by Lan LLP
Not long after I’m dressed in a black wool Brioni suit, I hear an alarm for the front door. My heart takes a beat until I see Owen’s image on the security screen from my bedroom. With all the commotion that’s been surrounding me, I’ve been more antsy and paranoid lately. My first instinct is to protect over his pack like a lion, fearless and steadfast. Owen is especially early today, and I haven’t had a drop of coffee yet. I’m irritable when I don’t get my caffeine fix first thing in the morning. Walking over to Lil, I gently press my lips on her forehead and then pull the covers over her shoulders. Her body squirms from my warm touch, but her eyes remain sealed.
Poking my head into the kitchen, I see Owen pouring coffee into his mug. “Morning, Owen, you’re remarkably punctual this morning,” I greet him.
“I thought I’d beat my boss to the coffeemaker,” he replies, sounding unusually lighthearted with a grin. “And Luke will be here any minute. Where do you want him stationed? In or outside the penthouse?”
“Either way is fine with me, as long as he’s hidden. I don’t want Miss Ly to feel like a prisoner even though I’m pretty much keeping her hostage here.”
“How about the security room?” Owen suggests. “Luke can monitor her on the screens, undetected. I’ll have him shut off your bed and bathroom cameras to give her some privacy.”
“Sounds good,” I agree. “What can I expect from today’s meeting?” I ask, hoping Owen has some positive news for me.
“Alpha will divide his Sanguis Frater team into two groups. Four will go to the site where the last signal was tagged and one will go to the Montgomery estate.”
“Owen, it appears as if your team has things under control. I can’t thank you enough for your dedication to BPC. When this problem is all resolved, I plan on shifting more of my responsibilities over to you. I’m promoting you to Vice President of BPC.” I pat his back to congratulate him.
“Thank you, sir,” he accepts with enthusiasm.
“Congratulations, Owen,” Lily adds with a grin while standing at the entrance of the kitchen in my white cotton robe and bare feet.
Straightaway, my doting eyes roam over to her alluring face. Her beauty is so natural that makeup would only obstruct it. I walk over to meet her and tuck a tousled strand of hair behind her ear. She recoils slightly. Overlooking her wounding response, I continue to lean forward to impart a kiss where my fingers graced. She savors our contact with a soft inhale as her dark lashes flutter. I know she misses me. I have to believe that she does. Her eyes meet mine briefly and then over to Owen’s. She sidles away from me and then exhales, leaving my chest to feel a different kind of tug—pain.
“Thanks, Miss Ly,” Owen replies, surprised that she was standing in the background all this time.
“Please call me Lil or Lily. Miss Ly is too formal,” she suggests. “Carson, I found your note. We need to talk before you leave?” She narrows her eyes at me with a tart bite in her tone. I know I’m in for a bull-headed beating, and I haven’t had any coffee yet. This is not a good way to start my day.
Owen clears his throat and then proceeds to the coffeemaker. “I’ll get your coffee, sir.”
“Thanks, Owen, see you downstairs.” I turn to Lily and give her a pursed smile. She ignores my pacifying attempt. “Lil, let’s not start the morning off like this.”
“Like what? Like how you were going to leave without any explanations , but this note?” she snaps as she flashes a white BPC stationary in my face.
“You haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I didn’t want to wake you,” I explain.
“Carson, your note says no calls, no visitors, no leaving the penthouse. How do you expect me to live like this?” Her volume steadily increases. I think she’s on the verge of ripping my head off as her cheeks heat up to a dark shade of pomegranate.
“These rules are only temporary until I speak to Owen’s team. After the meeting, we’ll decide which rules we can eliminate,” I attempt to settle her. “Besides, you won’t be by yourself all the time. I’ll ask Hayden to send Isabella over whenever she can.”
“Are you kidding me? I don’t need two babysitters!” she heatedly retorts. “I need my ordinary life back!” Her index finger jabs angrily into my chest.
“Your life is with me now,” I clarify sternly. “I can’t give you your old one back.” Grasping both her hands, I hold them between mine. “We’ll be married soon, spending forever together. Remember?”
“Carson, I don’t know if I can do this,” she replies softly, looking guiltily away from me.
