Inseparable Bond

by Reese Spenser

  “I’m not sure, but I believe her. Look for yourself. What reason would she have to make this up?”

  The answer didn’t readily come to me. Instead, I review the one fact I know to be true. Carter trusts her. Carter Lincoln has been a friend and colleague for more than ten years. As the Chief Security Officer of Thorne Security, I know he thoroughly vetted Reagan Danvers before hiring her. So, for her sake she had better not be fucking with my girl. For now, I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt.

  “Let’s see what you have here.”

  Avery nods and I begin combing through every detail of each document. When I get to the DNA test results, the first thing I notice is that the test was performed at a hospital in Port au Prince, Haiti. And then I notice the name of the person providing the DNA sample.

  “Your father’s family is from Haiti?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  I don’t answer, because I want to be one hundred percent sure before I do. This could affect more than just Avery.

  “Are there any photos of your father’s sister in this pile?”

  Avery collects a few photos. Spreading them out on the desk, she points out her aunt. “This is Khadean,” she says, looking at me with worried eyes. “You’re freaking me out, Lucian. What’s wrong. Do you know her?”

  “Yes.”

  I recall meeting Khadean Jamison for the first time on a trip to Haiti with my two best friends. It was the year after Marcus’ parents died. He went to visit his family and Jake and I tagged along. The memory of the week we spent in Haiti comes in a rush. I remember how happy Marcus was to see his family after avoiding them for nearly a year while grieving his parents. The moment we stepped foot in Khadean’s home we were treated like family. She gave me and Jake big hugs before she even knew our names. And although we reserved a suite at a hotel, I could tell Marcus didn’t want to leave when Khadean insisted we stay. We checked out of the hotel and Marcus, Jake, and I shared the guest room at Khadean’s house. For a week the three of us were cramped in the small room, and it was worth it to see Marcus happy again.

  “How do you know her?” Avery’s voice closes the door to the past but opens a window to the future.

  I look at the photo of an eighteen-year-old Khadean with her twin brother. “She’s Khadean Jamison.”

  “Yes.” Avery nods

  “She’s also Marcus’ aunt. His mother’s sister.”

  Avery gasps, tears well in her eyes, and she quickly wipes them away. “Does he know? Does Marcus know we’re cousins?”

  “I don’t think so. He would have told me. As far as I know he believes all his relatives are in Haiti.”

  “I can’t wait until he finds out that he has cousins here in New York and another in England.”

  “England?” I question.

  “Reagan has a twin brother. His name is Reade Danvers, he’s a doctor, and he lives in England with his wife Hannah.” She gives me the second DNA test results.

  “How did I miss that? Sweetness, you have a brother and a sister.”

  “And your best friend is my cousin.” She smiles for the first time since I walked into the room.

  “What do you want to do next?”

  “I want to get to know my family.”

  “We can start by inviting Reagan and Marcus to dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Will you tell him before he comes over?”

  “No. I think it’s best if you and Reagan break the news to him.”

  “Thank you,” she whispers, brushing her lips against mine.

  “Why are you thanking me?”

  “For putting all these people in my path. People I may not have met if it wasn’t for you.”

  “You’ve been working with Marcus long before I came back into your life.”

  “Only because you bought the company that published my first book. And now my sister works for Thorne Security.”

  “Carter...” She cuts me off before I can finish.

  “Carter leads back to you.” Avery tilts her head up offering me her mouth.

  I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing her moans of pleasure. Fisting her hair, I deepen the kiss. She wraps her arms around my neck and begins teasing my mouth with her tongue. I lift my mouth from hers and she nips my lip to punish me.

  “More,” she demands, tilting her head back. I can refuse her nothing when she looks at me with those beautiful hazel eyes, filled with love and desire for me and only me. “You haven’t kissed me nearly enough today,” she teases. “I want more.”

  Leaning down, I watch her lips part, anticipating my kiss. I press my lips to hers, wasting no time in slipping my tongue into her mouth. She moans in pleasure once again, fisting my hair, pulling me closer to her.

