Next to Never: Shattered Innocence Trilogy

by Long, A. L.

  “It is nothing you need to worry about, Dylan.”

  Dylan didn’t want to ruin her day by arguing with Rade, even though she wasn’t satisfied with his answer. Grabbing her purse from the breakfast counter, Dylan wanted to say something else but decided to let it go.

  “Let’s go.” Rade looked toward Dylan as he opened the penthouse door and waited for her to exit in front of him.

  The ride to the beach was awkward. Dylan felt like she was being given the silent treatment. Rade had his focus on the black SUV behind him. He noticed it pulled in behind them when he exited the parking garage. He purposely took several unnecessary turns, just to confirm the car behind them was definitely following them. Trying his best not to alarm Dylan, he requested that she prepare herself. “Hold on, Sweetness, I think we have company.” Looking behind her, Dylan saw the black SUV. Facing forward again, she gripped her seat. Rade moved in and out of traffic with ease. Concerned, Dylan looked over at Rade, catching him looking in the rearview mirror checking the status of the SUV.

  Beginning to panic, Dylan looked over to Rade. “Rade, who do you think it is?”

  Taking her hand to comfort her. “I don’t know, but whoever it is, they know we’ve spotted them.”

  Rade took another sharp turn, causing Dylan’s heart to fall into her lap. The car was still close behind them. “Hold on, Dylan, I’m going to try something.” Pulling into a vacant lot, Rade popped the gear shift into reverse and spun the car into a one-eighty. He was now face to face with the SUV. Speeding up, Rade headed straight for the car. Both cars were dangerously close to crashing head on. Finishing their game of chicken, the SUV swerved out of the way, hitting a stack of metal pallets and causing the driver to lose control. The SUV rolled across the empty lot. Within seconds the car was engulfed in flames as it slid on its top. Rade came to a stop and climbed out of the Martin. When he got fifteen feet from the SUV, the flaming vehicle exploded with a pop. Dylan could see Rade’s body flying through the air from the impact. “Rade,” she cried out as she opened her car door. Running up to him, she bent over his body. Dylan carefully turned him over and held his head, chanting his name. “Rade. Oh God.” She was never more afraid than she was at that moment.

  When he finally opened his eyes, he could see tears raining down her beautiful face. Dylan thought she lost him, but when he looked at her with a lopsided grin, she knew he was drinking in her true feelings for him. “I thought…”

  Rade knew exactly what Dylan thought. “Shhh… help me up.” Dylan grabbed Rade by the hand and helped him to his feet. “Let’s get out of here,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  As Rade and Dylan walked to the car, he pulled out his cell phone. He punched in Richard’s number. “Richard… Matheson here. I need you to run a plate for me.”

  Rade gave Richard the plate number and requested he call him back as soon as he found out the owner. By the time they got to his car, Dylan had calmed down from the incident. Still a little shaken, she didn’t hear Rade talking to her. Rade leaned over and buckled her in. He probably shouldn’t have played his hurt card. Concerned, he took her hand and squeezed it. “Look at me, Dylan.” When Dylan didn’t comply, Rade placed his palm under her chin and turned her face toward his so her eyes connected with his. “Everything will be okay, Dylan. We will find out who this was.” Raising her chin, Rade bent slightly and placed his lips on hers. Rade’s touch caused her to come out of her trance. Dylan began clutching Rade’s shirt with all her might like she would never see him again. She felt as though hanging on to him would ensure that he would never leave her.

  Rade gently pulled her arms from his shirt and took hold of her hands. “Dylan, what is it?”

  Looking up, Dylan took in a deep breath. The tears began falling freely. “Rade, when I saw the explosion throw you like that, I thought… I thought you were dead. I was so scared.”

  Taking her shaking hands into his, he pulled them close to his lips and kissed them tenderly. “It’s okay, Sweetness. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Rade brushed his thumbs across her hands, reassuring her that everything would be okay.

  Turning the key in the ignition and putting the stick into first, Rade pulled away from the fire and headed back to the penthouse. He felt bad that the planned trip to the beach was going to have to wait, but he needed to get back to the penthouse where he knew Dylan would be safe.

