False Perceptions

by Michelle Heard

  We watch as Father’s name flashes on the screen, and as soon as the voicemail notification pops up, Hayden plays it on speaker.

  “Emilie, this is your father,” he growls. I’m surprised he hasn’t stopped calling me yet. It’s been almost ten months since we last spoke.

  “Election day is November third. I expect you to come home right now. Your behavior is unacceptable. I’ve arranged interviews for you with all the major stations which will ensure me a lot of sympathy votes. Do not make me come up there. You will regret it.”

  And just like that my happy bubble pops.

  I let out a deep breath as I reach for the phone and delete the voicemail.

  I open a text box and start to type, but Hayden places his hand over the screen.

  “Hold off on answering. Let’s talk about this first.”

  I force a smile to my lips, not wanting to upset Hayden with the problematic relationship between Father and me.

  “It’s not a big deal. I’m just going to type out the usual message.”

  Hayden pulls the phone from my hands and sets it on the table.

  “Just hear me out, okay?” He pulls a chair from under the table. “Take a seat.”

  I sit down, feeling worried when Hayden sits next to me with a serious look on his face.

  “Okay,” I say to encourage him.

  He places his hand on top of mine, and says, “Spending the past few days with you has been amazing.”

  Oh, God.

  My breaths speed up, and it feels like my heart is retreating into a black hole.

  He’s going to tell me it’s over.

  Not Hayden as well. He was supposed to be the one who would never hurt me.

  Was it all one-sided? Did I imagine that he cared?

  He made love to me.

  Oh, God, it was all one-sided. I wanted it so much that I made myself believe that Hayden loved me.

  I suck in a desperate breath and pull my hand free from under his. I can’t be this close to him if he’s going to break things off with me.

  I stand up and walk around the table, so it’s between us. Lifting my chin, I cling to my pride as I meet his eyes.

  Prepare for the blow, Emilie. Don’t break in front of him. Stay strong until he leaves.

  CHAPTER 52

  HAYDEN

  All the color drains from Emilie’s face as she looks at me from across the table which makes me second guess my decision to talk to her about her father.

  “Hey, don’t worry about it. I just had a theory I wanted to run by you,” I explain as I stand, desperate to get the look of terror off her face.

  I take a step toward her, but the second she takes one backward, my body freezes.

  What the fuck is happening right now?

  “Emilie, did I say or do something to upset you?”

  She licks her lips nervously, and for the first time, I hate her being nervous around me.

  “What were you going to say next, Hayden? You had a great time, but…?”

  Oh, fuck.

  “No,” I snap as I move fast, not giving her time to run. I grab hold of her around her waist and back her up against the counter. “That’s not how I meant it.”

  “How did you mean it,” she grinds the words out. She’s slamming up walls to keep me out.

  “The past few days have been amazing, but I’m still here to protect you. That has not changed. I think your father is behind your kidnapping. I wanted to ease you into it.”

  She stares at me for a second before my words reach her. Her body relaxes into mine, and she presses her forehead against my chest.

  “Shit.” She starts to laugh which only confuses me more.

  Fuck, I can’t keep up. Are we even having the same conversation?

  “My heart, Hayden,” she laughs as she brings her hands to my jaw. “Never again. You are not allowed to start a sentence with ‘the past couple of days have been amazing,’ then leave it hanging in the freaking air with a silent but.”

  I let her press a kiss to my mouth before I ask, “What did you think I was talking about?”

  “That you were done with me,” she says, the relief on her face telling me just how much she had panicked.

  “Done with you?” I growl, dangerously close to losing my temper.

  “Yeah, as in breaking things off with me,” she explains.

  I take a step back as the look of terror she had just a moment ago, flashes through my mind.

  She thought I was going to leave her.

  Anger toward the fuckers who have done that to her before makes me swoop right back into her personal space. I grab hold of her hips and lift her to the counter.

  Ripping her bikini top and bottoms off, I growl, “I don’t fucking break my promises, Emilie.”

  I shove my shorts down and slam into her hard and fast.

  “O –” The word gets cut off on a gasp as I keep pounding into her, wanting to drive it home that I’m not ever fucking leaving her. “– Kay,” she breathes.

  I bring my mouth down hard on hers, kissing her the way I’m fucking her, wild and raw.

  Needing to get deeper, I spin us around and sit her ass down on the table.

  “Lie back,” I grind the words out as I yank her ass closer to me.

  She falls back on the table and grabs hold of the sides as I thrust back inside her.

  Wrapping my hands around her hips, I hold her in place as I fuck every ounce of the anger out of my system.

  “Shit,” she whimpers which only makes me slam harder into her. “Oh, shit.” Her body bows off the table as she starts to chant my name.

  I drive into her, pushing her over and as she starts to orgasm, I grind my teeth as I find my own release.

  Emilie slumps down on the table, gasping for air.

  “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that?” she asks. “Just so I know how to get it again.”

  I shake my head and chuckle as I press a kiss to the stretch of skin over her heart.

  “That’s how I argue,” I say as I look down at her.

  She frowns, then asks, “That was you having a fight with me?”

  “No, babe. That was an argument. A fight would have me bending you over the table.”

