Bad Boy SEALs

by Scarlett Avery

  My blood is boiling.

  "Are you suggesting that my dress is the reason why that man—” If she won't say his name, neither will I “—was so disrespectful towards me?"

  "I'm simply suggesting that showing off less skin is more appropriate for a young woman of your ranking and stature."

  I’m flummoxed and incredibly pissed off. I still don’t understand how she knows about the Ralph Delaware incident. I've never used the C word in my life – Daddy would flip out on me. And I'm fairly certain my mother would be frowning at me from heaven for my choice of foul language – but frankly, Abigail deserves it. Only a cunt would dare to say that shit to a woman who's been victimized.

  I breathe in deep, steadying my nerves and my voice. "You know what?"

  "What? Are you going to say that I'm wrong? You're going to butt heads with me like always?"

  "No. I was going to agree with you," I say.

  "You were?" she asks cautiously.

  "Yes," I exclaim with faint excitement.

  "Really?" I can hear the surprise in her voice. "I never thought this day would come. I thought you and I were always going to sit at opposite ends of the table.”

  "In order for me to avoid making such a gauche fashion mistake at your charity event—because all the attention should really be on the cause you’re so bravely championing—”

  "Of course, Amelia. I'm doing great work and so is the team." She pats herself on the back. Whatever.

  It's still unclear which hospitals have benefited from all the donations she's collected during her fundraising evenings in her militant mission to help doctors find a cure for ovarian cancer.

  "Here's what I suggest—”

  "You want us to go shopping together?” There's so much hope in that question. “Make a step-daughter-step-mum day out of it?" Hell would have to freeze over a hundred times before that ever happens.

  "No. No," I repeat. “I have a much better idea. One that will ensure that I don't make a faux pas."

  "I'm all ears," she cheers.

  “I'm. Not. Coming," I drop. Without even giving Abigail a chance to soak in my words, I hang up on her.

  And just like that, I squander her delusional expectations.

  I turn off my phone and place it back on my desk before picking up the office one to call my assistant.

  "Are you surviving or do I need to go fetch you more coffee?" she asks with a laugh when she picks up.

  "I was doing fine until Abigail called and I decided—clearly in a moment of idiocy—to talk to her. Can you do me a favor, Isla?"

  "Name it."

  "Can you call Daddy’s head of telecommunications and tell him that I lost my official phone and I need a new one."

  "Did you really? When did that happen?"

  "I want a new number. One Abigail doesn't have."

  "Got it. I'm right on it."

  "Thanks so much."

  I hang up with Isla.

  I pin my elbows against my desk and cover my face with my hands. I'm still in shock by Abigail's bias and snide comments. I can't believe a woman would be so callous to think that my choice of fashion is an open invitation for a man to act like a pig.

  I really need to speak to my father about this.

  CHAPTER 44

  Holden

  “We’re booked! We’re taking our princess out on the town!” Brandon cheers when he gets off his call.

  I lift my eyes up from my laptop. “Huh? I thought we were taking her to a restaurant on Wednesday night to celebrate this media storm. I just texted her and she confirmed that her schedule is open. She's even looking forward to it.”

  “Oh, no. That's a done deal, Viking. The fact that we can't see her tonight or tomorrow night makes Wednesday an absolute must,” Brandon retorts.

  After sending everyone home, Brandon and I are sitting in the large conference room catching up on the colossal workload. It’s been so crazy busy that I barely had time to visit the restroom. At seven o'clock, I asked Estelle to order dinner for everybody. The entire team was still at it. By ten, I ordered everyone to go back home. A bunch of exhausted faces protested until I put my foot down and personally hired cabs for each member of our team. Bless them for wanting this as much as we do, but that was enough for one day. Since Brandon I had a late start, we can pick up the slack.

