After Dark: The Complete Series

by Aymes, Kahlen

  He nodded against her, his mouth reaching and taking hers in a soft series of kisses. “I do,” he whispered against her mouth. “But, I don’t want to.” His voice was muffled by a low groan, his reluctance tangible.

  She breathed deeply, enjoying the way his mouth was ghosting over hers, followed by soft sucking kisses. She pushed down the sadness welling up inside her and tried to enjoy his kisses and the way they were always so perfect together. Weakness was unlike her, and she didn’t want Alex to know how fragile she was feeling.

  “I don’t want you to, either. Screw billion dollar deals,” she said, the amusement curving her lips mid-kiss was forced, but she wanted to put Alex at ease about leaving town.

  Alex sensed her desperation by the way the fingers of one hand clutched at the hair at his nape and the other pulled on his shoulder. He pulled back and reached for both her hands with his, holding them between their bodies as his intent green eyes searched hers. He knew his expression showed his anxiousness, his brow furrowed with worry. “I’ll get back as quickly as I can.”

  Angel nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

  Alex raised her hands and kissed the inside of one wrist then the other before meeting her eyes again. “You will.” His low words were like a hopeful command to the universe.

  The truth was, he was terrified of leaving. He felt sick inside, and it was unsettling. If it were up to him, he’d flush the whole goddamned deal and be done with it, but the board of directors would probably fire him in that case. “I’d say fuck it if I could. Even though my father started the business, we’re publically traded now, so I’m still accountable to the board.” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. If he was going to ask this woman to be his wife, he’d be damned if he’d be unemployed, no matter his savings account.

  “Even the great Alexander Avery has to kiss ass sometimes, eh?” Angel’s fingers traced his jaw, her face serious.

  “Want me to kiss yours?”

  Angel had to laugh. “Now, there’s an offer I can’t refuse!”

  Alex smiled, his breath rushing over her face one final time. “I’ll call you from the air.” He kissed her once more soundly on the mouth then got up and buttoned the one button on his sleek suit jacket.

  “You look hot. Don’t bring back any Sheilas!” she teased.

  Alex took a step forward, cupping the side of Angel’s face with his hand. “I love you.” And before she could repeat his words, he was gone.

  * * *

  When Alex walked onto the floor that housed his office, Mrs. Dane looked up from her desk, which stood in the large room lined in glass windows. The solid door between his private suite containing his luxurious office and her space was closed. This fact wasn’t unusual, but she stopped him as he passed with a raised hand.

  “Sir, Samuel Fackler is waiting in your office. From Exquisite Jewelers?” It was a question, since she thought he ought to remember an appointment he requested in the first place.

  “I thought he wasn’t coming until nine.” His expression hardened, the tension he was feeling on a personal level making him more stern than usual. “You know no one goes into my office when I’m not in it.” Alex’s sour mood made his patience short.

  “I took the liberty of calling to request he arrive early because I knew you’d want to go to the airport as soon as possible. And, if I may be so bold, Mr. Avery, he is toting a couple million dollars’ worth of diamonds. I assumed it would be acceptable in this case.”

  Alex was duly chastised and cleared his throat. “Only two million?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  “Well done, as usual, Mrs. Dane. Thank you.”

  “Good luck, sir.” Her rosy cheeks plumped when she smiled wryly. She knew her young boss well and usually enjoyed the rare occasion she could get the better of him, though today, she sensed his unease.

  “Hold my calls,” Alex paused, making a half turn back to her. “Unless it’s Cole, Ken Gant, or the police.”

  The older woman’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, though she knew better than to verbalize her questions, so all she said was, “The police?”

  “Yes. That’s correct.”

  After Alex walked through the door, the man seated at the conference table on the far end of the room stood and smoothed down the front of his jacket. The younger man had a commanding presence that demanded respect. “Good morning, Mr. Avery. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  This wasn’t the first time Alex had purchased from the man’s store, but it was the first time he’d done so himself. Alex proffered his hand to shake the other man’s firmly. The elder gentleman’s advanced age and professionalism suggested he was indeed the shop owner here to work with him directly.

