Marked. Part II: Becoming Noah Baxter

by J. M. Sevilla

  “Can I go with you?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

  “It's pretty boring.”

  “I don't care.” I want more time with him, but I'm even more curious about the bank and what other surprises it holds.

  Jay shrugs, “Sure.”

  “Really?” That seemed way too easy.

  He chuckles and comes over to peck me on the lips, “Really. Now get dressed, we leave in ten.”

  “I need a shower–”

  “Not enough time–”

  “–With you,” I finish, stuffing down the irritation I'm experiencing from his bossiness.

  He looks to his watch-less wrist, “You know, I think we have more time than I thought.”

  I start to roll my eyes, but don't have time to finish because he has lifted me over his shoulder and is leading us to the bathroom in full strides. I giggle at how eager he seems to get us there.

  11:03am

  My legs are wrapped around Jay, back pressed against the elevator wall. His face is planted in my neck, sucking and biting, his erection pressing against my center, one hand tweaking and playing with my nipples under my shirt.

  I try concentrating, but all I can think about is how I can't let Jay go again. There is no way I can do it a third time, no way in hell. I know I can't stay here, but every time we're separated our bond gets broken. How many times can we afford to have it severed?

  “Remember when you said we were forever and you were never giving me up?” I remind him.

  Jay doesn't respond, his mouth preoccupied.

  “Be that man, Jay. Be the man who fights for us and will never let anything destroy what we have. Don't doubt the love we share. Know that if there's one thing true and real in your life it's us, it's our love. Please don't let me go again. Fight for me, Jay. I need to know nothing can take you from me, that you would never allow it.”

  Jay lifts his head, moving a hand to cup the side of my face, holding it in place to lock his eyes with mine, “From this moment on you will never question if I'm in this with you. This is me promising you that what we have will never be broken by us or anyone else.” He follows his vow with a kiss that further binds him to me and has my mouth pledging to do the same, our lips and tongues a more suitable contract than anything tangible.

  The elevator door pings open, ruining the moment.

  Jay growls his irritation, shooting daggers at the door as though it's his sworn enemy, “You still got that money I gave you?”

  “No, I already spent it all,” I sarcastically reply.

  He smiles, still glaring at the open doors, “We're running away, finding an island nobody knows exists.”

  “Excellent plan. Any idea where one might be?”

  “Not a fucking clue,” he pouts.

  I can't stop myself from taking his puffed out bottom lip into my mouth and sucking it in.

  Jay's palm slaps the wall of the elevator above my head, thrusting his hips into me, groaning his approval.

  I tug it out with my teeth.

  “Jesus, Lily,” Jay mumbles, one hand fumbling with the zipper of his fly. “I have to be inside you.”

  “The doors are open,” I remind him, remembering the two guards that are always standing guard in front of the main door to Vault's level.

  He lets out a curse, zips his fly back up, pinches a nipple, and twists one last time before placing me on the floor.

  We walk hand in hand through the door. I keep expecting him to drop it and distance himself from me but he doesn't, not even when Jessica and Hattie look up from their desks.

  Jay gives them a smile that surprises me, “Good morning, ladies.” He chuckles when he sees the look of shock on my face.

  Hattie mumbles a morning while she hunches over her screen,

  “Morning, Jay,” Jessica chirps. Taking note of our conjoined hands, she smiles – a genuine one that isn't forced, “Good morning, Ms. Evans.”

  I beam for multiple reasons, thinking I might combust with happiness, “Good morning, Jessica.”

  “Arianna start yet?” Jay inquires.

  “She's with HR filling out paperwork.”

  Jay nods his approval, “Good.”

  He leads me to the back through the door by Jessica's desk.

  “Arianna's working here?”

  “Yeah. She has no work experience and can't stand sitting around, so I asked Vault to do this for her. It's simple stuff like helping out Vault's assistants or doing any shit work other levels may have.”

  “That was nice of you.”

