Loving the Enemy (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 0)

by Charmaine Pauls

  She turned and stared out over a big park with a green lawn. She should disappear into the crowd. It was July, summer holiday, and the park was packed. Kids ran around an ice cream vendor, laughing. A mother held two cones, the ice cream already dripping, trying to get money from her handbag while a toddler hung on her dress and an older child jumped for one of the cones.

  Her eyes were drawn to a man who stood out in the crowd. He walked leisurely, taking in the scenery with intelligent curiosity, and nobody would have thought he was anything but a tourist. He wore a white suit with a waistcoat and his hand rested loosely on a cane. He was close enough for her to make out his birthmark.

  Her heart stopped beating. Lily felt faint. No matter how much her brain told her body to act calm, to not call attention to herself, her legs had a will of their own. She twirled around, ready to run, wanting to get as far away from him as possible, when she collided with a broad chest. Sucking in her breath, she glanced up, and then tears of relief sprang to her eyes.

  “Adam!” Lily threw her arms around her stepbrother, holding on for dear life. She had never been happier to see him. She pulled away quickly. “You have to get me away from here.”

  “Come now, Lily-bear,” he said, using his nickname for her, “what’s the matter?”

  “We have to go.” She glanced around. “Now.”

  He draped his arm around her shoulder and turned her around, marching her into the opposite direction. He lowered his head to plant a kiss on her temple, his blond curls brushing her skin. “How in God’s name did you get here?”

  “I’ll tell you all about it later,” she said.

  She was a nervous wreck and glad for Adam’s strong, supportive arms. He was her older brother in every way, even if they weren’t related in blood. She once had a blood brother, Nicolas, although she couldn’t remember him. He was born with deformities and died young. Her father had married Adam’s mother when Adam was sixteen years old. Lily had only been four at the time. Adam had taken Godfrey on as his role model, starting to train and work in his business, and Lily had doted on Adam.

  Adam took care of her and showered her with affection. Nothing she asked was ever too much. As soon as he started traveling with her father after finishing school, he brought her gifts from every country he visited. Adam took her out to parks and fairgrounds, all the places her father was too busy to go.

  It hurt like hell when she had learned about Adam’s betrayal, telling on her, but she should have expected as much, knowing how loyal Adam was to her father. Now she was just happy to be reunited with him, knowing he’d make it all better, like he always did.

  “I’m scared, Adam,” she said, leaning into him.

  He gave her shoulder a playful nudge. “Come now, Lily-bear. You’re with me.”

  They crossed the park, walked down a road lined with Plane trees and stopped in front of a white building.

  Lily looked over her shoulder to make sure they hadn’t been followed as Adam keyed in a code at the entrance.

  “Is Daddy here?”

  “He is.” He ushered her inside with his hand on her back.

  Two armed guards stood on either side of the lift. She recognized them immediately. They were two of her father’s most trusted bodyguards. The tenseness left her body.

  They nodded, not showing any emotion at her sudden presence. “Good afternoon, Miss Reid.”

  She greeted them and turned to Adam. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank God I found you.”

  He pushed the scarf from her hair and brushed a strand from her forehead. “My poor Lily-bear.” He smiled. “You look different.”

  “I didn’t change anything.”

  “Older, maybe.”

  One of the guards had called the lift and when the doors opened, Lily and Adam stepped inside. Adam pushed the button for the top floor.

  “We’re safe, aren’t we?” Lily said, needing his reassurance.

  “Of course, Lily-bear. Don’t worry. There are only us here.”

  “Daddy’s renting the whole building?”

  Adam smiled down at her. He crossed his hands behind his back. “Godfrey needed to be close to the tower.”

  “So it’s really happening? He’s really buying it?”

  Adam’s eyes fixed on her injured arm. “Has he ever said anything and not followed it through?” When he touched the makeshift bandage, Lily flinched.

