Irresistibly Played

by Victoria Pinder

  She giggled as they headed toward the kitchen though their food was hot and ready for them to eat as the family chef had already made his stop here.

  They took their plates and coffee carafe to the patio to eat together while Caitlyn said, “I’m excited. Hannah’s going to be one of our patients.”

  “Logan told me.” Roy put his food on the table and held her seat for her as he said, “I’m happy for you.” He checked his watch. “I have to eat fast and get to work.”

  She waited for him to sit next to her and let her napkin fall on her lap as she said, “Come home early—if you can. I’ll have dinner waiting for us.”

  He poured them both coffee, giving her a sensual wink. “You make going at all a chore.”

  Last night had been wonderful. If only they had more alone time without threats, but that would happen soon enough. She took the cup he offered. “That’s because I love you.”

  His eyes had a gleam in them as he said, “We’ll plan a real honeymoon soon.”

  “Sounds great.”

  They both quickly ate their breakfast and sipped their coffee as the ocean waves seemed like a painting of paradise.

  Neither one of them said a word while they finished their coffee and scooted closer so they watched the ocean together. Five minutes of relaxation before the day began, Caitlyn thought. Coffee gone, Roy took her mug as they stood. She gathered the plates to bring them inside. Roy frowned. “Caitlyn, don’t go out today unless you clear it with security and let me know.”

  They put the dishes in the sink and she turned on the water for them to wash their hands. “I thought we were all free now.”

  He rinsed the soap and handed her the towel to dry off as he said, “From the police, not the ones that framed my family.”

  Done, they turned off the faucet and headed to the front door next to each other as she said, “I have nowhere to be though I was hoping to pick out a few new outfits with Hannah.”

  “Why not have clothes delivered?”

  “Hannah and I used to celebrate at the mall whenever we had good news, like you and I being together, her pregnancy and your family name being cleared.” Caitlyn smiled at all of the wonderful news. “But if it’s too much, we can stay here.”

  “No, we need to live our lives. Just keep security with you at all times.”

  The last time she’d had security it hadn’t mattered but she didn’t want to be afraid to leave the condo.

  She moved to the side and he selected his black Italian loafers as she bounced on her tip-toes. “I still need to ask Hannah if she is up to it. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Text me when you know.” He kissed her cheek.

  Caitlyn wanted more than a small peck and kissed him on the lips, drawing out the pleasure of their mouths together. “Have fun at work.”

  Roy opened the door and loosened his tie, his eyes warm. “I’m already looking forward to coming home to you.”

  After he left, she sent Hannah a text. Hannah, do you want to go shopping? Sam probably left the country and security knows about Adam.

  She entered her closet and found a feminine seafoam green dress with the hem to her shins. Soft and comfortable. Her phone beeped and she read, Sounds fun. Meet you in the lobby in ten minutes.

  Perfect. She headed to the bathroom to shower as she quickly told her husband, Roy, Hannah and I are going to the mall. See you this evening.

  Done. She cleaned up and dashed downstairs where Hannah with her big welcoming smile waited near the small coffee stand for her as security guards were almost everywhere in the lobby ready to escort them to the limo where two security guards were already in the front seat with the driver.

  They went to the mall and for the first time in years Caitlyn didn’t look at prices. She ignored all dollar signs and just picked out simple, cotton, breathable fabrics that made her feel pretty.

  She also bought sandals and nurse’s sneakers.

  Hannah chose outfits that were more form-fitting but that had always been her style. Caitlyn helped her too. “Glad you don’t care that people see your pregnancy.”

  With lattes in hand, Hannah glowed and bumped into her like she did to playfully get her attention as they walked. “My husband thinks I’m pretty.”

  “Cause he’s smart,” Caitlyn said and remembered Roy’s kisses on all her own curves.

  The driver closed the door and security sat with him. Hannah relaxed in her seat and said, “Caitlyn, this is why you’re still my best friend.”

  * * *

  Hours later, security carried about ten bags apiece, and they stopped to get some cinnamon buns. They laughed, and planned Hannah’s nursery. As they headed into the next department store, Hannah said, “This is fun. We haven’t done this in a very long time.”

  Caitlyn checked out one more shirt but it felt like too much polyester so she put it down. “It’s nice choosing clothes without my mother’s voice in my head.”

  Hannah tugged lightly on Caitlyn’s dress. “The loose-fitting chic thing you’ve been doing lately really fits you. Bohemian.”

  This fit her personality and she wasn’t pleasing her parents to get them to stop hounding her or dressing to be picture perfect. “It’s sad I’m just now figuring myself out.”

  “Why? Adulting is hard for everyone and sometimes we never figure ourselves out.”

  “You’re being too smart for me, Hannah Bentley.”

  They both laughed. Roy seemed to like her just fine without an ounce of makeup on despite her mother’s insistence that a woman should never leave the house without it.

  Suddenly goosebumps grew on her arm and she glanced behind the rack. Her heart almost stopped when she saw two men together barreling toward them. She backed behind the huge security guards as she said, “Hannah.”

  Hannah looked in the same direction and their security guards surrounded her too as Caitlyn walked beside her best friend. Hannah asked, “What is it?”

