Next to Never: Shattered Innocence Trilogy

by Long, A. L.

  When Rade got to the office building, Sam was still sitting at the security desk. Rade walked over to him to see if he had any information on the packages that were delivered to Dylan.

  “Hey, Sam,” Rade said as he walked up.

  “Good evening, Mr. Matheson.” Rade held out his hand and shook Sam’s hand.

  Rade began clueing Sam in.“Ms. Adams has been receiving some packages from an unknown sender. Do you by chance have any idea where they came from?”

  “Uh… Let me check, sir.” Sam pulled out his clipboard to check his deliveries. “It looks like they were delivered by a local courier. I could give you the name and address; maybe they would have information on the delivery.”

  “That would be great, Sam.” Rade had to find out who was sending Dylan the packages.

  Sam handed Rade the information. When the elevator stopped at Dylan’s floor and the doors opened, Rade could see everyone had already left for the evening. Pulling the double glass doors open, there was still a light on in Dylan’s office. Walking to her office, Rade could only guess what this little surprise visit was going to bring. Pushing her office door open, he was met with Dylan’s emerald eyes staring right at him.

  “What are you doing here, Rade?” she asked, lowering her eyes as she resumed her work.

  “I’m here to make sure you get home safely,” he said sternly.

  “I don’t need you to do that. I can take a cab. Besides, I’m not quite finished yet.”

  “Then I’ll wait,” he said as he made himself comfortable on the sofa.

  Dylan was getting frustrated at Rade’s bossiness. “Suit yourself.”

  Rade stood and moved to the chair in front of her desk. He could’ve stayed sitting on the sofa, but it was too far away for him to get a better view of her while she worked. Just as Rade was ready to take a seat, he saw an open package on the corner of her desk.

  “What’s this?” Rade asked with curiosity.

  “Someone sent it this afternoon. It wouldn’t have been you, by chance?” Dylan questioned.

  “No, Sweetness, it wasn’t me. Mind if I look?” He leaned forward and took the box.

  “Go ahead… and I think it would be better if you refrained from pet names.” Dylan elaborated as she continued imputing information on her computer.

  With a snicker, Rade questioned, “Dylan, you have no idea who sent this to you?”

  “No, and I really don’t care right now.”

  “Dylan, I think you should be concerned. I saw the other charm you left at the penthouse. No one sends something without a reason.”

  “Rade, it’s no longer your concern.”

  “Dammit, Dylan, it is my concern. Don’t you find it just a little strange that you’re getting packages and you don’t know who the fuck they came from? Jesus Christ, Dylan, this is not a game. I need to keep you safe until I can figure this out.”

  Rade hadn’t shared with Dylan what he found out from Richard regarding the true reason for the break-in at her apartment. He thought it would be better to keep that information to himself. He couldn’t risk her finding out about his initial intentions, nor could he let her know his plan to locate Michael and make him pay for what he stole from him. He also didn’t let her know what the first Japanese charm meant. Now that he had seen the second one, he was pretty sure the charm was the kanji symbol for Deceit. He would still need to make sure.

  “Just stop, Rade. You don’t get that right anymore, and I don’t need your help figuring this out.” Dylan was done with him controlling her.

  “Even though you’re angry with me, Dylan, I’m never going to stop protecting you, and that is not up for discussion. Get your things, I’m taking you home.”

  “I’m not going home with you. I’ll agree for you to give me a ride, but we’re going to Lilly’s. Otherwise, I won’t be leaving with you,” Dylan said, forcefully.

  “Fine, but I’m having Hewitt watch Lilly’s apartment.” If Dylan wanted to be stubborn, so could he.

  “Fine.”

