Evergreen: An Alpha Billionaire Romance

by Michelle Love

  Luca nodded and gazed at Emory. ‘And you don’t remember…anything?’

  Emory, her petite body tensed, cleared her throat. ‘I remember some. I remember being shot, I remember Ray. I know you, Bree,’ and she smiled hesitantly at the younger woman, who got up and went to her. She wrapped her arms around her.

  ‘I missed you so much,’ Bree whispered, ‘and I have so much to tell you.’

  Emory tightened her arms around her. ‘I know, honey, me too.’ She let her go and looked at Luca. ‘I do remember you some, Luca, I do. I just have a blank on our…um…’

  ‘Relationship.’ Luca got it suddenly, and pain shot through him. She doesn’t remember…she doesn’t remember how much we loved each other, what we had, what we could have been. Oh, damn it, damn it.

  He looked back at Dante ‘Thank you for saving her, Dante. I cannot express how thankful I am.’

  Dante gave a quick nod. ‘Em…I feel you have a better chance of remembering everything if you spend some time with Luca and Bree.’ His voice had a strange tone to it, and now Luca saw Emory look at Dante in shock.

  ‘What?’

  Dante held Emory’s gaze. ‘You should try,’ he said softly, ‘So you know. For sure.’

  Emory looked bewildered, frightened and Bree put her arms around her again. ‘It’s okay, Em, we…’

  ‘You’re sending me away?’ Emory interrupted her, looking at Dante with panic and hurt in her eyes and for the second time, Luca saw everything clearly. Emory was in love with Dante Harper, and he was in love with her. Jesus…of all the scenarios he’d pictured, this was not one of them. Luca felt detached suddenly as if all his self-protection instincts had set in. Don’t break my heart. Don’t let her close again.

  Jesus. What a fucking mess...

  Zea Azano Newlan was with Kizzie Kline when the call came. Her brother Jesse had been injured an explosion at a vehicle workshop on the island. Kizzie, barely keeping it together, was driving Zea to the scene now, her eyes fierce as she drove.

  ‘It’s Petersen, I know it,’ she raged, ‘how many more people have to get hurt?’

  Zea was silent, letting her rant. Whoever this Nick Petersen was, he needs to be in jail, today. As they pulled up to the scene, Zea saw a building on fire and a fleet of first responders.

  ‘Oh, my God,’ Kizzie gasped and stopped the car abruptly, getting out and running over to an ambulance. Following her, she saw Kizzie throw herself at a young man sitting on the back steps of the vehicle.

  ‘Jesse, oh god…are you okay?’

  Jesse grinned at her, wincing as Kizzie hugged him harder. ‘Just a bit beat up, and my hearing’s all hinky because of the blast, but I’m okay. Asshole pushed me over the balcony before the explosion hit. Sadly, for him, I didn’t break anything.’

  ‘Was it Nick?’

  ‘Oh, yeah. They just shuttled him off to the hospital; he’s in a pretty bad way.’

  ‘Good.’ Kizzie’s adrenaline was obviously seeping away, and she sat next to Jesse, out of breath. Jesse grinned at Zea.

  ‘Since my sister’s forgotten to introduce us…I’m Jesse Kline.’

  Zea smiled at him. ‘Hey there. Zea Azano Newlan.’

  Recognition dawned in his eyes. ‘Oh god, yes, of course, Mrs. Azano.’

  They shook hands. ‘It’s Zea,’ she said,’ please, and I’m remarried now. But I have come back to find out what the hell went on at Auburn.’

  ‘We were just about to talk to Ethan when the call came through,’ Kizzie explained, ‘but we have time. Thank god you’re okay, bro. Sick of people getting hurt.’

  Jesse nodded. ‘Hey, did you here? One of the cops just told me. Emory Grace…I mean, Emory Dutta, has been found alive. Apparently, some billionaire was taking care of her, while she recovered from being shot.’

  ‘No, I hadn’t,’ Zea felt profound relief, ‘that is good news.’

  Jesse nodded. ‘Maybe things are turning around at last.’

  Zea sighed, suddenly weary. ‘God, I hope so. Look, why don’t I drive you two back to the hospital? You can get checked out, Jesse then we can talk to Ethan. I need this to be over.’

  Kizzie nodded in sympathy. ‘You got it, sister.’

