Retaliation

by Anise Storm

  “That’s not a good idea,” she interjected.

  “The hell it isn’t,” he said emphatically. “There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for four years.” Finley tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “I love you.”

  Hannah didn’t mean to gasp, but she had never heard those words from Finley before, and as they repeated in her head, she realized something.

  “Four years?” She could hardly believe what she was hearing. There was no way he’d had the same feelings she’d had during the time she’d harbored a crush on him. “I don’t understand.”

  Cupping her face in his hands, he leaned in so close to her that Hannah could feel his warm breath on her skin. “It’s true. I’ve loved you for so fucking long, baby girl. I didn’t know how to tell you. Then once I decided to just say it, you were gone. I wasted so much time, and eventually mine ran out.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek. She couldn’t believe he was just telling her this now. The entire time she had been back in London, he’d said lots of things to her, but never this. Oh, God, she was going to have to hurt him.

  “I was resigned to the fact that it wasn’t meant to be until I saw you again in Atlanta. That night, I watched you while you slept. I wondered if this was some cruel twist of fate, especially after you were repulsed the following morning.”

  Hannah opened her mouth to tell him his thoughts weren’t true, but he kept talking.

  “Then you called me, and I realized that you, Hannah, are my destiny. This was my second chance to make you mine in every sense of the word.”

  Another tear rolled down her cheek. He turned her face, and his lips caught the drop.

  “But we both made mistakes, Sir, some more insurmountable than others.”

  “I agree. I should have trusted you more than I did, but, at the same time, you’re not blameless, either. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I could tell you were closing off parts of yourself to me. I’m selfish, and I wanted every part of you. I know you tried giving that to me, Hannah, but you couldn’t, could you?”

  She shook her head. Finley was right. There had been a part of her heart still firmly attached to Thaddeus Remington, and there still was. Knowing he loved her only complicated things more. “I couldn’t, and I still can’t.”

  She watched his expression change and hated herself so much in that moment. The pain she was causing him was like a knife to the chest.

  “It’s because of Remington, isn’t it?” he asked, and she watched Finley turn his head, anticipating her answer.

  “I love you, too, but I can’t lie and say a part of me doesn’t also love Thaddeus.”

  He growled low at her response, but she needed to be honest, not only with herself for a change, but also with these men. They deserved to know how conflicted she was, even if they didn’t understand.

  “Hannah, the third time is the charm for most people, and I know it can be for us. Come home with me to London. I made you happy twice before, and I know I could again. You only need to allow me the chance.”

  “I don’t think—” she began, until he picked her up and set her on top of the counter. It was reminiscent of a different time in what felt like a completely different life.

  “I can lose account after account, but not you, baby girl. My life has been a living hell without you. I lay there in our bed, wishing you were there beside me. I know you have to feel that ache, too.”

  He moved his hands up her thighs, and Hannah shivered. Regardless of how badly she wanted him to touch her, she almost sighed in relief when his hands fell back to his side. Finley stepped back, and she looked up at him.

  “It would never work, Sir.”

  “Bollocks,” he replied between gritted teeth. “I love you, and you love me, too, damn it. Even if you can’t see it, we’re destined to be together.” Then he cupped her face again and brushed his mouth over hers. “I know it’s a lot to take in. Think about me and about us tonight. I’ll be in front of terminal two at O’Hare airport at two o’clock.”

  She nodded then allowed him to help her off the counter. “I will think about it,” she replied, appeasing him for the moment.

  “Good girl. I want you to walk me out then lock up behind me after I leave. Okay?”

  She took the hand he extended and understood it was the last time she’d feel this sort of closeness with him. While she was losing a Dominant and lover in Thaddeus, she was losing so much more with Finley.

  They reached the entryway, and he brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I love you, Hannah. Don’t close the door on our future,” he implored.

  “I just did,” she murmured after he’d stepped into the hallway and she’d closed the door behind him. Slipping the lock into place, she braced herself against the wood then slowly slid down to the floor. “Goodbye, Finley,” she said, then buried her face in her hands.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Hannah barely slept a wink all night. She’d tossed and turned, haunted by dreams of the two Dominants. Both of them would be waiting for her exactly where they’d told her they would be. She wouldn’t be anywhere near O’Hare International Airport. Her flight left from Midway, and she would already be at her destination when her time ran out.

  It tore her up inside to have to hurt the two men the way that she would. Hannah loved both so deeply—even though in different ways—that she could never choose between them. Thaddeus Remington and Finley Wetherall were so similar, but because of their shared stubbornness, they were too blind to see or even admit it.

  Each man filled a void within her that would now only grow larger. The corporate tycoons were sought-after bachelors and would eventually find someone else to replace her in their hearts and beds. Hannah would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could replace them—not that she actually wanted to. While she’d lain in bed the night before, she’d thought about her recent life choices then decided she needed to take some time to find herself again.

