Buried police files. Accused by women of harassment, violence, and abuse. His last girlfriend accused him of domestic violence before she went missing.
The man is bad news.
There’s a sharp rap on my door, then Val enters. “A Bryan Chadwick is on the phone for you, from Barclays.”
Nodding, I pick up the line. As she leaves, I speak into the receiver, “Is it done?”
Bryan is my personal accountant from back home. “The money should reach Mr. Starr in five business days.”
“Good.”
The man pauses before hesitantly adding, “If you don’t mind my saying so, that’s quite a large amount. I mean, it barely affects your pockets, but it’s not chump change.”
Bryan has been with me for several years. His father used to be my father’s accountant. It’s almost like a family thing. But I’m reluctant to share the details even with him.
“It’s a private matter. By the way, did you find the ring?”
A sigh on his end. “I’m not your errand boy, you know.”
I raise a brow. “Is that a yes or a no?”
“Found it, got it polished, and sent someone to bring it to you. You’ll get it tomorrow.”
I grin. “Good job.”
“I’m also not your dog.”
Once I end the call, I relax into my seat. My mood lighter, I get to my feet, wanting to go in search of Lana.
She’s not in her office. I find her talking to Elise, who has dark circles under her eyes.
“You tell me who did this now,” Lana says angrily. Elise just shakes her head, her voice hoarse. “I’m telling you it was an accident.”
“What’s going on?” I ask. Elise pales even more if possible as she squeaks out, “Nothing!”
Lana, however, looks like she’s close to lopping somebody’s head off. She grabs Elise’s wrist, showing me the finger marks on her arm. “See? They weren’t there this morning. She won’t tell me who did this!”
Elise wrenches her arm away, holding it protectively to her chest. “I told you it was nothing.”
There’s a panicked glint in her eyes, and I feel a flare of anger. “Someone hurt you.”
Elise has always been someone I’ve genuinely liked. She’s a good-natured woman whose cheerfulness is addictive. Seeing her like this, wide-eyed and frantic, upsets me.
“Who did this to you, Elise?”
Elise purses her lips, color flooding her face.
Footsteps approach from behind us, Lucas’s voice reaching my ears. “Hey, what’s going—Elise?”
Elise’s eyes are filling with tears. Lucas covers the distance between them in large strides just as the receptionist throws herself in his arms, something so unlike her. He bundles her in his arms, glowering at us. “What the hell did you say to her?”
Lana looks guilty, and I put my hand on her shoulder. “We are concerned about the marks on her arm.”
“And she refused to tell you, so you kept going at her?” Lucas sounds angry. It’s rare to see the lawyer so pissed off. His usually relaxed veneer is stripped away. I can see the darkness lurking underneath, and I find it intriguing.
“Please, I really don’t want to talk about it,” Elise murmurs, wiping her eyes but not pulling away from Lucas.
“Very well.” I nod. When I see Lana hesitate, I drag her away. As I see the way Lucas is comforting Elise, I have to wonder how close the two have become.
Lana is quiet throughout the elevator ride. She’s so lost in her thoughts she doesn’t seem to notice the way I’m trailing after her to her office. Annoyed I’m being ignored, I bump her with my shoulder. She jumps. “Wha—”
“What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing. I just—” She shifts uncomfortable. “I didn’t mean to make Elise cry.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I know you didn’t. She’ll talk to you when she’s ready.”
She pushes open the door to her office. “I know, but—” Her words trail off, and I see a man standing in the middle of her office, his hands awkwardly tucked in his jacket.
“Glen?” Lana whispers, shock in her voice.
Glen?
A second glance reveals the resemblance between the two. I assume he must be one of her brothers. The man looks weary as he steps toward Lana. “I just got back from Melbourne.” His voice is drawn. “Lana, it’s about Dad.”
* * *
The hospital smells like death and sterility.
Lana walks besides me, her face strained, not saying a word. She hasn’t spoken since her brother told us about her father’s illness.
