by Lila Kane
Hidden by Him
Book One
LILA KANE
Hidden by Him (Book One)
By Lila Kane
Copyright © 2017 by Lila Kane
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This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental. Please respect the author and do participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.
Table of Contents
____________________
Title Page
Copyright
Newsletter Signup
Summary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Bonus Content: Breathe
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Summary
I needed somewhere to safe to hide until the restraining order went through.
I never expected my brother’s billionaire friend to offer up his home—or to protect me with a fierceness that was almost violent.
And I never expected to fall in love.
Hidden by Him is a fast-paced short story that’ll leave you wanting more. It’s the first part in an ongoing series with the same characters, so if you prefer standalones, this story isn’t for you. But if you like hot and steamy scenes and characters to visit time and again, you’re just one click away.
Chapter One
“My toothbrush,” I murmured, shifting in my seat to roll my eyes at Tom. “I forgot my toothbrush.”
He gave me a wry smile, though I didn’t miss the strain behind it. The same worry that was manifesting itself like a herd of cattle racing in the pit of my stomach.
I glanced around the neighborhood, overwhelmed by the excessive wealth. Mansions and fancy cars. Security gates and elaborate fountains. “I don’t think I’m going to find a Wal-Mart around here.”
Tom flexed his hands on the wheel. “I’m sure Joseph will get you what you need. Make a list when you get there.”
Joseph. Sure, he was my brother’s old friend from college. But to me and the rest of the world, he was Mr. Barringer, billionaire mogul with the unforgiving stare and a hard jaw. I swallowed. That wasn’t the only thing about him that was hard. He had abs of steel—I knew because I’d seen them once. A body to die for, like it was taken straight out of a catalogue.
Joseph Barringer was one of Seattle’s most sought-after bachelors, and the most elusive.
The whole thing made me uneasy, but Tom insisted this was necessary.
I needed somewhere to go until the restraining order went through. And then…
I shuddered in my seat. Then what? I just walked right out there into the world again hoping that Don would leave me alone?
“Don’t worry,” Tom said, his voice soothing. “It’s only temporary. Joseph’s busy so I doubt you’ll see a lot of him.”
“So basically, I’m just an intruder in his house?”
“Intruder? Why would you think that? Joseph’s the one who invited you to stay.”
My stomach twisted. Yeah, Tom had said that before, and I still didn’t understand it. Joseph barely knew me.
“I still wish you hadn’t said anything,” I whispered, looking out the window as we wound around some trees to another row of ridiculously large houses.
Tom’s jaw clenched. “And I apologized for that. I needed an outlet and a solution. Joseph fit both.”
“I know.” I nodded, guilt creeping up on me that Tom was having to deal with this, too. That I hadn’t tossed Don out of my life way earlier. Or that I’d gotten mixed up with him in the first place. “I’m sorry.”
Tom glanced over. “Don’t apologize. It was that asshole who got us here. We’re fixing it, right?”
I swallowed again. “Yes. We’re fixing it.”
I hoped.
Tom pulled to a gate and pressed the button to an intercom outside. He announced us, and the gate opened, revealing a long drive that led to a magnificent fountain in the center of a cobblestone courtyard. It felt more like we were in Tuscany than the suburbs of a city in the United States.
We both got out and saw someone step through the front door. He was old enough to be my father, with hair graying at the temples and posture straight enough it looked like he was frozen that way. But he stepped forward with a nod and a smile that set me at ease—as much as he could anyway.
“Mr. Tolson. Miss Tolson,” he said in a charming British accent. “You can call me Davies.”
Straight out of a movie. He had to be the butler. And, clearly, I was stepping into another world. I didn’t have a butler, let alone a multi-million-dollar house dropped into a forest of trees. According to Tom, it was also surrounded by state of the art cameras and surveillance equipment. It’s the safest place I can think of , Tom had told me.
Safe. How long had it been since I’d felt safe?
Tom nodded. “Thank you, Davies.”
Tom hauled my small suitcase out of the back of the car. Davies took it and started toward the front door. I stopped Tom with a shake of my head.
“You don’t have to come in with me. I know you’re in a hurry.”
He checked his watch and grimaced. He was supposed to be back at the university for his afternoon classes in thirty minutes. “Samantha…”
I gave him the most reassuring smile I could. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you later. Let me get settled here and then we’ll have dinner.”
He nodded and pulled me in for a tight hug. “Okay. Dinner.”
When I pulled back, I gave him another smile, but he didn’t return it.
“Be careful. Listen to Joseph. He knows all about this stuff.”
He meant security. Joseph had inherited his family’s wealth but had more than doubled it with the success of his business, and the invention and production of security software and technology. If I’d done my research correctly, he also worked with the government on various projects.
I still doubted I’d be seeing much of Joseph, but I nodded anyway.
