Levi shrugged. “I like my space.”
“Clearly…”
The driver rushed to open her door for her and she stood in front of the towering pillars of the entranceway. The idea of decorating such a beautiful space had her giddy.
She followed Levi inside and looked around the foyer. A pair of stairwells, were on each side, with a bench on one side and a small table on the other. Both were early 19th century American design, exactly what she would have chosen. It was amazing how similar their taste were. She followed Levi from one room to another noticing a pattern. Everything was beautifully decorated, she had yet to see anything she’d suggest changing.
They stood in a guess with of pristine white furniture and pink bedding, when Bailey’s eyes narrowed and she asked, “Why am I really here?”
Levi’s friendly facade fell. “Ah…so you’ve figured it out. I was starting to worry you’d never catch on and I’d be forced to show you all twenty-eight rooms.”
Heat rose up the back of Bailey’s neck. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Simply put, Jaxon took something of mine, so I took something of his. When I get back what he stole from me, I’ll return you.”
She gawked. What a fucking man-child. “I’m not a DVD. You can’t just borrow me for an afternoon.”
Levi looked around, raising his arms to gesture at their location. “It seems that I can.”
She stormed past him and snatched open the door. It’d be quite the hike back to the front gate, but it severed her right for hopping in some nut’s car.
Outside the door stood the limo driver. He now looked far more intimidating than he did before. She was afraid to try to pass him. What if he grabbed her? What if they tied her up? She was just starting to realize how dangerous her situation could be.
She turned back to Levi. “This is kidnapping. You’ll go to jail.”
He stood there with his arms folded. “I’ve noticed that most problems vanish if you’re willing to throw enough money at them. I simply ask that you stay here as my guest for a few hours. You’ll be treated to every comfort my staff can offer. If you need anything, just let Evan know,” he said pointing at the chauffeur. “And after Jaxon returns what he took from me, you’ll be free to go.”
Why should she believe anything a kidnapper said? He also said he’d take her home. She could see how that played out. “Jaxon wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t steal from someone.”
“So you can speak to what he is and isn’t capable of? Have you known him long?”
She looked away. How could she say she met him the day before. After all, Levi had found her in his house.
“Don’t let the sweet smile fool you, Princess, when you come between Jaxon and what he wants, he’s all grizzly.”
Why did he keep calling her that? He was the spoiled brat willing to kidnap someone to get his way. “I’m not a princess. I grew up without anything. Everything I have, I worked for.”
“So did I. Though, do you really think that’s why I’m calling you Princess?”
“That’s what it means, doesn’t it? Someone pampered and spoiled, who lives in a tower.”
“Yes, that’s one meaning.” He took a couple steps in her direction, closing the space between them. He lifted her chin with a finger forcing her to look into that metallic gaze. “But it also means the woman that will one day be Queen.”
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
How could he have this effect on her? She had an incredible urge to punch him in the face.
“Are you hungry?”
“Huh? What?” She asked, his question pulling her from her thoughts. “Oh, yes. I’m starving.”
“I’ll have something brought up to you. What would you like?”
She had no idea what to ask for. This was a mansion, not a McDonald’s. “What are my options?”
“Anything.”
“My freedom,” she said flatly.
He chuckled and clarified. “Anything edible.”
“Pancakes, bacon, orange juice and coffee.” She figured she’d need some energy for that long walk to the front gate. She’d sneak out and call that Uber the moment they turned around.
“I’ll have it sent right up. And if there is anything else you need to make your stay more comfortable, just let me know.”
She shook her head in disbelief. Was this man really vying for a five star kidnapping?
As she waited for her food, she explored her surroundings. Behind a set of cabinet doors was a large flat screen TV. The room also had a bookshelf with countless options. As prisons went, her cage was gilded.
As she was finishing up her inspection, an elderly woman entered carrying a tray with the breakfast she requested. Not wanting the drag the woman into this nonsense, she just smiled and said thank you as the woman sat the tray down near the window.
Bailey stared out the window as she made her way through fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon. She could definitely get used to this. And perhaps she’d visit again under different circumstances. As bratty as Levi was behaving, he was still Jaxon’s kin.
She’d just taken the last bite of her breakfast when she saw Jaxon’s Bronco speeding towards the estate. Even from her distance she could hear the door slam as he got out. He was pissed off.
She opened the door to the guest room. Evan was still standing there, straight and tall as if he was standing guard. He raised a finger to his lips, suggesting she not speak.
A moment later she understood why. “Where is she?” Jaxon yelled.
“Where’s my mother’s necklace?” Levi asked flatly.
“Have you lost your mind? You can’t just go around kidnapping people. You’ll be lucky if she doesn’t call the cops and have you thrown in prison.”
“You took something of mind. I took something of yours. When I get back what’s mine, you’ll get back what’s yours.”
“She’s a human being. She has nothing to do with any of this. You can’t just hold her captive.”
“You’ve heard my terms.”
Jaxon groaned in frustration. “Fine! I’ll give you the stupid necklace back. It’s just that given where I hid it, it’s going to take a few hours to—”
“You know where to find us.” Levi cut him off.