  The lift opened onto a marble foyer where another two men guarded a metal door. Adam pressed his thumb on a fingerprint scanner mounted on the wall. The door slid open to reveal a penthouse apartment decorated in Bauhaus style. Godfrey sat at a bureau in the far corner.

  Lily broke away from Adam’s side to rush to her father. A happy grin broke out on his face as he got up and walked around his desk. The sunlight that streamed through the window highlighted his copper hair and the freckles on his nose. She ran into his arms.

  He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. “My princess. Adam found you.”

  Lily pulled away and smiled up at him through her tears. “Adam found me?” She glanced at her stepbrother who stood to the side, his hands shoved in his pockets.

  “You tried to call me an hour ago,” her father said.

  “But the number is disconnected.”

  Adam leaned against the back of a loveseat. “All calls made to that number are recorded and tracked. We traced the chip, pinpointed the location, zoomed in by satellite and–surprise, surprise–there was my Lily-bear.”

  “You tracked me via this stolen phone?” she pointed at the bag over her shoulder.

  Adam chuckled. “Lily-bear, have you turned into a thief?”

  “Only because it was an emergency. I didn’t have a choice.” She turned back to her father. “Daddy, you’re in danger. There’s a man after you and he wants to kill you. His name’s Cain.”

  Godfrey’s patient smile was not what she expected. “Cain Jones. Yes, I know.”

  “You know?” She looked between him and Adam. “Then how can you just stand there and be so casual? Why aren’t you running?”

  “Soon enough. We’re ready. But I have business to take care of first.”

  Couldn’t the damn business wait for once?

  “Liliana,” her dad cupped her face, “did you come looking for me only to warn me that my life is in danger?”

  She stared at him. “Yes. Despite all the wrong you’re doing, I don’t want anything to happen to you. You know I love you.”

  His hands dropped to his side. “You didn’t come here for my protection?”

  “Well, initially, that was the plan, but…”

  “But then you decided to run away instead.”

  “The house was attacked. Everyone…” Her voice almost broke. She took a deep breath. “Everyone was killed.”

  Godfrey nodded. “Yes, I know.”

  Of course he knew. How could he not? He always knew everything. “I ran but the men were always one step behind me. They were from Sky.” She paused. “Then Jacob found me.” She fiddled with the strap of the handbag. “An assassin came after me. I’m not sure who sent him. Jacob took a bullet for me and when the wound got infected, I wanted to bring him to your doctor for help. At the time, I believed he was a fugitive because of me.”

  “But then he took you to Cain instead?”

  The truth was still a bitter pill to swallow. “He must have informed Cain and his cronies we were coming into Paris by train, because they had a driver waiting when we arrived. He tricked me, all along.”

  “How many people does Cain have in his team?” Adam said.

  “I really don’t know. I only saw three people, and an old man. Cain kept me locked up most of the time.”

  Adam regarded her with surprise. “How did you get away?”

  “I jumped through a window.”

  “Wow,” Adam said, “she’s grown tough and strong, Godfrey. I think she has your genes. She would have been a great asset to our team.”

  N
o chance in hell. “You know I condemn what you’re doing, Daddy. I don’t want any part of it. I can’t live with the knowledge any longer.”

  “What are you asking of me, princess?”

  “I was hoping…”

  “That I’d give up my business and turn into a good person?”

  “Yes?” She looked at him with all the hope her heart could muster.

  Godfrey wiped a hand over his face. “It’s my own fault. I kept you sheltered for too long, wanting to protect you. I should have exposed you earlier, then you would have seen things through my eyes.”

  “Through your eyes?” Her hope turned into horror. “You think I would have ever supported your criminal actions?” She motioned around the room. “Of murder and destruction? Why is the power so important? Don’t you have enough?”

  “Power is all that matters, Liliana,” he said, sounding sad, “and it was my neglect for not teaching you life’s most important lessons. I should have treated you just the same as Adam, but you’re a girl, and I…”

  He turned to the window.

  “Daddy?”