  “Good to meet you. And, please, call me Alex.” Alex removed his jacket and walked to hang it up in the closet near the full bathroom that was connected to the main part of the office to the hidden bedroom on the other side. “I see you’re set up already. Thank you.”

  There were two black leather briefcases, one deeper than the other, and six fine, wooden trays fully lined in suede that were already laid out on the surface of the table. The morning sun shone in from all directions, and the rings radiated gloriously, spraying spectrums of color in all directions. Next to them was a black box full of what looked like clear plastic envelopes the size of a recipe card.

  “Oh, my pleasure, Alex. I have a beautiful selection of flawless stones, and beautiful settings for you to choose from. Your secretary explained your requirements for size and quality for the gems over the phone, but was vaguer on setting style, so I brought many different types.”

  “Something simple and stunning. Angel wouldn’t want anything ostentatious. She wouldn’t want anything gaudy or screaming money.”

  Alex indicated that Sam should take his seat and Alex took his at the head of the long table. It was a long rectangle with curved sides and had two-dozen burgundy, plush leather armchairs around it.

  “But… your assistant said you wanted something very expensive. She said, ‘even for you.’” Mr. Fackler stopped what he was doing, looking for acceptance of what he was laying out before continuing.

  Alex smiled wryly, releasing the button on his suit jacket as he sat down. “What I want and what I get may be two different things in this case.”

  The older man frowned. “I don’t understand. Most young ladies would adore a large diamond.”

  “Angel isn’t like other women.” He grinned again. “That said, I want the ring to be beautiful and unique, like the woman receiving it. But, I want anyone in contact with her left in no doubt that she is off the market.”

  The old man smiled at the younger one’s conviction. It was obvious he was in love and not just going through the motions because he’d been given an ultimatum. “I see. Shall we start with the diamond then move on to the setting? Depending on the gem you chose, it may narrow the setting choices.”

  An hour and a half later, Alex had settled on a 2.2 carat round diamond and a simple setting that would not detract from the stunning gem. He was pleasantly surprised by the price tag of only $140,000.

  “Is that all? I was prepared to spend ten times that.”

  The older man smiled. “We can do that, Alex, but the young lady will need to accept a much larger diamond. The quality is already top of the line, so size is the only way to increase value. ”

  Alex grinned. “I’ll be lucky if she accepts this one. She’s up to her armpits in philanthropy, like my sister, and will already see this as excessive.”

  “Well, in any case, it’s going to be magnificent. I’d be shocked if any woman would refuse a ring like this.”

  “When will it be ready? I’m leaving town, but I’d like to have it right away when I return.”

  “I could have it done this afternoon, if needed.”

  “Not necessary. A week should be fine. I’ll have my best friend, Darian Keith, pick it up if I’m not in town.” Alex was pleased with his choice; confident that
though it was probably larger than Angel would want, he trusted the simple setting would suit her elegant style. “I really appreciate that you came by.”

  After the jeweler left, Alex tied up some loose ends with Mrs. Dane, signed some contracts, checks, and purchase orders that would be due the coming week, leaving a detailed schedule with her, and made a brief call to his father, telling him he was on his way out.

  Sitting in the back of the company limousine on the way to the airport, he dialed Darian.

  “Hi, man. I thought you fell off the face of the earth!” Darian’s pleasant voice came over his phone.

  “Yeah, sorry. I’ve been busy. I’m on the way out of town. Cole will be with Angel at the station and everywhere else. I’d really rather she cancel this Friday’s show.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “That fucker who attacked her is out on bail, and one of my security guys disappeared. His car was found incinerated.”

  “Holy shit. Really? Was he killed?”

  “We don’t know yet. HeHe was abducted, but there hasn’t been a ransom demand.”

  “I see why you’d be concerned.”

