by Kym Grosso
“Because you’ve been telling me since the day I met you that you’re leaving San Diego. And I got news for you, sweetheart, this isn't San Diego. You’re in the thick of Big Sur. Strong winds and stronger currents. There is only one way down to the ocean and you won’t survive. The terrain is rough. We’ve got mountain lions, dangerous roads and cell service won’t work. Garrett will be here by the afternoon and he can copter you back to an airport where you can catch whatever flight you want to whatever shitty country you’re planning on going to.”
“I can’t believe you are even saying this.” Braelynn pressed her face into her palms, looking up as Seth entered.
“Steaks are ready.”
“I’m not hungry,” she said and stood up, pushing away from the table.
Lars sighed, and set a plate in front of her. “You need to eat something.”
“Gotta agree with the boss here. You didn’t eat anything but breakfast yesterday. Eat.” Seth poked a fork into a steak and placed it on her dish.
Braelynn shook her head, and sucked a breath. Wiping another stray tear, she sniffed, aware she was seconds from losing it.
“I’m taking mine in the office. I need to get started on this right away,” he told Seth. Walking out of the kitchen, he paused and turned to her. “Look Brae. I’m just…I don’t know. Part of me, I get why you did what you did. I know about clearances, but you could have trusted me. You need to give me time, okay?”
Braelynn grabbed her fork, and nodded.
“He’s right, you know. All of this today, some of it he suspected. But the rest? Not so much. Just give him some time,” Seth told her once Lars had gone.
“But the thing is…we’re out of time.” Braelynn sat and slid her fork into the quiche. As she held it to her lips, regret washed over her. Lars had always been larger than life and today was no different. Scaling Everest. Skydiving. Mindblowing sex. Cooking. She wondered what the man couldn’t do. Relationships. Love.
“He understands you had no choice. He’s just pissed. Lars knows all about government secrets. Hell, we all do. It’s our business.” Seth shrugged. “It’s not like it’s the first or last secret Garrett will have. Same with Lars. He’s just frustrated that two of the closest people to him didn’t tell him what was happening.”
“He’s not going to forgive me.” As she bit into the flaky mixture, she resisted releasing an audible moan.
“Yeah, he will. He’s got it bad for you. You know that.” Seth laughed and stabbed a piece of steak, pointing it at her before popping it into his mouth. “Lars Elliott. You know he could have anyone. No offense, but he’s had a million girls. And this is the first time in a long time I’ve seen someone get him tied up. He could have easily shaken you off, but he didn’t. The three of us, though? We’ll get through this. I promise we’ll keep you safe. But Brae, you’ve got to give him a little space.”
Braelynn sighed, contemplating Seth’s words. She’d give anything to have Lars’ forgiveness. Her mind warred, telling her it would be easier to leave if he was angry. Yet as she tasted another perfect piece of her meal, she was reminded of everything she loved about him. Her stomach clenched in a knot; she was devastated that she’d disappointed him. Braelynn set down her utensils, and gave Seth a sad smile.
“It’s going to be okay,” she heard him say, but she’d already left the kitchen and walked into the solarium. The view of the ocean was the only drug she sought. No one would ever replace Lars. Her heart broke into a million pieces, knowing that within hours, she’d never see the man she was falling in love with again, he’d be forever gone to her. As sure as the waves crashed into the rocks, her life would never be the same.
Chapter Twenty-One
The day had passed with few words between Lars and Braelynn. He’d pored through the papers, discovering an internal memo on a Bart-Aqua letterhead, naming at least a dozen contacts of interest. Three were dead, each of whom had worked for Emerson Industries and had been members of Altura. Evan McMillan. Cormac O’Malley. Beckett O’Malley. Other names on the list weren’t recognizable to Lars but on a search, he discovered that all the individuals worked for affiliates of Emerson Industries.
Lars recalled Beckett’s recent criminal activities. He’d killed both Evan and his own brother, Cormac. After a failed attempt to plant a virus at Emerson Industries, he’d kidnapped Selby and set fire to Altura. During a final altercation, Garrett had shot and killed him. They’d suspected that he hadn’t been working alone, but the police never caught his accomplices.
