by J. A. Owenby
I searched her face and wondered if this would have been our place together if I’d stayed. A bright red rug covered the light-colored floors in the living and dining room. The ceiling’s wooden beams accented the décor splendidly. She’d done well for herself. Property was expensive in Portland, but she’d established herself at a publishing company and purchased a home. A swell of respect rose in my chest, and I squelched the desire to embrace her and tell her how proud of her I was.
“Nice place,” Redd said, interrupting my thoughts.
“I bought it last year.” A hint of pride was in her voice.
“Why don’t you show us around so we can begin setting up your security …” My forehead creased in confusion while my attention landed on something I recognized. “What’s that?”
Sutton’s face paled. “Nothing.” She hurried to the fireplace and flipped the picture down.
“Where did you get it?” I asked her. “That’s a recent one of me and Dad at his place in Spokane.”
A dusting of pink traveled across her cheeks. “Uh, well, your dad gave it to me when he was over for dinner at my parent’s place.” She cleared her throat and turned her back on me briefly.
“I see. And what do your boyfriends think about a photo of me out in plain sight?” I walked over to the image and placed it upright again. I was a ghost on social media, so she wouldn't have found any information concerning me on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Which meant that if she knew anything about me now, it was because Redd, Dad, or ZW had kept her up to date.
“That you and your dad are … were … friends of the family.”
I frowned and considered the situation. Holy hell, she had a picture of me. In her living room. I didn’t care what she told her boyfriends, the fact I took up a small space in her house spoke volumes, and a part of me reveled in it. It appeared she’d never let me go. My gaze traveled to hers. Had she really not moved on, or was she simply afraid to let go of the past and be vulnerable again? No matter how much I speculated, or how much I enjoyed the fact I still held a place in her life, it didn’t matter, anyway. I’d be returning to Spokane as soon as Claire was found, and I wouldn’t be back. Once again, I’d leave Portland and everyone in it behind. This time I could move on with a much clearer conscience. As long as I brought Claire home safely.
“We’d better get moving, boss,” Redd said, breaking the tension. “I’m going to take the guest bedroom first.”
I went back outside to grab the additional cameras and other equipment from the trunk, then began setting up.
I wasn't sure where Dad had spent the majority of his time in the penthouse, but the library had quickly become my favorite place. It was quiet and allowed some space from the rest of the rooms, and the nightly view of the city below helped me think and process.
It had been a long day setting up Sutton’s place, but I was monitoring it now from my laptop. Cameras covered every inch of the inside and outside of her property. If we were dealing with a seriously pissed ex-employee from Mr. Forrester’s place of employment, none of the family would be safe. So far, the only suspicious thing I’d seen was a small black kitten sitting on her porch.
I took a drink of my scotch and continued to keep my eyes on the screen. It was nearly two in the morning, and even the traffic was light in her neighborhood.
Suddenly, the cat arched its little back and hissed. I leaned forward, the flicker of a shadow on her steps catching my attention. I zoomed in and to the right.
A tall, lanky guy casually strolled up and placed a small box near the front door. What the hell? Who was this guy? My gaze followed him back to his Lexus, then he zipped off down the street. I took a screenshot of his license plate so I could run it and find out who he was. I didn’t like a random guy dropping by her house in the middle of the night. At. All.
I’d need to recover the package before Sutton found it in case it contained a threat as well. She’d pitch a fit, but it’s what she’d hired me for. To protect her. And I was stunned at how easily taking care of her was all rushing back to me.
I quietly grabbed my car keys and Glock then snuck out of the penthouse. If I hurried, no one would even know I’d been gone. In some ways, I could understand how Sutton felt with guards around constantly. I wasn’t keen on the idea either, and I had to continually remind myself that they were a necessity now. It wasn’t that I couldn’t fend for myself. I could, but the word would soon spread that I’d inherited billions, and that alone would make me a different kind of target. And, I had enemies.
As the elevator descended to the parking garage, I fiddled with my keys until I found the extra one Dad had given me when he was in Spokane last year. Once the doors opened, I clicked the key fob and followed the direction of the beep. I approached the car and grinned like a kid in a candy store. She was magnificent, and Dad’s pride and joy. I settled into the front seat of the sleek, black Porsche 911 and ran my fingers over the plush leather console that was cool to the touch. My heart hammered against my ribcage with excitement as I placed my hand on the gear shift. I’d be back from Sutton’s house in no time with this baby. I turned the key, slipped her into first, and listened while she purred beneath my touch. Checking my surroundings, I pulled out of the garage and out onto the street. At this time in the morning, the traffic would be light, and I’d open her up. I didn’t even care if I got a speeding ticket.
I took the on-ramp for the highway and pushed the accelerator, effortlessly passing the few cars on the road. I leaned back in my seat and let out a whoop while the speedometer reached ninety-five. My attention darted around, searching for cops, but from what I could tell, it was clear. She handled the curves like a pro. I’d have to take her down the coast on 101 soon.