Davies gestured to the door. “Miss.”
I followed him into the foyer, my mouth dropping open at the sheer size of it. Our footsteps echoed on the glossy tiles, and my voice dropped to almost a whisper. Like this was a museum.
“Davies,” I said quietly.
He stopped with my suitcase still in hand. “Yes, Miss Tolson.”
“Please call me Samantha. Or Sam.”
He gave a polite smile. “Mr. Barringer wouldn’t like that, Miss.”
Wouldn’t like that? But I asked him to. Maybe Mister Barringer was just like the media described him. Cold. Hard. Unforgiving.
Tom told me he had a soft side, but maybe he was the only one who thought that. Or maybe Tom was just being Tom. He saw the best in everyone.
Everyone except Don. He’d seen right through him from the start, and when I’d challenged his assessment of my new boyfriend, we’d fought. Probably the worst fight we’d ever had.
My lips trembled. God, I’d been so stupid.
“Miss Tolson?” Davies said. “Are you all right?”
I focused on him, saw the compassion in his eyes, and forced myself to nod. “I will be.”
“Would you like to see your room,
or shall I make you a cup of tea?” he asked. “If I may, you look like you could use it.”
“I think I could. Thanks.”
Davies released the handle of my bag, leaving my briefcase in the entryway before he led me to the kitchen. That trek was a journey in itself, walking down a long hallway of shiny tiles before we stepped into the space. The kitchen was larger than my apartment, with an amazing view of the city.
“Davies…” I said in awe, walking straight to the windows “How do you get any work done when you could just stand here and look at this all day?”
I heard a smile in his voice when he replied. “I barely manage it.”
I chuckled softly and took in the view. Outside, there was a small patio with a round table, and a small stretch of lawn surrounding a pool. Beyond that to the right, I spotted a gazebo and what appeared to be a stream. And further out, as though the lawn dropped off a cliff, I saw the city.
Storm clouds brewed over the tops of the buildings, foreboding and breathtaking at the same time.
I walked to the back door, already planning on taking a look. “Davies, I’m just going to—”
The moment I turned the handle, a shrill alarm went off. I turned shocked eyes to Davies. “I’m—I’m sorry. I—”
From outside the kitchen, we heard a loud voice booming over the alarm. “Fuck. What the hell?”
Davies calmly walked to a panel around the corner and punched in a code just as Joseph stormed into the kitchen, eyes blazing.
“What is going on?” he said, voice low and dangerous. “I tripped over a suitcase, and the alarm—”
He broke off when he saw me still frozen by the back door.
“I apologize, Mr. Barringer,” Davies said smoothly. “I was making Miss Tolson a cup of tea before I showed her to her room.”
“And the alarm?” he asked, eyes still locked on mine.
His voice was nothing more than a low growl, terrifying and sensual at the same time. It triggered something in me, the same thing I felt every time I saw him. Every time I’d seen him in the past, spying on my big brother and his friend when they didn’t know I was there. Or each time I opened a magazine and saw Joseph Barringer staring back at me with eyes like coal and an unforgiving mouth. The same mouth I’d imagined on mine more than once in the past.
“It’s—I wanted to look outside at the view and I…” I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like I was in elementary school all over again and I was trying to explain my disobedience to the principal.
Or worse, I was trying to make Don understand…so he wouldn’t hit me again.
“It’s not Davies’ fault,” I murmured. “I made the alarm go off.”
Joseph’s jaw clenched. “And broke the rules, which are there for a reason.”
“R—rules?” I stammered, glancing to Davies. He’d never said anything about rules.
“You’re here for a reason, which means you follow the rules. I can’t protect you if you don’t follow the rules.” Joseph turned abruptly to Davies. “Show her to her room and give her the list. We’ll discuss when I get home. Now, I need to get back to work.”
My breath caught at the abruptness of his exit. He didn’t turn back to look at me. Didn’t say goodbye. Barely even acknowledged I was here except to tell me what I was doing wrong.
Just like Don.
I bit my lip hard to stop the emotion. No, he wasn’t like Don. He was letting me stay here to protect me from Don.
“Miss Tolson, don’t fret,” Davies said kindly. “I’ll take you to your room so you can have a moment.”
I forced a nod and followed him silently, praying the whole way that I hadn’t just made another big mistake by coming here.
Chapter Two
No communication outside of the home without permission.
No leaving the premises for any reason.
No, no, no…
I paced in my large bedroom, back and forth from the door to the window I figured was locked somehow so I couldn’t escape. And even if I did, the alarm would probably go off. My hands shook on the list I held.
Joseph Barringer’s rules. He’d taken away every single freedom I had.
No leaving the premises for any reason? Seriously? I had a job. Okay, I was taking a leave of absence, but I planned on going back. Soon.
