Inseparable Bond

by Reese Spenser

  Jill and I make small talk over lunch, discussing the screenplay and Dorian Wolff’s impending return.

  “Is there something you need to tell me, love?” Jill’s voice is nurturing and filled with motherly concern. “My driver spotted someone following us yesterday.”

  For a moment my heart stops, fearing that I have put Jill at risk.

  “What happened between you and Lucian Thorne?” she questions.

  “I had to leave him.” I’ve spent the past week telling myself that leaving Lucian was the only choice I could make. But saying the words out loud, all I hear is the lie I’ve been passing off as truth.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  I shake my head. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Did he hurt you, love?”

  I don’t answer her question. Instead, I glance down at the plate of food I barely touched. I suddenly feel sick. Standing, my head spins and a nauseated feeling in the pit of my stomach has me racing to the bathroom. Jill is quick on my heels, but I manage to lock the bathroom door before she catches up to me.

  My body retches as I dry-heave over the toilet bowl. When the convulsing comes to an end, I’m physically and mentally exhausted.

  “Avery are you alright?” Jill calls out.

  “I’m alright.”

  Another lie and it tastes as bad as bile on my tongue. But how can I share my fears and tell her that I’m scared shitless for everyone I care about? How can I tell her that the evil that stalks me in my nightmare is real? I can’t, so I lie again.

  “Something I ate didn’t agreed with me and it’s made me a little queasy.” I wait for Jill to say something. and when she didn’t I continue. “I just need to rest”

  Opening the bathroom door, I face Jill. I see the apprehension in her eyes give way to relief.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Quite sure. It’s nothing a nap can’t cure.”

  She nods, stepping aside as I exit the bathroom. We make our way back to the dining area where Jill retrieves her purse.

  “I’m here for you if you need anything,” Jill offers, wrapping her arms tightly around me.

  “I know, thank you.” I hug her back briefly before she releases me.

  Moments later, I’m alone in the suite, planning my next move. I can’t stay here now that Jill is being followed. My rational mind tells me that Lucian has found me, but my fearful inner voice says, ‘what if the devil has found you?’

  Chapter 14

  Lucian

  Exiting the elevator on sixteenth floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, I stand outside the door of the Grand Luxury Suite. Only a door separates me from the woman I have travelled twenty-four hundred miles to see.

  I need answers and I’m not leaving until I get them. I’ve spoken to Marcus and Reagan, and they have confirmed that Avery contacted them via email before leaving New York. The email simply said she needed to get away for a while and would be in touch soon.

  Standing outside her door, something stops me in my tracks. Fear. What if Avery rejects me and sends me away. What if my worst fear is true? What if she never really loved me at all? The last few days have been hell without her, and if we are truly over she has to say it to my face.

  The bottom line is, I won’t give her up without a fight. I will make her see that we are better together, stronger together, and if that doesn’t work, I will make love with her until she submits.

  The thought of her submission swells my cock. But it’s my twitchy palm that has me curling my fingers and banging my knuckles against the door. The door opens almost immediately, and Avery is staring at me as if she were expecting anyone but me. It’s been nearly a week since I’ve laid eyes on her. Six fucking long days and nights since I’ve held her in my arms and felt her tremble beneath me.

  Her gaze holds mine for long seconds before she blinks in bewilderment.

  “Did you really think I wouldn’t come after you?” I admonish.

  “You...You...” she stammers.

  “You can invite me in, or you can come out.” My words are harsh and emotional, as I struggle to get them out.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” she manages to say.

  “Yet here I am.” I take a deep breath and let it out. “At the very least you owe me the courtesy of telling me to my face why you left me.”

  She nods, then steps aside. I allow myself a quick look as I enter. The room is spacious with contemporary décor, and from the looks of it she had a guest recently. If the table set for two is any indication.