  ‘Let’s go.’

  Then…

  It was easy, really. A couple of hits of the drug in David Azano’s coffee – the first one to make him suggestible, the second to send him over the edge. Even Nick couldn’t have predicted the way Azano had reacted to the drugs. He snuck the weapons into school and put them, fingerprints scrubbed off, in Azano’s desk.

  He heard the first gunshot when he was in the bathroom and grinned. He was glad he was away from the action while David Azano was locked and loaded.

  Screams, pure terror, pure horror. Pop, pop, pop. Nick sidled to the door, listened then opened it a crack. Emory Grace was holding Lee Shawn, sobbing quietly. Blood everywhere. Then they both heard a scream. Emory Grace darted off, and Nick slipped out of the bathroom and followed her at a distance. He heard her shouting something, ‘Bree, run!’ and then as Bree Saffran staggered out of the room and away, Nick crept to the doorway. He watched as David Azano stabbed Emory Grace repeatedly in the belly until the young teacher collapsed to the floor, her eyes closed, then, as if in slow motion, David Azano looked up and around at Nick. He smiled and advanced, the knife still dripping with Emory’s blood. Fuck. Nick backed off in a hurry and started to run as SWAT team members burst into the corridors. All was confusion. Nick screamed. ‘He killed her, he killed her…’ and a SWAT member tackled him to the ground. ‘Stay the fuck down!’

  He heard shouting, the rat-tat-tat of the guns then an echoing, hollow silence. Cordite in the air. Walkie talkies on then. Someone pulling him to his feet.

  ‘You hurt, kid?’

  Nick shook his head, looking around. ‘I tried to save her…’ He staggered back to the room where Azano had been before the policeman could stop him. David Azano, with half his head missing, lay slumped half in, half out the door. Nick could see the policemen attending to Emory Grace, her grey-marl t-shirt soaked in her blood. The paramedics crouched around her, checking her vitals. Then as Nick was led away, he heard one of them speak.

  ‘She’s alive…’

  Nick was reunited with his parents outside the walls of the college, all around him sobbing people. The gurneys carrying the injured were starting to come now. Emory Grace was first; Bree Saffran almost hysterical, her father jumping in the ambulance to speak to the unconscious woman. Two others, a boy, and a girl…then Ethan Fonseca, his t-shirt blackened from blood and three bullet holes and barely conscious, but when he saw Nick, his eyes widened.

  It was at that moment that Nick Petersen realized the enormity of what he had achieved, what he had done. He saw the fear, the heartbreak and sheer misery that he had caused but that he would pay no price for.

  Ethan Fonseca didn’t stop starring as Nick as he was loaded into the ambulance and Nick did the only thing he could.

  He smiled at him and winked.

  ‘Sweetheart?’

  Emory turned and saw Luca hovering in the doorway of her bedroom. They were in the apartment she lived in before the shooting. Dante had meant it when he told her she needed to go with Luca, and although she’d argued the point, telling them she wasn’t ready, Dante was firm. ‘Sophia’s packed your things, dar- I mean, Emory. If in a few days, you feel you can make an informed decision, then we can talk.’

  She’d agreed eventually, just seeing how much Bree and Luca needed it but said ‘Tomorrow. Please, I need a night…’ She tailed off hoping they would think she just meant to think but she saw Luca’s eyes flick to Dante and knew he could see what was really happening.

  She felt guilty, but she needed that night, just one more night with Dante. After Luca and Bree had left with the journalist, she had taken Dante’s hand and led him upstairs. Sitting on the bed with him, she took his face in her hands. ‘Why are you doing this? She whispered, ‘why are you sending me away?’ />
  ‘Because you need to know, Emory. You need to know what your life will be from now on. And I need to know that what we have is real and not just some fairy tale we dreamed up.’

  She kissed him fiercely. ‘Tell me you love me,’ she pleaded, ‘tell me, and I’ll know.’

  Dante’s lips were firm against hers. ‘I can’t…not yet. Please, Emory, you know I do, I just can’t say it. I need to know that we have a future. My heart won’t take it otherwise.’

  She wrapped her arms around him, and he pulled her down onto the bed with him, peeling off her clothes, and she his, until they were naked.

  ‘Don’t wait,’ she said, curving her legs around him, reaching for his already huge cock. ‘Please, I need you now.’