  At one time she’d thought she’d known who she was until those alluring Dominants had come into her life and turned it upside down. I’ll never forget either of you. That’s for sure.

  Hannah walked over to the large picture window and looked out one more time. This unit had gorgeous lake and city views, and it was doubtful she’d ever return.

  She moved one hand absently to her throat. Too much had happened in this city, most of it bad, and now the scar on her neck would forever serve as a reminder. It was strange because, while she’d hated her time here, she was glad everything had happened the way it had. She’d finally gotten her closure with Thaddeus and would no longer have to feel the heaviness of regret and guilt she’d had when she’d been with Finley.

  Exhaling softly, she closed the curtains then picked up her phone. After calling a local cab company, she took a last look around the apartment. Satisfied she had everything, Hannah hooked the strap of her carry-on bag over her shoulder, then picked up a handle of her suitcases in each hand before leaving the place for the last time.

  She took the elevator downstairs, and the doorman immediately grabbed the handle of one of the suitcases, helping her roll it outside to the waiting cab. Snow was falling steadily around her and Hannah was thrilled Plano wouldn’t have any of the white stuff, even though it was pretty to look at. Atlanta wouldn’t either, which was where she was headed first for a few days.

  She planned to empty the storage unit that contained all the stuff she’d left behind there. Whatever she didn’t take with her to Texas would be donated to an area thrift store. Hannah was actually looking forward to going back home, where she could regroup and hopefully find herself again.

  “So you’re going to Midway?” the driver asked after he’d placed her suitcases then her carry-on bag into the trunk of his sedan.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied, taking her place in the back seat.

  The driver merged into traffic, and she closed her eyes, sending up a silent prayer that no one would show up at the airport
this time.

  Hannah couldn’t handle another goodbye at this moment. She’d said hers last night, whether either man wanted to accept it for what it really was or not. They would both realize it soon enough.

  She turned her attention to the view passing outside her window while she got one step closer to the beginning of her new life. The twenty-minute drive was finally over and she saw the signs directing them to the drop-off area. She grabbed her purse and rummaged around in it for her wallet. Once she’d paid the driver, he helped her get her bags and she wheeled them inside.

  Having done a lot of flying over the past few months, she knew exactly what to do and made it effortlessly through security and to her gate. Her flight left soon and the pre-boarding process would begin in about a half hour. She spent every minute of that wait scanning the area to make sure her escape wasn’t about to be thwarted.

  “Good afternoon, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Delta Flight 1648 to Atlanta. We are now inviting those passengers with small children and any passengers requiring special assistance to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes’ time. Thank you,” came the announcement over the loudspeaker.

  Grabbing her cell phone, Hannah pulled up her electronic boarding pass. In only a few minutes her zone was called, so she picked up her carry-on bag and joined the others in line. Soon she was buckling her seatbelt. She’d made it. Now to quickly handle what she had to do in Atlanta so she could return home to Texas.

  She made herself as comfortable as possible, despite the two teenagers sitting in the seats next to her. Their constant chatter about fashion and boys had her smiling. Hannah glanced over once or twice then noticed the Catholic school uniforms they were wearing. It reminded her a lot of her own time in high school. She just wished someone would have told her to pay less attention to boys and more to anything else.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 1648 with service from Chicago to Atlanta. We are currently third in line for takeoff and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright and locked position for takeoff. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Thank you for choosing Delta Air Lines. Enjoy your flight,” the flight attendant said, and Hannah had already done all of that, so she just looked out of the window at the flurry of activity outside.

  Everything was the way it had to be. Once the plane began slowly backing out of its space, she felt the pang of loss, knowing she would never see Thaddeus Remington or Finley Wetherall again. No matter how many times she’d tried to tell herself this was for the best, it didn’t eliminate the aching pain in her chest. She would eventually get over them but, even then, something simple like a carriage ride or elevator would make her think of the two men.

  “Are you okay, miss?” asked one of the voices from beside her. “You’re crying.”

  Turning toward the young girl, she flashed a watery smile at her. “I’m going to be fine. Some goodbyes are just harder than others.”

  The two girls looked at her sympathetically while she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Then, they picked back up where they’d left off in their conversation, and she returned to the view outside the window.

  The plane began to move again and finally lifted off, so she settled back in her seat. Thankfully this flight would be nowhere near the length of the ones back and forth across the pond. She pulled up her phone and began to scroll through some of the pictures on it when she was interrupted once more.

  “Good afternoon, passengers. This is your captain speaking. First, I’d like to welcome everyone on Delta Flight 1648. We are currently cruising at an altitude of thirty-three thousand feet at an airspeed of four hundred miles per hour. The local time is eleven forty-five a.m. The weather is good and because the tailwind is on our side, we are expecting to land in Atlanta approximately ten minutes ahead of schedule. The weather in Atlanta is clear and sunny, with a high of fifty-six degrees for this afternoon. If the weather cooperates, we should get a great view of the city while we descend. The cabin crew will be coming around in about ten minutes’ time to offer you a light snack and beverage. I’ll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the flight.”

