“No, that had nothing to do with it. She approached me earlier today and I was focused on taking care of the Banks thing. She said she wanted to hire BLACK Security after I didn’t really respond to her attempt to chat. That’s when my worry for her motives ramped and I turned her down for any help from your company before I left.”
His blue eyes darken. “As far as she knew, Vanessa didn’t think she was going to be invited to our wedding?”
I nod. “I only asked my father to give her the invitation tonight at the rehearsal.”
Sebastian pulls out his phone and dials. “Hey, Elijah. I know it’s late, but I want to add one more name to the list of potential threats: Vanessa Granger.”
I shake my head the whole time he’s on the phone. The moment he hangs up, I stare at him with wide eyes. “You don’t think she’s capable of this, do you?”
“We have to eliminate her as a potential threat.”
I reach for my Lias necklace—the feel of the raised hearts and the reminder of pure love they represent—is comforting, especially when I’m tense. I sigh and lower my hand once I remember I don’t have it on. “It’s late. I’m going to bed. Cass and Calder, you know where the towels and extra blankets are if you need them. See you guys in the morning.”
Sebastian follows me into our room and shuts the door. His tone is subdued as he approaches me. “She has blown up an apartment before, Talia.”
“I understand,” I say as I reach for his tie and pull apart the knot for him. The smell of smoke on him brings the horror of the evening back, so I keep my suddenly misty gaze focused on my hands. “But one thing I’m absolutely sure of is that she would never try to hurt me.”
“It could’ve been you, Little Red,” he says, folding his warm hands on my wrists. “That scared the ever-loving shit out of me.”
“I’m fine, Sebastian.”
“Well, I’m not. Not one fucking bit.”
Cupping my face, he makes me meet his gaze. “Tomorrow you’re coming to the office with me.”
I stiffen. “I don’t need a constant babysitter.”
“What are you talking about?” he says, frowning. “My men are good investigators, but you’re the best one I know. Certainly the most tenacious with the details.” He releases me and pulls his tie off. “Calder called me out on missing a couple of those tonight.”
I frown. “That was shitty. Everyone’s emotions were running high.”
“He was right.” His mouth turns down as he tosses his tie onto the bed. “They were color-related misses. As of tonight, my whole BLACK Security team knows about my color-blindness. I won’t risk another issue related to my inability to see color.”
“I’m sorry tonight forced you to reveal that.” He’s such a proud man; that had to have been hard for him to admit to his men, but I’m also relieved. Now they can watch his back too.
“I should’ve done it before now.” Shaking his head, my husband slides his fingers into my hair. “I need them to back me up where I’m not at my best. Just like I need your keen eye on this case to help me sift through the details so we can uncover who’s behind this before someone else gets hurt. No more arguing…you’re coming.”
My heart jumps at his compliment. He’s right. I need to help him resolve this quickly. Nodding, I press a kiss below the gauze on his palm. “Take a shower so we can get some sleep. I want to head into the office early.”
Resting my hand on his chest for a moment, I start to pull away, but Sebastian’s hand folds over mine. I glance down to see him sliding my wedding ring back on my finger. “I don’t want it off you for even a day, Little Red. Never take it off again.”
“But the wedding—”
He shakes his head. “You’re my wife.”
The tension in his hold twists my heart. As I fold my fingers closed and nod my agreement, he kisses the ring on my finger and heads for the shower.
With the steady patter of the shower in the background, I slide on a thin tank top after washing my face. Isabel’s death is devastating and I’m concerned about the danger the rest of the family might be in. I was so relieved Sebastian suggested that Gavin, Damien, Mina and Josi stay with their father for the next few days for better security and all the Blake siblings agreed. I knew it was to support their father, but they’re stronger together and they need each other right now. Mina’s heartbroken expression flickers through my head. I won’t admit to Sebastian that I’m worried about her, but I plan to stay in closer touch to make sure she’s doing okay.