  Her lips form an O as I pull out of her, and she pushes herself up on her elbows as she watches me.

  “So just to be clear, not wearing a condom is a part of you arguing?”

  “Ah… no, that was me losing control,” I admit, not happy with myself at all. I should have used protection. Going bare without Emilie’s consent is not cool.

  “Are you clean?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I had a test done before I took the mission.”

  “I had one after the kidnapping.” She shrugs as she smiles at me. “Then we’re all good. I’m on the pill.”

  I let out a breath of air, then lean back over her. “Sorry, babe. I should have asked first,” I apologize anyway. I’m man enough to say sorry.

  “You won’t hear me complaining,” she says.

  Pressing a kiss to her lips, I say, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  She lies back down and stares at me as I walk out of the kitchen. Getting to the bathroom, I quickly wet a cloth with warm water and rush back to the kitchen. A broad smile stretches across my face when she frowns, her eyes zooming in on the cloth.

  “What is that for?” she asks, eyeing the cloth as if it’s a snake.

  When I get close to her, she snaps her legs closed, as if it will keep me out.

  Flicking my eyes to her, I give her a deadly serious look. “Open your legs.”

  I fight the urge to laugh when she glares at me. She rolls her eyes and lets out a huff of air as she inches her knees apart.

  I push myself in between her legs and looking down at her blushing face, I wipe her clean.

  She shakes her head while staring at the ceiling.

  Taking hold of her jaw, I turn her face back to me and press a kiss to her mouth.

&
nbsp; “I will always clean up after myself, Em.”

  Her lashes lower and she wraps her arms around my neck. “I think I’m clean,” she whispers as lust creeps into her eyes.

  “Yeah?” I say as I drop the cloth and continue to massage her clit. “I better check.”

  “What?” she asks as I slip free from her hold and kiss my way down to her pussy. “Oh… OH,” she groans when my tongue lashes over her swollen clit.

  Sliding a finger inside her, I suck hard on the bundle of nerves which earns me a whimper. Her hips start to move, and it doesn’t take long before I have her exploding on my tongue.

  I don’t give her time to catch her breath as I move back over her and press my mouth to hers so she can taste herself on my lips.

  “Wow,” she breathes when I finally let her come up for air. “Can we fight tomorrow?”

  Laughter rumbles through me as I pull her off the table. “Go get dressed so we can finish the talk about your father.”

  CHAPTER 53

  EMILIE

  I snuggle up to Hayden on the couch as I wait for him to start talking.

  “Before I start, there are a few things you need to keep in mind,” he says as he rests his chin on top of my head. His arms wrap tighter around me. “I’m in no way diminishing what happened to you. I’m looking at the mission strictly from an operative’s point of view. That mission was too easy. You were a high-value-target, and they only had five men guarding you. And in my opinion, those five men were untrained. It’s as if someone threw five guys together, gave them guns and paid them to kidnap you.”

  “But who would do that?” I ask. “I don’t know many people. Could it be someone who has a grudge against my father?”

  “I don’t think so, Em. If I wanted to hit your father where it would hurt most, I’d take the person he depends on. From what you’ve told me, that would be his assistant.”

  That’s true. Father does care more for Donna than he does for me.

  “I’m not sure he would step down for anyone, Hayden. I know it’s not right to say this, but my father isn’t selfless.”

  Hayden takes a breath, then says, “I think your father is behind the kidnapping. I don’t have any proof, but it makes sense. I know it in my gut.”

  I pull away so I can see Hayden’s face.

  Is he right? Could my own father have had me kidnapped?

  For some reason, I’m not shocked. Maybe I’ve known all along. I’m angry though.

  “You really think he’s behind it?” I ask.

  The same anger I feel hardens Hayden’s features.

  “I’m certain. It won’t be the first time someone has used a family member to further their career. He insists that you do interviews so he can gain sympathy votes. That alone solidifies my suspicion. If my daughter were taken, my career would be the last thing on my mind. I’d make it my sole purpose to help Evie through the trauma.”

  My shoulders slump, and it does hurt knowing my father doesn’t care for me at all.

  “Yeah, George Swanson is definitely not up for any father-of-the-year awards,” I say.

  “I don’t have proof, Em. I’ve had my Commander dig around, but he’s come up empty-handed. Accusing a senator, especially so close to the elections, would be reckless.”

  I lean back against Hayden’s side, and we both stare into empty space as I process everything he just told me.

  I trust Hayden, and if he says he believes Father is behind the kidnapping, then I have to find a way to prove he’s right.

  I’ve only known Hayden a few months, but he’s proven himself to me on more than one occasion. He risked his life for me. He’s the only one that’s been there for me through the worst.

  Father has not once asked me how I am.

  I believe in Hayden, and I know in my heart of hearts he will never hurt me intentionally.

  As I process all of this, fuming anger starts to build in my chest.

  If Father had me kidnapped and tortured… I won’t let it go. I won’t let him get away with doing that to me. He has to pay for what he did to me. There is no way in hell that I’m going to take this lying down.

  If he started this, then I will finish it.

  The betrayal digs its claws in so deep, making an uncontrollable rage spread through me.