  Avery breaks our kiss, then chants breathlessly against my lips. “Lucky, Lucky, Lucky.” And in that moment, I know how lucky I truly am.

  “I need to take a shower,” she says. When she stands, I immediately miss the press of her ass against my cock. And that’s when I notice she’s wearing workout clothes, most likely from her morning jog. “I’m feeling a little dirty. How about you?”

  She has barely taken her next step before I have her over my shoulder. With quick strides, I carry her to our bedroom. She giggles the whole way and the sound is intoxicating.

  God, I love this woman.

  Chapter 3

  Avery

  I’m up and out early Saturday morning. Instead of my jog through Central Park, I’m strolling down the aisles of my favorite supermarket, shopping list in hand. The dinner I’m planning for Reagan and Marcus has to be perfect. That means the best of everything, starting with fresh ingredients for my signature dish.

  Before I know it, I’m headed to the checkout counter. At seven-thirty on a Saturday morning there aren’t many customers. I’m standing in line when a chill of recognition creeps up my spine. Looking around, the only familiar faces I see belong to the supermarket employees. I dismiss the feeling, blaming my paranoia on guilt. After informing my security detail that I will not be jogging this morning, I may have led them to believe that I would be in the penthouse with Lucian. Now it seems the deception is messing with my head.

  Lucian was sound asleep when I left the penthouse. Taking his Mercedes and driving myself seemed like a good idea at the time. With Samantha locked up, I can reclaim my independence. And today is as good a day as any to do exactly that.

  “Good morning. Did you find everything you need?” The young cashier’s greeting signals my turn in line.

  “Good morning.” I pause to view his name badge. “Todd. Yes, I found exactly what I need today.

  Todd smiles, and proceeds to ring up and badge my items. I swipe my credit card to pay for my purchases.

  “Have a nice day,” Todd says, giving me my receipt before moving on to the next customer.

  “You too,” I reply.

  I push the grocery cart to the car, loading my bags. Within a few minutes I’m behind the wheel and pulling into traffic.

  Lucian is seated at the breakfast bar when I enter the kitchen.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he says, hearing me approach.

  “It’s a beautiful morning,” I proclaim as I place my bags on the kitchen island.

  “You went shopping?”

  “I did. I picked up a few things for dinner tonight.”

  “Where’s Mathers? Why didn’t he help you with your bags?”

  I can tell by the heated glare in his eyes that my answer is not going to please him. “I drove myself.”

  “You went out alone? Without security?”

  “Yes, and before you blame William or anyone else, I told him that I was skipping my jog and staying in this morning.”

  “Goddammit Avery, the security detail is in place to keep you safe.”

  “I know that. But as you can see I’m perfectly safe. Nothing happened.”

  “What if something had? I would have no clue where to start looking for you.” Lucian’s gaze morphs from
anger to fear in a nanosecond

  I step to him, closing the distance between us.

  “If I thought there was any real danger I would have had William come along with me.”

  Lucian pulls me into his arms, resting his chin on my head. “I thought you were out jogging. You didn’t tell anyone where you were going.”

  Although I understand his worry, I refuse to live my life based on what ifs. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Because you knew I’d object,” he snaps.

  I pull away from him, freeing myself from his embrace.

  “I love you for wanting to protect me.” My words are controlled as I try to push down my own anger. “But the threat is gone. The only thing Samantha’s text managed to do, is get you to go and see her in jail. I’m sure that was her goal all along. And you played right into her hands, giving her exactly what she wants. Your attention.”

  Okay, that was a bit harsher than I intended. It seems I have some unresolved anger over Lucian seeing Samantha for any reason. After all the pain and suffering she’s caused, New York’s overcrowded prison is too good for her. Hell, however, has first-class accommodations for someone like her.

  “You’re probably right.” Lucian’s voice ends my mental tirade. “But it’d make me feel better if I know where you are at all times.”