Each time my eyes drift close, the image of the fire billowing out of the limo replays over and over in my head. That could’ve been Sebastian and me. Worse, it could’ve been Sebastian. I don’t think I could handle being left behind, not now that he’s become so important in my life. He’s not just my other half, he’s the reason I smile every day when I wake up. My eyes pop back open and I shove the upsetting thoughts away, forcing myself to think about the investigation instead.
Sebastian’s reminder of my aunt’s part in blowing up our apartment bounces around in my head. Could she really hurt me if she felt rejected? Am I wrong in thinking she would never try to inflict physical harm? I shake my head, refusing to go down that dark rabbit hole.
Sebastian lifts the covers and slides into bed behind me. I don’t resist when he wraps his arm around my waist and tucks my back against his naked body. Instead, I snuggle closer, appreciating his warmth and the masculine smell of sandalwood soap.
“I’m surprised you’re still awake,” he murmurs, lifting me so my head rests on his folded bicep.
“My mind is spinning too much.”
“Thinking about tomorrow?”
“So many things, but yes, after you told us about Banks’s run-in with you earlier today, and the fact he never called me back, it makes me wonder if he ever got my other message through the pizza delivery.”
“Even though the asshole didn’t deserve your heads up, that was very creative.”
“Thanks, but since Banks wasn’t arrested, I have to assume the painting wasn’t there by the time the police arrived.”
“Which means he got your message but chose to believe the worst anyway, hence him confronting me in the street. I’m going to make Stan and Nathan pay for fucking with your safety. I’ll—”
“You’re going to stay out of my business and let me fight my own battles,” I say firmly. If he confronts Stan or Nathan, he’ll learn that I’m not working there anymore. I’m going to use this time to become an invaluable member of the BLACK Security team. That way maybe whatever hang-ups Sebastian has as to why he hasn’t asked me to join him before now hopefully won’t matter. “I’ve taken time off for work for the honeymoon. I don’t need to go back for a bit yet, which gives me time to help the investigation. I’ll deal with them later.”
Sebastian grunts his annoyance, but kisses the side of my neck. “I’m glad you agreed to help.”
“Our family was struck hard tonight. I’ll do whatever it takes to find the people responsible.”
“We’ll uncover who’s responsible for Isabel’s death, but the potential danger to the rest of our family is my priority until the threat is neutralized,” he says as he slides his fingers down my arm.
“All lives matter, past and present,” I say on a sad sigh.
“You matter the most.” The rumble of his words vibrates against my back as his fingers slowly move down my arm, gently massaging my skin along the way.
“It could’ve been both of us.” I close my eyes to hold back the tears at the thought.
The tips of my fingers tingle when he takes extra time on the heel of my hand. My toes twitch with pleasure at the sensation of his thumb pressing along my palm. “The idea that I wouldn’t be able to touch you ever again—that it could’ve been you—ran through my head too many times to count since that bomb went off, Talia.”
The pain in his gravelly voice sends a shiver through me just as he rolls my fingers between his. “You’re stuck w
ith me, for better or worse,” I say in a soft voice. He’s lulling me with his magical touch; my body is both relaxed and tingling with each stroke of his fingers.
Sebastian reaches for my chin and tilts my head back to run his fingers along my throat. “No matter how many times I try, my imagination can never recreate the pleasure I get from touching you. Your skin is so soft and I fucking can’t get enough of the way you smell.”
“Did you know that I bury my face in your pillow every morning before I get up?”
He pauses his massage. “No, I didn’t.” Sliding his hand to my collarbone, he presses me to his chest, his erection hard against my rear. “I need to be closer, Little Red.”
Sebastian’s tension echoes my own. The thought of losing him screamed in my head the whole time he and Calder were gone chasing that car. I didn’t let how upset I was show for Mina’s sake, but I also didn’t exhale deeply until my husband returned. Even now my heart races with worry that the crazy person who did this tonight will try again.