  Dylan logged off her computer and grabbed her coat and purse. Even though she couldn’t look at Rade, she could feel the smirk on his face. Why was he so controlling? He helped her with her coat and followed her out of her office. When the elevator car arrived, Rade gently placed his hand on her lower back and guided her into the elevator. Dylan’s body tingled at the simple touch. The hold he had on her made it harder for her not to turn around and put her arms around him. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to trust him again, but the feelings she had for him were tearing her apart. When the doors to the elevator closed, Dylan did everything she could to keep her eyes straight ahead and only focus on the steel door. She knew if she looked into his eyes, it would be over. One look and she wouldn’t be able to resist him. After what seemed like a lifetime, the doors finally opened to the lobby floor. Rade took Dylan’s hand and led her out of the building to where his car was parked. When he got to his car, he opened the passenger door for her and made sure she was buckled in. Walking to the front of his car, he noticed a parking ticket on his windshield. “Just wonderful.” Dylan chuckled under her breath as he pulled it from the windshield and stuffed it into his pocket. Rade entered the car and closed the door. “What’s so funny, Dylan?” Dylan turned her head towards the door window hiding her laughter from him.

  Finally, she said, “You didn’t need to wait for me.”

  Nothing else was said as Rade pulled up to Lilly’s apartment. Scanning the street, he noticed that Peter was already in place across the street.

  “Let me walk you inside,” Rade said as he opened his door.

  Dylan turned toward Rade. ”That’s not necessary, Rade.”

  Acting like he didn’t hear her, Rade exited the car and headed to Dylan’s side of the car. As he opened the door, he dismissed her request. “It is most certainly necessary.”

  Dylan was done arguing with this man. It was beginning to exhaust her. Reaching Lilly’s apartment door, Dylan turned to Rade. “Thank you for the ride.”

  Just as she was about to unlock the door, Rade took her hand. “I will be here in the morning to take you to work.”

  Dylan was ready to protest, but Rade lowered his mouth to hers and softly kissed her lips. Dylan wanted to push him away, but he had an emotional hold on her, preventing her from moving way. She loved the way he kissed her, the way their lips met and how they fit so perfectly together. Rade slowly slipped his tongue between her silky lips and began caressing her warm cavern. She felt a tingle moving down her body. Drifting back to reality, she remembered why she needed to stop. Dylan placed her hands on his firm chest and pushed him away. “I can’t do this, Rade.”

  Rade looked down at her. “No matter how hard you fight this, Dylan, you were meant to be with me.”

  Unable to speak, she turned and unlocked the door.

  “See you in the morning, Sweetness. I’ll be here at 7:30.” Rade turned around and headed down the hall to the exit.

  “Don’t call me that,” Dylan yelled as she shut the door.

  While walking to the exit, Rade pulled out his phone to call Richard. “Richard, I need you to do something for me. I need you to find out some information on the packages that were delivered to Dylan’s office. Check out the courier service that made the deliveries and see if they can give you insight on who requested the them. Get back to me tomorrow.” Rade hung up the phone with Richard and walked to his car. Closing his car door and turning on his ignition, he brushed his finger across his lips with thoughts of Dylan, Sooner or later, she is going to know she is mine.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Dylan woke up the next morning more confused than she had been the day before. She made up her mind, the relationship between them was over. It had to end. She knew if she continued to let him touch her the way he did, she would never be able to get over him and her already broken heart would break in half. She had to be strong for herself and move on. She needed to clear her head. She needed coffe
e.

  Dylan walked to the kitchen, taking in the scent of coffee. Grabbing a cup from the cupboard, she poured herself a cup. Just as she was ready to take a sip, she heard Lilly’s spunky voice behind her. “Good morning, sunshine.”

  Dylan looked at Lilly over her coffee cup. “You’re all happy this morning.”

  “That’s because it’s Friday and we’re going out and getting unbelievably plastered,” Lilly reminded Dylan.

  Dylan rolled her eyes at Lilly, not really wanting to do anything but stay in, but knowing she already agreed to go out. It might be good for her. If anything, it would get her mind off of Rade.

  Speaking of which, Dylan looked at the clock and realized Rade would be arriving in less than an hour. “Oh, shit. I need to hurry. Mister Control Freak is coming to pick me up in an hour.”

  “Mr. Control Freak, yep, that sounds about right,” Lilly giggled as she agreed with Dylan.

  Dylan smiled as she refilled her cup and headed to Lilly’s room. She quickly pulled an outfit from Lilly’s closet and placed it on the bed. She made a mental note to give Lilly some money so she could get the clothes she borrowed to the dry cleaner’s.