  I have become accustomed to his overprotectiveness and do not view his request as an invasion of my privacy. And it’s only fair, since he always lets me know his whereabouts.

  I take a deep cleansing breath before speaking again. “You always know how to find me.” I step back into his arms and he wrap them around me. “The cars have GPS tracking and thanks to the app we downloaded, our phones have it as well.”

  “Can we come to a compromise?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “A smaller detail for now and we revisit the subject after Samantha’s trial.”

  “Two guards instead of six,” I suggest.

  “Three and you have a deal. I want to keep security posted in the foyer for a little while.”

  “And how should we seal this deal, Mr. Thorne?”

  “We start with a kiss, Miss West.”

  Rising on my tiptoes, I offer Lucian my mouth. The kiss is tender at first, coaxing my lips apart. He groans when I stroke his tongue with my own. The cool mint of his toothpaste and the taste of his favorite coffee fuels my appetite, and my hunger for him grows. I deepen the kiss, taking my fill, consuming all he gives me. Even as he devours me.

  Lucian pulls his lips away from mine. His warm breath brush against my ear when he whispers, “That’s how we should have said good morning.”

  Releasing me, he walks away leaving me panting and needy. My eyes follow him, taking in his broad shoulders, sculpted back, and tight ass. God he’s beautiful.

  When Lucian is no longer in sight, I turn my attention to preparing a light breakfast and prepping for tonight’s dinner. Our guests wont’ be here for hours, so I have plenty of time to put the menu together. Choosing the perfect outfit to meet my sister and cousin formally for the first time might be a little harder. Then I remind myself that I already know these people and they know me. I don’t need to try to impress them with my culinary skills or fashion sense. It’s just a casual dinner, nothing to freak out about. I tell myself. Nothing at all.

  I HAVE JUST PLACED the appetizer on the breakfast bar when I hear Lucian offer Marcus a drink.

  “Scotch neat,” Marcus replies, joining me at the breakfast bar. “Thanks for the dinner invitation,” he says to me by way of greeting.

  “I’m glad you could make on it on such short notice.”

  “Good friends, a home cooked meal, and free scotch.” He lifts the amber colored liquid to his lips, taking a sip before adding, “Nothing would have kept me away.”

  Lucian and Marcus are seated at the breakfast bar, engaging in small talk. I’m in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on our meal, so we don’t notice Reagan approaching.

  “I see you’ve started without me.” Reagan’s British accent draws our attention.

  Lucian stands to greet her. “We can’t start without the guests of honor.” Reagan offers Lucian a slight smile.

  Marcus meets my gaze with brows lifted high. I take a nervous sip from my glass of Chardonnay to avoid answering his unspoken question.

  “Can I offer you a drink, Dan...?” Lucian doesn’t finish, and I know it’s because this is not business. This is as personal as it can get. She’s my sister, not just an employee. “Reagan, can I offer you a drink?” he amends.

  “Whatever Avery is drinking is fine,” she says, glancing my way before following Lucian to the bar.

  Lucian nods. “Chardonnay it is.”

  “Are you two playing matchmakers?” Marcus’ sight is set on Lucian and Reagan. But when he turns to me his eyes are still questioning our motive.

  “No. We’re definitely not matchmaking,” I try to assure him.

  “Then what exactly did Lucian mean by guests of honor?”

  Just as I’m about to answer, Lucian and Reagan step forward.

  “You and Reagan are both guests of honor tonight.”

  “Are you trying to set us up?” Marcus directs his question to Lucian.

  “No. But you two have a lot in common.” Lucian clears his throat. “Or should I say you three. You, Reagan, and Avery.”

  Marcus looks at me and then Reagan. “Oh yeah, what do we have in common?”

  “Khadean Jamison,” Lucian replies.

  “What does this have to do with my aunt?”

  Reagan gasps, as the realization that Marcus is her cousin hits her. The sound gets Marcus’ attention.

  “She’s my aunt too,” Reagan announces.

  “And mine,” I add.

