by LLP, Lan
“Everyone will need to be out of there before 1430 hours. The Feds have already been anonymously tipped with the exact location,” I emphasize.
Mateo and his men will swap out the pharmaceutical drugs with heroin, cocaine, meth and weapons. The Feds will bust the Montgomerys for illegal drug possession as well as mass production. This bit of information isn’t privy to anyone but Owen. He’s arranged all the particular details for me. With the amount of drugs they’ll find on his property, Chandler will never see the outside of a prison again. He won’t be threatening Lia, Lil or anyone else in the future.
“Does anyone have anything to add before we adjourn?” I offer, looking respectfully out to every brave face in the room.
“Good luck,” Hayden encourages. “We’ll celebrate when Paul and David are back.” The men applaud and revel out loud. The comradery is impressive, given the differences in their backgrounds.
“I second that. Gentlemen, I’ll see you all tomorrow evening. Be safe,” I offer them a boost. “Owen and Mateo, I need a word with you two. Walk with me.” They follow me down a corridor and into a small meeting room. “Can I presume everything is squared away?”
“Yes, sir,” Owen and Mateo answer in unison.
“I was able to link the Montgomerys to the notorious Petronellas. They’ve been doing business for years,” Mateo tells me with a scowl. I gather he must’ve had a bad run-in with those assholes. “No one likes the Petronellas. They’re considered the dirtiest and most ruthless, even among their criminal peers. Disgusting bottom feeders, that’s what they are. Once the inmates discover his connection to them, Chandler Montgomery won’t stand a chance in there. A few weeks tops.”
“I’m impressed, Mateo.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Mr. Bradley, how would you like us to handle Mrs. Montgomery and their son?” Owen inquires, concerned.
“Unless they’re involved, I don’t want their lives to be altered. They’re innocent and shouldn’t be presumed guilty by relation. My only objective is to repay that scumbag for all the shit he’s put everyone through.”
“You’re much nicer than me. I would make him suffer slowly,” Mateo elaborates with a knotted expression and seeping venom in his tone. “No one fucks with mi familia and gets away with it.”
“Trust me. I’m not. I’d love to see that asshole die a slow death also, but it’s not in my nature to be as cruel as he is.”
“You’re a good man,” Mateo praises me.
“Thanks, but I’m far from good,” I clarify. He doesn’t know how I’ve used women callously for my own pleasure or the thriving competitors I’ve had to eliminate to get to the top. “I guess all is covered then. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mateo.”
I walk out with Owen and inquire the status of the Oss-Meta drug. Samantha emailed me this morning, confirming the drug is completed and has been successfully tested. “It’ll still need to go through a final stage of testing before we can declare it an effective treatment for bone cancer disease.”
“We’re on the cusp. It’s so close. So many people will be able to take advantage of this drug, including Gabriel.” Oh shit that reminds me. “What time is it? Lily’s probably bored out of her mind waiting for me in my office.”
“Luke messaged just ten minutes ago that she’s in the building,” Owen assures me.
Perfect. She hasn’t been waiting long at all. “Let’s continue this after I meet with Lil and Gabriel,” I cut Owen off and pace to the elevators.
“Yes, sir.” I hear him answer behind me.
It’s a good thing I’m riding the elevator alone. That ridiculous grin is finding its way back on my face again as I picture Lil straddled over my lap trying to punish me with her naked body. Fuck. I’d happily take that kind of punishment any time of day. I’ve never had a notable morning like that before. Why can’t I seem to brush it under my usual blank facade? Maybe I don’t want to. Maybe I want the world to know how happy she makes me—and then the doors open to Evelyn’s eyes signaling to my office to let me know Lil’s already in there.
“Please have the Grays in my office in ten minutes,” I tell her. Nine of those minutes will be spent on Lil’s mouth, neck and hopefully other parts of her body. This might be a record-speed quicky.