  He shrugs, uncomfortable with the topic, “I kind of owe her. Vault's only condition is she doesn't have her own password and therefore must have a guard travel with her to and from levels. Oh, and no computer access.”

  “Why is that?”

  Jay gives me a quizzical look, “Lily, she's a con-artist – or was one. He's not about to let her have clearance to any kind of data.”

  Ah, yes. I keep forgetting that side of her.

  He leads me into the room that the guard from yesterday almost knocked me over with.

  It's a security room full of monitors and other fancy looking equipment.

  Only one person is inside, a man almost as enormous as Jay. He's wearing a suit like the rest of them always have on, but his jacket and tie are off, the sleeves rolled up, and the first couple of buttons undone. He has a shaved head and a strong jaw line, making him come across as a rough and tough kind of guy (which he probably is).

  Jay leads me to the only other seat, sits down, and pulls me onto his lap with his arms wrapping around my center, kissing my shoulder.

  The other guy hasn't even acknowledged us.

  I nod my head in his direction, wanting Jay to introduce us. He only mouths “Charlie,” a name I'd heard him mention when rescuing Arianna and know he respects him in the weird way Jay does.

  I watch the screens and the boring mundane happenings of a bank while I listen to Jay converse with Charlie. It reminds me of what Neanderthals must have sounded like.

  “Anything?” Jay asks, both men observing what's going on.

  “Nah,” Charlie responds..

  “Meeting?”

  “Late.”

  Jay frowns at this and gruffly asks why.

  Charlie grunts in a way that I assume he's letting Jay know he hasn't a clue.

  Jay lets out a dissatisfied snort.

  I'm holding back my grin. This is the only man Jay has respect for and I'm beginning to think it's because they both speak caveman.

  Charlie points to something on the screen. Jay leans over me to get a better look. His upper lip curls, disapproving of what he sees.

  I squint and also lean forward more, trying to see what they do, but it looks like two men having a meeting in someone's office.

  Jay lets out a few more grunts, followed by a few from Charlie.

  I silently laugh.

  Jay grabs my hips and starts bringing us to standing. He places me back down on the chair, “I'll be back. Need to check on something.”

  I nod, hoping he doesn't take as long as he did the last time he said that.

  “Keep an eye on her,” Jay requests, as though I need looking after.

  Charlie doesn't respond, but Jay doesn't seem bothered by this.

  Charlie shuts the door behind him, never once having glanced my way.

  I think I've just discovered who Jay would be if he had gone to work for Vault instead of going after his revenge.

  “I'm Lily,” I offer, uncomfortable sitting here with someone I've never met before.

  “I know,” Charlie replies, still not looking my way.

  He doesn't make me feel unwelcome, but he doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable either. Normally I'd try and strike up a conversation, but I have a strong sense that that wouldn't go over very well with him.

  I watch Jay get on the gold elevator and my cheeks redden, wondering how much of our earlier groping Charlie saw. When Jay gets off I try figuring out
what screen he's now on.

  Charlie points to the screen in front of me, “Watch that one.” He then pushes a series of buttons that has the screen in front of me popping up another security room and Jay walking into it.

  “Thank you,” I tell him. That was really sweet.

  Of course he doesn't acknowledge I spoke.

  “Is there volume?” I wonder, wanting to hear what Jay's saying, or I guess barking at the poor men who are in the room.

  “Yes,” Charlie answers, making no move to turn it on.

  I guess that means he doesn't want me listening.

  “Has anyone ever told you you talk too much?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

  A grin threatens to come out the side of his face I can see, “All the time. Just tell me to shut up if it starts getting on your nerves.”

  I laugh, “You kind of remind me of Jay.”

  Charlie snorts, “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

  I laugh again, “Not sure, but it's definitely not an insult.”

