Reclaiming Tomorrow: Kingsley Series Book 3

by Thorne, Haylee

  I watch the door slide shut and walk back into my empty penthouse. The loneliness is deafening in the complete silence of my apartment. I need to do something to get out of my own head. So, I head to my closet and replace the dress and stilettos I am wearing for some workout gear and head into my home gym. I call out to Alexa to start my workout playlist and start to stretch. After I have run a punishing pace on the treadmill for twenty minutes, I follow up with some lunges, sit-ups and squats before I finish things off with fifteen minutes on the bike. I am thoroughly exhausted by the time that I step into my shower and let the hot water soothe my muscles. When I crawl into my bed, I am floating somewhere between dazed and delirious, just as I aimed for. But unfortunately, sleep refuses to come for me, as it has been refusing me often. Besides the silver light of the full moon that dances with the shadows, my bedroom is devoid of light. I stare at the ceiling. Why can’t I get over him? Why do I feel like part of me is missing? I glance over to the empty spot beside me and I miss him. And I know that is ridiculous, because even though I have fantasized about him in here—many, many times—he has never been in my bed. But here I am, yearning for him as if I have experienced his touch anywhere else but in my fantasies. My mind drifts to our stare down in my kitchen earlier. I recall the intensity of his gaze. And the feelings I felt, the desire that was coursing through me is reignited. Before I know it, my hand seems to have a mind of it’s own. I squeeze my eyes shut and pretend that it’s Eric’s hand roaming over my body. My hand slides into my panties and I gasp when my fingers impatiently graze the tiny bundle of nerves at my center. My free hand caresses my breasts, greedily moving from one to the other, alternating kneading the heavy globes and circling my thumb around my nipples. I moan as I insert two digits into my core, pumping in and out, curling my fingers into beckoning motions, caressing the walls of my pussy. I imagine that I hear his voice, coaching me to come for him and I start to caress myself in earnest. I can feel the waves of euphoria start to ripple from deep inside my belly. And when it finally washes over me, I whimper his name, over and over as if it were a mantra or a prayer.

  Present

  It is a little after four a.m. when I walk into my office, way earlier than usual. I have even beat my assistant Ash here, which is saying something. I groan as I sit down, my muscles are aching either from this morning’s vigorous workout or from another night of sleeping on my couch. I have not been able to sleep in my own bed since the night she left me, but I am too much of a masochist to get rid of it. So, I have been sleeping on my couch for the better part of the last two years. Sure, it has gotten easier over time, and on days that I don’t see her, it is almost bearable. If you’d sit me down and ask me to make a list of the things that I miss about Mikaela Kingsley, I could sum it up in one simple word; everything. I know that I need to get over her and believe me, I have tried. But no matter how beautiful, how sweet, how sexy, there has not been anyone that could even take my mind off my Lady Kingsley. She’s ruined me, completely and utterly destroyed any chance of me being happy with any other woman. I sit down behind my massive desk, exhausted yet wide awake. I start to go through the security reports that are neatly stacked on top of my desk. The fact that I volunteered my time to be the one overseeing the security of the Kingsley’s isn’t completely without motive. No matter what has happened between us, Mikaela’s safety is my number one priority. I frown when I read the report about a delivery of flowers. Normally I would not have thought about this twice, but the report says that Mika delivered the flowers. And I know for a fact that Mika was tied up in meetings since the entire day yesterday. I know this because I was right there with him. I pull out my tablet and pull up the video footage of the building. Annoyance takes over when I realize that the screen is too grainy. I pull my cell from my pocket and scroll to the name of the person that can help me.

  “You realize what time it is?” he grumbles.

  “Good morning to you too, sunshine.”

  “This better be good.”

  “Listen River, I need your help and it can’t wait. Can you meet me in my office?”

  “Sounds interesting. I’ll be there in two.”

  He cuts the call before I can even respond. I am still looking at my phone, admittedly a little confused, when he strolls into my office. I meet his questioning gaze and my eyebrow shoots up when I see what the man is wearing. Now I realize that it is barely after four-thirty in the morning, and that normally would be enough of an explanation for what I am seeing, if it was anyone else besides River Ray. He’s wearing a suit, only the pants are shorts, and underneath he’s wearing the loudest shirt known to man. His tie is loosened around his neck and I can’t help but think that his get up is the equivalent of a mullet. Semi business on top, party on the bottom.

  “Interesting suit.”

  “Kingsley told me to wear one while I am in the office. So, I’m wearing one.” He replies dryly.

  “You are indeed.” I concede with a chuckle.

  I can’t wait to see Mika’s face when he sees this. River’s taste in clothing is…terrible at best. It’s been a thorn in Mika’s side and therefore a big source of amusement for me. River Ray is young, yes. And he is quite possibly the most brilliant mind I have ever known. His brain literally works like a computer. He is a genius, that’s a fact. Raeva’s little brother is a nut, that’s for sure. But that is what makes him one of my favorite people.

  “You’re here early.”

  “Actually, I am here late. I’ve not gone home yet.”

  I can’t say I am surprised, but I am definitely impressed.