  I force myself to look away, not wanting my jealousy to dictate my actions. When I face Avery, she’s watching me closely. Her posture is guarded, and she seems wary of me. It breaks my heart to believe she doesn’t trust me or feel safe with me. I take a step closer, erasing the gap between us.

  It’s now or never.

  “Why did you run away?” I didn’t think I needed this, but I do. I didn’t get closure with Camille and that nearly destroyed me.

  “Because I had to,” she whispers.

  My body shudders. “Don’t lie to me.”

  “It was the only way to keep you safe,” she says tearfully. “I left because he tried to kill you. I know he’s responsible for the explosion. And I know that he’s been following me. I feel it.”

  Avery’s confession confirms what I have suspected since leaving New York. She’s in hiding, staying off Sullivan’s radar. Her confession also tells me that she does not have faith that I can protect her.

  I pull Avery into my arms, holding her close, and when she doesn’t resist my lips find hers. Avery’s moans glide down my throat. Snaking her arms around my neck, her hands grip my hair. Our tongues wrestle, moving together as we attempt to devour each other. She’s breathless when she breaks the kiss.

  My hands cup her face, and I look her in the eye and tell her the truth. “I’d paint a fucking bullseye on my back if it meant he’d never come near you again.”

  Tears roll down her cheeks and I wipe them away.

  “Please go,” she cries. “I can’t imagine a world where you don’t exist.”

  “And I can’t imagine a world where you don’t love me.”

  “You don’t believe that,” she sniffles.

  I don’t answer; instead, I say, “A world where you’re not mine is just as bleak.”

  Avery pulls away from me and I let her go. With each step she takes, I see the wall she’s building to keep me out.

  “It’s not going to work,” I challenge. “I won’t let you push me away.”

  “Go back to New York, Lucian.”

  It’s the first time she’s said my name since I arrived. Like always, it’s music to my ears. But her defiance has my palm twitching once again. As much as I want her submission, I want her to come back to me of her own free will.

  “Not without you.”

  “I’m not going back.”

  “Do you have so little faith in me, that your solution is to hide-out in Los Angeles indefinitely?”

  She gasps when my question catches her off guard.

  “Is that why you really left, because you don’t believe I can keep you safe?”

  “No!” she shouts. “He. Tried. To. Kill. You.” She enunciates each word. “You’re so busy trying to protect me, but who’s protecting you? I left because I want to keep you safe. If we aren’t together you’re safe.”

  I don’t tell Avery about the self-destructive binge. How being apart was not safe for me. Or how being apart still isn’t safe for her.

  “Running away and hiding like a criminal gives him power over you. He has already taken too much, don’t give him your life. If you do, he wins.”

  My words hit a nerve. Avery drops to her knees sobbing uncontrollably. I lift her up in my arms and carry her to the couch. Rocking back and forth, I try to soothe her, but she is inconsolable.

  When her tears have dried up her raspy voice quakes with emotions when she says, “Raina said something similar ten year
s ago.” She meets my gaze and her tearstained face has never been more beautiful. “I’m scared,” she confesses.

  “I know.”

  “But I don’t want to be.”

  “You just have to believe in our inseparable bond and know that we can get though anything as long as we’re together.”

  “Because we’re stronger together,” she whispers.

  “Exactly.”

  “Where are you staying?” Avery asks after a few moments of silence.

  My heart races, anxious at the thought of leaving Avery. With her head resting on my chest she hears the pounding... she even feels the tension in my body. When she lifts her head, her mouth is seeking.

  “Stay with me tonight,” she murmurs against my lips.

  I don’t miss it when she says, tonight. I’ve missed her too much to deny us what we both crave.

  “Say the words, Avery.” Because I need to hear them. I don’t say that part aloud.

  “I love you,” she whispers in my ear.

  Standing, I stride quickly to the bedroom. I plant her firmly on her feet and step away.

  “Undress for me.”

  She doesn’t hesitate to do as she’s told.