She finally breaks the silence. “What did the doctor say?”
“That a lung transplant costs money,” Glen says, falling in step with her. “The kind we don’t have.”
“All these years, you’ve known about this.” Lana’s tone is accusing. “Why didn’t you tell me anything? Why didn’t anyone say anything?”
“I wanted to,” Glen growls. “Believe me, I wanted to. But Dad wouldn’t let me. Why do you think I left home?”
Lana passes in the hallway. “I thought you left because of your new job.”
“What new job?” Glen is obviously frustrated. “I went to look for a job. They wanted me to keep lying to you. Nobody had the kind of money needed. That’s why I left. To look for a job. I’ve been working construction for the past four years. Been sending more than half of what I earn home.”
Lana stares. “Then what about the money Fred’s been borrowing?”
Glen’s face darkens. “I just found out about it. And about what they were trying to do.” He steps toward Lana and grabs her by the shoulders, his tone serious. “You need to stay away from Matt, Lana. The man is bad news. Whatever money is owed, I’ll figure out some way to pay it back. I’m back now. I plan to set up my own company with a friend. Don’t you worry about it. I kicked Fred’s ass and everyone else’s as well.”
Lana’s lower lip trembles. “Dad knew about it.”
Sadness seeps into her brother’s face. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry about all of this. Had I known, I would have taken you with me. If it means anything, ever since you told Dad and Fred that you never want them to contact you again, Dad has been inconsolable.”
I can see from Lana’s face the words do mean something to her, but I also know her. She won’t be won over so easily. Lana doesn’t let go of things so easily. Her family will have to earn her trust all over again.
Lana doesn’t talk much about her family, but I’d assumed all her brothers had been equally involved in this mess. Clearly Glenn is the only one who didn’t seem to have any knowledge until now.
The man seems weathered and quite mature. He is also far older than Lana, so I assume he must be her oldest or second oldest brother. He’s been polite to me, and he hasn’t pressed the issue as to why I’m tagging along. But I don’t plan to let my woman spend even one minute alone with the people she calls family. The last time she met them, she was broken.
I know how to protect what’s mine.
“I’ve arranged for the money,” Lana says. “My boss lent me all of it.”
Glen frowns. “Just like that?”
She doesn’t meet his gaze. Her hands tremble before she crosses her arms against her chest to hide them. “Well, no. I had to sign a twenty-year contract—”
“What?” I growl.
That scheming little bastard.
Grabbing Lana by her arms, I make her face me. “What did he make you sign?”
Lana freezes, and Glen stiffens behind her. “I-it’s a ten-year contract with the firm and another ten years working for him in any of his businesses he chooses to send me to.”
“And you signed it?” I thunder, wanting to wring Caleb’s neck. I knew he agreed to my proposal far too easily.
Lana blinks, confused. “Well, I didn’t have much of a choice, did I? He did lend me all that money.” She falters at the way I hesitate, her eyes narrowing. “That was his money, right?”
I don’t want to lie to her, and my silence gives away my role.
I expect her to get angry, to hit me, or to shout. Instead, she just stares, a strange emotion in her eyes. In that moment, it seems like time has stopped and it’s just her and me, standing still in the middle of the bustling hospital corridor.
Lana’s voice is soft. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
I pause, then murmur, “Maybe. At some point in the future, when walking away from me wouldn’t have been an option for you any longer.”
If she gets the double meaning behind my words, she doesn’t show it. “You really think walking away from you would be possible for me?”
When I don’t say anything, she shakes her head. “I can’t believe you did this. You know I didn’t want to take money from you.”
“I prefer you take it from me than Caleb,” I say stubbornly. “Besides, you’re mine. Why shouldn’t you take it from me?”
Her eyes widen at my shameless declaration, her cheeks flushing. Behind her, Glen coughs discreetly, a little awkwardly, and Lana swallows. “We’ll talk about this later.”
I take her hand, pulling her along as we begin walking. “Fine. But I’m not taking the money back.”