  “Run!” Caitlyn didn’t move. She couldn’t. Her feet were like lead.

  Security spoke on their headsets. Hannah’s face paled. “Who are they?”

  Caitlyn’s head pounded, and she wished somehow she could just disappear while she said, “Sam Zandi and Officer Baxter are coming right toward us.”

  Hannah linked her arm through Caitlyn’s and said, “Security is right here.”

  Caitlyn intended to jump in front of Hannah and her unborn child if anything happened to their huge security guards that now formed a wall of muscles around them.

  Last time two security officers had been hit on the back of the head. This wasn’t good. But now they formed a small army and seemed well-trained. She let Hannah go as she shook her head. “More people can’t get hurt because of me.”

  Caitlyn began to take a step forward in front of security, but Hannah tugged her backward. “Don’t be stupid, Caitlyn.”

  “I’m not,” Caitlyn said, now able to see between the huge guards.

  Baxter and Zandi had hurried across the mall and now stopped right in front of her, only blocked by her security team.

  Caitlyn ignored the buzz of fear in her veins and held her head high. “Officer Baxter. You haven’t arrested Sam Zandi despite the police report that I filed regarding his assault.”

  “Caitlyn Cooper.” Baxter flashed his police badge.

  Her nostrils flared and she said, “Bentley. I’m Caitlyn Bentley.”

  Baxter then said so loud that onlookers heard him. “Filing a false police report is a crime.”

  Hannah shook her head and crossed her arms as if Baxter was stupid. “Her husband is a lawyer.”

  Baxter showed his badge like he was waving it for the world to see while he said, “Anyone who gets in my way is also committing a crime.” He lowered the badge and met her gaze through her guards as he said, “Caitlyn Bentley, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney,
one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”

  Her heart raced so fast that she was going to break. Baxter’s plan was good. Her hired security team might not risk going to jail for her. She swallowed and wasn’t sure what she’d do. Sweat beaded down her neck but then she saw from the mall entrance Roy’s dark eyes. She could breathe. “Look. My attorney is here.”

  Baxter turned and scanned the crowd of onlookers. “Where?”

  Roy walked with a dozen officers from Miami PD and all of them in uniform. The crowd parted as he said, “With a few of your fellow policemen who don’t like officers taking bribes from Kirno.”

  “There is no proof.” Baxter’s face paled.

  Caitlyn let her hands fall to her side. Roy would find a way to legally end any threat against them. She should have had faith that he’d work the system to his advantage, because that fit him—righting wrongs.

  Roy’s stance was confident. “Actually there is. Now step away from my wife and her guards.”

  “You are making a mistake,” Baxter said while the police officers surrounded him and Zandi. Zandi backed up.

  Roy patted the guard’s arm to pass and join Caitlyn and Hannah as he told Baxter, “An attempt at a false arrest is also a crime.”

  The officers took over, reading both men their rights.

  None of this seemed real to Caitlyn until Roy walked past security and took her hand. Her pulse calmed instantly and she became aware of just him as she asked, “Is it over?”

  “Yes,” he said firmly.

  Caitlyn hugged him. “You really do know good cops.”

  He patted her back like she needed to be calmed down still. “Most are. It’s the few rotten ones that make the rest look bad. Are you and Hannah done shopping now?”

  “Yes, we’re done,” Hannah said. “Let’s get out of here.” Then Hannah’s eyes widened, and Caitlyn looked over her shoulder to see that Hannah was smiling at Logan. “Logan, you’re here too?”

  He kissed Hannah’s forehead. “The second I heard about this, I ran to find you.”

  Roy’s arm tightened around her waist and she leaned into him with a smile. “Now that we’re all together,” Roy said, “let’s go home.”

  “Sounds great.” She walked beside him toward the door where the limo waited for them.

  The ride home was easy. Roy held her close and caressed her arm, showing his affection. She loved his touch. She loved him.

  Caitlyn realized that while there was no immediate threat, the family still had to find out who was behind the set-up. The Bentleys were free at long last and Sam Zandi had been arrested along with Officer Baxter, which should lead them closer to Kirno.

  The limo brought them to the condo building and they rode the elevator to their floor and waved Logan and Hannah goodbye. As they walked toward the door, Caitlyn said, “I didn’t cook anything for dinner though. I promised I would, if you came home early.”

  He unlocked the door and shook his head while he waited for her to go inside. “I’m sure the chef left something delicious, or we can order something.”

  Caitlyn glanced at the kitchen and saw food already set on the table waiting under silver cloches and was grateful for everything. Roy made her life better in every possible way, but the most important thing was love. She never wanted to be without him. She took off her shoes as she said, “I like your chef’s cooking. Don’t order anything else as I’m sure it’s amazing.”

  He took his black loafers off and placed them beside her shoes and she closed the cabinet. “Any word on Adam Lepour?”

  He nodded. “He’s currently in Paris, but Dylan and Lois are on another flight.”

  “To where?”

  “Dylan’s not saying.”