  My gaze roams thirstily over her body, drinking her in. My cock presses achingly against my zipper, seeking freedom. Seeking the warmth of her sweet cunt. I lick my lips eager for a taste. Standing naked before me, she displays her sexuality between slick thighs.

  “On the bed, with your legs spread wide for me.”

  I undress slowly giving her a show. Avery tweaks her nipples and moans when I stroke my cock. I love the look she gets in her eyes when she watches me pleasure myself.

  Climbing into bed, I lay between her thighs. When my mouth covers her sweet wet pussy, I don’t know who moans louder, me or Avery. She tilts her pelvis, begging for more. And desire spreads through my body like an out of control forest fire. I lick, bite, and suck hard, until she is trembling against my mouth. But I’m too hungry to stop. To hurt to let her go.

  When I crawl up her body, Avery is soaking wet and ready for me. Fisting my cock firmly, I enter her with one powerful thrust. I fuck her like a man possessed, thrusting hard and deep. Hitting the bottom of her each time. She cries out in pain and pleasure. There’s a part of me that wants to punish her for leaving me. But when she wraps her legs around me and gives me everything she has denied me, relief explodes through me with an orgasm that seems to go on forever. My body jerks violently, pumping my seed into her. I fill Avery with everything I have. Yet her greedy little cunt milks me for more.

  And that’s one more reason why I fucking love this woman. Everything will never be enough.

  Boneless, I collapse against her body. Slowly our breathing returns to normal and I rollover to my side pulling Avery with me.

  The moment her beautiful hazel eyes meet my gaze I know that although our reunion was absofuckinglutely amazing, it has not resolved anything. Avery still has a wall up between us.

  “This has not changed anything for me,” she whispers.

  “It changes everything for me,” I confess.

  Climbing out of bed, I watch Avery’s luscious ass sway from side to side before she covers her body with a robe. She has found a way to put another barrier between us.

  “Why are you being so obstinate?” I accuse. “You’ve admitted that we’re stronger together, so why are you still trying to push me away?”

  “Every time I close my eyes I see you dying because I was too selfish to let you go. Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me?”

  “I’m asking you to trust that I have the means to keep us both safe.”

  “And what about our families and friends? Who will keep them safe?”

  “Avery, I’ll do whatever you ask of me, but don’t ask me to walk away from you because I can’t.”

  “It’s for the best...” The four words cause a chemical reaction in my brain and the subsequent explosion that follows.

  “Don’t fucking tell me that decimating my world is for the best. How can destroying us be for the best? How can you look me in the eye and rip my fucking heart out?”

  Leaping out of bed, I reach Avery in two quick strides. Towering over her, I see the pain my words have caused. Defeat and devastation drops me to my knees.

  “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” My voice is distorted, unrecognizable to my ears.

  Kneeling with me, Avery and I are once again face-to-face. “Forgiven,” she whispers.

  Avery’s hazel gaze reflects my heartbreak after she offers me her mouth and I reject her. Standing, I offer her my hand, helping her to her feet.

  Without a word, I dress quickly. I feel her eyes follow me around the room as I gather my things.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Isn’t that what you want?” I can’t seem to stop the spiteful sonofabitch possessing my body and controlling my actions.

  “I thought you were staying with me tonight.”

  “When has one night with you ever been enough for me?” The truth of my words pierces my heart, filling it with pain and anger.

  I turn away, stalking out of the bedroom. Avery is practically running to keep up with me.

  “Lucian, please.” Her voice stops me in my tracks, just as I reach out to open the door.

  I wait for her to continue. I wait for what seems like a lifetime, but she says nothing. When the door closes behind me, her anguished sob is the last thing I hear before I walk away.

  I spend the next three hours in the hotel bar trying to erase the sound of Avery crying from my head. When that fails I check into Presidential Suite East. A suite that shares the same Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles skyline view as Avery’s suite. The moment my head hits the pillow I’m overcome with exhaustion. A combination of alcohol, heartbreak, and anger fuels my dreams. I don’t know how long I’ve battled the demon trying to keep Avery and I apart, when a loud thud startles me awake.