  Taking his suggestion, Hannah did just that and the plane soon landed safely at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Having been at this airport numerous times, she knew exactly where to go to retrieve her luggage then find the shuttle that would take her to her hotel.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Finley glanced down at his watch and realized with all certainty that she hadn’t chosen him. It was two-thirty—well past the cut-off time he’d given her. Somehow he’d known giving an ultimatum had been the wrong way to go, but having suspected Thaddeus would, he’d done the same. Never had he imagined she would actually choose Remington over him. But she must have, because he had gotten here early to wait and there was no sign of her anywhere.

  Hannah had finally told Finley she loved him, but it hadn’t been enough. She had obviously chosen another man instead. Thaddeus Remington had stolen many things from him over the years, and he had done the same in return, but nothing crushed him like losing the most valuable person in his life.

  Maybe it was for the best. She had said she would never be able to get over Remington. Was only owning part of her heart better than having none of it? Finley knew the answer and could only shake his head. Needing a drink before he boarded his private plane, he went down the corridor to the nearest lounge. He walked inside then came to an abrupt stop. There at the bar, drowning what appeared to be his own sorrows, was Thaddeus Remington.

  Finley glanced around, hoping to catch a peek of Hannah, but she was nowhere to be found, and Remington looked to also have had better days. Maybe it was something else the two had in common. Walking over to him, Finley set his hat and gloves down on the bar top and nodded at the bartender. “A shot of something strong, straight up.”

  Thaddeus saw Finley and snarled. “Are you here to gloat, Wetherall?”

  “Gloat?” he said sullenly. “Nope. The furthest thing from it.” The bartender returned with a shot of what appeared to be whiskey then moved farther down the bar. “I take it she left you waiting, too?”

  “I suppose so,” he answered. “I honestly thought she’d chosen your sorry ass.”

  Finley chuckled sarcastically. “And I thought the same about you.” He picked up his shot and swallowed the contents of it before setting the glass back down onto the bar. “So I guess she didn’t want either of us.”

  Thaddeus continued to finger the rim of his glass, and Finley noticed he’d not even taken a single swallow of the liquid inside. It dawned on him suddenly that despite all the women tied to the bachelor throughout the years, Remington truly did care about the one they’d both just let get away.

  “For what it’s worth, she told me last night she loves you, Wetherall.” Even his voice was different, more solemn, as if he’d sensed the finality of what had happened.

  “She told me the same about you, Remington, but I suppose I already understood that. Our entire time together, I sensed her holding a part of herself back. I automatically assumed it was that she didn’t trust me. I never imagined it was because she was still in love with another guy.” Even saying those words made him sick to his stomach. “I never in a million years would have thought the one she was in love with was you.”

  Thaddeus finally picked up his drink after tossing the straw onto the counter. “If I had known it was you Hannah had run off to be with, I would’ve pursued her day and night until she came back home with me.”

  “You would’ve had a hell of a fight on your hands, man. I had just gotten her back i
n my life, and I would have fought tooth and nail to keep her there.” And he would have. The only reason he wasn’t trying to fly off to parts unknown until he found and claimed her once more, was because he wanted this decision to be hers.

  Finley wouldn’t have been surprised if Thaddeus shared the same mindset. He could lay all his cards on the table, but he couldn’t force someone to be with him if they didn’t want to be. He’d done everything he could to make up for the accusations he’d thrown at her.

  He’d even told her how he’d felt about her since almost the night they’d met. Hannah loved him, but he wasn’t the only one she felt that way about. The other one was sitting beside him, tipping back his drink, looking miserable, just like Finley.

  “Do you think she’s still in town?” Finley asked.

  Thaddeus shook his head. “I called my investigator, who told me she flew out of town this morning. When given the choice, Hannah didn’t want either of us. I’m finally starting to come to terms with it.”

  Finley was also. While he stared at the woodgrain pattern on the bar top, something else suddenly occurred to him. “Maybe she did want both of us, but she just couldn’t choose.”

  “I suppose you could be right, and maybe we were wrong to try to force her to do so,” Thaddeus responded.

  Finley watched him look down at his phone, and he had to admit he’d done that once or twice himself. “Who would’ve thought you and I would be in a bar drowning our mutual sorrows together? It’s like I stepped into a bloody twilight zone or something.”

  Thaddeus chuckled, and this time it was genuine. “You make a good point. A few months ago, I would have poisoned your drink.” Then he shook his head wryly. “Who the hell am I kidding? I’d poison your drink now, too, if I thought it would eliminate you from Hannah’s life.”

  There was no humor in the last remark but, nonetheless, he respected Remington’s honesty. “Trust me. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ doesn’t work with our girl.”