  It was still pretty early in the day, and Dylan was exhausted from the toll on her emotions. With everything that happened, she wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep. Rade, on the other hand, was riled up. So many things were running through his head. As soon as Dylan was safely tucked in, he went to his study to figure things out. The only thing that would settle him was a good stiff drink. Rade poured himself a glass of his most expensive scotch. In one breath, he polished it off and poured himself another. He still hadn’t heard from Richard on the license plate number. His impatience was getting the best of him. He needed answers.

  “Richard, tell me you have some news for me.”

  There was a silent moment between them before Richard finally answered. “Sorry, sir, nothing yet. As soon as I hear, I’ll contact you immediately.”

  Rade hung up the phone and began pacing. Feeling he could make better use of his time, he went to check on Dylan. She was fast asleep. Closing the door to her room, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Peter. “Peter, I need you at the penthouse to watch Dylan.”

  When Peter arrived, Rade left. He needed to find some answers and the only way he was going to get them was to go to Chinatown. On his ride down to the parking garage, he called Richard to meet him with the Yukon. Rade may have needed some answers, but he wasn’t stupid enough to go seeking them alone. When the elevator door opened, Richard was waiting for him. Rade walked to the Yukon and climbed in. Rade felt Richard’s eyes on him as he closed the door and buckled himself in. Glaring back at Richard, Rade explained what happened. Once Richard had full knowledge, he agreed with Rade’s plan.

  “We need to get to Chinatown. Something tells me that our encounter has to do with Mr. Wu.” Rade would bet his life that the Chen Wu was behind the tail.

  Easing out of the garage, Richard looked both ways as he merged into traffic. Just like Rade, Richard had his suspicions too. He knew Mr. Wu, aka Eraser, was someone who couldn’t be trusted. Richard glanced over at Rade to let him know what was on his mind. “Rade, you know I have been with you a long time.”

  Rade looked straight ahead, wondering where this was going. “What’s your point, Richard?”

  Richard could feel the defensive end to this conversation. “I just think this whole thing with Ms. Adams has shifted way out of control. We’re no longer dealing with some two-bit thief.”

  Rade focused his attention on Richard. “Richard, this is no longer about the stolen money. This is about protecting Dylan.”

  Keeping his eyes on the road, Richard immediately replied. “Rade, are you sure this isn’t more than just protecting Ms. Adams?”

  Rade gave Richard a hard stare, disturbed by his blunt comment. Rade knew his feelings for Dylan went beyond just wanting to protect her. He just needed to convince Richard otherwise. “Richard, this has nothing to do with my feelings for Dylan. This has to do with the deal we made and the fact that Mr. Wu neglected to keep it.”

  Richard knew Rade was hiding something. He kept his thoughts to himself for the time being. They pulled into Chinatown and parked across from the brick building. As they parked, Rade could see there was no apparent activity going on. “Ready?” Rade said, looking over to Richard.

  Before Rade could exit the vehicle, Richard pulled open the glove box and handed Rade his Glock. “Here, you might need this.”

  Taking it from him, Rade gave Richard a firm pat on his shoulder. “Thanks.”

  Entering the building, they were met by the same burly man. Rade looked at the guy with no emotion in his face. “Tell Mr. Wu, Mr. Matheson is here to see
him.” Instead of nodding over to his partner at the end of the hallway, he escorted Rade and Richard himself. Once they entered the office, he could see Mr. Wu once again settled behind his desk. Without looking up, he gestured them to take a seat, but they decided to remain standing.

  Mr. Wu looked up and addressed Rade and Richard. “What do you want?”

  As Rade stepped closer, two bodyguards standing by the entrance stepped closer. Mr. Wu held up his hand, signaling the two bodyguards to stand down. Rade looked behind his shoulder at the two men. Confident the men weren’t going to make a move, Rade returned his gaze back to Wu. “I thought we had a deal. I don’t appreciate being followed. You need to put a collar on your son as well.”

