by Lauren Dane
He couldn’t decide where to look so he just made the circuit back and forth between her fingers—gods, she fucked into her gate with them and they came out even wetter. He scented her cunt, rich, sexy, heady. Her movements sounded slick between them in the air as she held him transfixed.
He said nothing, not wanting to break the spell.
She was a cipher. A siren. A magical witch who held him in her thrall and he went willingly. Offered himself to her to be bound.
Her clit, slippery and swollen, played peekaboo around her fingers as she sped her movements.
He watched, rapt. He knew it wouldn’t be long and it wasn’t. Shortly after she sucked in air and her pretty nipples darkened. Two of her fingers stabbed into her gate while she thumbed over her clit hard and fast.
With a gasp she arched, her hips churning, riding her fingers until she sighed long and slow, and leaned back, looking boneless against her bed.
He laid back down, covering them both with the blanket as the scent of sex and kava painted the air. A perfect combination for a perfect moment.
Delivering a kiss to her nose, he used his robe and cleaned her breasts up. She turned to him, wrapping her arms around him and burying her nose in his neck as she wriggled to get close.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he replied. Because nothing in the ’Verse had ever been truer.
Chapter 25
Abbie sat in the courtroom, trying not to think of the morning before. Roman had loved her. Not just sexually but emotionally. He’d come to her, risking himself in the process and had touched her. No one other than her family had ever done that before.
But she felt him slipping away. Knew it had to happen even if neither one of them wanted to face it. The ache of it, the impending sense of desolation, hung over her. Her mood wasn’t helped by the fact that she’d become the topic of discussion all over the capital. Her business was now a curiosity. That wasn’t her plan, and damn it all, it really made her cranky.
And her father had been sniffing around, acting agitated, and she feared what would happen at the next MRD meeting the following evening.
Abbie went through the motions, making her arguments, questioning the witnesses, totally relieved when they were done for the day. Until she saw Logan outside the doors, his arms crossed.
“Why hello, Ms. Haws. Remember me? Let’s walk, shall we?” He linked arms with her and walked out the front doors. The air was cold, her nose would be running in just a little while if they didn’t go back inside.
“Logan, I left you a message.”
“I’ve come by your office several times and commed you. What? Suddenly I’m not even your friend anymore?”
They stopped and he turned to her, hurt in his eyes. She touched his face.
“Of course you’re my friend. The day it happened I worked until very late and then Daniel ambushed me, took me home to a flat filled with my family. You were there. Yesterday I just tried to keep my head down. It’s not like I was avoiding you. But I am sorry if you felt ignored or if I made you feel unimportant to me. You should know by now that’s not the truth.”
He hugged her and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been worried about you. All this gossip and the way you looked that day, you sounded awful and you looked pale and I wasn’t there. Are you mad because I wasn’t there when it happened?”
“Don’t be silly. Truly, I’m all right now. Well . . .” She tugged him to get him moving again. “I’m not thrilled with all the gossip, but that’s to be expected. Luckily I’m so busy with work and the treason trials have started and are on the vids all day so I’m being pushed from the consciousness.”
“I’ve heard rumors,” he said, his voice very low. “You and Lyons.”
“Where did you hear this?”
“Lockup. The guard over there, the one at the door. He mentioned it to me. Sneered at me even.”
How the fuck would that piece of garbage know? He had connections to Kerrigan, she knew that. He was related to one of the boys who’d attacked her.
Abbie hoped like hell she sounded nonchalant, because she felt anything but. Once people found out, if they found out, it would be the end. And it would hurt Roman. “What kind of rumors?”
“Don’t. Abbie, I know you. I may have been too stupid to know what I had, but I know you. I saw how you looked at him. But—are you going to throw away everything you believe in to be a woman on the side? You deserve more.”
“Of course I do. Now I have to meet with a client, so I have to run. Thank you, truly, for being concerned about me. But I’m all right.” Maybe if she said it often enough it would be true.
“Just . . . just be careful. And remember I love you and I’m here if you need me.” He squeezed her hand and let her go.
Straight into a vid crew waiting in the lobby.
“Ms. Haws! Do you have any comment on the statement recently released by House Kerrigan?” the reporter asked.
She steeled herself, standing tall. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m on my way to meet a client.”
“Saul Kerrigan has made an accusation that you’re attempting to use your relationship with House Lyons, an inappropriate relationship with Roman Lyons specifically, to manipulate the system and force through your proposal for a takeover by unranked representatives.”
She blinked several times. “My. There are so many things wrong with what you just said I don’t know where to begin. Let me be very clear. Anyone in the AC who heard my proposal on the part of the Movement for Representative Democracy can tell you that we are asking for an advisory council to the Governance Council. We want a seat there. We are not proposing to abolish Family Rule. Only to enhance it with representation by all her people. Now, I have a job to get back to. You all have a nice evening.” Abbie sailed past them and onto a lift, knowing security would stop them from going to her floor.
Once inside and with the doors closed, she slumped in the corner, her heart beating so rapidly she felt a little faint.
And she felt no better when she got to her office and saw Alexander Lyons sitting in her chair.