  They made love all afternoon and fell into a deep, uneasy sleep. Emory didn’t want to do anything but hold him.

  Now, as she stood in another man’s apartment, she felt a shiver go through her. What the hell was her life now? Being shuttled between these two men…had she lost all control?

  Yes.

  The thought hit her and tears began to drip down her face. Luca, who had been watching her, came to her.

  ‘Hey, hey…it’s not really that bad being back here, is it?’

  She shook her head, unable to speak. Luca had been nothing but kind in the day she had been with him, but she felt the weight of expectation on her shoulders. Luca put his arm around her, and she couldn’t help lean into his warmth.

  ‘Tell me what we were like,’ she said. ‘I really need to know more, Luca.’

  He smiled down at her. He is a gorgeous man, she thought, with that raven-dark hair and jet black eyes. Suddenly tugged at her memory. ‘You’re part Asian,’ she said, blinking. ‘I remembered that.’

  Luca’s smile was bright. ‘I am. Remember you said it was something we had in common. Your father was from the Punjab.’

  A jolt to her memory. ‘Yes.’ She closed her eyes. ‘We were talking…’

  ‘Come into the living room, come sit and we’ll try to get some of the memories back.’ He held out his hand, and she took it hesitantly.

  They sat on opposite sides of the couch. Luca had poured them both scotch. ‘We used to sit here and talk,’ he said gently, ‘and laugh, God, we laughed so much. You tried to tell me your maiden name was Emory Flannery, and you nearly convinced me too. You’re good at keeping a straight face.’

  Tug. ‘Something…’ she stretched her mind as far as she could but couldn’t reach whatever it was. She shook her head. ‘God, Luca, I’m sorry, I am trying.’

  ‘I know, sweetheart, it’s okay. You’ve been through just about the worst things a human can in such a short time. I did some research while you were sleeping earlier. This kind of amnesia…your memories can’t be brought back by us telling you what happened. If and when they come back, it’ll be spontaneous. We can only help by lessening the shock of them returning, I think.’

  Emory smiled at him. ‘You’re a kind man, Luca Saffran. I might not be able to remember ‘us’ but I can see why I was drawn to you.’

  Luca tried to smile. ‘It was hell…not knowing if you were alive or dead. I promised myself that whatever the outcome, I would try and come to terms with it. Emory…whatever the decision you make regarding us romantically…I would like you to know that it means the world that you are safe and healthy. Ray is gone, and he can never hurt you again. No-one will ever hurt you again.’

  ***

  Maximo Neri looked out of the hotel’s vast penthouse windows. Seattle was beautiful, he thought, the mountains on the horizon, the Bay glittering in the low winter sun. The cold he could do without but he liked the laid back, friendly way of this city. He had spent time here in the US in other cities: New York he wasn’t fond of, too many aloof people, too much detachment for him. He liked conversation, life, connections.

  His assistant, Salvatore, entered the room. ‘Max, you have a visitor.’

  ‘Who is it?’

  Sal grinned at his boss. Maximo was an informal, fair-minded employer and Sal had been with him since college. ‘Clementine Saffran. She says she wants to speak with you.’

  Maximo relaxed. ‘Thanks, Sal, please show her in. And you can take off for the night.’

  Sal grinned, and Maximo chuckled. Sal could read him like a book. He heard his assistant speak to someone in the hall.

  ‘Please, Mrs. Saffran, Maximo is looking forward to seeing you.’

  Clem walked into the room. She was wearing a dark olive green wrap dress, her red hair swept over one shoulder, minimal make-up. She looked nervous for a moment but then smiled at him.

  ‘Max, I hope I’m not intruding.’

  He kissed her cheek, his hands on her waist. ‘Not at all, it’s wonderful to see you. Please sit, can I get you a drink?’

  ‘Some red wine would be wonderful.’

  He poured them a glass and sat beside her on the couch. ‘I was just thinking how pretty this city is at night. Would it be cheesy, as you say, for me to tell you it just got prettier?’

  Clem laughed at his mischievous expression. ‘Very cheesy, Mr. Neri. I came to ask how the search for Ferdinand is going.’

  Maximo’s smile faded. ‘Frustratingly slow. My dear brother seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.’