  We've been texting back and forth with Amelia and she's also feeling the effect of this media tsunami. Just like us, it's been all systems go for her since she walked through the door. In fact, she's still at the office. No matter how much she begged her assistant to go home, she wouldn't hear of it. Something about Isla being Irish and very passionate. They're still at the grind.

  We concluded a few hours ago that we might not see each other tonight. As much as I hate the thought, a day like today is a one in a million. Not to mention that Amelia might need a break. We were unrepentant with her all of last night and we didn't go easy on her this morning.

  I know it was only one night, but something tells me I'll miss her warm body pressed against mine tonight. It was an interesting experience sleeping throughout the night with a woman wrapped in my arms. One I look forward to repeating soon.

  “What are you talking about, Royal?” I ask, confused.

  “Remember on Saturday morning I talked about finding a unique activity that would appeal to Amelia? Something she's likely never done before?"

  "Oh yeah, I remember now. You were pretty mum about the whole thing," I chuckle.

  "That's because I hadn't talked to the owner yet. He just got back to me to confirm my online request. We’re booked for Saturday night. The boat is ours."

  I frown. "What boat?"

  "This company called Riverfront Theater offers really cool adventures called, ‘On the River with Cinema Cruises’. Essentially, it’s a mini cruise where we watch a few movies under the stars while sailing along the River Thames."

  "That’s a really great idea," I exclaim.

  "I thought so," he says proudly.

  "The owner, Andrew, informed me that he had already sold a number of seats for this coming weekend, but he wasn't sold out. I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. I bought up all the seats and tripled what he would've made had it been fully booked. I also threw in a generous bonus to make up for the fact that he’s going to have to contact all of the people who bought tickets to tell them the performance has been canceled. Needless to say, that I also hired a catering company to take care of the food. Andrew said they have a snack bar that sells the usual grub you'd expect to find at a movie theater. But Amelia deserves better. To play it safe, I already hired Très Gourmet. We set sail at seven o'clock."

  "Wow. You went all out."

  "Yeah," he nods. "Plus I went one step further," he adds.

  "I'm all ears."

  We grin at each other for a few short seconds before he continues. "I've hired two limousines, one for us, and one that will tail us. Her bodyguard will be sitting in the second one," he flashes me a triumphant smile.

  "Won’t it raise an eyebrow if her officer notices that she's out with two guys?" I asked.

  "I'm pretty sure that all four of her officers know about our phenomenal media coverage by now. It won’t be a big stretch for Amelia to explain that all three of us are going out to celebrate."

  "Good point. I'm impressed. You’ve thought about everything," I shake my head in amazement.

  "When it comes to her? Yeah," he says in a serious tone.

  "You really like this girl," I tease.

  "Says the guy who was holding onto her in his sleep like his life depended on it. Did I mention you had the most ridiculous grin on your face? You looked like you were in fucking Nirvana. So be careful who you point your finger at, buddy," he teases right back.

  I laugh. "All right, I'll admit it, I like her. A lot."

  "That's more like it," Brandon smiles.

  “It's a complete one-eighty compared to how I usually feel after I'm done fucking a woman. True, the tables
were reversed because it's usually me trying to escape a woman’s place or a hotel room. Last night was different. As strange as it sounds, it was unconceivable for me to let her slip out of our place in the middle of the night." Brandon already knows the story.

  "Well, I'm happy you didn't. This morning was fucking amazing."

  "Yes, it was," I nod. "My God, we fucked that woman to the point where my cock hurt."

  "I hear you. I barely had time to come that I was hard again." Brandon's cock was on perpetual alert.

  "At some point during our fuck fest I had to wonder if I hadn’t downed a bottle of Viagra and forgot about it. Each time, I’d come so hard, I feared I was going to pass out."

  “I didn't know it was possible to make a woman come so many times in a row," Brandon points out.

  “Neither did I. The way she responds to us is a dream.”

  “Yeah, it is. We fit together," he concludes.

  “Hmph. We do," I agree.