I run my hand along his bare ass and dig my fingers into the tight muscle. Pulling his hips fully against me, I silently agree with his sentiment.
As Sebastian lifts my thigh and slowly eases himself inside me, a couple tears escape, dripping onto his arm.
We don’t speak and he doesn’t move once he’s fully inside me. Flattening his hand on my chest, he says in my ear, “This is peace. No matter what goes on out there, being inside you and feeling your heat surrounding me…you always ground me.”
Another tear leaks out. I’m so choked up that my voice croaks a little. “I’ve never let another person get this close to me. And now, I’m not sure if I’m capable of existing without you.” I fold my arm around his under my head, wrapping my fingers around his forearm. “I can never lose you, Sebastian.”
“You won’t.” He kisses my neck, then whispers in my ear, “I’ll always be here to protect you.”
I shake my head and sniff back the tears, the sensation of his palm and wrist’s slight movement making my nipples jut forward for more. “I just want your love.”
He slides his hand under my breast and presses his palm against my heart, the act also pushing me to his chest. “Do you feel that, sweet Talia? That’s two hearts beating hard despite the fact neither of us is moving.” He slides his thumb forward and runs it slowly over my nipple, then stops and leaves it there. “Love, passion, respect. Close your eyes and breathe me in.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The sensory overload of the silk sheets and his hard body cocooning me while he’s filling me up is so arousing that my breath hitches as I exhale. I love this man so much. I start to speak, but I gasp instead. He’s thickening and hardening.
“Do you feel me loving you right now?”
His voice is hoarse, his body so tense, I realize that he’s holding back, forcing himself to remain still for me. “I feel you loving me in every move you make,” I whisper just before I flex my core muscles tight around him.
He exhales harshly and quickly moves his hand between my thighs. Folding his fingers around me in a tight grip, he nips at my ear, then rasps, “Don’t move.”
Several seconds tick past where we don’t speak. I feel his heart thrumming and that makes mine rev in kind. His hand cupping me in a possessive hold feels so good, I want to move but a part of me doesn’t. The intimacy of just feeling his body wrapped around mine from head to toe, his tense hold tightening with each breath we take is a kind of escalating bliss I’ve never felt before.
Maybe it’s the tragic circumstances, or maybe it’s our own emotions about the uncertainty of life heightening the moment, but even though my heart is racing and my body is aching for release, I mentally force myself not to move against his hand; I don’t want to let what’s happening go any more than he does. But when Sebastian clamps his teeth on my shoulder at the same time his tight hold flexes on my sex, I lose complete control as my orgasm takes over my body in hard, gasp-inducing spasms of pleasure.
Releasing my shoulder, Sebastian lets out a primal rumble of satisfaction and buries himself deeper while riding his own climax on the tail end of my euphoria.
That was so beautiful, silently emotional, and incredibly fulfilling, I blink in the darkness, speechless.
Sebastian runs his nose along my temple. “Little Red…”
He sounds contemplative, so I respond in kind. “Mister Black…”
“There are no words.” Stunned awe laces his deep voice as he kisses my knuckles.
I bury my fingers in his hair and pull his head close, nodding my agreement.
“I’m staying right here.” Nipping at my earlobe, he flattens his palm on my belly and fuses his hips to mine.
“I’m not letting you go,” I whisper and close my eyes, extremely thankful that we have each other.
Chapter 11
Talia
“I saw the news last night. I wanted to call, but thought it would be too late. I’m sorry for your loss. Are you okay, Talia?”
“It was tragic and the family is dealing as best as we can, but I’m fine, Nathan.” Why did I answer my cell without looking at the Caller ID?
“I was shocked by that news, but even more shocked when I came into work this morning and learned that you had resigned. If your husband made you quit after how hard you worked to get back into this business—”
“Stop right there, Nathan. Sebastian had nothing to do with me quitting. It was my choice. Period. End of story.”
“But you’re a fantastic investigator. I won’t let you give that up.”