  Caitlyn ran her hand through her hair and then gathered what she could of the packages security had left her near the door, heading toward the bedroom. Without being asked, Roy picked up the rest of the bags as she said, “But at least the imminent threat is over and we can move on with our lives.”

  “That’s the best part.” He winked and the instant they put the bags in the closet, he pulled her close and kissed her.

  He was right. Being together was the best part.

  Caitlyn finished her breakfast and checked her image in the mirror in the living room. She had on a light blue cotton dress that went to her knees and a big hat to block the sun from her face. “Am I dressed for this mystery place we’re going?”

  “You’re perfect.” Roy, dressed in a simple cotton shirt and white pants that clung to his body, handed her a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses that she put on. They headed to the door where four pieces of luggage were taken out of the condo by security.

  “Can you tell me where we’re going yet?”

  “Soon.”

  The mystery continued. She walked to the door and in the cabinet found her sandals. Roy also picked out some fancy black sandals. She eyed him admiringly and wished she could strip him naked again. Later. Her heart pounded as she gazed at the door. “Why are you being so secretive, my love?”

  He held out his hand and opened the door. “Come with me.”

  Anywhere, she thought, and walked outside with him.

  He locked the door behind them. She said, “I’m coming but I’d like to know where we’re going.”

  He winked at her and offered his arm. “You’ll find out when we get there.”

  Clearly he was having fun by not telling her anything. She sighed and resigned herself to be patient, but as they drove to a private airfield in Opa Locka, she saw a huge plane with the name Bentley emblazoned on it. She held her hat as it was windy when she stepped out of the limo onto the tarmac and glanced up at the plane. “What’s this?”

  “My jet.” He walked next to her while a flight attendant stood on the top step with glasses of champagne.

  Caitlyn took the flute once she made it to the top step. As they went toward soft brown leather seats that looked more like fancy couches, she sipped her champagne and he sat beside her. Her pulse spiked from his cologne. “How far does it go?”

  The gleam in his eye made the answer obvious. He said, “We could make it anywhere in the world and do it in style.”

  The champagne was sweet and there were strawberries on the tray in front of them. She popped one in her mouth and the champagne became even tastier. She finished her fruit. “We don’t have to go anywhere. There are people trying to destroy your family.”

  He shrugged and put his glass down as he brushed the hair off the side of her face. “We live with a level of security, but we also live with being able to do anything we want.”

  The plane engine revved and the flight attendant picked up the fruit and their empty glasses. Once she walked away, Caitlyn asked her husband, “So where are you taking me?”

  He kissed her cheek and then tugged her seatbelt over her lap. “You’re going to have to work on that patience thing.”

  A laugh escaped her lips. She crossed her arms and pouted a little though it was hard to pull off because she was so happy. “I promised Hannah I’d be at every single one of her appointments.”

  He fixed his own seat belt and took her hand, kissing the knuckles. “And she had one this week which means she doesn’t see my brother for another month.”

  Roy had a plan. Her gaze narrowed and she leaned closer to him as she playfully rubbed a tiny wrinkle out of his shirt. “So we’ll be gone for a month?”

  He wrapped his arm around her and said, “Only if you want to be.”

  The plane picked up speed down the runway until the craft lifted into the air in a smooth glide. She tugged his shirt collar so he’d come down to her as she said, “You’re difficult to figure out sometimes.”

  “Patience is a virtue.” He closed his eyes like he’d kiss her.

  She gave a small sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s not one I possess, then. I want to know.”

&nb
sp; His lips were a fraction of an inch from her mouth as he said, “Guess I’ll have to distract you.”

  And then he kissed her while they flew into the sunset, his touch making her feel complete. Wherever they were heading, she was sure it was paradise.

  * * *

  The next morning, she woke up on a cocoon-style bed made for two. Until last night, she’d thought the pods were only single chairs, but apparently Roy had special ordered pods to keep them both together. She pressed a button and once they were out, she saw the bright morning sun against the tarmac. She shook her still-sleeping husband awake and asked, “Okay, the plane’s landed. Where are we?”

  He gave her a big smile like he knew exactly what her birthday present was and he’d make her wait till after the party. He stood and stretched while he said, “You’ll figure it out.”

  They both cleaned up quickly. Her pulse zipped with excitement and she had a bounce to her step when they de-boarded the plane.

  She glanced around the airport and said, “Hmm. There are no signs.”

  His hand went to her lower back and they continued to walk from the tarmac and into the airport itself as he said, “It’s a private field, not a public airway.”

  They entered the empty private terminal, though she heard a few of the workers talking. And it wasn’t Miami’s usual Spanish. She peeked at her husband. “No one’s speaking English.”

  He shrugged and guided her toward the front door and the waiting limo outside as he said, “That leaves out England and Western Canada.”

  “Hmm.” She continued to walk beside him though she made a running commentary as they went outside, “We were less than 10 hours on the plane and generally the dark hair and brown eyed people…” Her gaze then spotted a green, white, and red flag that waved from a pole. “Wait.” She tapped her husband playfully on his chest and said, “That’s the Italian flag.”

  He led her into the limo and she sat opposite him as he said, “It is, though we’re heading to Avce on vacation. A friend of mine is getting married to a noble.”