by L. P. Dover
Crossing his arms over his chest, our father looked over at him and then turned his serious gaze to me. “What’s going on?”
Bryce rested a hand reassuringly on the small of my back, and I took a deep breath. Seeing my father so intense used to not scare me, but now it worried me. The last thing I wanted was him going off the deep end and trying to kill anyone he thought had a vendetta against him.
“Layla?” My father’s tone was demanding. “Tell me.”
I glared over at Dominic before focusing on my father. “The night I left, Bryce and I were chased by the two men who took Michael.”
His eyes widened and blazed like fire. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Why didn’t you tell me?” he shouted angrily.
“Probably because I didn’t want you going on a killing spree,” I snapped back. He stepped back as if I’d slapped him, but I wasn’t backing down. “I didn’t want to be your prisoner anymore. It’s time you let me go. That’s why I’m not staying here.”
“Where do you plan on going?” he demanded.
“She’s staying with me,” Bryce answered, taking my hand. “I bought a farm not too far from here. She’ll be safe there.”
Jaw clenched, my father lowered his head and sighed. “Layla, I need to talk to Bryce alone.”
I looked up at Bryce, and he nodded. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
Reluctantly, I backed away toward the door and slowly shut it behind me. I stayed by the door, but they must’ve known I was there because no one spoke. Unbeknownst to them, I had ways of my own. The house was full of secret passageways that only my mother and I knew about. There were ones that connected all of my rooms together in the east wing, and ones that connected my mother and father’s rooms in the west wing. Each section had its own staircase that led outside at the bottom floor. My mother always told me it was for our protection, but I didn’t really see the importance of it until now. I glanced up and down the hall then slowly tiptoed toward my mother’s library. From there, I could access the secret passages through the bookshelf.
“Layla?” a voice called out.
Heart pounding, I froze mid-step and slowly turned around. Gaze narrowed, Francis stared at me curiously, clearly wondering what I was doing. I pressed a finger to my lips and hurried over to him. “Shh…don’t say anything.” Grabbing his arm, I pulled him to the stairs. Once we were downstairs, I sucked in a breath and clutched my chest. “You scared the shit out of me up there.”
“What were you doing?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Just trying to eavesdrop.”
That made him laugh. “Why does that not surprise me?” He opened his arms, and I hugged him. “It’s good to see you again,” he said. “Now that you’re back, I thought I’d make some of your favorites.”
Sheepishly, I pulled back. “I’m not staying, Francis. Bryce and I have our own place now. I’ll be living there.”
His eyes lit up. “That’s why you’re glowing. You can tell me all about it in the kitchen. I made chocolate mousse with raspberries.” He turned to head to the kitchen, and I stared up at the stairs, wishing I knew what my father and Bryce were talking about. I’d find out soon enough.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bryce
As soon as Layla walked out of the study, the room fell silent. I waited for Anthony to speak, but he knew, just as I did, that Layla was just outside. The second I heard Francis call out her name, Anthony smiled.
“Right on time,” he said. He took a sip of his bourbon, and nodded at the door. “When I knew you were here, I had Francis on standby to keep her occupied while I talked to you. I made the mistake of telling her my secrets once. I’m not going to do it again. One way or another, I have to get her back on my side.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” I asked. “She’s stubborn as shit.”
He shrugged. “I can change.”
The words came out of his mouth, but I didn’t believe a goddamn word of it. “She already knows what you’ve done, and I know the real reason why you wanted me around her. To be the overprotective father that you claim to be, it was a stupid move. The only thing you know about me is that I’m a Collman.” And I wasn’t even that.
Anthony held up his hands. “Okay, I’m guilty. Yes, I wanted you and Layla together for my own gain, but it was also to keep the fucking Cartwrights away from her. You were the better choice. It’s not safe for her to be with outsiders, but I wasn’t about to let Julian have her.” He nodded down at the bourbon. “Want a drink?”
Shaking my head, I stayed right where I was. “I’m good.” Anthony nodded and then poured himself a little more. “But I am curious,” I said.
Anthony’s brows lifted, and he tossed back his drink. “About what?”
“My family,” I replied. “That’s why you wanted me with Layla. What exactly were you hoping to gain by that?”
He waved me off. “Nothing, now. By the look on your face, I can already see I’ve lost that advantage.” An evil leer spread across his face. “No worries though. I have other plans in place.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Plans for what?” I glanced over at Dominic, and he seemed just as confused as I was.
Anthony chuckled. “It’s nothing that concerns either one of you right now. But,” he said, setting down his glass, “when the time comes, I’d like to have your support, now that you’re practically part of the family. All I want is for you to show face. No dirty work, no killing. Just you as my equal.” He walked over to me and held out his hand. “Can I count on you for that?”
Not knowing what he had planned made things more difficult, especially with Dominic not even in the loop. That right there set off red flags, but I had no choice. I shook his hand, wondering what the hell I’d just gotten myself in to. “Deal.”
Anthony chuckled again and slapped a hand down on my shoulder. “You’re a good man, Bryce. That’s why I plan on giving you my blessing with Layla. But first, I want to know about this place you bought. Is it secure?”