She exhaled sharply. “This day keeps getting worse. I have a client meeting just now, Mr. Lyons. I don’t have time to be accused of whoring myself out for democracy or whatever else Saul Kerrigan has been telling you. I’m really quite at the end of my rope with all of this so please do excuse me.”
“I can see why he enjoys you so.” Alexander stood in one smooth movement. “We do seem to clash every time we meet. Why is that?”
“May I be frank?”
One corner of his mouth rose a tiny bit. “Please, yes, let’s.”
“Because you’re an uptight, entitled asshole who thinks the ’Verse owes him something because he was lucky enough to be born to a Lyons instead of a Haws. It offends me. Your ferocious sense of entitlement. As if hard work and ambition are somehow beneath you while this endless plotting to bring down someone you don’t even know is not. I find it repugnant.” Did she actually say that out loud?
One of his eyebrows rose very high and then he laughed. Great gales of laughter. “Oh my, Ms. Haws, I do like you. Honestly, I do. Roman is such an unlucky fool to not be able to have you. Because, if I may also be frank, you are everything a man like him needs. Alas, I get the feeling you would not be so inclined to join me after your brief involvement with my brother ends. Which, I suppose, is what makes you so appealing.”
She put her face in her hands. “What are you doing here and what are you talking about?”
“I like that you’re not giving my brother up. You know, despite our differences, I care about him very much. He’s a good man. Deimos tells me you’re the real thing, as he puts it. I hope so, because, Ms. Haws, dark days are upon us. I came to warn you. I’ve stepped away from the move to have your license revoked. Dem has told me many things. I’ve recently begun to realize I may not have always been correct in my political stands.” He shr
ugged. “Watch yourself.” He touched her arm as he moved past. “Please.”
Roman sat in yet another meeting, his skin crawling with his need to get out and see Abbie.
But it wasn’t going to happen any time soon because the treason trials were starting and he had to be the face of the Council several times a day, every day. And he had to meet with people and reassure them. His entire life had suddenly become all about trying to calm people down.
And it didn’t help that the Imperialists had been pushing at him, had been encroaching in Edge ’Verses. Breaking treaty rules to goad him into making a rash decision.
But he wasn’t a rash man. Except for Abbie. Wasn’t he allowed to have one small thing? One beautiful thing that made his life all right?
He realized someone had been addressing him and he sighed inwardly as he struggled to concentrate.
Thankfully, the meeting finally ended and he shuffled from the conference room, took the stack of papers Marcus handed him and kept moving to his next meeting. A meal with the Five. The Five were the five highest-ranking Families, and together they dominated the Council and governance in general.
Because the treason trial of Perry Walker had begun just days before, all five Ranking members or first or second sons were in the capital to watch the proceedings.
Marcus had arranged a dinner at Roman’s home, so he hurried into his conveyance. At the door he turned to his assistant.
“Marcus, go home. Jaron’s trial begins this week and you need to be there for him. You’ve been working nonstop lately. Get some rest. Mercy will have everything handled at my home.”
Marcus looked relieved. “Thank you, Roman. Comm me if you need anything.”
Abbie knocked on Marcus’s door, not surprised when he opened it to find Nyna there as well. Since they’d had a meal at her café, her sister and Marcus had been nearly inseparable.
“Abbie, what an unexpected pleasure. Please come in.” Marcus kissed her cheek and took her coat as she stepped inside.
“I . . . I didn’t know what to do so I thought you might know.”
Concern marred his handsome features and Nyna came over. “Abbie? Is everything all right?”
“Rumors. Oh gods, there are rumors about me and Roman. Alexander came to see me in my office. He warned me. And Logan heard, too. From Haerv at lockup. I think House Kerrigan knows. I don’t know. I’m—” She tossed her hands up and began to pace before Marcus shushed her and gave her a hug.
“Abbie, it’s not the end of the ’Verse if you’re found out. Tell me exactly what was said. Maybe it’s just jealous people seeing you get access. You know how Saul is. He’s a low human being. He’d naturally assume things.”
“A vid crew was in the lobby of my building asking me to comment on the statement from House Kerrigan that I’d used my improper relationship with Roman to get things! I avoided that part and addressed the rest. Logan said Haerv sneered about my involvement with Roman and then Alexander was in my office. Sitting at my desk! You have to warn Roman.”
“He’s at a dinner with the Five tonight, Abbie. The trial has stirred up all sorts of stuff. I’ll speak with him tomorrow when he comes in to the office. He has early meetings, so I can catch him quickly. It sounds like someone somewhere knows about you two.”
She sighed heavily. “I need to go home. I just wanted to get word to Roman, to warn him. I’d hate for him to get surprised by this.”
“Are you going to be all right?” Nyna asked.
“I’m losing him. It has to end now before he’s exposed and it can be used against him. I can’t be that to him.” It would break her heart to know she caused him hurt.
Marcus took her shoulders. “Abbie, you stop it right now. He knew what he could be in for when he started with you. And I’ve never seen him throw away the rules for anyone or anything before. You mean something to him. The time you two have had, he’s been lighter, happier than I’ve ever seen him. That’s not hurt. I just wish—”
“Don’t we all?” She shrugged back into her coat. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got work to do. Just tell him. Please.”
