“I raised you better than this.”
“You raised me away from my home, and my family. All because of her.”
“No. It was because of a very dangerous man who wanted me to marry you off to him when you were thirteen. We did not leave because of some missing jewels.”
“They’re connected.”
“What?”
“I heard you and mum. I know the jewels and the man are connected. I need answers as much as Bray does. She has to tell us.” What? Steven knew? Things are getting crazier by the minute.
“You should’ve come to me or your mother when you finished your eavesdropping. Things are not always as they are seen—or heard.”
“Stop protecting me. I can protect myself.”
“There are some things you don’t need to know. Now apologize to Darcy and maybe her friend will allow you to live another day.”
She doesn’t want to, but she also isn’t ready to die, so she does what he asks. “I’m sorry, Darcy. I’ll try to restrain myself from killing you.”
“I suggest you do more than try,” Faith says as she lets her up.
“Do you need help, Darcy?” Noah asks her, surprising me.
“No. You should help Jenysis. I mean, she’s like a sister to you, right?”
“Yes, I am. What are you, jealous? You should be—Noah’s awesome.”
“Shut. Up. Now, Jen,” my uncle tells her, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry.
“It’s just a little cut. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m going with you,” I tell her.
“Actually, I think Darcy and the rest of us from the Society need to have a little talk. You can see her later.”
I don’t want to let her go, but I’m guessing that none of them knew about the jewels. I know she’ll need to tell them whatever she can. Maybe they can convince her to tell me everything.
“I’ll give you an hour,” I tell her, helping her to her feet and the kissing her softly.
“You’ll give her as long as we need,” Faith says. “Or we all leave.”
“Don’t Faith. It’s really okay.”
“Since you’re injured, I’ll let you win at the video games tonight,” I say, trying to break the tension in the room.
It works, as she laughs and then kisses me again. “I always win, Crown. You should remember that.”
“At those games maybe, but you know I can’t let you win at the rest, Cat.”
“I have a feeling neither of us will win. I’ll see you later.”
We kiss one more time, and then she’s gone. I’m pretty sure she’s right, though. We’re both going to lose, and it’s going to cost us more than just some family jewels.
Chapter 8
Darcy
“You’re fucking him?” Nate asks from the video screen on the wall in my game room. “Really?”
“That’s not what we’re here to talk about,” Reina reminds him.
“It’s what I want to talk about. She should be staying away from that little prick.”
“Um, hello. Weren’t you the one who told me he seemed like a good guy before I started the mission?”
“That was before he threatened you, and his cousin tried to kill you.”
“He’s not a bad guy. He just thinks I have some information he needs.”
“About some stolen jewels. Did you steal them?” Faith asks.
“I can’t talk about it.”
“So, you did. You should’ve told us about this, Darce. How can I protect you if I don’t have all of the details?” Reina asks.
“Like I said, Rei, I can’t talk about it.”
“I’m your boss, and I’m telling you that I need to know.”
“I’ll quit.”
“It’s that important for you to keep your secrets?”
“Aren’t yours important to you?”
I can hear her sigh through the screen. “Yes. I get it, but I think it’s time to send in the reinforcements. The ones that Brayden and his family know nothing about.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Keep her safe, ladies. I’ll do what I can from here.”
“Is there anything more you can tell us,” Audrey asks as Ellie finishes bandaging my thigh.
“No. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“Are you going to be able to tell him what he needs to know?”
“There’s a small chance, but I doubt it.”
“We’ll protect you,” Ellie says.
“That’s not even a question. A threat to one of us, is a threat to us all,” Faith says.
“Thank you. I know I don’t deserve your blind trust, and I haven’t been the friendliest person over the years, but you all mean so much to me. More than I could ever tell you.”
“You don’t need to tell us, mija. We know.”
There’s a knock at the door, and Ainsley laughs. “Our hour is apparently up.”
“We could make him wait.”
“No, Faith. I don’t know how much time I have with him, and I don’t want to waste any of it.”
“You love him,” Ellie says.
“I’m trying not to.”
“Take it from someone who knows all about it—you won’t be able to stop loving him, no matter how hard he makes it.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I hug them all, grateful for the women that I’m surrounded with. Ainsley stops to whisper in my ear. “I know it’s hard to be friends with girls after always hanging out with the guys, but it’s pretty awesome, too.”
“Yeah, it is.”
I nod to Audrey, and she opens the door for Brayden. “You can come in now.”
“I would promise to behave, but I’d be lying.”
“I don’t think she wants you to behave. At least not while the two of you are alone.”
“I don’t,” I call out. “Bye, girls.”
Brayden’s smile drops as he turns to me after locking the door. “Are you really okay?”
“Yes. I’ve been in fights before, you know. Injuries are pretty common in my profession.”
“I don’t want to even think about you being hurt,” he says as he walks over to me and cups my face in his hands. I seriously love it when he does that. “Is there anything I can do?”