  Rade now had Wu’s attention. Standing up with his hands on his desk, he leaned over to make sure Rade heard his words. “Mr. Matheson, I never go back on a deal. If you were being followed, then you have much bigger problems. As for my son, I have no control over what he does. We haven’t communicated in over fifteen years. He is nothing but a disgrace to the family.”

  Stepping closer to his desk, Rade let him know he didn’t like his answers. “Mr. Wu, you are testing my patience. If I find out that you or your son had anything to do with the tail, I will…”

  “I don’t like threats, Mr. Matheson, so I hope this visit isn’t one. As I said, I had nothing to do with the tail nor do I have anything to do with my son. Maybe you should focus on your little plaything,” he said with a vengeance.

  Rade was enraged by his comment. Clutching his hands into tight fists, he was ready to plant it right across Wu’s face. Richard grabbed his arm to hold him back. “It’s not worth it, Rade.”

  Rade jerked his arm from Richard’s grasp. “Let’s go, Richard, we’re done here.”

  As they left the building, Rade was still agitated. “Richard, I need to know who was following us. I don’t care what it takes. Find out who was behind the wheel and who ordered it.”

  Richard put his hand on Rade’s shoulders and stopped him from walking. “Rade, I will find out who it was, just give me a little time.”

  *****

  It was a little after five when Dylan woke from her restful sleep. She could see Peter in the living room when she walked to the kitchen for a drink. Plopping down in the chair next to Peter, Dylan placed her glass of water on the coffee table.

  Wondering where Rade may have gone, Dylan asked Peter. “Where did Rade go?”

  At first Peter didn’t say anything. He was in the middle of finishing his text to Richard. Hitting the send button, he finally acknowledged her question. “Mr. Matheson had some business to attend to. He should be back shortly.”

  It was always business whenever Dylan asked. She was tired of hearing the same answer. “Ugh… What is it with all you men? Can’t you say anything except just business?” Frustrated with Peter’s comment, Dylan took her empty glass to the kitchen and headed upstairs to the library.

  Just as she got to the top of the stairs, her cell phone rang. She was hoping it was Rade, but it turned out to be Lilly.

  “Hey, Lilly,” Dylan answered.

  “Jeez. Don’t sound so excited,” Lilly replied.

  “Sorry, I’m just a little tired,” she replied. Agitated was more like it, but she didn’t want to elaborate on the real reason she was so unhappy.

  “What’s up?” Dylan asked with a little more excitement in her voice.

  “I just called to see how you were doing. It seems we don’t talk enough,” Lilly stated.

  “I know. It’s just that I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “ Not really.”

  “Okay, but if you do, you know you can always talk to me about anything. Anyway, the reason I’m calling is I wanted to get together with you for lunch. I thought tomorrow would be great, if that will work with your schedule.”

  “That should work fine. Where and when?” Dylan said in a much better mood.

  “Let’s meet at Border Line. It’s only a couple of blocks from where you work. Say around one. Will that work?” Lilly asked.

  “That would be perfect. See you then.” Dylan knew of the place. She didn’t mention to Lilly that she hadn’t been at work because of the threats.

  When Dylan ended the call, she felt better. She did need to catch up with Lilly. So much had happened since the last time they spoke. The chase, the most recent charms, and the information she found out about the Wu family. She wasn’t sure how much she was willing to share with her. Lilly was her best friend, but she was also an overprotective one. The last thing she wanted was for Lilly to worry about her.

  Dylan knew it was getting late because her stomach started to rumble. Rade wasn’t home yet, so she decided to find something in the kitchen to cook for them. Laying her book down on the end table, she left the library and headed down to the kitchen. When she got to the kitchen, Peter was still sitting in the same spot on the couch. Ignoring him, she went to the fridge and began pulling items out.

  By the time Dylan finished cooking, the penthouse door opened. It was Rade. When he appeared she smiled at him. “Your timing is perfect. Dinner is ready,” she said as she saw Peter salute goodbye to them.

  As Dylan was pulling the meal from the oven, Rade wrapped his arms around her from behind. Kissing her softly on the neck, he whispered in her ear, “It smells just as divine as you do.”