  Marcus’ expressions change from frustration to confusion, understanding, and finally acceptance. “We’re cousins,” he acknowledges.

  “We are,” Reagan and I say in unison. We stare at each other briefly before giving Marcus our attention.

  “But how? Which one of her siblings is your parent?” he asks.

  I turn to Reagan and nod, asking her to share her story.

  “Why don’t we all have a seat and get to know each other better.” Lucian takes my hand leading me to the dining table. Marcus and Reagan follow. Lucian pulls out a chair for me. Reagan takes the seat next to me and Marcus sits across from us. “The three of you have a lot to discuss, so you may as well do it over dinner.”

  Lucian strokes my cheek. “Get to know your family,” he says, then heads to the kitchen.

  “How are we cousins?” Marcus repeats.

  Reagan starts by telling him about her recent visit to Haiti. And how our paternal grandparents and Khadean served as a surrogate for the DNA tests. She went on to say that she has a twin brother and that although her mom died soon after giving birth, her grandmother was shrewd enough to keep a DNA sample.

  “I gave Avery a copy of the results yesterday.”

  “Why would Avery need copies if Gram and Pops already know it’s true? The family will accept it.”

  “Because once I found out she was my sister. I knew I needed proof before she’d accept it.”

  “Holy shit!” Marcus exclaims. “Uncle Malcolm is your father too?”

  “Yes. But the family doesn’t know that I exist.”

  “They will soon,” Reagan assures me.

  “If the family doesn’t know about Avery, how did you find out that you’re sisters?”

  Marcus asks a valid question. One that I’m eager to hear the answer to. Reagan is about to disclose how she made the connection when Lucian rejoins us.

  “I’d like to know the answer to that myself,” Lucian says, setting a plate in front of me then Reagan. “But give me a moment to get seated.”

  Reagan nods and waits for Lucian to return from the kitchen. Once Lucian is seated and we have all been served dinner, I listen as Reagan recalls her discovery.

&
nbsp; “I realized that Avery and I are sister four days ago,” she begins.

  Tuesday was uneventful, so what happened four days ago? I went for my morning jog, came back to the penthouse, and worked until Lucian came home. Then it hits me. The evening before I placed a few photos on the mantle over the fireplace. The photo of my parents was among them.

  “Tuesday morning while I waited for Avery, I noticed the photos on the mantle had changed.” She shrugs. “Job hazard I guess. Anyway, I took a closer look and that’s when I saw the photo.” Reagan points in the direction of the fireplace. “When Avery came out I was still staring at it. Looking at the face of the man I recently found out is my father. And when she said, ‘They’re my parents’ it stunned me. That night I called Reade and told him what I’d found out and I knew I had to tell Avery too.”

  “Why do you have a copy of the same photo?”

  “Khadean must have inadvertently packed it when she gave me a few photos. I’m sure she’ll want it back, since that’s the last photo our father sent her before he died.”

  My vision blurs and before a tear has fallen Lucian is at my side, kneeling before me. “Don’t cry,” he says cupping my cheeks and using his thumbs to gently wipe away the tears. “Your father may be gone but look at what he’s given you. Without ever knowing you he has found a way to show you how much you’re loved.”

  “Do you think so?” My voice is scarcely audible, but Lucian hears me. He always does and, in that moment, his is the only love I need.

  “I know so,” he whispers, pressing soft kisses over my wet eye lids.

  “Thank you.”

  Lucian lifts my chin then covers my mouth with his. The kiss lasts too long to be considered chaste and I get lost in the sensation. Forgetting about our dinner guests. I moan, and Lucian smiles against my lips, breaking our kiss.

  Reagan clears her throat and Marcus shifts in his seat, but Lucian does not release me.

  “All better?” he asks, and when I nod he takes his seat at the head of the table.

  We enjoy our meal in silence for a little while until Reagan speaks out.

  “Marcus, I just want to say that although Khadean mentioned you she never told me much about you. If I’d known you were so close I would have reached out to you as well.”