“Hello, beautiful,” I tell her as my hungry eyes roam the length of her body, appreciating her soft curves from behind. She’s wearing a pair of fitted jeans that hug her ass with a cropped jacket gathered around the waist and a lightweight scarf. From the sound of my familiar voice, her head turns to face me, striking my heart with a full-blown smile. She appears excited, scrutinizing the items I had my personal shopper gather for Gabriel. “Do you think she’ll like everything in there?” I ask confidently. Let’s be honest, what child wouldn’t give to get a basket like this one?
“You missed one thing,” she mutters under her solemn voice. How is that possible? I had Evelyn asked Gabriel’s mother to jot down a list of all her interests. Lil lifts a toy bird up to me and shares the story behind it. It blows my mind. All that little girl wanted from me was a singing bird when I could give her Disney or a trip to some magical paradise. Gabriel sounds a lot like a selfless mini-version of Lil. Without warning, Lily starts to crumble emotionally. Tears come hard and uncontrollable, choking her. Her desperation gouges painfully at my heart. I understand this desperation more than anyone, trying to hold on to the inevitable. I tell her to be strong. She has to be. Gabriel can’t see her broken like this. It’ll only scare and make her fear death even more than she probably does. She pulls herself together and bravely offers me one of her stunning smiles, shrouding the sadness underneath.
Lillian Ly
Everything from housing, clothing, meals, and entertainment has been arranged by Carson’s people. Gabby, her mom, and a healthcare representative have all been flown first class into Boston and collected by a private limo driver. They’re staying at the Four Seasons until Gabby qualifies for the protocol that best matches her rare cancer type. Carson went several levels above and beyond to ensure their experience is as pleasant as possible. Again, his generosity is unmatched. He’s an incredible man and I love him with all my heart. Luke and I are on our way to BPC. The excitement is more than I can contain as I stare out the tinted limo window. I’m holding an adorable songbird with blue and yellow hues that sings four different songs at the touch of a button under its left wing. Luke was kind enough to follow me into three different toy stores before we found a specialty bird shop that carried a variety of songbirds. Gabby will be so thrilled to have it in her arms. I can’t wait to see the delighted expression on her sweet little face when I give it to her. It’ll be like Christmas for the both of us. Carson’s gifted ability strengthens my faith and hope for Gabby. His success rate is high and his fail rate is nominal. Gabby will have more of a fighting chance now that she has him on her side.
My excited chest is dancing to the lively beat of my anticipation as I’m minutes away from seeing Carson. Between my pregnancy news and being able to meet Gabby again, this has to be one of the best days of my life. I had fifty pink and blue helium balloons delivered to the penthouse, which required two trips up four elevators to get them all there. My secret was out of the bag after that. Luke refrained from asking any questions while he helped me separate the balloons. I swore he had an elusive grin on his face the entire time. I imagine Carson will have no problem figuring out my surprise after he sees fifty balloons with boy and girl name tags floating in his living room. They’re popular names I googled from all over the world. I also have my four positive pregnancy tests bundled together with pink and blue ribbons tethered around Sugar, the stuff giraffe. He’s patiently waiting on our bed for daddy to come home so he can surprise him with our baby news.
“Miss Ly, we’re here.” Luke turns to face me from the seat next to the driver to inform me. “Mr. Bradley left specific instructions for us to use his private elevator.”
“That’s fine,” I tell him as I dre
ad the thought of being trapped in that cramped, metal box. “Luke, my secret is safe with you, right?” I’m positive he won’t say a word, but it never hurts to be reassured.
“Yes.” He smiles and then steps out to open the door for me, beating Rollin to it. “It’ll be a pleasant surprise for Mr. Bradley,” he adds, offering me his leather-gloved hand. I take it and give him an unexpected hug.
“Thanks, Luke. That means a lot coming from you.” His body is rigid but I can tell he welcomed my friendly embrace.
“No problem, L…Lily.”
The elevator ride up is so quiet that I can hear my thumping heart bounce around in my chest like an explosive bottle rocket. I don’t know if I can retain the pregnancy news until later this evening when Carson gets home. It’ll be impossible for me to refrain from smiling the entire time, knowing what I know. I’m horrible at keeping secrets and a straight face.