She shoots me a look. To my surprise, she tightens her hand around mine and murmurs, “Later.”
The hospital room isn’t large, but there are four men inside. I recognize one. Fred’s looking worse for wear, and he flinches when we enter. The three men beside him jump to their feet. “What the hell, Glen? We agreed—”
“Shut up,” Glen shouts. I’m impressed at the authority in his voice and the way they all fall silent. There’s an older man lying in bed. He’s not said a single word so far, his eyes trained on Lana, a desperate yearning in them.
“Dad…” Lana steps forward. A tear trails down the old man’s cheek as he reaches out toward her. If he had looked frail when she entered, now he looks even more delicate. He grasps her hands, pulling her down to hold her.
Lana’s frame is shaking, and I know she’s crying.
“Everybody, get out,” Glen orders. “Let them have a moment alone.”
I eye him. “I’m not leaving her alone with any of you.”
When he meets my gaze, I see his acceptance. We both know Lana has been hurt too badly, and my presence here is at her desire.
“Then I’ll stay as well.”
We stare at each before I lean against the wall, then train my eyes on Lana. She’s murmuring something to her father, who’s eagerly nodding his head.
Lana has used up all her savings to repay a part of the debt. She won’t have enough to pay for the kind of medical care her father needs. And judging from what I’ve heard from Glen, I doubt he has those kinds of finances available, either
I don’t like these people, but this is Lana’s father.
So, I wait for her to finish her conversation with her father before I say, “Can I have a word with you, Lana?”
Her father glances between us, and there’s a slight hesitation in his tone. “You haven’t introduced me to your friend, Lana.”
Lana’s eyes are dry. She’s calmer. Once glance from her has me walking over. “This is Oliver. He and I are together.”
That’s all the information she offers, and her father nods. “Nice to meet you. Do you work with my Lana?”
“Yes.”
“What do you—”
Lana cuts him off. Instead, she says, “We’re going to go talk to your doctor. I’ll come by to visit tomorrow.”
When she takes a step back, her father reaches out to grab her wrist. “W-we— You’ve forgiven me, haven’t you?”
Lana’s lips tremble, and she gives him a sad smile. “It’ll take some time for that, Dad. But I won’t abandon you if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He rubs his eyes. I see an old man, trying to mend his mistakes that have nearly cost him his child. As we exit the room, Lana walks by Fred and the others without so much as a word. There’s guilt in her brother’s face as he stares after her. I put my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into me.
Once we’re a good distance from them, I stop her in the middle of the corridor to ask, “You all right?”
She looks up at me and nods, weariness written all over her. “I will be. I need to talk to the doctor. See what Dad needs and—”
“Lana,” I say quietly. When she looks up, I wait a beat. “Why don’t you let me handle this? I can call in a specialist. Arrange for your father to have the best care possible.”
When she doesn’t say anything, I add, “Only if you want. I won’t push you, but I don’t want you going through this alone.”
She seems torn. The prideful woman before me wilts. “You’ve already done so much for me.”
“If I was in your shoes, you’d have done the same or even more,” I murmur. “I love you. Your pain is physical torture for me. This is just me being selfish.” I put my arms around her neck, forcing her to look at me. “Or do you prefer I suffer by watching you be miserable? I never took you for a sadist.”
“Wait, what?” Incredulously, she says, “How did this turn into me being the bad guy?”
I muster up my most aggrieved expression. “It is what it is.”
She yanks at my tie, making me grin, then pulls me close so our faces are mere inches apart. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here.”
I sigh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s just getting really hard to work these days. All I can think about is how troubled you are. But I understand. You prefer I suffer with you. I’m sure Caleb will understand. No wonder I’ve been so tired lately—”
She growls, “Fine! Fine. You’re horrible. Stop making me feel bad.”
I grin, leaning down to peck her lips. “Excellent! I’ll get in touch with Terrance. He’s a friend of mine.”