  “New project, you know how it is.”

  “Look at you, teacher’s pet. Making the rest of us look bad.” I tease.

  “Did you want help or not?”

  I hold my hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, I do.”

  “I am going out on a limb here and assuming that this isn’t a work-related thing?”

  “And why would you say that?”

  “Because my friend.” He says as he sinks down into my seat behind the desk. “You called me at four something in the freaking morning, sounding like someone just killed your puppy. And something that rattles Eric Hardwick like that must be personal.” He continues in a matter of fact tone.

  I don’t even bother with telling him he is right, he already knows. Instead, I show him the video footage on the tablet.

  “Give me eight minutes.” He mumbles as he picks the tablet from the desk and rises.

  He takes large strides towards my door before abruptly stopping. “Are you coming?”

  Honestly, I think that River’s brain works miles ahead of anyone’s but he forgets that most of us take a bit longer to catch up. I have never been to river’s office before. Usually he will meet us in our office, or on the twenty-seventh floor where all our conference rooms are.

  “Yup.” I simply reply.

  He nods and continues to lead the way to his office. River’s office isn’t what you would call a traditional office space. Mika’s the CEO of Kingsley Inc. and his office takes up the East Wing of the top floor, my office takes the West Wing. Simply because it makes sense for our offices to be close by. River, however, takes up the entire floor below us. You need special clearance to be able to get onto this floor. You cannot just step onto the elevator and come here, same as our floor, you need a key. Of course, this floor doesn’t just house River’s office. He is heading an entire new branch of Kingsley’s empire. River has developed a security program that is practically impossible to hack. I am not entirely sure about all the specifics, but I am told that even the top three hackers in the world have not been able to crack his system. And Mika’s paid a pretty penny for them to try. We pass by the server room that prominently is showcased exactly in the middle of the office space. Per River’s request, most walls have been knocked down and the walls surrounding the server room are all bulletproof and fire resistive glass. The only room on this floor that seems to have some sort of privacy
is River’s office. When we get to his office door, River places his hand on a touch-pad on the wall and leans forward as he does. I am not unfamiliar with technology, but I can’t say that I have ever had to have my retina’s and fingerprints scanned before entering my office. I am a little taken aback by the level of security surrounding just his office. Clearly, River takes security very seriously. When we step into this office, the light automatically pops on, as well as about a dozen computer screens. I want to ask why he needs this many computer screens, but I keep my mouth shut and let the genius get to work. River plugs the iPad in and connects it with his computer, then loads the video. Fuck if it doesn’t bring me back to the “Esper photo analysis” scene from the movie Blade Runner. Within seconds, he has the taken the grainy images and cleaned them up so that we can see the man delivering the flowers plain as day. A cold chill runs through my spine as I confirm my suspicion. Mason fucking Kingsley in the flesh.

  “Ah,” River says, clearly recognizing the man on the screen. “I am going to assume you want me to help track him down and keep tabs?”

  River’s fingers are already furiously running over his keyboard before I can even answer.

  “River, this man is dangerous. This man poses a real threat to all the people that are important to us. So, yes. I need whatever you can on him, and as soon as possible.”

  “Consider it done.” He says, not looking up. “Leave it to me. I’ll keep you posted. I am sure you are busy with other things.” He says dismissing me.

  My first instinct is to argue. Because there is no fucking way that I am going to be able to focus much on anything today, at least not until I get some answers. But I don’t want to prolong things by being in the way either. So, I thank River and take my leave. I return to my office, my mind racing to formulate a plan of action. I sink into my desk chair and reach for my phone. I glance at the clock and take note that it is only a few minutes after five. I take a deep breath and dial her number. She answers on the second ring, her voice breathy as she says my name. I am glad that she isn’t standing before me right now, because even though she cannot remember the promise I made her, I do. I fight the urge to slam the phone down and go to her instead of doing this over the phone.

  “We need to talk.”

  “What’s wrong, Eric?” she replies, her tone alarmed.

  “You had some flowers delivered yesterday.”

  There is silence for a moment. “I’ve had several deliveries yesterday. I had a party, if you recall.”

  “Mikaela, I am not in the mood to play games with you this morning.” I say a little rougher than intended.

  Immediately regretting my tone, I sigh. “I know who they were from Mik. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Oh Eric.” She sobs.

  My annoyance disintegrates on the spot and I can no longer resist the urge to rush to her side, no matter how painful for me.

  “I’ll be there in twenty, Lady Kingsley.” I tell her before killing the call.

  * * *

  I make it over to Mikaela’s place in sixteen minutes. When she opens the door and stands before me in the tightest work-out gear known to man, I nearly combust on the spot. Her hair is in a messy bun on top of her head and sweat is dripping off of her magnificent body. My gaze follows a drop as it trails down her neck, all the way until it disappears between her cleavage. I swallow hard and force my eyes to look up, and when I do I immediately regret that too. Her eyes have always been my downfall. It takes me a little longer than usual to align my thoughts with my original intention of coming here. It isn’t until she clears her throat that I remember that I have yet to speak. I step forward closing the distance between us and pull her into my arms. Pulling her head against my chest so that I can hide my true feelings for her, that I know must be written all over my face. If only my damn heart would stop beating so loudly against my chest wall. You’d think it is literally trying to punch its way out to her. We stand there, just like this, in her hallway for long minutes before she breaks the silence.

