Bryce: The Project (Indie Rebels Book 3)

by Miranda P. Charles

  The thought that their time together could be coming to an end clawed at his chest. He shut his eyes briefly to wish it away.

  “Do you think you can stand me invading your space tomorrow night too?” he asked teasingly.

  Emma snickered. “I don’t know about that. You might be pushing it. What would I get in return?”

  Despite his worry, his lips tugged up. “I can take you out to dinner.”

  Emma laughed. “After I’ve just come back from a night shift at the restaurant? I don’t think so.”

  “How about some hugs and kisses?”

  “How many?”

  “As many as you can handle.” And all I’m capable of giving.

  “Hmm. Yes. But I want more than that.” Emma’s tone had turned sultry.

  He inhaled deeply, his loins immediately stirring. This woman knew exactly how to arouse him without even touching him. Well, everything about Emma turned him on, to be honest. And he wasn’t complaining.

  “I’ll make you come as many times as you want,” he answered in a low voice.

  “Um, okay,” she said breathlessly.

  “I’ll use my tongue,” he continued in a murmur. “My fingers, my cock—”

  “Get your body here quick smart, Bryce Green!”

  He laughed. “Okay, okay. I’m leaving.”

  “Don’t drive too fast!”

  “I thought you want me to hurry.”

  “I want you safe more than I want you to hurry,” Emma said in a no-nonsense tone.

  I want you safe too, baby. More than anything. “See you soon, sweetheart.”

  He hung up and hastened to his car—and he did go a little over the speed limit to get to Emma’s apartment.

  He couldn’t wait to get to her. He couldn’t wait to hold her.

  “It’s going to be fine, Bryce,” he muttered.

  God, he hoped so. He wasn’t ready to lose her again.

  But you might have to.

  “Oh, shut up!” He turned on the radio to drown his thoughts.

  He got to Emma’s building and started feeling lighter. Yes, she was all he needed to banish his worries and fears.

  He took the lift, impatient at the time it took to reach her floor. Then he trotted to her front door and rapped his knuckles against it loudly.

  Emma opened it with a big smile. “Hi.”

  He wrapped her tightly in his arms, breathing in her scent.

  Emma pulled away to look at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He flashed her a smile. “Nothing. I just missed you.”

  She frowned, seemingly doubtful of his answer.

  “Oh, by the way, I have to go to back to Auckland on Wednesday,” he said casually. “My client called again. Apparently, he’s still concerned about a few things, so he wants me to do a full audit of their security procedures.”

  Emma look dismayed. “How long are you away for?”

  “A week.”

  “A week? Could it be like last time when you got things done so quickly that you were able to come back in a day?”

  He let out a laugh. “I hope so, but it’s unlikely.”

  Emma smiled cheerlessly. “Okay. I’ll let Kallan know.”

  “Okay,” he said reluctantly.

  “Do you think you’ll have more of these trips? It’s just that there’s less than five weeks before I have to go back to Brisbane. And if you’ll be away a lot…”

  Bryce knew exactly how she felt. But he couldn’t promise her anything. “Hey, we’ll work something out, okay?”

  “Are you still considering moving to Brisbane?” Emma asked in a small voice.

  “Ah, yeah. I just haven’t had the chance to look into it closely.” Damn it, he didn’t want to raise her hopes. What if he couldn’t make it back from Auckland for whatever reason? Or what if he had to hide from thereon?

  “Is there something I can help you with? Maybe help you research a few things?”

  “Sure.” He heard the hesitation in his own answer.

  Emma blinked. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to force you into anything. I just thought…” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. You should be making your own decision about this.”

  He grabbed her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s not that I don’t want to go ahead with it. There’s just been a lot of things occupying my mind recently. I hadn’t expected work to be this busy. But I’ll start thinking about the process soon, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Ah, he wanted so much to say he loved her, but what if things didn’t work out? What if circumstances forced him to disappear? Wouldn’t her heart get more broken if she thought he’d abandoned her?