  "I love how she looks so angelic—almost virginal—to the outside world, but behind closed doors, she's just a dirty girl. Our dirty girl," Brandon states.

  It's true that we gave her carte blanche to be as naughty as her heart desired. That said, I don't know if I'll ever get used to how well she's embraced her wild side.

  "I'm sure she must be walking funny today," I snicker.

  "Yeah, I'm sure she'll remember us... with every step she takes," Brandon chuckles. We both laugh. "So, where did you book us for Wednesday night?" Brandon asks.

  “Cremini. It's located on the top floor of the Cheshire Regency Hotel in Hyde Park... so in our neck of the woods. It was on the list of top picks Estelle sent. I was considering Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental—also in the same area—but that menu just looks way too complicated for me. It's another one of those elaborate sampling menus we both hate. Oysters and duck foie gras are listed as some of their most popular dishes. Thanks, but no thanks. Since Amelia seems to like good hearty food as much as we do, I opted for Italian."

  "Good call," Brandon says. "Did you reserve a private room?"

  "You take me for an amateur?"

  We laugh.

  "It's best to play it safe. Who knows? We might need a little something to tie us down until we get back to the penthouse."

  "You and your dirty mind."

  "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Viking. You didn't reserve a table downstairs where it's an open space because you want the evening to be pure and chaste. Is that it?" His comment is dripping with sarcasm. "Like we even know what that means." Brandon explodes in laughter.

  "Guilty as charged," I wink.

  "That's why you and—”

  Skype's familiar ringtone chimes in and cuts Brandon off mid-sentence. We look down at our phones for a beat before locking eyes again.

  "Duke!" we exclaim in unison.

  CHAPTER 45

  Amelia

  Bloody hell, I can’t believe it’s this late. I stare at the time on my iPhone in disbelief.

  I exhale and close my eyes for a few seconds hoping that it's enough to carry me through the next few hours. This has been the longest day ever—a surreal and amazing day—but nonetheless an endless one.

  Other than a quick jaunt to the sandwich shop a few blocks down the street to clear my mind from that awful conversation with Abigail, my ass has been glued to this chair all afternoon. This unexpected media coverage has turned my world upside down in the best possible way.

  The number of orders that have come in since this morning is jaw-dropping. Staggering even. This new string of clients aren't just buying one item. They’re multi-packing as if this were one of those 2-for-1 sales. Since this came completely out of the blue, we didn't even have time to put together a proper promotion to entice people to buy. They're just going completely mad over our products. I'm dumbfounded. Thrilled, but absolutely gobsmacked. I ready myself to get up to go grab another bottle of water when the upbeat ringtone of my personal phone rings. I look down and smile wide when I recognize the name flashing on my screen. I grab my phone and immediately accept the call.

  "Daddy."

  "Ladybug, or should I say, the most sought after businesswoman in the UK,” he chuckles.

  "Your daughter is quite popular today," I joke back.

  "My daughter's queen for the day. It might even stretch into the week."

  "You’re the best father on the planet."

  "Don't you ever forget it."

  "I won't. Pinky promise."

  We both laugh.

  I called and texted my father the second I stepped into my office. I was that excited. He fired off a quick text to let me know he’d get back to me at the end of the day. After which, I replied to each one of my brothers’ congratulatory text messages. My shining moment is officially international.

  "Stop saying things like that. You're giving false hope. You're going to make me believe that you're still a little girl. My little girl. Those stunning photos of you—that are everywhere—say otherwise," he pauses. "I couldn't be prouder of you, Amelia."

  "I love you," I choke. I don't know what else to say.

  "I love you to the moon and back, ladybug."

  "You haven’t said that to me in ages."

  "Some things bear to be revisited. That's one of them. Speaking of which…"

  "I'm afraid of what's coming."

  "You and those two Americans look good together. With those dazzling smiles, sparkling eyes and confident attitudes, you form quite the attractive group." God, if he only knew. "Have you been in touch with either of them?"