After calling in a favor to a NSA contact, Lars was given the sequence and clearance to read the stolen chip. It appeared that Bart-Aqua had indeed been analyzing Braelynn’s initial data. Her discovery, how and where it was found was documented, indexed within the files. Braelynn’s claim that the research was of little use without her knowledge, appeared to be true. With marked notes scattered throughout the files, Lars surmised they’d made no progress in their attempt to develop testing of the theory.
They’d speculated on the protein’s applications but without the samples, which it appeared they didn’t have, they’d been unable to proceed. Although Lars wondered who’d stolen them, her uncle had set plans in motion to put together a search team for the elusive cetacean. It was entirely possible he’d already sent scientists to the location, but given the creature’s ability to remain hidden all these years, he speculated discovering it would be a shot in the dark.
After Lars completed his review of the chip and documents, he texted Garrett one word: HWB614. Garrett’s response had been immediate, calling him. Lars told him about Braelynn and their run in at Bart-Aqua. Garrett planned to call in support from Dean and the feds to meet him at Big Sur so he could collect the research and Braelynn. Lars had insisted Garrett make another review of the security footage that had implicated Braelynn. He’d expressed concern that whoever had stolen it from Emerson Industries might have access to the same high tech chip they’d used to steal it back. With a mole in the organization, it was unsafe to return it.
Several hours later, Garrett contacted Lars, explaining that a more thorough analysis of the video had revealed an anomaly. Although facial recognition software had initially identified Braelynn, further scrutiny had exposed a slight height difference between her and the thief. They’d suspected the intruder, who appeared female, had worn a prosthetic mask.
Lars had cursed at Garrett’s revelation. Dean’s goddamn sloppy investigation of the breach had nearly destroyed Braelynn’s career. Worse, she’d almost been killed, shot at on more than one occasion. Lars had briefly relayed this news to both Seth and Braelynn, then continued on for hours at his desk, searching for answers.
Lars sighed, needing a break from his thoughts. As he set the papers on his desk and went to leave his office, he noted the deafening silence inside his home. He descended the steps, noting that neither Braelynn nor Seth were in the family room or kitchen. He glanced out the solarium, where he found them both staring out onto the sunset.
With its stunning views, the serene sunroom provided a tranquil sanctuary any time of day. Due to the cool temperatures and often foggy coast, Lars frequently kept it closed to the elements, opening the cathedral ceiling windows on warm days. An oversized chestnut-wicker day bed with YinYang-shaped azure-colored cushions added peaceful respite alongside the hot tub. Modern chaises longues lined the edge of the pool.
Seth caught his gaze and crossed the room to join him at the bar. Lars set three glasses onto the counter, aware they had a long conversation ahead of them.
“What’s up?” Seth asked. He’d changed into his swim shorts.
“Garrett’s on his way over tomorrow.” He retrieved a wine opener, sliding the knife up along the neck of the bottle. Slicing away the foil, he peeled it away. He inserted the screw point into the cork and began to twist.
“Hey, I know you’re pissed.” Seth took a seat, glancing to Braelynn. “But dude, I don’t think Braelynn did anything wrong.”
<
br /> “I don’t disagree.” He sighed. “I’m just frustrated with the whole damn situation. It’s not that I don’t get the deal with clearances. But the video? They fucked up. If she was telling them it wasn’t her, you would have thought they’d take another look at the video. Facial recognition is good but you and I know it can be fooled.”
“It’s kinda shitty if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong. Garrett is always careful, and it did look like her. To be fair, it was Dean’s job to verify it was her.”
“Yeah, but they didn’t question it. After he found out about Uncle Fester, she was done.”
“Garrett doesn’t fuck around, you know that.”
“Takes no prisoners.”
“He’s one ruthless motherfucker sometimes. But that’s the nature of this game.”
“It is. You know I’d be the first one to defend him. But right now,” Lars hedged on his words, “I care about Brae.”
“Just a little.” Seth rolled his eyes.