  He had no idea what the answers to his questions were, but he made a decision just the same. He’d wait to say those three powerful words until he could see a way forward for them. He wanted to tell her he loved her in a joyous setting, not when he was afraid. And please, God, let it be when, not if.

  “Hey, you want a drink?” Emma walked to the kitchen.

  “Sure.” He sighed despondently. Now the mood was ruined.

  He followed her and kissed her hair.

  Emma glanced at him with a small smile, uncertainty showing in her eyes.

  He leaned to kiss her thoroughly, intent on making love to her with every cell in his body.

  And he prayed that his wordless actions would give Emma enough hope to hang on to this relationship. If he came back to her—when he came back to her—he wanted her to greet him with arms wide open.

  Chapter 18

  Emma’s heart skipped as her watch started to tap her wrist. She quickly checked it, and disappointment flooded her when she saw it was only a text from Kallan, advising her that he was in front of her building.

  When would Bryce call? It had been four days since he’d left for Auckland, and all she’d received from him were short texts to answer her messages asking how he was doing. He’d mentioned he’d ring as soon as he got the chance, but clearly, he hadn’t found a free moment.

  She was starting to worry. It wasn’t like Bryce to be so…inconsiderate. She hoped things were going well with his work.

  She grabbed her bag and left her apartment. At least she could look forward to a great day with Jill and Myra. The two were back in Sydney for the weekend, specifically so Emma could spend some time with Jill.

  How sweet of Myra to have organised this. Myra had to be busy helping Addison with the business, especially since they apparently hadn’t replaced Edgar.

  Emma wondered how her uncle’s legal defence team was progressing. She hadn’t spent much time with Sharryn lately. Her night shift didn’t work with her cousin’s schedule, and Sharryn was usually busy doing work for the Fern business during the weekend.

  She probably should take the initiative and start doing things for Sharryn’s wedding. She just didn’t know where to start. Sharryn had to give her some guidance on what she wanted her to research or plan for.

  She stepped out of her building and smiled at Kallan. “Back to working for me, huh? Hope I haven’t messed up any of your plans.”

  “A bit,” Kallan said teasingly. “I just had to reschedule a few things.”

  “I’m so sorry. If this isn’t working for you, maybe I could suggest to Dad that we find someone else?”

  “No. I don’t mind. And, honestly, your dad’s paying me more than enough for my troubles. He said he doesn’t have time to vet new bodyguards so he wants to stick with me—and also because, apparently, I’m considered family, courtesy of my twin marrying your cousin,” Kallan added with a laugh.

  She chuckled. “I notice that my dad’s really big on getting family members to work with him. I’m actually surprised he hasn’t asked me to join the firm yet.”

  “I bet it’s just a matter of time.” Kallan let out a heavy sigh. “Hey, can we talk?”

  “Sure,” she said in surprise.

  “We can do it in the car on the way to Myra’s.”

  “Okay.”

>   Kallan led her to where he’d parked.

  Emma settled herself in the passenger seat and looked at Kallan curiously. A “can we talk” question always made her a little nervous.

  Kallan started driving but remained silent.

  “So, what do you want to talk about?”

  “Well… I thought long and hard about this, but as your friend and your cousin’s future brother-in-law, as well as someone whose job is to protect you, I decided I have to say something.”

  “Right,” she said slowly.

  “Your dad asked me to pick up Myra, Jill and Roger from the airport when they arrived last Wednesday afternoon. Coincidentally, I was working on a case then where I had to check out a guy leaving Sydney. So I was already at the airport hours before the plane landed. Anyway, I saw Bryce walk to one of the gates. Only, the plane he boarded didn’t fly to Auckland. It flew to Manila.”

  “What? Are you sure?”

  “Positive. I didn’t talk to him because I was trying to be inconspicuous for the man I was watching. But afterwards, I double checked the flight Bryce took. It was definitely a Manila flight. It didn’t go anywhere near Auckland.”