  When he looked back at her, he had tears in his eyes. “I failed you. I’m so sorry. I fully take the blame.”

  Lily blinked at him in confusion. He failed her? Because he didn’t convince her to approve of his horrible deeds?

  “I love you, princess,” he said. “I always will.” He turned to Adam. “Make it quick, and painless.”

  Adam picked up a pistol with a silencer from the table next to him. “A bullet in the heart will be instantaneous, and clean.”

  Godfrey nodded. He ducked his head and walked with slouched shoulders from the room.

  Lily stood rooted to the spot. This wasn’t happening. Her father hadn’t just told her stepbrother to kill her. She looked at Adam with big eyes as he advanced on her.

  “I’m sorry, Lily-bear.”

  “Adam?” She took a step back, hoping it was some sick joke, but she knew her stepbrother too well. She recognized the deadly intent in his eyes.

  Oh God, Adam was going to shoot her. She turned for the door but only advanced one step before Adam’s hand fisted in her hair, jerking her back. She stumbled. Her back collided with his chest. Her neck arched up from the force of his pull on her hair. She stared up at the face of her beloved big brother, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “You’re crazy,” Lily said through her sobs. “How can you do this?”

  “You think this is easy for me?” he said through gritted teeth. “You left us no choice.”

  “You have a choice. Don’t do this.”

  “We can’t let you walk away, Lily. You have become a liability. You would have gone to the police. And worse, to Cain Jones.”

  “I won’t tell a soul. I swear. Adam, let me go.”

  “You fell in love with your enemy, Lily-bear. That makes you our enemy.”

  “I’m not your enemy.”

  “People kill for love, Lily. You’ll do worse, eventually, for the man you love.”

  “He was right,” she said bitterly. “Jacob was right. Daddy sent those men to kill me.”

  “And you didn’t believe him?” Adam smiled. “He loves you. You should have believed him.”

  “How do you know all of this?”

  “We were always a step behind you Lily-bear. You were almost too good for us. Which is why taking your life is such a sad, sad waste.”

  “Why didn’t you just send one of your men to finish me off at the Eiffel Tower, when you knew where I was?” she said through her sobs. “Why torture me with the knowledge that my own father and brother want me dead?”

  “Because we love you, Lily. Too fucking much to let anyone else do the job if it’s within our ability. In fact, it’s better this way. Your father needed to say goodbye. And you heard him. He wants it to be quick and clean.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “You won’t feel a thing. It’ll be over before you can blink. I promise.”

  She shook in his grip. Only his arm kept her up. Slowly, Adam turned her to face him. His expression had gone blank, as if he was wearing a mask.

  “Sweet, sweet, Lily-bear, don’t cry. You don’t want to go like this.”

  Her heart fluttered as she tried to get a grip. This was it. This was the end. Jacob was right. Like a fool she chose to defend her father instead. But Adam was right about one thing. She wasn’t going begging and crying. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, taking a deep breath.

  “That’s my girl,” Adam said, pushing the barrel against her heart.

  Chapter Nineteen

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  Jacob had one shot at it. His hand was steady as he aimed the long-range shotgun through the window with one eye closed and the other peering through the telescope. The blond man he recognized as Adam from the photos he had seen, had the gun pressed to Lily’s chest. A drop of sweat dribbled between his shoulder blades down his back. His hands were clammy, the barrel slick in his palm.

  He adjusted his aim, taking the wind factor into consideration. A bullet to the temple would take Adam out instantly, but he could still fire his weapon in a reflex reaction. It was safer to first shoot the gun from Adam’s hand.

  His finger tightened on the trigger as he locked the mark on his target. He licked his dry lips.

  Now.

  As his digit pressed down, Adam turned his head toward the window. In the same instant that the bullet left the chamber, Adam flung his body to the side.

  “Fuck!” Jacob said into the communication link that connected him to Cain and his team. “I missed.” Jacob aimed and fired again before Adam had a chance to duck behind a sofa. Adam’s weapon had fallen on the ground, out of his reach. “I think I hit him. He’s behind the couch.”