I nodded. “I already have cameras in place all around the farm, and I bought it under a different name. No one will be able to link it to the Collmans.”
“Smart,” he said, nodding in approval. “I’d like to visit sometime.”
“That’s up to Layla. When she’s ready, we’ll let you know.”
Disappointment flashed across his face. “Tell her I said goodnight, and that I love her. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to see me any more tonight.”
“I will.” Turning on my heel, I marched out of his study, wishing like hell I had more answers. If Corsino didn’t need my family to gain power anymore, I couldn’t help but wonder how he planned on getting it. I already knew it wasn’t going to be good, but I had a feeling it was going to be worse than I imagined.
*
“What did my dad say?” Layla asked, sounding impatient. I’d found her in the kitchen, telling Francis about everything that’d happened over the past few months. The second she saw me, she was ready to go. I knew once we got in my car, she’d ask how everything went. “Well?” she said, waving her hands for me to talk. “I need to know.”
Once out of the main gate, I looked over at her. “Your dad knew you were going to listen in. Next time, try to be a little stealthier.”
Her cheeks reddened. “That’s why Francis was there, wasn’t it?” I nodded and she huffed. “I should’ve known. He never goes upstairs to my father’s study. He’ll get an earful the next time see him.”
“I’m sure he had no choice, Lemon Drop.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m sure it’s not the first time my father’s used Francis to keep me occupied.”
Looking in the rearview mirror, I could see Roger and James getting into one of the vehicles. They pulled out of the gate and followed us. “We got company,” I said. Not that I was surprised. I knew Anthony would want to know where our house was. Plus, he’d just found out that the two men who killed his brother had chase
d after us the night we left.
Layla glanced in her side view mirror and groaned. “You’d think I’d be used to this by now. Doesn’t matter anyway. I’m not letting any of them inside my house right now.”
“That’s what I told your dad,” I added. She looked over at me, and I reached over to hold her hand. “He asked if he could visit, and I said it was up to you on when you’re ready.”
“It’s probably gonna be a while.”
In the rearview mirror, I watched Roger and James follow behind us. They were both on the Circle of Justice’s list, and if Layla wasn’t with me, I could’ve killed them easily. The longer they followed us, the more uncomfortable Layla got.
“Is it seriously going to be like this forever?”
Keeping my eyes on the road, I kissed her hand. “You just told your father that the two men who killed Michael came after us. If I had a daughter, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”
A tiny laugh escaped her lips. “I could see that. Do you even want kids?”
I’d been so wrapped up in the Circle of Justice that I never really thought about it before. She squeezed my hand, and I met her gaze for a brief second before I concentrated back on the road. “I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “I’ve never really had the kind of life to have kids.”
“I see.” There was definitely a hint of disappointment in her tone.
I squeezed her hand back. “But things can change. I, for one, hope they do.”
That brought a smile to her face. “Do any of your brothers have a family of their own?”
The only one who did was Wade. He was married, with a baby girl. Ian was interested in a woman back in Wyoming, and Reed was still young and too busy learning the ropes of being in the FBI and the COJ.
“My oldest brother does,” I said. “He has a wife and a baby girl that I have yet to meet. Maybe one day, we’ll both be able to.”
She beamed. “I’d love that. I really do want to meet your family one day. They have to be better than mine.” By the look on her face, I could tell it hurt her to say that. She turned her head and glared at Roger and James behind us. “What else did my father talk about? Did he try to recruit you to the family yet?”
I shrugged. “Yes and no. He gave me his blessing to be with you, but he knows I’m not getting anyone in my family involved with him.”
She gasped. “How did he take that?” This was where things got tricky. I didn’t know how much to tell her, or if I should say anything. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her staring at me. “Bryce?” she called out, sounding concerned. “What is it? You can tell me. We promised to be honest with each other.”
“I know. And I’ll tell you everything once we get inside the house.” We pulled down the long driveway, and I waited for Roger and James to follow in behind us, but all they did was turn around and head back the same way we came. Once inside the garage, I closed it and we went inside.
Layla walked into the kitchen and then faced me, crossing her arms over her chest. “You seriously have me worried right now.”
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I lifted her up onto the kitchen counter. “Your father’s up to something, and I don’t know what yet.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“When I told him that being with you wasn’t going to get him what he wanted, he brushed it off like he didn’t care. Then he mentioned something about other plans, and by the look on Dominic’s face, he had no clue what those were. Something tells me it’s not good, whatever it is.”
She leaned forward and rested her head on my shoulder. “He’s going to end up doing something stupid and getting killed. Or worse, putting Dominic in the crossfire.”
“Or you,” I countered.
She looked up at me and sighed. “What are we going to do? I don’t want my brother getting hurt.”
I cupped her cheeks. “I’ll do what I can to keep him safe. Just try to keep him from going down your father’s path.”
“He would never kill innocent people, Bryce. He’s not like my father,” she stated adamantly.