“A lot, all right. I’m conflicted. I know the things we do, they’re bigger than the whole of us. Sometimes you have to sacrifice, and unfortunately for Braelynn, she was the lamb.”
“The trouble is that she’s not like us.”
“She was pretty bad ass stealing it back, though.” Lars carefully poured the burgundy liquid into the glasses.
“She got out alive.”
“She’s brave. And she’s beautiful.”
“Tru dat. Last night was rockin’.” Seth waggled his eyebrows.
“She’s open to new experiences.” Lars shrugged and smiled. “I like it.”
“You do have it bad, you know that?”
“She’s special to me. I don’t want her hurt.”
“A little too late for that.”
“She wasn’t too smart about the tides the night she tried to break into my house. But I’ll give her this, she’s got brass balls.”
“Garrett and Dean,” Seth sighed.
“Their idea. And honestly, the key, I don’t even know where the other chip is but she said she hid it in one of the sea caves. Kayaked in and submerged it. At this point, it’s either still there or washed out to sea.”
“She’s tough.”
“She’s leaving.” Lars glanced to Braelynn, who dipped her toes into the hot tub.
“Giordano’s going to claim he knew nothing about the espionage. That’s a woman on video, not him. It looks bad that it was at his company but unless you can tie him in directly, he’s getting off.”
“He’s got all these bad things going on around him but there’s no evidence. As long as he’s out, Braelynn’s at risk. He knows she took the data and don’t think for one second he won’t come after her. He might not do it himself, but he’ll make a move. No, she’s got to leave.”
“I see your point.” Seth glanced to her.
“The good news is that the research is going to be back where it belongs. We have the key and can try to get the other chip. Braelynn will disappear to wherever the feds are sending her. She’ll be set up somewhere safe.” Lars’ stomach dropped as he talked through the scenario like the calm rational person he usually was. But inside his chest, a tornado of emotion swirled.
“So you’re gonna let her go?”
“Yeah.” No choice.
“Just like that?” Seth raised an eyebrow at him.
“Just like that.” The lie lingered on his lips. Setting her free, ensuring her safety would come at a steep price. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve got lasagna in the freezer. Can you pull it out for me?”
“Homemade?”
“Hell, yeah. Is there anything else?”
“You know, I love you, right?”
“I love you, too. But this relationship seems a little one sided,” Lars joked.
“No, no, no. I provide you with endless hours of entertainment and you feed me. I think I might move in when we get back.” Seth gave a wave and set out to tend to dinner.
Lars scooped up two glasses, watching as Braelynn stretched her arms above her head. The sunset waned in the distance; a cascade of light danced upon the waves, its final beams streaming from the pink and blue sky. The thin marine layer skimmed the horizon, and the sun disappeared within seconds.
His cock twitched as she raked her fingers into her dark hair, twirling the silken strands. The draping fabric of his robe did little to conceal her raw beauty underneath it. He laughed, considering that she could be wrapped in burlap and he’d still get hard. I want to keep her in my life.
“Brae.” As she turned, the sight of her puffy, reddened face gutted him. Although her eyes had dried, she wore the pain of the day like a mask.
“I’m sorry for everything. But you see,” she gave a sad laugh, “it wasn’t me. Finally, finally someone saw it. And it wasn’t me.”
“We need to talk.” He set down the wine onto an end table.
“I’ve already said I’m sorry, Lars.”
“How long have you known me? You said you saw me speaking? That was months ago. This thing between you and me? It’s not about just this weekend. Ever since the beach, you’ve been the only thing on my mind.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “How long? Truth.”
“Why does it matter?”
“You seem to be having a little trouble with the concept of trust. Do we need another lesson?”
“Maybe,” she said with a flirtatious lilt to her voice. His dick hardened, her eyes flashing to his.
“How long?”
“Soon after I started working at Emerson Industries. The girls, they all knew who you were. I was working. For Chase.”
“You got with him, right?” Lars regretted the jealousy that laced his words.