  Emma’s heart raced, her mind suddenly blanking. What could be Bryce’s reason for going to Manila? And what reason could he have for lying to her?

  “I haven’t told anyone else because, as far as I’m concerned, this is between you and Bryce.”

  Emma glanced at Kallan sharply. “What are you implying?”

  Kallan simply shrugged.

  “Did you see him leave with a woman?”

  “No.”

  She was a little relieved by that. Only a little.

  Why had Bryce lied? If it was a business trip, why cover up his true location? And why the hell hadn’t he called her yet?

  She crossed her arms tightly, hoping to calm the turmoil building in her chest. What was going on?

  “Sorry, Emma,” Kallan murmured. “I thought you should know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Emma couldn’t muster a conversation after that. Thankfully, Kallan gave her some peace and quiet. She didn’t speak a word until they got to her father and Myra’s house.

  She got out of the car, staring at the impressively big and modern home. This was the third time she’d been here. The first two times, she’d been awed by it. Not today, though. She felt kind of…numb.

  “Emma!” Jill came out the door and ran to her.

  Her heavy heart lightened as she hugged her little sister.

  “I missed you!”

  “I missed you too, sweetie.”

  “Mummy said that if I finish all my lunch, then me and you can have chocolate cake.”

  “Did your mum make the chocolate cake?”

  Jill’s head bobbed up and down. “She’s in the kitchen. Come on!”

  Emma let out a laugh as Jill pulled her inside. She said a quick hello to Roger by the door before heading to the gourmet kitchen situated within the beautifully furnished open plan room at the back of the house. “Hi, Myra.” She kissed her future stepmother on the cheek.

  Myra beamed as she continued to make what looked like salad dressing. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks for inviting me. What can I do to help?”

  “Nothing. We’re having something simple—a spinach and bacon quiche, and prawn salad. Plus a chocolate cake afterwards. Hope that’s okay.”

  “Of course! I always love your cooking. Shall I set the table?”

  “Could you cut the quiche and serve it on four plates with the salad? I’ll just fix Jill’s lunch.”

  Emma did as she was told.

  “Roger,” Myra said. “Could you lay out Jill’s play mat in front of the TV? I’ll let her eat there so she can watch her favourite shows. I hate doing it, but it’ll be nice if Emma and I could have a good girly lunch by ourselves.”

  Emma’s brows rose. She’d much rather have her sister eating with them. But Myra probably wanted to discuss something without Jill interrupting.

  “Do you want me to stay?” Kallan asked, his gaze darting from Emma to Myra. “Or would you prefer I go and come back for Emma later?”

  “Oh, please stay,” Myra answered. “You can help Roger entertain Jill in front of the TV. Then Emma and I can have a good girly chat.”

  Emma hid a smile. Myra was really trying to hammer home the girly bit.

  “Sure, no problem.” Kallan smiled at Jill. “What will we be watching?”

  Jill told him. “But you have to be quiet or we can’t hear them talk.”

  “Okay. I guess we’ll all just eat our lunches quietly, huh.”

  Jill nodded approvingly. “You sit there and Roger sit there.” The little girl pointed at the armchairs facing the TV screen.

  “Okay,” Kallan said.

  “Here you go, guys.” Myra carried two plates to Kallan and Roger.

  “Wow, thanks,” Kallan said appreciatively.

  “Thanks,” Roger said in a less enthusiastic tone.

  Emma wanted to roll her eyes. Roger was such a serious person. She was really lucky to have someone like Kallan as her bodyguard.

  She brought Jill’s lunch over to the play mat. “You eat all of it, okay?” she told Jill. “Remember that your mummy is not gonna give you chocolate cake if you don’t finish it.”

  “Okay,” Jill said obediently. “Sit here with me?”

  “Later. Your mummy and I will eat at the table. Kallan and Roger will watch TV with you.”

  “Who’s your favourite character?” Kallan asked. “I like Dorothy.”