“Who says I’m giving it up?” When I hear Sebastian’s voice approaching his office, I say, “I really have to go now, Nathan. I’m okay. Thanks for calling.”
I hang up just as Sebastian enters the office with a tall, sandy-haired man in a dark suit and three-day beard scruff. The man looks like he’d been athletic when he was in his twenties, but too many beers and less time in the gym have turned sculpted muscles into less defined bulk in his forties.
“Talia, this is Detective Phil Mayhew. Phil, this is my wife, Talia. She works for the Tribune as an investigator, but is helping us comb through the data in the hopes of capturing the person responsible for yesterday’s bombing.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Talia. Like I was telling Sebastian. Other than Mrs. Blake’s body, this folder is all the evidence from the limo worth noting. We interviewed the limo driver, but he only remembers driving away and then nothing else.”
Opening the folder, Sebastian frowns, then silently slides one of the photos across his office table to me.
I gasp and snatch up the photo, taking in the mangled, half-melted chain and blackened dual hearts on the locket. “My necklace!” I meet the detective’s brown gaze, blinking away the mist in mine. “This was found in the limo?”
He glances Sebastian’s way, then nods. “Do you know how your necklace ended up under the floor mat?”
“My wife is not a suspect, Phil. Is that clear?”
The detective clears his throat. “The police have their job to do, Sebastian. I’m here as a courtesy, but now that I know the necklace belongs to your wife, I’ll have to report my findings to the detectives working the case.”
“It’s fine, Sebastian. I thought I’d lost my necklace in my old apartment,” I tell the detective. “I was there cleaning yesterday and I took the necklace off. I knew I’d need a shower afterward, but the photos in the locket would be ruined if I showered with it on. After my shower, I went to put it on. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find my necklace. I looked everywhere for it, but I ran out of time before I had to be home to get dressed for the rehearsal.”
Sebastian rests his hands on my shoulders as I stare at the photo with misty eyes. How did my necklace end up in a burned limo?
“Didn’t you drop your purse on the floor?” Sebastian asks. “Was it in your purse?”
I jerk my gaze to his. “That’s it! My purse was the one place I never thought to check fo
r my necklace. It must’ve been in there the whole time.”
Nodding his agreement, he sets the other photo on the table. “This appears to be some sort of small wired bomb with an igniter.”
Phil points to the picture. “That’s the culprit. According to the reports, they believe it this bomb was attached to the gas tank flap and that’s what caused the massive explosion. Based on the size of the bomb, if it had been anywhere else on the vehicle other than near a fuel source, the damage would’ve been minimal. This was no freak accident.”
The photo is of several pieces of warped, blackened metal and a tiny circuit board. It’s hard to tell anything from it. “How big was it?” I ask.
“The tech guys said it was no bigger than one by two and a half inches.”
“You said the gas tank flap? If it was on the outside of the limo the whole time, someone would’ve noticed that,” I say, tapping my finger on the photo.
Sebastian nods his agreement. “Did the tech guys make a rendering of the device so we can see what it would’ve looked like? I wonder if we could uncover serial numbers on it.”
“I can see if they made a rendering, but unfortunately the device was severely damaged by the fire, so I’m not sure if there would be any serial numbers left on any of the parts. I’m sorry I don’t have more, but that’s it.”
“Could you possibly get us a copy of all the photos taken from the scene?” I ask.
“And leave those,” Sebastian says, nodding to the photos. “We’d also like the piece parts of the device and the crime scene investigator’s reports.”
Phil shakes his head as he sets the empty folder on the table. “You don’t ask for much, do you, Sebastian.”
“I’ve consulted for the police department on tons of cases. If they balk at sharing info, tell them to consider this a favor for our help in shutting down that illegal MMA ring a few months ago. That was a big win for your current Chief.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Phil pauses in the doorway, his hand on the doorknob. “I’m sorry for your family’s loss. You know we’ll do what we can to bring the culprit to justice.”
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