  “She won’t want to take the week off, and as much as I’d like to ask you to make some excuse to change the programing, I promised to be upfront with her about everything.”

  Darian paused. “She’d see right through anything I’d come up with anyway. But reporting in must be cramping your style.” Darian was more than aware of his best friend’s need for control.

  Alex’s elbow rested on the window, his thumb and forefinger slowly tugging at his lip as he looked out the window. “Yes and no. This whole situation really has Angel rattled. She’s scared, even though she tries to hide it from me.”

  “Yes, I saw part of that when the two of you were on the outs.”

  “There was more to it, but that was different. I love her strength, and the way we tease each other is sexier than hell, but I have to admit, that little part of her that needs me, sort of rocks my world.”

  “Jesus. You’ve turned into a sap!” his best friend teased.

  Alex’s expression was sober despite the humor in Darian’s voice. Another call came in, forcing him to pause with Darian. “Could be.” He pulled the phone away and looked to see who it was. “Hey, Darian, I have to go. Can you pick something up for me on Friday?”

  “Sure. Where?”

  “Exquisite Jewelers.”

  “Wouldn’t be a ring, would it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Holy fuck,” Darian’s voice was incredulous. “I mean, I’m surprised and I’m not surprised. When?”

  “After 6 PM next Monday. Keep it in your safe, and keep your mouth shut with Angel, please.”

  “Dude, you wound me,” Darian said in mock consternation.

  “Gotta run.” He pushed the button to take him to the new call from Cole. “Hello?”

  The limousine pulled up to the gated yard for the Field Base Operation on the west side of O’Hare. The plane would be waiting for Alex’s arrival; the pilots would have retrieved the plane from its domicile at Chicago’s other airport, Midway, earlier that morning. Midway was a good distance from any of the Avery residences, and it was standard for the plane to be brought to O’Hare for passenger pick-up.

  “Angel is at her office, in a session with her first client. It’s quiet. I just wanted to give you a call before you left.”

  “Any word on Bancroft?”

  “No. I really thought Swanson would have made another move by now.”

  “I did, too.”

  “I feel responsible. I shouldn’t have taken the night off on Friday.”

  “They would have just taken you instead, Cole. I feel pretty shitty myself, but I’m glad it wasn’t you. Every time my phone rings, I expect bad news. Makes me sick.”

  The car parked directly next to the sleek, white Gulfstream jet waiting on the tarmac. The driver unloaded Alex’s suitcase and garment bag from the trunk before opening his door and waiting as he got out. Alex shoved his Tom Ford sunglasses on as he moved from the car and into the plane, still talking to his brother.

  Cole sighed heavily. “Yeah, it’s coming, I guess.”

  Alex nodded, taking his seat in the fine, ivory leather seats. The twelve-passenger plane was luxurious and laid out for working and sleeping when needed.

  Alex set his briefcase on the seat opposite his. “Yes. On the off chance Angel has a lag in her client load, I don’t want her taking on any new clients without a thorough background check.” He stopped, rethinking. “Scratch that. No new ones. None.”

  “I’ll mention it to her. If she cuts me off at the balls, I’m blaming you.”

  “Yes, mine are safer. She needs them.” Alex smiled when Cole chuckled at his brother’s joke. “Sorry, I should have told her, but I’ve had a lot going on. Tell her I’ll call her. If anything happens, no matter how slight, let me know.” Alex removed his laptop from his briefcase and fired it up. He had one more call to make before his plane took off.

  “Will do. See ya.”

  “Bye.”

  Alex typed out a name into Google, not really expecting to find a direct contact. The main business number showed up on Wikipedia. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and laid it, neatly folded, next to his briefcase, and picked up his phone again.

  “Mr. Avery, the flight plans are filed, and we will be taking off as soon as we get clearance,” the co-pilot leaned into the passenger compartment after the outer door was closed and secured.