  ‘He might be dead.’

  Maximo inclined his head. ‘Maybe. Which would deny me the pleasure of killing him.’ He sighed and half-smiled at her. ‘Clementine, please know this. I want you. I want to be with you, but for now I can’t risk it.’

  ‘Sssh,’ Clem slid closer to him, stroking his face with her fingers. ‘I know. I know, Max and I’ll wait as long as you need. I just want to help, is all. I see people miserable all over; look at Luca. He could barely function without Emory, and now Bree tells me, there may be another obstacle. Emory was rescued by a man called Dante Harper – have you heard of him?’

  Maximo nodded. ‘I have. I met him a few times; he seems like a good man.’

  ‘Well, it seems he and Emory formed a relationship as she recovered and now Emory is confused about wat she needs.’

  Maximo suddenly leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. ‘I am not confused, Clem. I want you. I’m just terrified of losing you like I did Ophelie. While Ferdie is still out in the world, I will not feel as if I can declare my love for you to the world, and keep you safe from him.’

  Clem had gone very still. ‘You love me?’ Barely a whisper.

  Maximo nodded. ‘I do. God, help me, I do. It’s why I have to keep you at arm’s length and…’

  ‘No,’ she said softly, ‘no, Maximo. You don’t. We will be stronger together, I swear to God we will. You and I will search for Ferdinand, we will find him and make sure he can’t touch us. But in the meantime, I’m tired of wasting time. I want to be with you, Maximo Neri, in every way. Every way.’

  His lips were on hers then, and she clung to him as he lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. Laying her down on the huge king-size bed, he pulled the tie of her wrap dress open and pressed his lips to the hollow of her throat, moving down her body as he kissed her skin. Clem stroked his dark curls as he freed her breasts from the lacy cups of her bra and took her nipples into his mouth. His tongue flicked and teased the nubs until Clem was gasping; Max’s hand drifting down between her legs to massage her sex through her thin cotton panties.

  Max’s lips were against Clem’s belly as he pulled her panties down and then he buried his face in her sex, his tongue lashing around her clit, sending fiery pulses of desire racing through her. Clem’s breath was coming in sharp gasps, her eyes rolling back and closing, losing herself in Maximo’s expert seduction. His teeth grazed the sensitive cluster of nerve endings, and she yelped, hearing his deep throaty chuckle.

  ‘You belong to me now, Clementine, do you understand that?’

  ‘God, yes…’ He brought her to a shivering climax then swiftly moved up her body to claim her mouth again. She felt so vulnerable, so loved, Maxi
mo still fully dressed but she could feel the rigid length of his cock straining against his pants, and she stroked her fingers along the length of it as Maximo nuzzled her neck. ‘Let me taste you, Maximo…’

  In a moment, she was unzipping his pants, freeing his cock and sweeping her lips around the wide crest as her fingers stroked the velvety length of it, so long, so diamond-hard. Maximo groaned as she teased the tip with her tongue, tasting the salty pre-cum, feeling it quiver under her touch. She began to pull at him with her mouth, encouraging him, hearing him giving in to her, wanting to taste every part of him. He came in her mouth, and she swallowed his seed greedily, wanting to lose herself in him.

  Maximo rolled her onto her back and pressed her legs to her chest. ‘Sweet Clementine,’ he said before launching his cock into her. Clem gasped with pleasure as he filled her, his cock thick and long, his hips ramming hard against her bent legs, his eyes fixed on her face as he fucked her.

  Clem had lost herself in him as he drove her inexorably toward orgasm, her hands roaming over his well-muscled chest, his broad, thick shoulders. ‘Maximo Neri, I am so in love with you,’ she whispered then cried out, her back arching as she came, feeling his cock shooting deep inside her and his voice calling her name over and over…

  Maximo ordered room service for them – late but the hotel was only too happy to accommodate their rich clients – and he and Clem ate just after midnight, beautifully grilled steaks with a peppery green salad and fresh fruit. Clem grinned at him. ‘This is a perfect evening, thank you, Maximo.’

  She reached over for his hand. ‘Listen, I’ve been thinking…Tatiana and I have agreed to press pause on my book until Emory is ready to hear about it and give her blessing. I can’t sit around Seattle hosting charity auctions when I know you’re searching for Ferdinand. Let me help you.’