. He held his palm out and she pressed her panties into it. He leaned back just enough to slid them into his pocket before draping his arm around the back of her chair.
The group enjoyed dinner, wine, and dessert until it was time to head to Hunter’s nightclub.
As they were getting settled into the VIP lounge area, Patrick wrapped Austin in a hug from behind and whispered in her ear. “Don’t drink too much tonight, baby girl. I need you clear headed and able to consent when I tie you up and fuck you in the ass later.”
Austin stiffened against him and Patrick nipped at her neck until she relaxed. “Is that ass mine?” he asked, his breath hot against her ear.
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered back to him.
“Good girl. Let’s have fun with our friends.”
Around midnight, after a round of dancing, Patrick noticed Holly and Grant were missing from the group. Elijah and Hunter were deep in conversation, so Patrick dropped a kiss on Austin’s cheek and went in search of them.
As he rounded the corner in the direction of the offices and bathrooms, he heard Holly’s voice.
“You need to stop, Grant. Do you know what Elijah would do if he’d caught you trying to kiss me on the dance floor?”
Patrick froze where he was and listened. “I’m sure it would involve some kind of physical abuse,” Grant slurred.
Fuck. Holly was an adult, but Patrick wanted to go get Elijah. He tamped down the urge and stayed where he was.
“What Elijah and I do behind closed doors is none of your business. I’m with him now, and you need to fucking accept that. Please don’t make me choose between my commitment to my fiancé and my friendship with you, because you’ll lose every time.”
“He’s not good for you, Holly.”
“Stop it, Grant. Keep your hands off me.”
Those were the magic words. Patrick couldn’t stay in the shadows anymore. “I think it’s time for you to leave,” he said in a stern tone as he stepped around the corner.
Holly shrank back, and Patrick could see tears welling up in her eyes. He stepped between her and Grant and glared at him. “You’re harassing my sister when she’s been nothing but good to you. Go home and sleep it off. Call her when you’re ready to apologize.”
Grant huffed but must have realized Patrick was serious because he turned and headed for the exit.
“And you,” he said, turning his stern gaze to Holly. “How long has he been harassing you?”
“He’s got a broken heart, and he lost his family when Daddy got arrested. Not to mention he lost his job and had to start over. Cut him some slack.”
“Does Elijah know?”
Holly looked down at her hands.
“Tell him, Holly. Or I will.”
She squared her shoulders and fixed him with a glare. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me, sweetheart. I don’t mess around with your safety, and neither does Elijah. Grant is dangerous.”
Holly sighed. “I really don’t think he is, but I guess you’re right. I should tell Elijah.”
“You should tell me what?” Elijah asked, as he came around the same corner Patrick had.
“Jesus fucking Christ, what is it with you men and your snooping?”
Elijah cleared his throat as he cupped her cheek tenderly. “I think you’re on thin ice, sweetheart. What do you need to tell me?”
Holly looked between Elijah and Patrick, who just folded his arms and glared at her.
Elijah slid his hand from her cheek into her hair and tugged. “Should I ask to use Hunter’s office? I can assure you it won’t be as pleasurable as the night we met.”
It was Patrick’s turn to look back and forth between them. “Wait. You met her in one of Hunter’s clubs?”
“Not the time, Patrick,” Holly said bitterly.
Elijah gave a mirthless laugh. “If Patrick has to tell me, you’re going to earn yourself a punishment, Holly.”
She huffed. “Fine. I’ll tell you after Patrick leaves.”
Patrick held up his hands and backed away, knowing Holly would tell Elijah the truth.
Back at their table, Patrick found Austin and pulled her back onto the dance floor. Her cheeks were flush from the exertion and the alcohol and probably from the lack of panties as well. Several times throughout the evening he’d found excuses to skim his hand up her skirt when no one was looking. It was nearly closing time when they called it a night. The diamond unveiling wasn’t until mid-morning so they could sleep in, but Patrick had every intention of keeping Austin awake when they got back to her apartment.
Holly was a lot more subdued after her encounter with Grant, and Patrick had a feeling he’d gotten her in trouble. He should probably feel bad, but he didn’t.
In the limo Hunter had arranged for the group, Holly and Patrick’s phones started going off.
Patrick frowned. “What do you want, Grant?”
“The unveiling is being postponed. Some of the diamonds are missing. It looks like the museum was the target of a heist.”
“What the fuck? How? I saw that vault and their security measures. Seems damn near impossible.”
“The police are at the museum now. You should know that one of the diamonds taken was the pumpkin diamond. The police are going to want to talk to you?”
“Fuck. I gotta call you back.”
“What’s wrong?” the group asked in unison when he ended the call.
“Who was calling you, Holly?”
“My assistant. The police are looking for us.”
Chapter Eleven
The mood in the car was solemn after Patrick and Holly got off the phone, but Austin was in work mode now. If the police wanted to talk to Patrick, she could handle that.
Squeezing his shoulder, she said, “We should come up with a game plan for talking to the police. They’ll want to question you. Let me step in and represent you until you can talk to your lawyers in California. I’m assuming you don’t have a New York attorney.”
Patrick was shaking his head. “I appreciate the concern, but I don’t need
a lawyer yet.”
“Don’t talk to the police without an attorney,” Elijah said quietly. “Even if you go in for a voluntary statement, you should take someone.”
“Yes. Me,” Austin insisted.
“Hush,” Patrick admonished. “I said no lawyers.”
Austin sat back against the seat and scowled. “Fine. Be a hard head then.”
“Everyone in this car knows what our dynamic is, Austin. I swear to God I will spank you right here if you don’t drop the sass.”
Austin whirled to face him, anger heating her cheeks, “No. This isn’t sass. This is fucking concern for your wellbeing and I will not be punished for that.”
Patrick glared. “You can be concerned and respectful at the same time. I appreciate the worry and your desire to help. If I feel like I need an attorney, you’re going to be my first call, but right now, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Now, be a good girl, say yes Sir, and I promise we’ll talk more when we get home. And no, you’re not in trouble. I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
Austin scowled but muttered, “Yes, Sir,” and turned her attention to her phone.
Patrick squeezed her thigh, but she wasn’t ready for his affection, so she pulled away.
“I think we should get out in front of this with a statement to the press as soon as possible,” Holly said, as she typed on her phone.
“She’s right,” Hunter said.
“No. I don’t want to say anything to the press unless I absolutely have to. This is none of their God damned business. You guys are acting like I had something to do with this.” Austin could hear the frustration in his voice.
Holly shook her head. “No. I’m acting like you lost it on a reporter earlier today when they suggested you were interested in the pumpkin. It doesn’t matter that you were at a night club with us all night and have an alibi. People are going to speculate.”
Austin’s phone lit up, indicating she had a voicemail. She pressed the play button and lifted it to her ear.
“The police want to question you,” she said quietly as she lowered the phone.