For her sake, I hoped she was right. “Your father did ask something of me, though. It’ll give me a chance to find out what he’s up to.”
She groaned in annoyance. “Does that mean you’ll be spending time with him?”
“Not like you think. He just wants others to see me with him as an equal. No killing. No dirty work.”
“I still don’t like the sound of that,” she griped.
Neither did I, but I had to get close to him somehow. “I’ll be okay,” I assured her. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
She squeezed her legs around my waist and pulled me in closer. “Better not. I’m already unable to reconcile everything my dad has done. If you get hurt because of him …” She shook her head and huffed. “I don’t know even want to know what I’ll do.”
I kissed her gently and sucked her lip between my teeth. “I can think of something you can do,” I murmured, hoping to get her mind off of everything.
She moaned and pressed her body to mine. “Oh, I see what you’re doing. Trying to distract me, are you?”
Grinning slyly, I pushed my cock against her. “Is it working?”
“Maybe,” she replied, staring at me with those sexy, greenish-brown eyes of hers. “It might be time to christen that bedroom of ours.”
With her legs still wrapped around my waist, I slid her off the kitchen counter and squeezed her ass. “Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready for me? I’m gonna make sure everything’s locked up down here.”
Slowly, she unhooked her legs and smiled. “I’ll be waiting.” Once she disappeared upstairs, I walked through the house and checked every door and window. The cameras were all in place, and my phone would alert me if anyone came within the perimeter. Now that Layla was upstairs, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Ian.
Me: It’s been a while, but everything’s good. Might need your help soon.
When it came to my twin brother, we were always there for each other. If I’d asked, he would’ve been in New York, with guns blazing, to get me home. That was the difference between the two of us. He could be wild and careless, while I was more ruthless and careful. I didn’t want him getting killed trying to help me. My phone vibrated with an incoming text.
Ian: Always here for you, bro. Be safe.
“Bryce?” Layla called out, her voice sexy and smooth as it echoed from upstairs. I walked over to the stairs and took off my suit jacket, draping it over the banister. Looking up into the darkness, I could see the faint flicker of candlelight coming from our bedroom. I took the steps one at a time and slowly walked toward our room. When I entered, I found her on the bed, completely naked. “It’s about time you got here,” she whispered seductively.
My dick twitched, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
Giggling, she slid to the edge of the bed and beckoned me closer. “It’s not hard to see.” I moved toward her and she unbuttoned my pants, sliding them down to the floor. I tore off my shirt and groaned as she massaged me like a pro, her tongue sliding across the tip of my cock. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and I moaned. I was so close to losing control when she stopped and trailed her tongue up my stomach.
“I want you inside of me,” she demanded, nipping at my chest.
That was all it took. Growling low, I backed her onto the bed and kicked my pants out of the way. I placed my knee between her legs and spread her wide as I crawled on top of her. I couldn’t get enough. Wrapping my mouth around her nipples, I sucked until she cried out, arching her back so she could push them into my mouth. She was so wet I could feel it on the tip of my cock.
I couldn’t wait any longer. Getting into position, I pushed in gently at first, then slammed into her the rest of the way. She cried out and gasped, digging her nails into my back.
“Oh my God,” she moaned, wrapping her
legs tightly around my waist.
I pushed into her hard, loving the way her pussy tightened around my cock. Her lips closed over mine, and I grabbed her face, keeping my eyes on hers the entire time I kissed her. Picking up the pace, her body trembled, eyes rolling into the back of her head as she came.
A few more deep thrusts and I let go, holding her tight as I released inside of her. Resting my forehead to hers, I attempted to catch my breath. Still connected, I kissed her, long and hard. “How was that for christening our bedroom?”
She giggled. “Pretty damn good. Might have to do it again before the night’s up.”
I gently pulled out and rested on my elbow so I could look down at her. So many emotions swarmed through my body; I didn’t know what to feel. She trusted me, and I’d intentionally deceived her. I wanted her to look at me and see Bryce Chandler, not Bryce Collman.
“We need to talk,” I said.
Her smile faded. “Oh no. What else did you not tell me?”
I brushed a finger across her lips, the truth so close to coming out of mine. It felt like the right thing to do, but I just couldn’t tell her. “I love you,” I ended up saying. Looking into her eyes, I couldn’t help but admire her innocence. I didn’t want it taken away from her. She could see the good in the world, whereas all I saw was the bad. She was the perfect balance to me.
She kissed me, and her eyes glistened. “I love you too. You had me worried there for a sec. Are you sure there’s nothing else?”
Again, there was my chance, but I couldn’t do it. I shook my head. “No, I’m good.” I pulled her on top of me, and squeezed her hips. “But I do think it’s time for round two. What do you say?”
My cock sprung to life again, and she slowly slid down on me. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Layla
“This place is gorgeous.” Faith clutched my arm as we walked around the house and into the snow-covered field. Ever since we got home last night, it’d snowed nonstop.
“Thank you,” I said, enjoying the winter wonderland. “I’m glad you were able to stop by. I’ve missed you so much.” I filled her in on everything that’d happened from the day I left up until now.