“I told you. We didn’t have sex. I dated him. Big difference.” She cocked her head, keeping eye contact. “You and I…this is something else.”
“Something else.”
“Complicated. Intense.”
“True.”
“The first time I saw you…I’d just started working there,” she said, changing the subject. “I passed you in the hallway, and I can remember I was in a hurry, following Chase around like a new puppy. Your arm accidentally touched mine, and I turned back, like just a second, and I remember thinking, who is that guy?”
Lars slid his hand around the nape of her neck, his thumb trailing behind her ear. He brushed his body against hers, closing the distance between them. The temptation to taste her was great, but he resisted. He tilted her head backward, and his lips hovered over her delicate neck. Warmth radiated from her skin, her feminine scent ingraining itself in his memory.
“I…I couldn’t ask him who you were but then I heard the rumbles in the lunch room about the sexy playboy, Lars Elliott. The rumors about the adventurer, Garrett’s dangerous friend…he dated a different woman every week, could be cocky. That kind of guy…he wasn’t for me. But then…” She gave a sigh as his lips grazed over her ear.
“So you didn’t care for me?” He fought the urge to take her.
“No, but I…I didn’t know you. It was when I heard you speak…Oh God.” She sighed as Lars’ fingertips glided down her chest, untangling the tie of her robe. He cupped a firm breast, caressing her creamy flesh. “I was inspired. You…you were amazing. How you described the journey, how difficult it was on the way down the mountain, but you never gave up.”
“No, you should never give up. Practice makes perfect.” Lars shoved the fabric down her arm, letting the robe pool onto the floor.
“That’s when I knew.”
“What’s that?”
“I needed to meet you, but then I never got the chance. Not until the beach. When I saw you…you have no idea…I never wanted to send you away. You have to believe me.”
“You’re beautiful,” he told her, pressing his lips to her shoulder.
“I wanted you so much,” she confessed.
“I’d give anything to keep you here with me. If you coul
d stay…” As he kissed her neck, he caught sight of Seth returning. “How far are you willing to go?”
“You make me want it all.” Her response came without hesitation.
His eyes met Seth’s. He’d push her final limits, make love to her all night, and give her up in the morning.
“Hey.” Seth approached, set his beer onto the floor and flicked a switch on the wall. The gaslit fire pit roared to life, illuminating the dimly lit solarium.
“Our little Brae is gorgeous, isn’t she?” Lars smiled.
“She’s amazing,” Seth replied, his tone sultry.
“But you know,” Lars held out her hand, stepping back so he could view her. She blinked at him with a hazy smile, “she’s been very naughty. Didn’t trust me. Didn’t tell me the truth.”
“True.” Seth gave a broad smile.
“She needs to learn that I will always take care of her. We both helped save her that day on the beach.” Without warning, Lars scooped her up in his arms. As he heaved her over his shoulder, she squealed, kicking her feet. His cock hardened to concrete as the sensual plan formed in his head. “Settle, sweetheart.”
“Lars…what are you doing?”
“She has a beautiful ass, don’t you agree?” he asked Seth, palming her fleshy globe. “But she’s so very bad.”
“I…I…ah…” She lost her words as his fingers trailed between her legs.
“I do recall that when we first met I needed to cuff you to my bed, but since Seth is here with us, he’s going to give me a hand.” Lars sat, adjusting her onto his lap. Lying on her stomach, she rested her face onto Seth’s thigh.
“Last night was just the beginning of this experience, and since your actions brought both Seth and I into your world, I think it’s only fitting we have a final lesson with him here.” Lars ran his hand over her ass, gliding it down between her legs. Her hips tilted against his thighs, seeking contact. “Not just yet. I want you to open up and show us your pretty little pussy.”
“What are you doing?” Her lips parted in a soft but audible gasp.
“Wider. Let’s see you. That’s it. Look at how wet she is, Seth,” he said, spreading her legs and revealing the glistening cleft between them. Braelynn gave a moan as his fingers played along the crease of her thigh. “I need your trust, Dr. Rollins. This isn’t about a weekend. As we’ve established, we’ve known each other much longer.”