What had Tom done? He hadn’t found me a safe place to stay—he’d found me a prison.
I needed to call him. Right now. This wasn’t going to work at all.
I grabbed my purse off my bed and pulled out my cell phone. Then hesitated. No communication outside of the home without permission .
No fucking way. I was not going to follow that rule. I’d call my friends if I wanted to, and I’d definitely call my brother.
But when I heard footsteps in the hallway, I still jumped guiltily. Davies appeared at the doorway, his hands tucked behind his back. His eyes dropped to the cell phone and he cleared his throat.
“I know,” I said, shaking my head. “No communication and all that. But I want to call my brother and let him know I’m here and okay. And—and—” I broke off and sighed. I just wanted to hear a familiar voice.
For someone to remind me I was doing this for a reason.
Davies nodded. “I understand. Mr. Barringer called to say he will be returning home early this afternoon. You can discuss this with him then if you’d like.”
Which was his nice version of saying, Please, don’t get me in trouble .
I didn’t want Davies to be in trouble, so I set my phone on the dresser. I’d call Tom later and discuss this with him, too, after I told Joseph just what I thought of his rules.
“If you would like,” Davies said, “I can show you around the premises for a distraction.”
I nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”
We spent the next hour walking through the huge house. Room after room of plush bedding and expensive fabrics and antique furniture. Half a dozen bathrooms and an office—not Joseph’s because his was off-limits—and an indoor basketball court and pool.
When we reached the wine cellar, I trailed my finger over the bottles and asked Davies, “Does someone dust all these?”
He smiled and linked his hands behind his back. “Yes.”
“You?”
“No.”
“But other people work here, right? Maids or—or—” What was I supposed to call them? I didn’t want to be rude. “Other people?”
“Yes, Mr. Barringer keeps staff on hand. A chef—he’ll be preparing our dinner tonight—and staff to tidy up, manage the landscaping, and for upkeep of the vehicles among other things.” He smiled. “They’re around.”
“They’re discreet,” I said.
Davies nodded. “They are. However, Mr. Barringer gave most of them the day off so you would have time to settle in.”
“He did?”
“Yes, Miss Tolson.”
I dropped my chin. Okay, that was nice of him, right? Or had he sent them all home without pay? Was he as much of a tyrant as he seemed, or had I just gotten the wrong impression?
Before I could say anything else, we heard footsteps. I spun around to find Joseph standing in the doorway to the room.
“I see you’ve found the wine,” he said.
“It’s—uh…quite the collection.”
He gave a brief nod. “You’re welcome to pick something to go with dinner. I’d suggest…” He turned and scanned the shelves. “Something from here.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but he abruptly turned to Davies. “Please tell the chef I’d like dinner early tonight. Six thirty.”
He spun on his heel without another word.
“Wait, Joseph—”
Damn, was I supposed to call him that? Did I call one of my brother’s closest friends Mr. Barringer? I mean, I barely knew the guy. But still…
He continued to walk, a brisk pace to the stairs. “Miss Tolson.”
“Call me Sam. I need to talk to you about the rules.”
&n
bsp; He glanced over just briefly. “We’ll discuss this at dinner.”
Dismissed.
He strolled away as I stood there in shock for the second time that day. Seriously? He didn’t actually think it was acceptable to treat people that way.
“Miss Tolson.” Davies appeared at my side. “Would you like that cup of tea now?”
I gritted my teeth. “No. Actually, I don’t. I’m going to deal with this now.”
“Uh—Miss Tolson. Dinner is soon and—”
“No.” I shook my head, whipping the printed list out of my pocket. “This can’t wait.”
I strode off as he was in the middle of trying to convince me otherwise. I felt bad for Davies. He was just trying to do his job. But I was trying to live my life, and right now it felt like Joseph was trying to take that away from me.
I hurried in the direction he walked, figuring he was headed to his office or his bedroom. I’d catch up with him and insist on talking now.
But when I reached the main floor, he was nowhere to be found. Shit. I turned and walked down the opposite hallway. The door on the end was open. His office.
With a deep breath, I walked straight inside, and then froze.
Joseph stood at his desk, his tie loose and shirt unbutton at the collar. Just enough to see a light tuft of hair in the vee. Enough to make my mouth water despite the anger that pulsed through me.
“I—uh—I’m sorry to interrupt, but—”
“This room is off limits,” he snapped, walking around his desk.
“But I need to talk to you about this list.”
“I said we’d talk at dinner.”
I exhaled, then shook my head. “No.”
His head snapped up. “Excuse me?”
“I said no. Listen, I appreciate you letting me stay here, but you can’t treat me like this. I can’t be shut in here like some prisoner.”
He folded his arms, lips pressed into a firm line. “Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s so. I didn’t come here to put myself into another bad situation, so no, I won’t be following your rules. You—”