“Just let her go, I will give you the necklace, you have my word.” Jaxon seemed to have calm, his tone was more even.
“I remember what happened the last time a Pierce trusted a Knight. No, she’ll be free to go when you bring back what you stole from me.”
“Fine. You win. I’ll go get the necklace.”
That was it? He wasn’t going to storm up the stairs? No daring rescue from to release her form her tower.
With their voices lower, she could barely tell what they were saying, but she could make out Levi asking, “You knew how much that necklace meant to me. Why would you take it?” He sounded wounded.
“Because I knew it’d throw you off-balance. I just didn’t realize how much. You’ve taken things too far. She has nothing to do with this.”
“Doesn’t she? Aren’t you going to parade her in front of the clan as your new mate making your claim stronger than mine? After all, a leader that is ready to produce heirs means more stability.”
Bailey listened harder. Was Jaxon using her to maintain his position in the clan?
“It’s not like that. I really like her.”
“I can see why. She’s delightful. But does she know you sought her out as something to give you an advantage against me?”
“We didn’t talk about clan politics.”
“So that’s a no. Yet you accuse me of forgetting she’s a person.”
“Let me get this stupid necklace for you. I don’t want her with you for a minute longer than she has to be,” Jaxon growled.
“That’s all I ask.”
The door slammed followed by someone making their way up the stairs.
Levi stopped when he saw her standing in
the hall. “I didn’t mean for you to hear all of that.”
“Then why’d you keep me in a room so close to the front door,” she snapped.
She sensed he was being genuine. But what she heard caused her pain, and she blamed him. She’d built up Jaxon in her mind as this perfect man and suddenly that was taken from her. He had ambitions of his own and she didn’t know how much he liked her or liked having any woman he could bring in front of the clan.
Her dream was shattered and Levi made sure of that. She walked away from him. She’d wait in the room until Jaxon came back with the necklace and she’d be done with both of them. Unfortunately, Levi followed her into the room denying her the space she so sorely needed. So she turned her fury on him.
“A necklace? You kidnap me for a damn necklace?”
He seemed nonplussed by her rage. “It has sentimental value to me. Few things do.”
She was no fool. He put together his home piece by piece. There was no way he wasn’t a man that cared about things.
She pointed to a panting on the wall. “And I guess people just spend three million on one of a kind Jessica Abbots because they don’t really care about things.”
Calmly, Levi strolled over to the painting, admired its beauty, pulled it from the wall and put his fist through it.
Bailey thought she’d be sick. The artist had died a few years back. Nothing like it would exist again. “Why would you do that?”
“There is something you need to understand about me. For all my flaws, and yes, they are many, I’m not a liar. It upsets me when people don’t believe me.”
She crossed her arms. “You said you were taking me home. That was a lie.”
“I did take you home. My home. Next time ask for clarification.”
Bailey was about to say there wouldn’t be a next time, but something stopped her. She didn’t like the idea of that. Sure, she’d been snatched up by a whirlwind, but in some strange way she was having fun. Every inch of her skin tingled with excitement. This strange man made her feel alive. She didn’t want that feeling to go away.
The next thing she knew, she grabbed him by his vest and pulled him into a kiss. For a moment, he froze in shock, then he grabbed her, kissing her deeply. His tongue slipped past her lips, entwining with hers. He was meticulous in everything he did, even kissing, he knew exactly when to go deep and when to pull back. He read her every moan and whimper making her grow wet with desire. How easy it would be to let herself go and surrender herself to him. If he kissed this good, then he probably—
She pushed him away. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that.”
He licked his bottom lip. “It was rather pleasant, feel free to do it again.”
She couldn’t believe him. “You’re a beast!” She laughed.
He captured her hand and kissed each of her knuckles.
She held her breath as she watched, wondering what he’d do next. If he started things up again, she wasn’t entirely sure she had it in her to stop again.
“If I’m a beast, does that make you? My Beauty?”
She pulled away and shook her head as she turned to leave. “Incorrigible.”
She could feel his gaze on her back. “True. But I like you that way.”
Feeling more confident than she had in a long time she walked up to Evan. “Look, I’m going for a walk. You can come guard me if you want, but if you try to stop me you’re going to have to wrestle me to the ground and tie me to a chair. Got it?” Without turning around, she headed for the front door.
Chapter Four
The gardens surrounding Levi’s estate were just like everything else he owned—immaculate. She should have been intimidated, but the idea of a man who surrounded himself with such beautiful things lusting after her bolstered her confidence. She might just be another acquisition for him, but there were far worse things to be than desired by such an interesting man.
Like an inconstant slut. Just a few hours ago, Jaxon was all she could think about and now after the first disappointment, she was already on to the next guy. Maybe that’s why she was still single.
No, she knew that wasn’t true. In the few areas where Bailey’s loyalty had been tested, she was steadfast. She just happened to meet two men she had chemistry with in the span of twelve hours. Something that if she was asked about the day before she would have claimed as likely as a picnic with Santa and the Easter bunny. But here she was. Now what?