  His heart pounding in his ears, Jacob searched for Lily through the telescope. His frenzied gaze found her on her knees on the floor. Blood pumped through the fingers she pressed to her chest. His heart stopped beating. He went stone cold.

  Jacob’s cry shook the building. “She’s hit!” With the bullet that was meant for Adam. With renewed vengeance he hunted for Adam and was just in time to see him limp through the door on the far side of the room. “Adam’s getting away. Help her!”

  “Josselin’s on his way,” Cain’s voice said in his ear. “Status on the building, Jacob?”

  Jacob was falling apart, but he knew now was the time to keep it together. For Lily. He did a quick check and replied, “All windows are clear.”

  “They’re on the roof,” Lann said. “I can’t get a shot in. Too far.”

  “Can you get them, Jacob?” Cain said.

  All Jacob wanted to do, was rush to Lily. “We’ve got to help Lily. She’s been hit for God’s sake!”

  “Jacob,” Josselin’s tone was steady and calm. “I’m inside. I’m on my way to Lily. Can you get a shot at Godfrey?”

  Jacob took a deep, calming breath and scanned the rooftop through the telescope. “There’s a wall. They must be behind it.”

  “Status, Lann,” Cain said.

  The sound of a helicopter became audible.

  “Is Adam with Godfrey?” Jacob said, cold anger chilling his bones.

  “Yes,” Lann said. “They’re surrounded by guards.”

  “Take aim at the helicopter,” Cain instructed. “Don’t shoot before they’re inside. We only have one chance at it.”

  “The shot’s yours, Jacob,” Lann said. “My bullet won’t reach.”

  Lann was in the building on the other side, guarding the street in case Godfrey had decided to escape via that route. The rest of the team was below, out front. Jacob hadn’t trusted anyone but himself to snipe Adam, and he had fucked it up.

  This time Jacob’s hand shook as he took aim. He didn’t give a flying fuck about Godfrey as long as Lily was bleeding on the floor.

  “Josselin?” Jacob said, his voice carrying his anguish.

  “Building’s deserted,” Josselin replied. “They’ve evacua
ted.”

  Jacob froze. He knew what that meant. Godfrey would never flee from his domain and not have soldiers in place to defend it. He wouldn’t leave evidence of his unlawful business behind. He was the kind of man who wiped out every trace.

  The building was going to blow.

  He threw the shotgun down. Only taking the revolver Cain had supplied, Jacob rushed down the stairs, almost falling on the last flight.

  “Jacob?” Cain said. “Where the hell are you? They’re taking off.”

  “The building!” Jacob screamed. “It’s going to blow!”

  “I know,” Josselin hissed. “Do the job and shoot down the fucking helicopter. I’ve got Lily.”

  Jacob ignored the command. It was too late, anyway. The helicopter was already in the air and heading west.

  “You’ll never make it out,” Jacob said. “Fuck. Lily!” His lungs burned as he sprinted across the street to the building.

  Maya pulled up on the curb with a black SUV. Josselin flew through the front entrance with Lily’s limp body in his arms. The backdoor of the vehicle opened and Cain’s face appeared briefly as Josselin threw Lily and himself inside before Maya took off with screeching tires.

  Jacob stopped in his tracks. He stood in the middle of the road.

  Too late.

  Two seconds ticked on. The area was eerily silent, like the quiet before a storm.

  A blur of movement appeared in his peripheral vision. Someone tackled him, throwing his body down to the curb behind a car.

  Another second ticked by.

  An explosion blew the windows of the top floor out. Like a house of cards, the rest of the building collapsed, shooting dust and debris into all directions. Jacob ducked as the destruction rained down around him.

  “Where the hell are you, Jacob?” Cain said.

  The noise died down, but fine powder still sifted through the air.

  Jacob coughed. “Lily?”

  Josselin’s voice was tight. “The police will be here in seconds.”