  With a tiny smirk, she pushed the oven door closed with her hip and turned to place the dish on the counter. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  Rade turned Dylan to face him and gently placed his lips to hers. “I’m hungry for you.”

  Rade could get used to having her here with him. It was nice coming home with her waiting for him. The only thing that would make it better would be her wearing only his shirt and her sexy lacy underwear. Withdrawing from her before getting too carried away, he straightened his body and busied himself with getting the wine and glasses from the cupboard. Feeling the sudden separation, Dylan felt a different kind of hunger in her stomach.

  There was something going on with Rade. The conversation between them was detached. Dylan wasn’t sure what was causing his change in mood, but it went from affectionate and flirty to distant and cold. When she tried to find out what was going on, he told her it was a long day and he needed to finish some work before he went to bed, and not to wait up for him.

  If Rade wanted to play this game with her, she could play it just as well. Giving Rade an unemotional look, she communicated to him in no uncertain terms. “I’m going to lunch with Lilly tomorrow, and after that I’m going to stop into work and try and get caught up.”

  Rade pushed away from the dinner table, showing his irritation. “Lilly can come here for lunch. I can have something brought in for you. As for work, your work load is being covered.” Picking up his dinner plate, he walked to the kitchen to deposit it into the sink. Watching him, Dylan felt her anger take hold. “You can’t keep me here. Lilly is my friend and I will be going with her to lunch.”

  Dylan rose from the dinner table, taking a couple of empty dishes to the sink with her. She wasn’t about to get into this with him. She didn’t need a babysitter 24/7, but the way he was looking at her, she knew her request wasn’t going to happen without restrictions.

  Taking her by the waist, Rade pulled her into him. “Why do you refute me every time I do what’s best for you? If you’re adamant on going out, then Peter will be escorting you. It’s this way or no way, Dylan.”

  She wasn’t going to let this go. She needed her independence. “Rade, I don’t need to have Peter or anyone else watching over me.”

  Holding her tight, he wasn’t going to give anymore on this matter. “Dylan, I’m not going to allow you to leave this penthouse without protection. This is not up for discussion. I’ll be in the study if you need me.”

  Dylan was infuriated with his continuous demands. No way could she just leave it. This discussion was far from over. F
inishing up with the dishes, she became even more agitated with Rade’s declaration. Tossing the dish towel on the counter, she was going to let him know how it was going to be once and for all.

  Storming through the living room and up the stairs to Rade’s study, Dylan was on a mission. When she got to his study door, she took a deep breath and entered without knocking. Rade was sitting at his desk looking at a stack of papers. He didn’t look up to acknowledge her presence. Instead, he kept his eyes on the document in his hand as he addressed her. “Did you need something, Dylan?”

  Pulling her shoulders back, Dylan walked to the front of his desk. She was glad he was sitting down. If he would’ve been standing, she wasn’t sure she could stand up to him with his powerful body towering over her. With her five-foot-five frame, his six-foot-four was very intimidating. Placing her hands down on the edge of his desk, Dylan spoke in the most confident voice she could muster. “Look Rade, I don’t need you to be continually protecting me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I will be going to lunch with my friend, alone, and I will be going to my office, alone, and this is the end of this discussion.”

  Dylan felt pretty confident in her words as she saw the look on his face. There wasn’t one word from him. When she said her piece, she turned and headed out of his office. Just when she thought she won her case, Rade took hold of her arm and spun her so quickly that the sudden turn made her dizzy. Without any warning, Rade picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. “This is not a fucking game, Dylan. You will do as I say and Peter will be your shadow for as long as I say.”

  This was going from bad to worse for her. “Rade, put me down.” Rade ignored her request and left the study with her body draped over his shoulder. She was still pleading with him when they got to his bedroom. Entering the room, Rade finally placed her on her feet. Leaving her no time to get her bearings, he forcefully pulled her closer and placed his lips on hers. The impact of his mouth to hers caused her to instinctively wrap her arms around him. Even though she was still angry with him, she couldn’t resist his touch. Their bodies pressed together with such fury, their need for each other blazed within them. Rade knew exactly what he was doing. He knew exactly what she needed and how her body craved what he was giving.