Minutes later, I pulled into Sutton’s driveway, hopped out of the car, tugged on the gloves I’d collected on my way out of the penthouse, and retrieved the green and red gift box. If it was a lead, I needed any fingerprints to remain intact. I dropped it into the large plastic bag I’d grabbed before I left, then tied it closed. Although I was tempted to open it now, it would have to wait until I was back at home under the light.
Slipping back into the penthouse, I went straight to my bathroom. Apparently Redd and Sutton had slept through my disappearing act. I’m not sure if that made me feel better or not. In Redd’s defense, I’d told him to get some rest tonight, and I’d keep an eye on the cameras.
I flipped the bathroom lights on and rummaged through Dad’s drawers, looking for a pair of tweezers. After removing my Swiss Army knife out of my pocket, I slit the tape open on the box.
Carefully, I lifted the white envelope, revealing skimpy red lace panties and a matching bra. Was someone stalking her? If they were, I’d dismantle them—slowly.
As hard as I tried not to jump to conclusions, my brain had kicked into overdrive. Turning on the faucet water, I waited while it warmed up. After a minute of steam, the glue lifted from the envelope, and I opened it. My gloved hands carefully removed the letter and shook it open. I scanned it, anger boiling up inside me with each word I read. Dammit.
It was nearly nine the next morning when Sutton appeared in the living room, looking more rested than she had when she’d arrived at my front door yesterday. Her lavender top set off her blue eyes, and her dark jeans hugged her hips. She’d piled her hair in a messy bun on the top of her head. Although I was highly irritated with the events at her place, I wanted to give her blonde strands a tug and watch them cascade over her shoulders. My dick throbbed as I assessed her.
I’d stayed up all night and kept an eye on the cameras at her place, but there hadn’t been any additional activity.
“Morning.” She smiled and settled in on the couch opposite me. “Did you get any rest at all? Most people sleep in on Sunday, but I’m guessing you’re not one of them?”
“No.” My voice was thick and raspy from being up all night, fuming.
“Maybe you can get some when Redd wakes up,” she said kindly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. It may have been nine years since we’d spent time together, but she knew me well enough to recognize when I was upset.
“Who is he?” I asked sharply. The only reason I saw her shoulders tense was because I was trained to watch for the smallest clues.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Her chin lifted defiantly.
I held the envelope up to her, my eyebrows shooting up. “Really? You have no idea who might have given you red lace panties and a matching bra, or who wants to taste your sweet pussy?” I growled. Even though I knew she wasn’t mine any longer, the suggestive note had pissed me off to no end.
Her cheeks flamed red with my words. She hopped up off the couch and made a quick reach for the envelope, but I jerked it away.
“And who in the hell types a letter like this and leaves it inside a box on your door for anyone to read?” I asked incredulously.
“It’s nothing. Please give it to me.” She placed her hands on her hips.
I stood quickly and closed the gap between us.
“It’s everything, Sutton. You hired us to protect you, but you’re not telling us the information we need in order to do our job.”
“Did you think you could waltz back into Portland and lay claim to me? Is that what this is?” Her nostrils flared with anger. There was no mistaking the venom in her tone.
“Of course not. We have to know about everyone in your life. Your sister is missing, Sutton. That’s the issue here. Keeping you safe. But I can’t do that if you’re hiding shit from me. Do you understand? I stayed up all night and wondered if he might be a stalker and if you were in danger.”
She stared out the window, then her gaze traveled back to me.
“His name is Gregory.” She folded her arms over her chest in defiance with her confession.
“Is it serious?” If she weren’t my client, I’d never have asked about the douchebag, but she was. It was easier to compartmentalize my feelings for her if I didn’t have to know about any intimate relationships. At least that’s what I was telling myself.
She gave me a half-shrug. “Depends on who you ask.”
“I’m asking you.” I focused on her and attempted to put all my personal irritation aside.
“No. He’s a nice guy and a decent fuck.” She glared at me.
My jaw tensed. She was intentionally fucking with me, and even though I had no right to feel territorial, my emotions and body told me otherwise.
“You can’t tell me you’ve not been with other women,” she accused.
I shook my head, my thoughts returning to Janie and Lindsey the night of my birthday. I ignored her question, refusing to take the bait. I wasn’t the one with the missing sister.
“Why was he at your house at two in the morning?”
“He had a conference out of town, so I guess he stopped by and dropped it off. I’d not seen him in a few weeks due to his travel schedule.” She glanced away from me, and I wondered if she felt guilty about withholding information from me.
When I’d taken her case, it hadn’t crossed my mind she might be dating someone before I learned about Gregory. It hadn’t mattered anyway. The minute my gaze landed on her, my heart immediately claimed her as mine. But she wasn’t the one who had walked away years ago, I had. Maybe this was karma, and I had front row seats for the show.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you do after I’m gone, but for now, call it off with him.” I handed her the letter and left her standing alone.
Chapter 12
I massaged my temples, wandered into the quiet kitchen, and toward the aroma of the dark roast coffee that had filled the pot.
My thoughts shifted to Claire as I poured myself a cup. Where was she? Was she alive? Was this guy Tucker involved? Had she gotten on the bad side of the Sons of Chaos? My head pounded with the possibilities. Somehow, we had to make some headway.