  “You didn’t have to come all this way.” She croaks.

  As if I had a choice. As if I wouldn’t drop anything and everything to rush to her side.

  “I know. I wanted to.”

  “I threw the flowers away.” She says, speaking into my chest. “But I kept the card.”

  “Good,” I tell her as I kiss the top of her head.

  I take a step back and take her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Where is the note, Lady Kingsley?”

  I peer into her golden irises and it takes every last ounce of self-restraint not to lean in and kiss her. She blinks and it snaps me out of my daze. I release her chin and take another step backwards.

  Fucking focus Hardwick.

  Mikaela shakes her head, as I do, to regain my focus. “It’s in a drawer in the kitchen.” She croaks.

  She turns around and starts heading to the kitchen. I follow her before I realize that I am. It has always been like that. She has this magnetic pull on me that I cannot explain. She opens a drawer and pulls out a small white envelope. When she hands it to me her hand trembles slightly, but not unnoticeable. Impatiently, I pull the card from its holder and read the words.

  “What little talk is he referring to?” I demand.

  Her voice is little when she answers. “He showed up at the wedding.”

  “What wedding?”

  She looks down at the floor.

  “What fucking wedding Mikaela?”

  “Mika and Raeva’s wedding.”

  “Are you kidding me? And you have not said a word? I know you have lost your memory, but you have not lost enough of it to know that the man is dangerous.” I bark, shoving a hand through my hair. “Damn it, Mik.”

  Her eyes snap up at mine, tears pooling, irises blazing. “Don’t you think I know that? I didn’t know what to do.”

  “You can always come to me, you know that. You must know that.”

  “I do.”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “I—.”

  She goes back to staring at the floor.

  “You what?”

  “I don’t know.” She snaps.

  We are getting nowhere here, and I need to take control of this.

  Okay. What is done is done. Tell me everything.”

  “Okay.” She says timidly.

  The tone of her voice worries me. This isn’t the woman I know, this isn’t the fierce take no goddamned prisoners woman I have always adored. Has she forgotten how to be her along with the memories of us? Mikaela tells me everything, from Mason showing up to the wedding to receiving the flowers. And when she finishes I realize one very important thing; she doesn’t remember what we did.

  Present

  The look on Eric’s face is grave and frankly, it is unnerving me.

  “We need to talk.” He tells me.

  I frown. “I thought that we were already talking.”

  “I’m serious, Mikaela.”

  My stomach drops and my gut starts to churn. Nobody ever wants to hear those words. It feels as if he’s about to break up with me, even though we have never been together. My mouth is bone dry and my chest constricts as I try to imagine what he can possibly have to say to me.

  “Let’s go sit down.” He urges.

  I nod my head and lead the way to my living room. I lower myself onto the large white sectional in my living room and grab a pillow to hold on to. Eric takes a seat on the chair across from me, a good distance away. It feels unnatural and for some reason, it feels deliberate. Is he that angry at me that he cannot stand to sit next to me? He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His long fingers are tented together and cradle his forehead. Eric’s eyes are closed, and the expression on his face looks pained. I am chewing on my bottom lip, almost painfully so when he finally starts to speak.

  “I have never really asked you. Probably, because I am not sure I want to know the answer. But I feel that now I have no choice…What is the last t
hing you remember Mikaela? Like from before the coma?”

  I’m a little taken aback. I am not sure what I was expecting to talk about. But this didn’t make the list of options in my head. I don’t think that other than the few questions the girls have had, that I have talked to anyone about what my last memories before the coma were.

  “Um. I um. I’m not really sure. Whenever I try to think too much about it, I end up getting a blinding headache.”

  “Can you try, please. For me? It’s important, I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t necessary.”

  I inhale and close my eyes. When I exhale and open my eyes, his request hovers in the air between us. Our eyes meet and I nod my head. I close my eyes once more and try to focus. Images of white sand and palm trees start to dance in front of my eyelids.

  “I can remember being in Hawaii with Sasha. It was her birthday trip. Her birthday is three months before ours. So, I guess about three months before our twenty-second birthday?”

  The expression on Eric’s face is stoic. “Does that help?”

  “It does.”

  “Okay.”

  Eric sighs. “I know what your father is talking about.”

  My head snaps up, and our eyes meet. The room falls silent for a moment. The silence thickens the air and I find it increasingly difficult to breathe.

  “The wedding isn’t the first time he reappeared into your life. The last time before then was actually about a month before your own twenty-second birthday.”

  “Oh? What happened? What did he do?”

  “He tried to blackmail you into giving him your shares of Kingsley Inc.”

  It doesn’t sound familiar, but it sounds one-hundred percent like something that Mason Kingsley would do.

  “And I told him to go to hell?”

  “He used your mom. He told you that he could tell you where she was. Which of course was a lie.”

  “Okay, so what did I do?”