  “I like Dorothy too!” Jill said, then enthusiastically told Kallan what would happen next in the show. Clearly, she’d seen it multiple times.

  Emma smiled at Kallan, mouthing her thanks. Then she glanced at Roger. The man was staring at Myra, as if scrutinising her.

  Ugh. Sometimes Roger creeped Emma out.

  “Now we can eat,” Myra said to her.

  Emma settled on her seat, unable to contain her curiosity. “So what’s going on?”

  Myra smirked and leaned in close. “It’s usually so hard to talk without Roger trying to eavesdrop. It’s a good thing Kallan’s here and being agreeable. Roger can’t complain too much or he’ll look like a dick.”

  Emma smiled sympathetically, glancing at the culprit. Luckily, the guys’ backs were turned to them. They wouldn’t know she and Myra were whispering unless they looked. “Is he really that bad? Kallan’s great. He’s not intrusive.”

  “Kallan’s different. You’re different.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Myra waved a dismissive hand. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Let’s take this opportunity to talk in private. It doesn’t come very often. How are you and Bryce?”

  Emma took a mouthful of her quiche to cover the wave of emotion that came rushing back. How were she and Bryce?

  She thought she knew the answer to that. But the events—and non-events—of the last few days had her questioning what she’d believed.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted.

  “Aw,” Myra said. “Not going too well? The last time I saw you, you were gushing about him.”

  “I know. I really thought we were going great. But…” She told Emma what Kallan had revealed to her in the car.

  Myra’s jaw dropped. “No way. Was he with another woman?”

  “Kallan said no. He boarded the plane alone.”

  “Well, then, he might not be cheating. It could be work.”

  “But why lie to me about where he was going? He said Auckland. He even said it’s for the same client as before. Actually, I don’t even know if he went to Auckland last time.”

  “Oh, Emma. I don’t know what to say. I guess you can ask him directly.”

  “I will, if he ever calls me,” she said flatly. “All I’ve gotten were short texts saying he’s okay, but that he’s very busy. How busy could he be that he can’t even spare one minute of the last four days to call me? I
guess that shows how unimportant I am to him.”

  Her eyes watered. Was Bryce in the process of dumping her?

  Myra grasped her hand and squeezed it. “Well, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe Bryce is not a good match for you. And if he’s constantly having to travel, I’d say you’re better off not being with him, anyway.”

  Emma cocked her head. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “When Jill starts going to school and you have to stop travelling with Dad, how would you handle the long periods of being away from him?”

  Myra tugged her lips mirthlessly to one side and was quiet for a long moment.

  Emma gulped. Had she hit a very sore spot? “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  “It’s not that. I…” Myra glanced at the men and leaned closer. “Your dad and I are in an open relationship.”

  Emma’s mouth formed an O. “I didn’t realise…”

  “It’s not my choice, and I actually don’t go out dating other men. But…that’s what he wants.”

  “What?” Emma was aghast. Her father had forced Myra to accept being in an open relationship?

  “I can’t even leave him…” Myra murmured, her face clouding.

  Emma didn’t know what to say, her mind still processing what she’d just discovered. “Did you say you can’t even leave?” she whispered.

  Myra gave her a wan smile.

  “Why not?” Though it was her father they were talking about here, if she were in Myra’s shoes—forced to accept her partner’s infidelity—she’d be gone in a flash.

  Myra sighed. “My life depends on being with him.”

  Emma’s chest constricted. She could guess what that meant. Myra had shared with her before that she’d come from a poor family. If Myra was to break up with Addison, she probably wouldn’t get anything.

  If she were in Myra’s shoes, she’d still leave, regardless of the money. But there was Jill to be taken into account too. Things probably weren’t so simple.

  Myra squeezed her hand tightly. “If I were you, I’d stay away from Bryce. He’ll be like your father. Walk away while you still can.”

  Emma took a deep breath, a part of her refusing to accept that Bryce could be so cold-hearted and hurtful. Despite her doubts, her heart still wanted to search for a more acceptable answer.