  Dylan took a quick shower, dried her hair, put on a touch of make-up, and got dressed with fifteen minutes to spare. When she got back to the kitchen, Lilly was already gone. Looking at her watch every few minutes, she heard a light knock on the door. She walked to the door and opened it to find Rade standing there looking more gorgeous than ever. He was wearing a tailored black suit with a white shirt and a gray tie. His hair was still damp, but she felt it made him look even more powerful. Knowingly staring at his perfection, Dylan lowered her eyes to her dress, pretending to remove a piece of lint that wasn’t there.

  “Hey,” Dylan said in a timid voice.

  Rade knew he still had an effect on her by the way she looked at him. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, let me grab my coat and purse.”

  On the way to work, Dylan could feel Rade’s eyes on her more than on the road. She was beginning to get irritated.

  “Rade, if you keep looking at me, you’re going to end up in an accident.”

  Rade looked over to Dylan with a smirk. “Well, at least if I die, your face will be the last thing I see.”

  Rade was quiet for a moment when he remembered Dylan was supposed to move into her new apartment today.

  “So, are you excited to move into your new apartment?” he said with a touch of regret.

  “I guess so. Lilly and I are going out tonight to celebrate,” she confessed.

  Dylan didn’t know why she was sharing this information with Rade. Maybe it was because she wanted him to know she had a life now, and he wasn’t going to be a part of it. At least not intimately.

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Dylan. There are so many whack jobs out there.” Rade was none too happy about her plans.

  Dylan turned to look at Rade. “Look, Rade, you are not my keeper and I’m not a child. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  Rade was irritated by Dylan’s newfound cheekiness. He was pretty sure her change in attitude was because of his dishonesty with her.

  Rade turned his head to his door window and said to himself “We’ll see.” Dylan had another think coming if she thought for one minute she would be going out without him being there.

  *****

  “We’re going to have so much fun tonight, girlfriend.” Lilly was following Dylan up to her new apartment. “Your new apartment is too much, Dylan. I’ve never seen anything so spectacular. I’m so glad you decided to get ready here.”

  “Thanks, Lilly. It is pretty spectacular. Do you want some wine before we get ourselves all gorgeous?” Dylan suggested as she headed to the kitchen.

  “You don’t need to ask me twice,” Lilly claimed. “So how much is this place costing you a month?”

  “Rade wouldn’t allow me to pay more than $2,000 a month. He gave me an excuse about it being one of the smaller apartments. I knew that was a bunch of BS, especially since Veronica said it was one of the nicer ones.”

  “Well, at least you stood your ground with him,” Lilly declared.

  “Let’s not talk about Rade or anything associated with him. All I want to talk about is the fun we’re going to have.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Lilly said as she lifted her wine glass to toast to Dylan’s new-found independence.

  Dylan hoped she fooled Lilly. She knew it was going to be hard not to think about Rade. Getting ready brought up memories of the first time they met and how he held her as they danced together. Her small hand in his strong masculine one. The way her body melted so close to his. The smell of his cologne as she placed her cheek against his chest. Dylan hoped going to Thrive wouldn’t keep her from having a good time.

  “Earth to Dylan. Hello,” Lilly said, waving her hand in front of Dylan’s face.

  Dylan faded away as she thought about Rade. She heard Lilly’s voice, but didn’t hear what she was saying. “Sorry, Lilly, what did you say?”

  “You must really have it bad. I said, we should think about getting ready if we want to leave early enough to get a good seat.”

  “Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. You can get ready in the guest bedroom. It has its own bathroom.” Dylan was in a daze as she headed to her room.

  It wasn’t long before Dylan was ready. She had chosen to wear something a little risqué. Her dress was sparkly red with a swoop neckline that was held together by a thin, clear strap, giving the dress the illusion there was nothing holding it in place. It was a little shorter than what she would normally wear, but when she saw it in the shop window while out to lunch, she just had to have it. She picked the highest black stilettos she had, making her legs look long and sleek. When she looked in the full-length mirror, the look shouted, “Sexy and single.” This was the look she was going for. Applying red lipstick to her lips, she was ready to go.

  When Dylan stepped out of her room to the living area, she saw Lilly was standing there. Lilly turned around to face Dylan. “Wow, girlfriend. You look hotter than hot.”