I bite my lip, knowing there’s something I want him to help me with, but feeling shy again about asking. “Yeah. I mean, if you want.”
“I want. Tell me.”
“Well, I’m all sweaty from fighting, and I can’t get my bandages wet, so…”
“I can totally give you a sponge bath.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I’ll wash my hair over the sink, and I can do most of my body myself.”
He places his fingers over my mouth. “I’m washing your hair, and the rest of you. It’s going to be my pleasure, I assure you.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy it, too.”
“Oh you will. Even if I have to do it over and over again until you’re screaming my name.”
“You think I’m going to scream from you washing me up?” I ask with a laugh.
“Yes. Since I plan to wash you like a cat, before and after I wash you like a human.”
I pretend not to know what he’s talking about, but oh dear God, I think I do. “A cat?”
“You know—I’m going to lick you clean. Everywhere.”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
“I know. Wait here for a minute while I get everything set up.”
I curl up on the couch, being careful not to put too much pressure on my injury. Audrey offered me some of her specialized pain meds, but I declined because I knew Brayden was coming to see me. I want to be alert while we’re doing sexy stuff. And I need to be alert while we’re having any kind of conversation.
About ten minutes later, he comes back into the room, leaning over to scoop me up into his arms. “I can walk, you know?”
“But why would you do that when I can just carry you?�
�
“When you put it that way, I really don’t know.”
Once we’re in my bathroom, I see that he’s rigged the hand held sprayer from the shower onto the sink. There’s a chair piled with pillows in front, just high enough so I can lean into the sink without it being too uncomfortable. He sets me down and gathers my hair into the bowl.
“Wow. I’m impressed. I didn’t know you were a plumber.”
“I’m not, but I learned a few tricks from water fights with Jen when we were kids.”
“You two are really close, aren’t you?”
“Yes. We did everything together growing up. Well, until she had to move when I was 15. Then I did everything with Noah. He’s a few years younger than me, but I had always wanted a brother, so it worked out. I mean, I guess it didn’t really ‘work out’ since his dad died, but I was happy to have him here with me.”
“I’m glad for both of you,” I tell him, meaning every word. I can see the strong bond they have, and how they’ve helped each other out over the years.
We don’t talk as he washes my hair. It feels amazing, though. He massages my scalp as he works in the shampoo, and then the conditioner. Once he’s done, he wraps my hair up in a towel. I lean up to kiss him, letting him know I appreciate what he’s doing for me.
“Time to take off all of these unnecessary clothes of yours and get the rest of you clean.”
“I need to dry my hair, or it’s going to be a crazy mess.”
“Leave it. If it’s not a crazy mess when I’m done with you, I’m not doing things right.”
“Oh, I have no doubt that what you’re about to do to me is going to be very right.”
I take off my clothes, and can’t resist towel drying my hair just a little bit while he heads into my bedroom. I walk in, and stop short. There are candles everywhere, and the bed is covered in plush towels. A basin with soapy water is on the side table where my lamp usually resides. I realize now that Brayden angled me in the other direction as we walked through so I wouldn’t see anything.
“Welcome to your private bath. My name is Crown and I’ll be servicing you this evening.”
“Crown? That’s an unusual name.”
“An outstanding woman gave it to me.”
“You can call me Cat,” I tell him with a smile.
I walk into the room and he guides me to the bed and onto my stomach. “Is your thigh okay like this?”
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“How bad is it hurting?”
“I just said I was good.”
“How bad?” he asks again.
“Not as bad as it did an hour ago.”
“That’s the best I’m going to get out of you, isn’t it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Just please, please let me know if it hurts any worse, or if you want me to stop at any time.”
“I will…thank you.”
“You can thank me by letting me win at Call of Duty,” he says to me as he licks a path up my spine.
“I’ve tried that already,” I tell him honestly.
“Bloody hell. I really do suck.”
“Sucking can be good.”
“Like this?” he asks as he sucks lightly on my neck.
“Mm.”
He chuckles against my shoulder before continuing his journey over the back half of me. Once he’s covered me in kisses and licks, he grabs a soapy washcloth and starts cleaning me thoroughly. By the time he’s finished, I’m squirming with want, and he hasn’t even touched the front of me yet.
“I need to go grab another washcloth with just water so I can get this soap off.”
“Hurry,” I tell him, shamelessly rubbing myself against the towels beneath me.
“Don’t you dare try and get off without me.”
“I can’t promise you anything.”
“Fuck, Darcy. I’ll be right back.”
“Fine, I’ll wait. Just get back here.”
He’s back in less than a minute, wiping all the soap off much faster than he put it on. He grabs a towel and dries me off before flipping me over and spreading my legs. He drops down and starts feasting on me. He’s eating me like I’m his last meal, and yes, I’m screaming.