  “Mr. Thorne,” someone calls out, “I have an urgent message for you. Your family has been trying to reach you for nearly an hour, sir.”

  The words have a sobering effect on me, spurring me into action. I grab my cellphone, checking the missed calls. Twenty-one missed calls and five text messages. I start with my most recent text from Jake.

  Evelyn was attacked. Get Avery back here as soon as you can. Her family needs her.

  I quickly read the other text for more information. Between Katelyn and Jake, I learn that Evelyn was attacked in the Preston’s home. Jake and Raina found her unconscious when they returned from dinner.

  I race to the door, nearly knocking the young woman down as I barrel pass her. My only thought is to get to Avery. For the second time I find myself standing outside Avery’s suite gripped with fear.

  Chapter 15

  Avery

  It has been five hours, forty-seven minutes, and twenty-three seconds and counting since an angry and hurt Lucian left my suite. I wanted to beg him to stay. I wanted to make love with him again. And I know it’s selfish of me, but I also wanted him to understand why we can’t be together after tonight. Even though every fiber of my being yearns for him.

  I tried calling him, but my calls went to voicemail. I desperately want to believe that he is not ignoring my calls. But jealousy and insecurity are playing ping pong with my emotions. I pace the room anxious to see him one last time before I leave. I don’t want to sneak off in the night like I did a week ago. I want to say goodbye to his face; he deserves that.

  My heart leaps when a pounding on my door is followed by Lucian’s voice.

  “Avery, I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.” Heavy footsteps take me to the door as fear threatens to paralyze me.

  His beautiful face is contorted with an expression I don’t recognize.

  “What... is it?” I hesitate to ask.

  “It’s Evelyn.”

  “What about her?”

  “She’s been hospitalized”

  “Oh my
god!” I screech.

  “Why? What’s wrong with her?”

  “She was attacked. Jake and Raina found her unconscious.”

  “I need to go,” I choke out past the unshed tears clogging my throat.

  “That’s why I’m here. My plane is fueled and ready.”

  I walk past Lucian to the grab the bag I’ve already packed. “I’m ready.”

  We make our way down to the lobby and into a waiting limo. Lucian and I spend the next few hours in the air abroad his luxury jet in absolute silence. I don’t know if it was worry for Evelyn that kept me preoccupied or the thought of returning to New York with my life in limbo.

  Staring out the window of the jet, I barely notice the view. I’m vaguely aware of Lucian’s hand clutching mine as we make our way down the staircase. The image of William standing on the tarmac reminds me that I have put Lucian in harm’s way again. My knees go weak, thinking that I may have done the same to Evelyn.

  Like always, Lucian is there to hold me up.

  “Hold onto me,” Lucian says, wrapping his arm around me.

  The plea is unmistakable, and his arm tightening around my waist tells me he does not intend to let me go.

  Taking my bag, William welcomes us. There is a brief exchange between the two men before Lucian ushers me into the back of the limo, closing the door. Once again, he has put my safety above his. I’m suddenly stricken with panic at the thought of Lucian exposed to danger. I try to open the door but it’s locked. Banging my fist against the window, I yell out for Lucian. Blinded by a well of tears, Lucian is still invisible to me when the door opens. But the moment he pulls me close I breathe a sigh of relief.

  Closing the door behind Lucian, William rounds the front of the limo and climbs into the driver’s seat. I cling to Lucian all the way to the hospital.

  Jake informed Lucian via text that Evelyn is now in ICU. We walk briskly down the hall to find her. Raina is the first to spot us as we approach the nurse’s station. Relief washes over me, and quickly vanishes when I see the pain in her eyes. My best friend needed me now. Releasing Lucian’s hand, I go over to her.

  “I’m so sorry,” I tell her. The words release the dam holding back my tears and the guilt I feel for abandoning the ones I love.