  Charlie gets distracted by something, ending our brief conversation, and I continue watching Jay. Charlie changes the screen in front of me every time Jay moves, which again I find really sweet, considering he seems busy with what ever he's doing. Jay has taken a few of the guards to where the two men from before are having a meeting and is talking to them outside the closed door.

  There's a light knock on the door but Charlie makes no move to open it.

  A second knock has me asking if he wants me to answer it.

  “Nah, it's just Hattie.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “She's the only one who knocks.”

  The third time I get up to answer it, not sure if this is one of their ways of teasing her, which does not please me.

  Charlie holds his hand up to stop me, “I've told her not to knock. I want her to learn to just come in.”

  I sit back down, “So you're not messing with her?”

  “No. If she's going to survive this bank she needs to toughen up.”

  I don't understand his rationale, but then again I don't understand this bank. At least he appears genuine, so I don't say any more.

  The door slowly slides open and a timid Hattie pokes her head in, “Sorry to bother you, but I have the papers you requested.”

  “Hattie,” Charlie exhales. “How many times do I need to tell you to just walk in?”

  Her face turns bright red as she steps all the way through the door. She hands Charlie the papers, “Next time.”

  He grunts like he doesn't believe her. Their hands briefly touch as he takes hold of the papers and a flush creeps up Hattie's neck.

  Okay, so maybe it's not just Ben. I think she's just shy around men in general.

  Charlie meets her gaze, “Thank you.”

  “Sure,” Hattie half croaks, clearing her throat before scurrying out.

  I watch Charlie try to hide a grin as he looks over the papers.

  A few minutes later Ben opens the door, ready to speak, but stops when he sees me sitting there.

  I open my mouth to say hi, but stop from the expression on his face.

  He looks pissed and not like a man you want to mess with right now, or even talk to.

  Without acknowledging me Ben speaks to Charlie, “Is there a reason she's in here?”

  Charlie keeps working, “Lincoln had to take care of something.”

  “That doesn't answer my question,” Ben's abrupt, his vibe not one to be taken lightly. He has always made me feel comfortable, but at this moment he's not; it's the exact opposite. I guess this is another side of Vault I'm meeting.

  Charlie's jaw locks, “Talk to Lincoln, just following orders.”

  “Why are you the only one in here?”

  “Because I can handle it on my own,” Charlie quips.

  “I want another man in here,” Vault orders. “When Lincoln gets back, inform him that I may have allowed her clearance, but he's not to abuse it.” He finally looks my way, “Come with me, Lily. You shouldn't be in here.”

  I quickly follow behind, somehow always managing to let this place make me feel like a child.

  Vault leads me to his office, opening the door for me, “Stay in here. Jay will get you when he's done.”

  I step inside and have the door shut behind me.

  Well that was incredibly awkward. Why does it seem like I've been put on a timeout?

  I decide to lay down on the couch to try taking a much needed nap.

  Chapter 18

  12:58pm

  The main door opens, awakening me from my nap. I groggily sit up to find the guard who seems to hate me, the one Jay calls Asswipe.

  It could be my imagination, but his features seem to have a devilish excitement to them when he finds me alone.

  “Hello, Ms. Evans,” he greets, more out of formality than anything else.

  I stiffly smile, “Hello.”

  I don't want to be in here with him. I should go find Jay, or at least go talk to Ben's assistants for awhile.

  I begin to rise at the exact moment he comes to join me on the seat Ben usually resides, throwing a few words my way, “Please don't leave on my account. Besides, Lincoln's busy with his other woman right now.”

  I sink back into the cushion, wanting it to be clear that he can try to bully me, but it doesn't mean he'll be successful at it, “Good, hopefully she wears him out. His stamina is off the charts and I could use the break.” My gaze slithers down to his lap before meeting his “I'm up to no good” stare that I challenge with my own “hit me with your best shot” arch of my brow, “Something I'm sure you know nothing about.”

  It's clear his hatred for me just went up a notch (not that I really give a shit).