“Don’t say that, Angel. You don’t know what those words do to me.” My voice is weak as my mind panics, seeking for assurance. She can’t give up on us. I can’t lose her. “I know this is a lot to ask of you. Let me make some arrangements so I can work from home. Then you won’t have to be without me,” I offer to appease her.
“No, I don’t want you to do that. Your work is invaluable, and it has to be done at the lab,” she sighs. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. I’m sure I’ll find something to do,” she surrenders in defeat, recognizing the value of my research—thank god. Even at a time like this, she’s still selfless and considerate of my obligations. This is why I’m so madly in love with her.
“I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
Tipping her chin up to kiss her good-bye, I take her mouth with a fierce need. She doesn’t shy away from my ferocity. It’s been too few and far in between since we’ve kissed like this. My tongue twirls around hers, devouring her silky decadence. I run my hand down her neck to slide my white robe off one shoulder. My lips trace along her bare suede skin over goosebumps plagued by my touch. I love the way her body responds to me. Faint moans escape her throat, letting me know that she desires this as much as I do. I scoop her into my arms and carry her to our bedroom as we continue kissing. Gently, I lay her body down on the bed and peel the robe apart to expose a satin ivory nightgown covering her dainty frame. Christ, she’s so damn beautiful. My other head says take her, but Dr. Laurent recommended abstinence for at least two weeks. I lean my chest into hers, kissing her everywhere. I’m so fucking hard that I can feel my erection fighting against my wool trousers.
Stop torturing yourself!
Releasing her tender nipple from my hungry mouth, I inhale a deep breath and exhale my desperate desires for her out of my system.
“I better go. Owen is…waiting…downstairs…for me,” I pant with short breaths as my eyes fix on her supple breasts, which are pleading for more affection. How can I refuse such an irresistible request? With a slow, lingering lick across the sensitive tip of her nipple, I taunt her one last fleeting time. Her body squirms with pleasure as she releases wispy moans. There’s nothing sweeter than Lil’s sated purrs. Moments like this make separation so difficult, but I can’t delay it any longer. “Are we okay now?” I murmur along her neck.
She clasps my face between her hands so our eyes are locked and then draws me in for another kiss. “Yeah, we’re okay,” she replies with a grin. “By the way, where’s Luke? You can tell him to come out of hiding. I wouldn’t mind having a little company while you’re gone even if his personality is drier than all of Egypt’s deserts,” she smirks after her sassy comment. Can it be? Is my Lillian with the quirky sense of humor slowly resurfacing?
“Are you sure? His constant lurking won’t bother you?” I confirm. She nods her head. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind coming out of hiding.” I wink in response, and she offers me her gorgeous smile—the one I’d sell my body and soul to Satan for in exchange.
__________
Finally, I see a tiny glimpse of progress, and it comforts me momentarily. The sweetness of her lips still lingers on my mouth, urging me to press my two fingers along that area. Holding on to her kiss seems to overshadow my need for coffee this morning.
“Mr. Bradley,” Owen interrupts my hopeful thought. “Mr. Carter will send Ms. Ellis over to the penthouse later this morning. I’ve already arranged it for you.�
� Owen is a godsend. He’s always two steps ahead of me, especially when I’m emotionally fucked.
“Thank you, Owen. You just made my day.”
“No problem, sir. Are you ready to go over today’s agenda?” he promptly reverts back to business mode. “After your meeting with Alpha and his team, you have two conference calls. There’s a pile of documents that requires your signatures. Samantha and Alex are requesting for your presence in the lab sometime today. They’ve been working diligently to cover for three absent researchers.”
I blow out a heavy sigh. “I know how much pressure I’ve placed on them. This is why I plan on working in the lab today. I’ve already lost a significant amount of time. The drug needs to be ready for the protocol studies. You can reschedule or handle any business matters in lieu of me,” I assert.
“I guess we won’t have to go over the rest of the agenda then.” Owen flips his iPad cover over and sits back to enjoy a quiet ride to the office.
__________
“Good morning, Evelyn,” I greet her as she smiles timidly back at me. You’d think that after working here for five years, she’d be less intimidated by me.
