Chapter 9
Roman
“Are you planning to tell her the truth or am I?” Katherine stalks up to me, pointing her finger in my chest.
“What the hell do you mean?” I ask, acting offended. Fuck, I knew my cover was blown a few minutes ago when she couldn’t take her eyes off me with a glare aimed at me.
Her eyes narrow and she bites out angrily, “You’re a part of the security team. I saw you at the graduation, but I didn’t put it together until right now. By the time I saw you yesterday it was dark.”
“You’ve got me there. But this is between her and I, and it has almost nothing to do with the security.”
“Almost?”
“Yes, I saw the photo her brother sent, and I knew that one day I’d marry her. Okay? This isn’t about security even if she needs it. It’s about the way I can’t stop thinking about her or how she looks at me like I’m a fucking king.”
“Okay, but I’m giving you a day to tell her the truth. I’m not going to let this go, but I know if she finds out before then, she’ll bail on you. You seem perfect for her.”
“Thanks. I will do my best to make her happy, always. As soon as she forgives me.” We hear the water turn off and end the subject.”
“Now would you like a refill on your coffee?”
“Hell yes.”
“Okay, you know where the kitchen is.” She walks off into the bedroom with a little attitude. She’s good for Lindsay, so I’ll let that shit slide. I should let her in on Brent, but I’m betting she wouldn’t believe me.
I get myself another cup and check my messages. They are suddenly blowing up. Shit. Stewart tried to attack Brent. He got off a shot to his arm, grazing it this morning as he left for work. I sent someone to watch Brent for his own safety. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that they don’t hesitate to attack people closest to you. My guy is coming to watch Katherine while I take Lindsay to my house for safe keeping. My phone rings while both girls are in the bedroom. It’s fucking Brent. Shit. I step out into the hall and look around.
“Hey, get her out of there. Take her somewhere safe, please—both of them. I know he’s going to come looking for her, and he’s not going to stop. Which means taking anyone out that’s in his way.”
“I will. I’ve got to go. I’ll message you. Take care.”
They both come out of the room, and I’m frozen to my spot. Lindsay looks incredible. She has on a pair of dark blue jeans that hug every inch of her slight curves. And her top is a pale blue that fits snuggly on her breasts. My mouth is watering, but I don’t have time to wait. He was driving around here last night, and she needs my fucking protection before she needs my cock.
“Hey, Katherine, why don’t you come with us?”
I can see Lindsay looks pissed off. I’m not sure why, but she lets me know where her mind is going and it’s not fucking good. “This isn’t some threesome thing,” Lindsay tosses out completely angry.
I drag her back into my arms, hating that I have to lie about it all including her brother, but her safety is the most important thing to me. “No, no it isn’t. Silly woman. I have an impromptu meeting today that I just took a call for. I’m going to be busy for a little while at the house, and I want you to have your partner in crime around.”
“Fine,” she mutters.
I wrap my arms tighter around her, then whisper, “I wasn’t planning on fucking my baby into you until tonight anyway. But I promise to make it up to you.” I suck gently on her earlobe. “You’re mine, and I promise to make you come over and over again for the rest of our lives.”
“Come, you can have your date pick you up at my home later,” I tell Katherine. She already knows something is up, but now is not the time.
“Sure, let me get my things.”
Lindsay raises her brow, then looks back at the bedroom door where Katherine went into and said, “That was easy. I guess she doesn’t trust me being alone with you.”
“That’s because I’m the big bad wolf and I want to eat you up, sweet Lindsay,” I say, pulling her to me and lowering my head. I have to taste those smiling lips. The feel of her softness melds onto my firm mouth. A feathery gasp escapes creating a small parting between her lips. I slip my tongue inside, tasting her minty tongue. Her hands clench onto my biceps before moving around my neck.
“Um…” Katherine scoffs out. I pull back, but not before stealing another peck. “Damn, I hope I’m not in for a day of that.”
“My home is large. You can get lost.”
Lindsay smacks my arm lightly. “Don’t be mean.”
“Sorry, you can lose yourself on how large it is. I hope you do.” I wink and grab Lindsay’s hand, leading them out the door. I look first, but I try not to be overt about it.
My guy is waiting on the corner near my SUV, and Lindsay says, “Damn it, I told him to send his minions running. His protection squad is so obvious.”
“Would you do this to your sister?”
“Yes, I come from a very wealthy family. She has a guard with her every day, and she hates his guts.”
“I totally get it. I’m sure they’re going to follow us to your house.”
“That’s fine. I don’t care. They can’t get in my gate unless I let them in, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Where do you live?” Lindsay asks.
“About thirty miles from here.” Once we’re all nice and buckled in, I pull out into traffic. My guys have doubled up the security since they know he’s on the hunt.
“We didn’t get to talk a lot yesterday, so please tell me more about you,” she begs.
“I have three sisters two of them are in college in Florida. You met Casey; she’s only seventeen and lives with my parents.”
“Heck, I realized that I don’t know how old you are.”
“I’m twenty-six. I graduated from Northwestern University when I was twenty and have been working for the family company since. I have a degree in computer sciences. I’ve been single for longer than I can remember. Let me see, what else can I tell you about me? I spend most of my free time watching television. I have an obsession for Forged in Fire and American Pickers.”
“Do you make your own blades?” Katherine asks from her perch between our seats and her hands on our headrests.
“No, but I have a friend that does. Although I wouldn’t trust you with a damn butter knife.”
“What the fuck ever. I wouldn’t trust me either. Great perception,” she acknowledges proudly, sitting back in her seat and nodding her head. Brent has got his hands full with that one. “We should stop off and get something to eat. I’m freaking starving.”
“How are you, babe? I’m sure you’re getting hungry.”
“I am.”
“Okay, do you ladies have a taste for anything? It’s only ten-thirty. Do you want breakfast or something else?”
“Breakfast,” Katherine says.
“Lunch,” Lindsay says.
“How about we go to the house, I’ll give you the menus, and you can order what you want.”
“Sounds like good eating to me,” Katherine chimes in from the back.
“Does that work for you, babe?”
“Yes.” We drive for another ten minutes before hopping off the expressway. My phone hasn’t been going off the hook, but it rang once. And I’m glad as fuck, I turned off the Bluetooth in the dash before picking her up because when we park, I pull out my phone and see it was from Brent.
“We’re here.” I enter the code from my SUV, opening the gate and letting it close behind me the second we’re behind the iron.
“Wow, are you like fucking serious? This is your place?” Katherine remarked from the back. My focus rests on Lindsay, hoping she likes her new home. Because from today on, this is what it is.
“Damn, somehow I hadn’t pictured this.”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful and huge. You don’t have a secret wife on vacation or something, right?”
“No, of course not.” I crack up at the ridiculousness of where her mind went.
“Sorry, it just looks like it’s meant for a large family.”
“Good, because that’s what it’s for.” I take her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing the backside and looking pointedly at her my intentions on full display. I wanted to start on the family tonight.
I take her hand and lead them into the house. Once inside, my phone rings again. I ask them to excuse me. This call I have to take.