  Alex looked up from his phone just long enough to nod as he dialed. “Good. The sooner, the better,” he said just as the ringing on the line was answered.

  “Standish Capital Ventures,” a professional female voice said upon answering.

  “Good morning. Marvin Standish, please.”

  “May I tell Mr. Standish who is calling, sir?”

  “Alexander Avery, CFO of Avery Enterprises.”

  “One moment, please. I’ll see if he’s free.”

  Some generic music filtered through the phone as the plane began to make its way onto the taxiway. Alex pulled the window shade down so he could remove his sunglasses. Taking off in planes was becoming so tedious he tuned it out completely. His hand raked down his face and over his jaw before yanking on his tie to loosen it. He was tired and feeling drained, if he was honest. It would be nice to sleep on the plane, but it was unlikely.

  The call went to voicemail, another female voice delivering the message.

  You’ve reached the office of Marvin Standish. Mr. Standish is unavailable at the moment. Please leave your name and a detailed message, and he will return your call. Thank you, and have a nice day.

  “Mr. Standish, my name is Alexander Avery. I’m not sure if you are familiar with me, but my family operates Avery Enterprises, which is headquartered in Chicago. I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you and would like to set up a meeting. I’m traveling now but should be back by the 17th. Please call my assistant, Martha Dane, to let her know when you are available. She has instructions to clear my schedule for your convenience. I look forward to meeting you.” He left his office number then hung up.

  He hoped he didn’t need the meeting—that Bancroft would be found by then, and he hoped, above all, what Cole and Bancroft had said about the Standish family kissing off Mark Swanson was true. Standish’s sister was divorcing Swanson, and it was his niece who had been raped, so hopefully, there would be no love lost between them, and he wouldn’t be squeamish about helping Alex locate Swanson. The Standish family wasn’t known for being squeamish, and it was testament to how desperate Alex was feeling that he would engage them in any way.

  Alex sighed deeply, stress weighing on him heavily. He couldn’t believe he was trying to set up a meeting with one of the biggest mafia bosses in Chicago, but taking it up the ass never was his forte, and the helplessness he felt at waiting didn’t sit well. He’d be damned if he’d let Swanson keep control. He’d rather tak
e the offensive and handle the situation as quickly as possible. If he had to work with less than honest people and bend the law himself, so be it.

  He shut his phone down when the pilot’s voice came over the speaker telling him they were cleared for takeoff. His eyes closed as the plane lifted from the ground, praying his exhaustion would allow a few hours sleep. The small jet was fairly sound proof and was stocked with cold bottled water, sodas and an assortment of small liquor bottles and snacks, and the seats were luxuriously comfortable. The only thing missing was Angel. Fear gripped his chest.

  Maybe if she were with me, I could fucking breathe.

  9

  Cat and Mouse

  Alex was in Sydney. He’d called Angel four times a day, like clockwork, on the two days since he left. He was hoping to wrap it up and be on his way home by Saturday morning, though that was almost Friday in Chicago.

  The big house was lonely without Max, even though Cole, Sid, and Wayne were there most of the time.

  It must cost Alex a fortune, Angel thought.

  Waiting for Swanson to make his move and to hear news of Jason Bancroft felt like a ticking bomb attached to her chest. The first night Alex was gone, Angel made them all Hot Naked pasta, and they’d played board games for hours as a distraction. It helped to get her mind off her anxiety, but the shit hit the fan when Alex called and found out the men weren’t on strict guard duty. He’d read all three of them the riot act, especially Cole, which effectively put an end to the pleasant evening. Angel had retreated to Alex’s room with her caseload and laptop, pissed off just enough not to speak to him. Everyone’s nerves had been raw.

  The time was dragging. Every time she went anywhere, she was under escort, and when she had court on Tuesday, Sid and Cole went with her, never letting her leave their sight. She felt the security at the courthouse should have been enough, given everyone was subjected to search and X-ray, but Alex left no doubt there would be hell to pay if they didn’t stay in close proximity.