Pulling up a barstool, I sat down at the island.
“Did you stay up all night?” Redd scrubbed a hand over his short blonde hair as he entered the room.
I nodded, then took a sip of my steaming cup of coffee.
“Huh, is someone grumpy, then?” Redd winked at me with his brown eye.
Even though my mood was in the shitter, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I pissed Sutton off,” I confessed, drumming my fingers on the countertop.
“How come?” He stifled a yawn as he pulled a mug out of the cabinet, then filled it.
“Some guy left a package with sexy lingerie and a … note of what he’d like to do to her body.” My jaw clenched as my mind pulled up intimate details of Gregory’s letter. It was torture to think about another man’s hands touching her like that.
“How did you find out about it? And she knows him? I mean, he’s not a major creeper we need to take care of?” Redd topped off his coffee with a splash of milk and sat down next to me.
“The asshat left the package on her doorstep last night and the security camera caught it. They’re dating,” I grumbled.
Redd barked out a laugh.
“Seriously, Redd?” I shot him a go to hell look.
“Dude, I’m not hanging with you as your employee, I’m here as your friend. First, you should have let me know you were leaving in case anything had happened or you needed back up. Second, you’re totally ripped up about this. Why don’t you say something? When are you two going to stop dancing around each other? Get it over with, man. Let the clothes fly off and dip your wick. Make her sing your name until the walls shake. Besides, both of you are wound tighter than a chicken’s neck before it becomes someone’s dinner. Getting laid would be good for both of you.”
I shook my head, speechless for a moment. Redd was always joking and lightening the mood, but it wouldn’t be a one-nighter with Sutton. The moment I touched her, was inside her again, it would unlock every emotion I’d worked so hard to hide away.
“Thanks for the advice, but I think it would be a big mistake, no matter how much my dick is disagreeing with me,” I said.
“Is she serious with the guy that stopped by her place?” Redd asked.
“No. I mean, according to her he wants more, but she’s happy with casual.”
“Perfect, that means you still have a chance.” Redd stirred his beverage with his finger. He stuck it in his mouth and made a loud sucking noise while he pulled it out. “Listen, I know you’re in new territory right now. You just lost your dad and that brought on a whole set of changes. You have a lot to deal with, but you will. In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve always come out on top. You’re a fighter.” Redd set his mug down on the counter and studied me. “So, fight for her, man. Don’t let her get away this time.”
“That’s the thing, Redd. I’ll always love her—she was my first—but maybe we’re too different now. Maybe I’ve held onto the past and it wasn’t realistic. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to live in a fantasy world than in reality.”
Chapter 13
Whether Sutton realized it or not, I'd crossed a line. I didn’t need to know the intimate details of her relationship. And I should have felt like a total asshat, but I didn’t. Technically, as her bodyguard, it was my business who she dated. But no way in hell did I want to know about a skinny little asshole who wrote notes to her describing in intimate detail what he wanted to do to her body. What the fuck kind of guy writes a letter and leaves a package on the doorstep at 2 am? I didn’t give a rat’s ass if he was coming home from a conference or not. That just didn't sit well with me. Regardless, logically, I knew I had no rights to her, but somewhere in my mind, she'd always remained mine.
Pushing thoughts of Sutton aside, I picked up my phone to text Jeffrey for some help. I'd finally forced myself to go into my father's office, and I'd been sitting at his desk for the last two hours, trying to wade through the ton of files pertaining to clien
t jobs and financials needing to be reviewed. I wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails of any of it without some direction. It was apparent my father had trusted Jeffrey implicitly. Surely, he'd know who I should talk to in order to sort this all out. It hadn't completely sunk in I was a billionaire yet, but I sure as hell didn't want to lose my fortune overnight due to ignorance, either.
But first, I needed to check in with ZW. I whirled around in Dad’s executive leather chair and pulled ZW’s number up on my phone. He answered on the first ring.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“It’s been quiet, nothing odd or suspicious,” he replied.
“This whole thing is nuts.”
“No kidding, I’ve had plenty of time to mull it all over while we’ve been with Sutton’s parents, too. In my mind, Claire should have learned from her sister’s past, but they are eight years apart. Claire was little when Sutton was at her worst.”
“I wish that had been my worst.” My attention drifted out the office window. Fall had settled into Portland overnight and the rows of maple trees that lined the sidewalks were turning red and yellow. The rainy season had officially started as well. The sky had darkened with thick clouds while fat drops splattered against the building.
“Let’s see if the Forresters share any new information. I’m not saying they’re withholding any, but something’s off with this case, and I’ve not been able to put my finger on it yet. At this time, it’s just a gut feeling.”
“You got it, boss.”
“I’d think Tucker would be the first suspect. Redd mentioned the police weren’t putting the case as a high priority due to Claire being eighteen, but I don’t believe that crap. What I do buy is that someone in the Sons of Chaos paid the cops to look the other way. I’d like to find out who was bought off for starters.”
“So what are we going to do?” A hint of eagerness carried in ZW’s tone.
“We’re going to watch our step and keep our ears open for now.”