“Good morning, Mr. Bradley. Coffee?” she offers.
“Yes, please, and make it a double,” I reply before walking into my office. Dropping my briefcase on my desk, I fall back into my leather chair and exhale a troubled breath. There’s so much work ahead of me. How will I finish it all? Reaching for the documents lying next to Lily’s picture, I see a folded black silk tie with red specks. I grab it instead of the paperwork and squeeze it in my fist. I recognize this tie. It’s the one I tossed in the trash right after receiving news of Lily’s accident. How the hell did it get back on my desk? The janitor must’ve retrieved it out of the trash, thinking it fell in there by accident. Bianca left a note with it.
A tie to end all other ties.
And then it hits me like a burning slap in the face. Bianca is the one behind the accident, not the kidnappers. She had planned the entire thing with the intention of me seeing this tie after Lily’s demise. My blood is boiling hot with hatred for Bianca blasting through my veins. She just fucked with the wrong man—the one who’s not afraid to go to hell and back for justice or for the woman he loves. I’ll make sure she won’t ever come near me or Lil again.
Knocks on my door interrupt my plan for revenge, forcing my hidden dark side to retreat for the moment. “Mr. Bradley, I have your coffee and Mr. Carter is here,” Evelyn announces through the frosted glass door.
“Come in and send Mr. Carter with you,” I clip in a snippy tone, intimidating her even more than she already is of me. God, I really need to control my explosive temperament.
Breathe, exhale, breathe.
I use a relaxation technique I acquired as a teen from a psychiatrist I saw for years after Emily died.
Evelyn sets my coffee in front of me while Hayden makes himself comfortable on my sofa. “Can I get you anything else, Mr. Bradley?” Evelyn asks while warily checking for my unpredictable reaction.
“Coffee, Carter?” I offer. He shakes his head. “That’ll be all, Evelyn. Thank you.” She smiles and scurries away quickly.
“Carson, are you ready for some more bad news, man?” Hayden poses. Really? More bad news? I think to myself.
“I don’t want it, but I’m sure you’re going to give it to me anyway,” I tell him frankly.
“Emma, Lily’s other best friend, is pregnant. She’s getting married in two weeks. I can promise you that nothing will stop Lily or Belle from attending it,” Hayden states.
Disregarding the word ‘pregnant’ that Hayden just uttered, I protest, “It’s not safe for Lily. She can’t go. I won’t allow it.” Though I’m confident I know who the perpetrator is behind Lil’s accident, I’m still not convinced that she’s completely safe from harm’s way even after I eliminate that threat. I won’t take any chances when it comes to Lily, especially when someone has kidnapped people who are connected to me.
“Carson, I don’t care what you do, man. I’m just giving you a heads-up so you can deal with Lily’s temper after you tell her no.” Fuck! Hayden’s right. If I stop her from attending the wedding, she’ll hate me indefinitely.
“What do you suggest I do?” I ask Hayden. “You’ve known these three women longer than I have.”
“That’s a tough one. I don’t have any suggestions for you,” Hayden surrenders, shrugging his shoulders and throwing both hands up.
My office phone rings, and it’s Evelyn reminding me of our meeting with the Sanguis Frater. What am I going to do with Lil? My sanity is fading away little by little. I’m fucking losing it.
Pull yourself together, man. You can’t fall apart now.
How will the team of Navy SEALs respect me if I don’t have my shit together? Adjusting my tie and slipping into my CEO mode, I ask, “Hayden, you ready?” He nods his head and follows my lead out to the elevators.
Always on my mind is my angel, Lil. Pulling my phone out, I send her a text before heading into my dreaded meeting.
Missing you. Would rather be home inside you…I mean with you ;) x C
Lillian Ly
After Carson and Owen left the penthouse, I rush back to the bedroom to brush my teeth and dress. I choose a pair of yoga pants that hangs loosely around my hips and a worn, long-sleeved cotton shirt. They’re perfect for lounging around the penthouse until Carson comes home. What shall I do to keep myself occupied today? Hmm…I wouldn’t mind starting my morning with Luke over a casual breakfast. I can persuade him to open up to me even though I’ve been unsuccessful for the past week.