  Dylan just smiled at Lilly. Her friend looked gorgeous as well in a little black strapless. “You look pretty good yourself. Every man in the club is going to want you.”

  Dylan had to admit they both looked sexy as hell. “I think we should take a cab to the club. If we drink too much, I don’t want to worry about having to drive,” Lilly suggested.

  Lilly didn’t want to end up having to leave her car if she overdrank and she didn’t want Dylan to worry about her alcohol consumption either. Lilly wanted her to have fun and not think about that or Rade. Lilly thought to herself how nice it would be if Dylan could meet someone else.

  *****

  The cab dropped Dylan and Lilly in front of Thrive. There was a line, but when they came the last time, Lilly was able to get friendly with the bouncer. He was a lot nicer than he looked. He told Lilly whenever she came, she didn’t have to worry about waiting in line. Lilly spotted the bouncer right away. Grabbing Dylan’s hand, they headed towards her bouncer friend. “Hey, Ty.” The bouncer spotted Lilly right away. “Hey, Beautiful.” Lilly just smiled at Ty as he escorted them into the club entrance. As he opened the door for them, he lightly kissed Lilly on the cheek. “Have fun, ladies.” Lilly looked up at Ty. “We will. No doubt about that.”

  Lilly and Dylan moved to the bar to order a drink. Once they got the bartender’s attention, Lilly ordered a Rum and Coke and Dylan ordered a Manhattan. When their drinks were delivered, they found a small table located close to the dance floor. Lilly took a sip of her drink and placed it on the round table. Grabbing Dylan’s hand, Lilly pulled her from her chair. “Come on, girlfriend, let’s dance.” Dylan took her cue, put her drink down next to Lilly’s, and headed to the dance floor. The dance floor was packed, but they were able to move to the middle of the floor and begin dancing.

  The evening was becoming the best time Dylan ever
had. She wasn’t thinking about anything or anyone. She was about to order another drink when a good-looking guy came over to their table. “Hey, Gorgeous, you want to dance?” The guy was looking at Lilly. Lilly looked at the guy in front of her, inspecting him from head to toe. He was killer gorgeous himself. Lilly held out her hand to him. “Let’s go.” Dylan watched as Lilly danced with the hunky looking guy.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when she turned around to a familiar voice. “Fancy seeing you here, school girl.”

  Dylan hated that voice. It was Chloe, Rade’s friend from the restaurant. “What do you want, Chloe?”

  Chloe moved her vicious eyes up and down Dylan’s body. “Who said I wanted anything? I just wanted to share a little bit of information with you.”

  Dylan was looking at Chloe with disgust. “Whatever you have to say, Chloe, I’m not interested.”

  “Yeah, well, I would think you’d want to know who Rade really is. He doesn’t do love, school girl. Ask him about the other women he’s had. Ask him about The Castle,” Chloe hissed. “Oh yeah, one more thing, school girl. Once he has taken everything he needs from you, he won’t give you a second thought. You’ll be left empty and alone.” Chloe left Dylan’s table, leaving her angry and hurt.

  When the waitress came back with her drink, Dylan held onto her arm signaling for her to wait as she downed her drink. She requested another Manhattan and a shot of tequila before she left. While she was waiting for her drink, a guy came over to her table and asked her to dance. Even though the guy was big and not really Dylan’s type, she accepted his offer and walked to the dance floor with him close behind. The dance floor was still packed. Dylan was starting to feel the effects of the drink she downed. She felt numb, without a care in the world. Her dance partner was behind her with his hands gripping her waist. Moving to the music, Dylan started moving her hips, pushing her butt against his body. The guy was beginning to get turned on by Dylan’s movements. He slowly moved his hands from her waist and began rubbing them up her body until his hands were resting just below her breasts. Dylan could feel his hands close to her breasts, so she grabbed a hold of them and turned her body so that she was facing him. Placing his hands back on her waist, she began dancing with the music. Dylan took her own hands and placed them around his neck. The guy was ready to kiss Dylan on the lips, but she was able to move her face from his. “I need to use the ladies room.” Removing her hands from his neck, Dylan turned to leave the dance floor.