  “Are you okay?” Hayden asks as he presses his mouth to my forehead.

  I nod, trying to reign in the anger so Hayden won’t see it. “It just sucks,” I answer honestly.

  “I know, babe.” He lets out a deep breath. “I just need to get solid proof. No one hurts someone I love and gets away with it.

  Hearing that makes me so unbelievably thankful to have Hayden. At least I have one person I can count on. If I had learned all of this about Father without Hayden in my life, I’m not sure how I would’ve reacted. I’m not sure I could survive the blunt force of such a betrayal without Hayden by my side.

  Needing to distract Hayden, I straddle his lap and start to unbutton his shirt.

  His mouth tips up at the one corner. “What are you doing?”

  Glancing at him from under my lashes, I whisper, “I’m undressing you.”

  I get a smile from him as I push the shirt over his broad shoulders, dropping it behind me on the floor. I grab hold of his sweats and boxers, pulling them down his muscled legs.

  Damn, I can stare at him all day long. I’ll never get tired of admiring his body.

  I wrap my hand around his thick cock and slowly start to move.

  “You’re going to keep your clothes on, Em?” His voice is deep, making tingles explode over my skin.

  “You want me naked, Eagle?” I ask as I move down between his thighs, kneeling at his feet. I lean closer and only lick the broad head of his cock.

  He lets out a harsh breath, his eyes glued to my mouth so close to his cock. “Babe, you don’t have to.”

  I suck him into my mouth and hum, which makes Hayden move his ass to the edge of the couch, giving me full access to his cock.

  Pulling back, I say, “I want to, so you better find something to hold on to.”

  I take him into my mouth again, as far as I can and suck hard, hollowing my cheeks.

  “Fuck,” he grinds out as his ass lifts off the couch, trying to get deeper.

  Having his cock in my mouth makes me feel powerful knowing that I can give this tough man pleasure. I can make him breathless.

  I keep a tight grip on the base of his cock as I relentlessly suck. Looking up, my heart swells with pride when I see the look of pure rapture on Hayden’s face. He grinds his teeth, his breaths coming faster.

  I keep my eyes on his face, and as his body starts to tremble, I take him deeper and speed up my pace until his ass raises into the air as he orgasms.

  Pulling back, I lick my lips as I climb to my feet. I place a quick kiss on his parted lips.

  “I’m making coffee. You want some?” I say as I walk to the kitchen, feeling quite proud of myself.

  “What?” he breathes, still naked and looking a little mind-blown.

  I grin as I make some coffee. “Mission accomplished,” I whisper.

  CHAPTER 54

  HAYDEN

  Parking the truck in front of the store, I frown. Something’s nagging at me, and I can’t place my finger on it.

  Emilie said she was going to visit our neighbor. When I asked her why, she said it was about time she made friends.

  That’s not Emilie.

  Fuck, she’s up to something!

  I slam the truck in reverse and pull out at a speed that makes the vehicle rattle. I drive as fast as the thing will go. When I finally get to the house, a cloud of dust flies into the air as I slam on the brakes. I jump out and run for the back door, dread sinking into my bones when I slam the door open.

  “Em?” I shout as I move through the house, searching through every room for her.

  “Emilie!” I roar, worry and anger burning through me when it’s clear she’s not here.

  Storm
ing back into the kitchen, I see a piece of paper on the table. I grab it and read the few lines.

  Hayden,

  I’ve gone to confront him. I’ll get you all the proof you need.

  I have to do this. Please don’t be angry with me.

  I love you,

  Em.

  “Fuck!” I shout as I run out of the house, slamming the door shut behind me. I rush to the loft and bursting through the door, I grab the extra ammo from the bottom drawer of the dresser and load it into a backpack. I shrug on a jacket, pick up Dave’s keys, and head for his bike.

  I have to catch up with Emilie.

  Fuck, I should’ve known she was too calm about it all.

  I climb on the bike and send Emilie a text hoping she has her phone on her. I didn’t even check to see if she took it, and I sure as hell am not wasting time by going back into the house to find out.

  Wait for me. Do not confront him on your own. I’m right behind you.

  Racing away from the house, my heart pounds against my ribs.

  Don’t let me be too late.

  Fuck, I can’t lose her. I can’t lose another person I love.

  CHAPTER 55

  EMILIE

  I smile sweetly at security as they buzz me through the gate.

  After getting Hayden’s text, I broke a few laws in my hurry to get to Father’s. I just need the proof, then I’ll call Hayden.

  I park the car and getting out, I glare at the mansion. I quickly take out my phone and press record, then lock the screen so I won’t stop the recording by accident before I shove it back in my pocket.

  I knock on the door and take a step back. Squaring my shoulders, I lift my chin.

  When Father opens the door, he has a triumphant smug look on his face.

  “It’s about goddamn time,” he says. He turns his back on me and walks away, leaving the door open.

  I follow him inside, intentionally not closing the door behind me.

  “Father,” I spit the word out.

  “What do you have to say for yourself?” he sneers as he walks into the living room. He stops at a table and pours himself a glass of whiskey. After taking a sip, he turns around to face me.