  “Can't say that I blame him,” Asswipe feels the need to carry on. “You're not much to look at.”

  I roll my eyes, his words laughable, “What's your deal? Why do you hate me so much?

  “Well for starters, you belong to Lincoln, and second, you shouldn't be allowed the level of clearance you have because of it, but that was one of Lincoln's conditions for working here while we wait. As if Vault allowing him to use his bank wasn't enough of a request, now his pussy is all over the place for no apparent reason other than he wants them here.”

  I get up to leave, “I'm done here.” I'm not going to sit and listen to he and Jay's childish feud.

  In one swift movement he's up and towering over me, his arms pinning me back into the cushion.

  His face is inches from mine, “I say when this is over, not some little fucking girl.”

  I try pushing him away, “Do you really want to be in my face right now? This will seriously piss Jay off.” Not to mention how angry it's making me. Where do men get off thinking they can treat women like this?

  “He doesn't run this fucking place,” Asswipe sneers. “I can't wait for Mark to arrive and slit his–”

  This would be the moment my fist comes out and introduces itself to his mouth.

  Shit! I forgot how much that hurts.

  Pain instantly stings my cheek from Asswipe's backhand. His hands tightly grip my arms and bring me to standing.

  Uh oh, no good can come from the veins popping out of his temples. I don't regret punching him, no matter the consequences. I couldn't let him finish that sentence.

  “Get your hands off of her!”

  We both swivel our heads in the direction of the main door.

  Arianna is standing there with her arms crossed.

  I light up with a huge smile and try to wave, “Hi, Arianna. I was hoping to get to see you today!”

  I'm greeted with the same level of excitement, “I'm so excited you're here. Don't leave without saying good-bye, I want to hear what's been going on with you.”

  “Definitely!”

  Arianna looks considerably better than I thought she would. Jay had described her as looking worn down and having lost too much weight. The woman before me is thicker than when we first
met, and of course on her it's evenly spread, making her even more curvy in the best of ways. She's wearing wool pants with a blouse and sweater vest. She doesn't appear to be wearing any makeup, a side braid resting over a shoulder, soft wisps of hair framing her face. She's stunning. I think even more so now because it's just her natural beauty and not the false advertisement of cosmetic enhancement.

  Asswipe sneers down at me, reminding me that he still has a strong grip on me, “Look who it is. The pussy that's actually hot.”

  “Really? That's the best you can come up with to fire at me?” He really sucks at verbal smackdowns.

  “Totally lame,” Arianna agrees, coming closer.

  I look her way, “I know, right?”

  Arianna wiggles a finger at us, “You can let go of her now.”

  “Why the fuck should I?”

  Arianna points to a camera, “I don't think Vault will be too pleased when I tell him to view this.”

  I'm dropped like a sack of potatoes, my butt bouncing off the cushion when they collide.

  Ouch, I rub my side. For such a comfy couch that kind of hurt.

  Completely ignoring Asswipe, I get up to hug Arianna, “You look great!”

  She blushes and fiddles with the end of her braid, “Thanks. I feel good, you know, for once where it matters, not where it doesn't...or at least I'm starting to.”

  That makes me incredibly happy for her.

  “It's thanks to Jay, Charlie, and Vault. They've really helped me to start finding out–”

  “If you're making the rounds I wouldn't mind a piece,” Asswipe moves to pinch her ass, but before it even makes contact Arianna has taken hold of him and abruptly pins him to the ground.

  My mouth drops open.

  Arianna smirks, “Jay taught me some moves.”

  “Nice.” I'm surprised how unworried that makes me feel. I think I can officially say I'm secure in the relationship Jay and I share.

  “Yeah, he saw what a great effect it had on you and the confidence of knowing how to defend yourself. He hoped it would do the same for me.”

  I gesture with my chin to her secure hold, “I see that it has.”

  Arianna goes to look down at the same moment Asswipe throws her off him. She goes flying, her back smashing into the marble floor.