Nyna kissed her cheek and hugged her, as did Jaron and Marcus, and she was off again, alone.
Chapter 26
The high ceilings of the grand adjudicant’s courtroom soared overhead as Roman sat in the audience. Perry Walker’s testimony would be heard that day, and he needed to be there to put a Family face on the proceedings.
Ash Walker sat on his right along with his father Angelo. As the second most powerful family, the Walkers had suffered a huge backlash when it came to light that three of their members had been part of the treasonous conspiracy with the Imperialists that had led to the deaths of hundreds of Federation citizens.
Their position was precarious, and House Holmes sat on Roman’s left in solidarity. They all needed to stand strong and united in the face of this mess. To be sure those guilty were punished and to keep the Federation ’Verses moving forward instead of mired in personality issues and power squabbling.
House Pela sat behind them, along with House Khym. The Five stood united against the threat posed by upstart Families like Licht and Gayle, who currently agitated to try and shake up the Five and have a less powerful Family put into the Five.
The last thing the Federation ’Verses needed was more instability. The Council should all be standing together but instead, Roman had to deal with a constant barrage of petty infighting.
Roman had come straight from home to the courtroom. He needed to get in touch with Marcus at the next break. Marcus had left him several comms but Roman had been so busy he hadn’t been able to contact him yet.
When the break finally came, he went outside to use one of the nearby Family offices to contact Marcus but he saw Abbie walking out from another hallway. The light glinted off her hair, so black it was nearly blue. Her forehead was furrowed, and as he neared her, he saw the dark circles beneath her eyes.
“Ms. Haws. How are you today?” he called out.
She stopped and smiled when she saw who it was. “Mr. Lyons, I trust you’re well?”
“I’m attending the trial.” He didn’t need to specify, even to Abbie, who had her own stack of trials.
“Oh. I meant to try and stop in but I had a meeting. The MRD.” She licked her lips and his cock hardened. “Did you speak to Marcus? Things are complicated. I need to talk to you.”
She sighed heavily and he moved closer, lowering his voice, “Things are very bad just now, Abbie. Ever since the plot with the Imperialists has been exposed, our relations with them have deteriorated. ’Verse-wide relations have suffered as well. The Families are fighting amongst themselves. I’m walking a fine line and I’m afraid if I make a mistake I’ll plunge millions upon millions into war.” He needed her to understand just what he was up against. The stakes were very high, and with the pressure on House Walker, he feared, truly feared, what the outcome of agitation from the unranked would be.
“Are you asking me to wait?” Abbie had eaten him up with her gaze as he’d approached. He was so beautiful, powerful and sexy. She clutched her bag. The truth was, of course, she wanted representative democracy. But not at any price.
He looked at her, his gaze sharp at first and then softening. “Where did you come from? You’re like a miracle to me and I can’t have you. There are times when I’m in my bed, alone, when I’d trade it all just to walk at your side.”
She blinked back sudden and unexpected tears. Not here, not right now.
Suddenly Saul Kerrigan approached with Parvi Licht. A vid crew hovered just beyond, and Abbie wanted to throw up right then. It was coming and she couldn’t stop it.
“Roman Lyons! Do you have any comment on the allegations of your romantic liaison with Abigail Haws?” the vid crew seemed to all ask at once.
Abbie blinked, trying to control her emotions. Selfishly all she could think of was how she’d never hold him again.
“My personal relationships are no one’s busi
ness.” Roman stood taller.
“They are when you’re rutting with a woman who seeks to tear apart the very foundations of our rule! You’re thinking with your cock and not your head. Isn’t it enough that one of our most highly ranked Families has betrayed us? Must you compound that by your relationship with this woman? How can we trust you when you say her proposal is sound?” Saul accused.
Abbie said nothing. What could she say? This was Roman’s situation, his problem to deal with.
“I’m not going to discuss my private life. Not with you, Saul, and not with a vid crew. I’m happy to discuss matters of ’Verse rule. I’m happy to discuss the future and our plans to deal with the devastating blow those in House Walker have dealt us all and also how Angelo Walker plans to move forward. But my leadership has been solid and trustworthy since I took the helm of House Lyons, and I will not have my integrity challenged this way. Lastly, Ms. Haws gives her life and her time to doing the business of justice here in Ravena. Saul, it’s clear you have a personal issue that stems from your highly inappropriate harassment of an elderly woman formerly in your employ, whom Ms. Haws defended successfully. That woman raised my wife—your daughter, Lindy. That you have no honor and loyalty says far more about your accusations than it does about me. Now, good day. I have work to do.”
He shook Abbie’s hand, urged her to go down the hall to escape the vid crews and then headed off in another direction.
Abbie only barely stopped herself from running. Instead, she kept her back straight and headed around the side of the building and across the walk to her office.
From there, she told Tasha to cancel her appointments and hold her calls, that she was sick and leaving for the day.
Roman’s hands shook as he closed the door and headed in to comm Marcus.
Marcus’s face showed up and it was clear the vid feed had been live. “I’d been planning to speak with you about some rumors floating around. I see I was too late.”