It seems that Carson is already checking up on me. The burner phone is beeping, indicating a text message. I see that he misses me in more than one way.
Would rather have you here, too. Luke isn’t nearly as fun ;) XOX Lil
I reply to his text, drop the phone on the bed and exit the bedroom. I find Luke sitting quietly in the far corner of the living room, being as discreet as possible as I head to the kitchen.
“Luke, I’d like for you to have breakfast with me. I hate eating alone,” I holler across the room.
“Miss Ly, that’s not a good idea. I’m here to watch over you,” he clarifies in a militant tone.
“Mr. Bradley told me that I can request anything from you that’s within reason. Eating breakfast with me is reasonable,” I reply with a crafty grin. “So please come over here, and I’ll make us some pancakes.”
Luke, wearing black jeans and a leather coat, slowly advances toward the kitchen as quiet as a mouse. He seems completely out of his element based on his wavering movements. I enjoy seeing this more human side of him instead of his terrifying Terminator persona. He has his eyes purposely hidden behind dark sunglasses, so I can’t decipher them or see their color. When he finally reaches the barstool, Luke lowers his bottom in one controlled motion, almost like a robot.
“Would you like some coffee?” I offer while pointing at Carson’s intimidating coffee machine.
“No thank you, ma’am,” he replies. Is he for real? Did he just address me as ma’am again?
“Luke, please do me a huge favor and call me Lil or Lily instead of ma’am. It makes me sound like an old woman. I just had my first legal drink over a year ago,” I plead and smile at the same time.
“But, it doesn’t sound professional, ma’am. I mean…Lily,” he answers uneasily while shaking his head.
“That’s better. Thanks. You can be my bodyguard around Mr. Bradley and my friend around me,” I smirk and wink at him. I’m not positive, but I think I just made him crack a smile.
As I whisk the pancake batter with my back to Luke, I casually ask him about his background. “How did you get into this line of work anyway?” Leaning his elbows on the granite countertop, he hesitates for a minute before answering my question openly, taking me completely by surprise.
* * *
After flunking out of his first year of college from partying instead of studyin
g, Luke returned home to work for his father as a mechanic. He reconnected with a girl named Annarah from high school who joined the Marines after their graduation. Since he lacked the discipline to succeed in college, she convinced him to enlist in the service. They ended up at the same training camp, but Annarah was higher in military rank. Luke was impressed with her combat skills and sharpness. She even kicked his ass several times while practicing a mock fight. With respect and admiration, he fell deeply for her. They dated for about three years. A month after Luke proposed to Annarah, she was sent off on a secret mission to South America. Her objective was to stop the drug cartels from buying destructive military weapons. She never made it out. Her entire team was annihilated according to military records, but no bodies were recovered.
Luke knew what he had to do after Annarah died. He requested to join the elite Navy SEAL team. His training was rigorous and demanding, sometimes almost impossible, but he persevered because he had a personal vendetta. He wanted to kill the bastards who took Annarah away from him. Luke was eventually sent to South America and the Middle East for covert operations. He was successful with every mission presented to him, but he never found the people responsible for his lover’s death. Luke continued to work undercover for the U.S. government until Owen recruited him approximately a year ago. His father fell ill, and Luke wanted to be closer to him in case he needed him.
__________
Being completely engrossed in Luke’s incredible story, I burn our breakfast to a dark and inedible crisp. Unpleasant smoky fumes waft through the entire kitchen, smothering what would’ve been the delicious aroma of pancakes. But it doesn’t even faze me. I can’t believe that I’m in the presence of an actual person who’s killed and conquered covert operations. He’s like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, but much taller. I’m floored and impressed at the same time. And then who would’ve guessed that Luke was ever romantically involved with anyone? Not me. I didn’t even think he had a passionate bone in his body. Was I ever wrong to assume that! I’m dying to ask more questions about Annarah, but I can tell that his shield is slowly rising as soon as he completed his last sentence. Luke clams up after realizing that he has revealed more information to me than he intended. It was humbling to get a glimpse of his other side while it lasted. He is just as normal as me under that tough demeanor.