“Terrance?” she echoes, suddenly struggling to keep up with me as I start walking.
“He’s a pulmonary specialist. One of the tops of his field. He has the most success rates. I’ll ask him to take over from your father’s current doctor. He’ll have to be moved, of course.” I stop in my tracks, and she nearly bumps into me. My tone is serious, and I take her hand. “Your father will be given the best of care, Lana, if you wish it. If you want to leave him as he is, I can do that as well. It’s up to you. I’ll do whatever you want.”
Her fingers tighten on my hand. Grief flashes in her beautiful eyes, her voice hoarse. “Help him.”
Dragging her close using the hand I’m holding, I kiss her. It’s a deeply intimate kiss, one of gentleness and love and a raw emotion that neither can name. When she finally pulls away, I lean my forehead against hers, whispering, “As you wish.”
I drive her home afterward. She is silent in the car. When I park my car outside, I ask, “Do you want me to come upstairs with you?”
She shakes her head, but she doesn’t get out of the car.
I don’t bother her. Letting her gather her thoughts, I play with her hair, always fascinated by the wildness of it.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” she finally asks. She shifts toward me, and I know she isn’t the type to second guess herself.
“Why do you ask?”
She turns around in the seat until she’s facing me completely, one leg tucked under her, the other dangling from the edge. There is a determined expression on her face. “I’m not happy with them. I don’t forgive them. But I can’t watch my father suffer.”
“Then you’re not making a mistake.”
She studies me, and I blink. “What?”
“I don’t know what to do about you.”
Her words take me by surprise, then I slyly grin. “I can give you a few ideas. They all involve you taking me upstairs, then getting me getting you out of your clothes.”
She bats my greedy hands away, now laughing. “Hands off, you pervert!”
Seeing her eyes dancing with mirth makes me
feel better. She laughs harder now. If I compare the woman before me to the one who barged into my office all those months ago, the difference is stark. Lana is more relaxed now, the wariness she wore like a cloak has almost dissipated. I’ve changed as well. I came here as an angry, bitter man with my heart frozen solid. Lana amuses me, intrigues me, draws my attention, ensnares my heart. I adore her. I love her.
When I lead her to bed, she comes willingly.
There is laugher on our lips, wicked amusement that dissolves into heated sighs as I take her against her apartment door, then bent over the couch. I imprint her screams on my heart. I watch the way she looks when I pull her hair as I fuck her, the helpless devotion in her eyes, and it both stuns and humbles me. When we tumble into bed, I hold her to me and observe her sleep.
This is the kind of happiness one rarely finds in their lifetime.
There is nothing I won’t do to secure it.
16
Lana
Dr. Terrence Gray is a pleasant man. I have to wonder how he befriended Oliver, who shifts between broody silences and sadistic teasing. As he finishes talking to my father, I lean against the window.
Aside from my father and me, Fred is also there.
I haven’t exchanged a word with him over these past two weeks, deliberately choosing to keep my distance. The hurt is still present, and I honestly don’t believe that things will ever be right between us. The only time I talked to him was when I handed him the check that would clear all his debts.
He had opened his mouth to say something, but I’d simply walked away.
My family chose to keep my father’s illness a secret from me because they didn’t want to upset me, but bartering me off like a piece of meat was not a moral concern for them. I’m sure they don’t see it that way. From their initial explanations, they had thought they would be securing my future my throwing me at a man from such a rich background.
I don’t buy their bullshit.
Even to my ears, that’s a flimsy excuse.
But if they can’t appreciate my worth, that’s their problem. Aside from this, everything else in my life is going exceptionally well. I’m in love with a man who is ready to move mountains for me, which is something I’ve never experienced. To be loved so openly with nothing asked for in return. I also have job security for the next twenty years, something which Oliver raged about to Caleb, who just smirked and said he had never said he couldn’t use this to his benefit. Oliver immediately hired Lucas to break the contract. That started anther escalation. I finally dragged my man away when I saw that he and Caleb were near to blows.
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