She reached a section of the garden with a fountain, water spurting from Cupid’s arrow, and a circle of rose bushes. She sat down on one of the marble benches and tried to figure out her next step. Should she yell at Jaxon for not telling her about the mate thing? But wasn’t that the same thing she was doing? Looking for someone to marry and make babies with? She just had a longer timetable in mind and her job didn’t depend on it.
Should she tell him about kissing Levi? Making out with his enemy was an unforgivable act. He’d probably break things off immediately, and ask Gerri to fix him up with someone else. One thoughtless moment and she might have killed all hope with Jaxon.
She stood back up and wandered around some more. The land Levi owned was vast and there was plenty to explore. She came upon a more wooded area behind his house. It seemed strange for him to have given how sculpted and manicured everything else was.
Her heels sunk in the dirt as she walked deeper into the area making her wish she’d been kidnapped in a more sensible shoe. There was a small lake between the trees. Bailey sat on a log at the edge of the lake and took off her heels. She plopped her feet into the cool water and relaxed.
Water flew in all directions as a giant brown bear broke to the surface. He was all teeth and claws and would have terrified her if not for the familiar silver eyes that seemed irritated. He stood on his hind legs and roared at her. Did he really she was going to get up and run? She’d already taken her shoes off.
“Don’t snap at me. I had no idea you were here. And maybe if you didn’t take people against their will they wouldn’t bother you while you were shifting.”
She watched the lake rippling, then turned back to Levi who was staring at her in confusion. The look on the face of a bear was adorable, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “To be afraid, I’d have to believe that either you want to hurt me or you’ve lost control of your beast. Since you’ve had every opportunity to hurt me and haven’t, I don’t think you would and I doubt you’ve ever had a moment in your life you weren’t in control of.”
She continued to stare out over the water. When she ventured a glance back in Levi’s direction, she found him standing there in all his glory. And so much glory there was. Her gaze lingered on his glory for far too long. When she finally looked into his eyes, he was wearing a wicked grin. “Sorry,” she said, turning away again.
“No, take your fill. What’s mine is yours.”
Bailey winced.
“What?”
“Jaxon said something similar to me.”
Levi picked up a pair of jeans off the ground and slipped them on. He sat down next to Bailey on the log. The fact that he wasn’t wearing underwear was at the forefront of her mind.
“And I’m sure he meant it. I know you didn’t ask for this, but if you’re going to be a kingmaker, I’d like to throw my hat in the running.”
She didn’t know what to say. “Couldn’t you just find some other girl and even the score?”
“I don’t want another girl. Part of finding a mate is driven by instinct, and I don’t know how to explain it, but you smell like you’re mine. I know you don’t have my senses, but can’t you feel it on some level?”
She felt something. But she also felt something for Jaxon too. “I mostly feel confused.”
He chuckled. “Take your time. Work out your feelings. You’ll know where to find me when you do.”
Before she joked about his overconfidence, he looked toward the house. He seemed upset.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Jaxo
n’s back. We should start heading back before he shifts and tears apart my staff.”
“He wouldn’t do that.” She may have only known him for a day, but she was pretty sure about this one.
“No, he wouldn’t.”
As they walked back toward the house she asked, “Is your clan made up of different kinds of bears? I noticed you were a brown bear and Jaxon said he was a grizzly.”
“Keen observation.” He looked at her with genuine pride causing her shoulders to square. “The clan started as a cluster of brown bears that grew over the centuries. My family led it every generation until my father was betrayed by Jaxon’s. Even though his father was a newcomer to the clan, my father embraced him as a brother and he eventually became my father’s second. He used that power to stab my father in the back and take everything. My mother loved the clan, it was her entire world, but when she died, no one was there but my father and me. He died a broken man in a decaying hovel. On his death bed he made me swear to get it all back. So far I’ve kept my promise. I’ve amassed a fortune bigger than anything he ever had. All that’s left is the clan, it’s my birthright and was given to Jaxon because of a lie his father told. He may act sweet, but if he had a drop of honor he’d step aside and return what is rightfully mine.”
Watching the passion in Levi’s eyes, Bailey was swept up in his conviction and was on the verge of also demanding Jaxon hand over leadership, though she didn’t know anything about what was going on. But she’d definitely ask. “That’s why things don’t matter to you. It’s not about the wealth, it’s about the promise.”
She felt like she understood him on a profound level. Her heart ached for the little boy exiled from his clan for crimes his father never committed. She knew that kind of loneliness, and she understood why he clung so hard to the memory of his mother. For a time, all his family had were each other and now he was left to carry on their dreams.
Jaxon rushed towards them as they headed for the house. He looked disheveled, the start of a beard darkening his chin, his eyes were wild. Clutched in his fist was a thin gold chain with pendant on the end. When he got close, Bailey could see the pendant was a golden bear. The necklace didn’t look expensive, perhaps a hundred dollars, yet Levi was willing to risk felony charges to get it back. Bailey couldn’t imagine being loved like that, having someone willing to go to prison just to get back something you once owned. The thought brought tears to her eyes.
Paranormal Dating Agency: Bearly Rivals (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