Once he’s brought me to orgasm twice with his mouth, he kisses his way up and down my legs, being mindful of my bandage. Then it’s my hips, stomach, and ribs. He stops his progress to worship my tits for a good half hour, making me come again just from what he’s doing up there, before giving my collarbone and neck the love he thinks they deserve. I’m sated and boneless by the time he reaches my mouth.
“How am I doing so far?” he asks in between kisses.
“So far? I thought we were almost done.”
“We’ve barely gotten started.”
* * *
Brayden
I meant what I just said to Darcy. I’m planning on making love to her all night. Because it’s more than likely going to be our last. I spent the hour we were apart with Noah and Jen. They’ve both convinced me that I have to step things up. I know they’re right—after all, I only have less than a month to get those jewels. I can’t let my feelings for Darcy get in the way of my promise to my father. I drew the line at physically harming her—and told Jen to leave her alone—but I can’t pretend that there’s not this huge thing between us.
I kiss her with everything that I have in me. All the feelings, and yes, the love, too. She’s kissing me back the same way, and my heart is starting to crack, so I pull back. “Cat.”
“I know, Crown. Don’t say it, please. Let’s just have tonight.”
I want to tell her that I love her, and that I wish we could have forever, not just tonight, but that wouldn’t be fair to either of us. So I just do as she asks, and proceed to give her the night. We make love to each other over and over again until we fall asleep, only to wake up and do it all over again until the sun begins to rise. It’s the best night of my life, but also the worst.
I wake up around noon to find myself alone in Darcy’s bed. I hear water running in the bathroom, so I get up to see what she’s doing. I find her with one foot in the walk in shower, and one out, trying to wash up without getting her bandage wet.
“Hey, I thought that was my job.”
“You got distracted, and well, it’s morning.”
“I’ll always be distracted when you’re naked. That doesn’t mean I’ll shirk my duties. Why does the morning matter?”
“Last night was the end, wasn’t it? We’re going to go back to ‘fake’ and forget that what’s between us was almost real.”
“I need the jewels, Darcy.”
“And I can’t give them to you.”
“I don’t want to be at war with you. Why are you forcing me to fight you?”
“You should go now.”
“I’m going to make your life a living hell. You’ve given me no other choice.”
“Get the fuck out, Brayden. I can handle whatever you plan to dish out, so your conscience can be clear.”
“You’ve been warned.”
“Goodbye.”
I walk out, feeling anger start replacing the sadness inside of me. She thinks she can handle me, and come out of this unscathed? She can try. I wish her all the damn luck in the world.
Chapter 9
Darcy
The last few days have been pretty rough. I meant what I said when I told Brayden that I could handle anything he did to me. It’s what he’s not doing to me that I’m having a hard time with. We hold hands and even give each other a peck on the mouth during public appearances, but as soon as we’re out of sight, he stays as far away from me as possible.
His mother insists on us all eating together, but no one speaks during the meals, and we all go our separate ways afterward. I hang out with the girls, but never in my rooms. I don’t even sleep on my bed anymore. I’ve been taking the comforter and pillows off to sleep on the floor. There’s just too many memories in that bed—and on my couch in the game room—and
besides, I’ve slept on much worse before.
Tomorrow, more of my friends are coming. The whole island is excited about their arrival, and no one is aware that they’ll be here for me. This weekend is the first of the many celebrations leading up to Brayden’s coronation, and it’s just for the locals. Because Brayden’s dad had spent time in the States for college, the plan has always been to feature American entertainment at these events. From what I’ve heard around the palace, and during my walks into the village, every young girl on the island—and many of their mothers as well--couldn’t be more excited to have Storyside performing for the daytime picnic and carnival. Zack Taylor is a big draw for the sports fans; although, I’m not sure that he and Ainsley will be able to hide their relationship from anyone. They’ve been together for almost a year, and still can’t keep their hands off of each other.
The nighttime ball is going to be more formal, with American dignitaries and businessmen and women dressed to the nines. Jake Mason will be attending on behalf of his mother—unfortunately Isa won’t be with him; I heard they had a huge fight about him constantly trying to protect her, but then he somehow made it up to her. I’m guessing he earned another medal doing it, but I won’t be asking either of them for confirmation. Matt and Reina will be here representing Corrigan & Co., Nate and Aiden will be joining them as part of their security detail, and Jade will be coming as a representative of the C&C Foundation. They won’t exactly be undercover, since the royals know they’re part of the Society. The mentors will be here as well, but they’ll be with their husbands—or in Helen’s case, her latest boy toy—so it will look like they’re just wealthy couples attending one of the biggest social events of the decade.
Stella picked out my dress when I was first assigned to the mission, but no one here will know that. Jenysis has been talking about how excited she is to meet her, but I think she’d be less than happy if she knew that Stella was really coming here for me. She hasn’t tried to harm me again, but she’s been overtly hostile, especially now that Brayden is treating me like I don’t matter. Noah gives me a sad smile here and there, but he’s kept his distance as well. I know his loyalty and allegiance lie with Brayden.
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7) Page 7