  Thank God this isn’t a video call because my cheeks flame up at my father's question.

  "Holden and I live in the same building," I say.

  I'm not about to lie to my own father. Well, not entirely.

  "Really?"

  "Yes. I found out when I bumped into him in front of Whole Food last week."

  "Did I not say there was a connection between you? I could just sense it. It was obvious to the blind eye," he says.

  "Are you playing matchmaker again?"

  "Not at all, ladybug. As I’ve told you before, I learned my lesson with Frederick. But this is different, you were drawn to Chief Petty Officer Barclay and vice versa." I won't argue with him. "If you and the American are neighbors, have you already gone out for drinks or dinner?"

  Oh, we've done a lot more than that.

  "Yes, he's invited me over to his place for dinner. I was there last night."

  I really should tell Daddy that I've been up there for the last three nights in a row and that Brandon is part of the picture, but that's just revealing too much. Certain things that are best kept unsaid. For now, anyways.

  "Brilliant. I'm excited." And he sounds like it.

  "We’re just friends," I caution him.

  "The greatest love affairs start as a friendship," he retorts.

  "Daddy," I scold.

  The man is a hopeless romantic, which begs the question of why in the world he married Abigail.

  "All right. I get it. You want your father to butt out. I'll leave this friendship you have with the American billionaire alone." I hear the amusement in his voice. "Are you still at the office?" I'm quite grateful for the change of subject.

  "Yes, I am," I respond.

  "Ladybug, it's past nine o'clock. When are you going to head home?" I hear the concern in his voice.

  "Isn’t it always you who says there's no rest for the wicked?" I remind him.

  "Yeah, but I'm a cruddy old man and you are a gorgeous young princess. You should call it a day. Get some rest. You can go at it tomorrow again,” he suggests. “You know the work isn't going anywhere," he laughs.

  "I can't. Isla is still here. She is going at a hundred miles a minute. I don't know how she does it. She's untiring. I, on the other hand, am completely exhausted."

  "You’re nearly as busy as Britain's Prime Minister," he chuckles.

  “It feels like it,” I joke back.

/>   “You don’t have plans with your guy?” Daddy asks. Here we go again.

  “He’s a friend. Not my guy,” I retort.

  Three steamy nights with an amazing man and his equally fantastic best friend hardly means they’re my guys. I know they expect me not to sleep around, but that’s just common sense. Why add more people to the party? I’m sure it doesn’t mean much more than that.

  “All right, you don’t have plans with Chief Petty Officer Barclay. I get it.”

  “You can call him Holden, Daddy,” I laugh. “And to answer your question, he’s as busy as I am. He texted me to let me know Brandon and him will be working late. They’re dealing with the same tsunami of new orders as I am.”

  “I see,” he pauses. “Tomorrow you should leave the office early and spend the evening with your guy Holden.”

  “Funny.” I roll my eyes.

  “Don’t let work take over your life, darling—”

  “This coming from someone who barely sleeps.”

  “This nation depends on me. I can’t fail them. Your company is important, but spending time with your guy is far better than working late.” Daddy freely dispenses advice completely ignoring what I said earlier. Typical. I still love him to pieces for it.

  "I'll keep that in mind."

  "I can’t ask for anything more," he says. "There’s another reason why I called you—”

  "Abigail?"

  "Yes.” I knew it. “She's absolutely livid. She's been texting up a storm all day. She says you're doing your best to ruin any chances of the two of you ever becoming close. She was nearly crying on that voicemail she left."

  "She's a liar, Daddy. Reluctantly, I was willing to attend her charity event simply because you asked me to make the effort. That said, I refuse to be around her if she keeps insulting me."

  "Abigail insulted you?" he asks.

  "She didn't tell you the truth? Why am I not surprised?"

  "Per her recount, you shut the door in her face. Again."

  "She's such a manipulative person," I point out. I really want to say bitch, but I refrain. After all, my father is married to the woman.