“Is Gabby in the building yet?” I break our silence.
“She’s waiting in the employee lounge until Mr. Bradley completes his 2:30 meeting,” he answers.
“Can we go there first to see her?” I ask impatiently.
“No,” he replies promptly. “Mr. Bradley will be done soon and he specifically wants you in his office. They’ll come see you both in there. I’m going to step off on the next floor so Evelyn and the other employees won’t notice me. I won’t be far.”
“Okay. Thanks, Luke.”
The elevator stops and Luke escapes like a stealth ninja into a corridor. Poof. And he’s gone. Simultaneously, the doors glide shut, leaving me alone in a tight and frightful space. Without delay, the air around me closes in, narrowing my throat. Don’t panic, Lil. I press the button on Gabby’s bird and a calming melody fills the area with solace, comforting me momentarily. My mind is distracted. I don’t smell smoke or see untamed flames. They don’t exist. They’re just horrible figments of my imagination. Finally, the heavy doors open and I’m standing outside Carson’s splendid office. Thank God. Evelyn must’ve been instructed to meet me the second I step out. Her light bluish-gray eyes welcome me punctually.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Lucy. Mr. Bradley has asked me to escort you to his office.”
“How are you, Evelyn?” I greet, admiring the beautiful coloring of her smiling eyes. And as always, her hair is perfectly styled in a professional ponytail while her tall, skinny frame is donned in a smoky oyster suit.
“I’m good, thank you. Would you like a hot or cold beverage while you wait for Mr. Bradley?” she offers.
“No thank you.”
She opens the door and I see a large gift basket full of toys on top of Carson’s massive executive desk, making my little bird appear trivial in comparison. “Will Mr. Bradley be much longer?” I inquire.
“Owen, I mean Mr. Maxwell, called about five minutes ago to let me know that Mr. Bradley be up shortly to meet you. So I believe he should be here any minute now. Do you need anything else, Miss Lucy?”
“I’m good,” I reply and add, “He was impressed that I prepared his coffee exactly the way you make it for him.” She grins, giving me an elusive look and shuts the door behind her. There’s no doubt in my mind that Evelyn is on to us. How could she not be?
Walking over to Carson’s desk I inspect the goodies inside the bountiful gift basket that’s over-shadowing my little bird. Everything that has to do with Princess Elsa and the Frozen movie is in this wicker basket. How did he know? There are no adjectives great enough to describe how wonderful this man is.
“Hello, beautiful,” Carson greets upon entering his office with tender eyes that dissolve my composure instantly. God, he looks indestructible in his trim slate suit. No one wears that powerful expression like he does. Seeing him confident in his environment reminds me of how fierce and untouchable he is to everyone else but me. “Do you think she’ll like everything in there?” he asks with an assured dimple smile, indicating to me that he or one of his employees has done their homework.
“You missed one thing,” I tell him cheekily.
Walking over to my side he inquires, “What can it possibly be?” and grazes his moisten lips across my cheek with his arms around my waist. His touch, my addiction, stirs feral desires to surface. Will I ever get over this incessant need for him? It’s unlikely and I never want to.
Releasing the bird from my arms I lift it up to Carson. “This songbird is her Magical wish.”
“Are you telling me that is all she wanted from my foundation?” It seems unimaginable to him that this little girl could’ve asked for almost anything and she only wanted a bird.
“Not quite. She desired a real songbird. One that she could teach to sing like her,” I explain as my throat tightens with emotions. “She hopes her family will think of her whenever the bird would sing.” My eyes start to water, picturing Gabby weak and struggling in pain. Her tiny little body lay helplessly in her mother’s cradling arms. “Carson, please. We need to find a way to save her.” I whimper. The image is too unbearable. “I can’t stand the thought of her dying.”
Turning me so I’m facing him he tells me, “You have to be strong for her. She can’t see you shattered like this. She’s a vulnerable child who needs a pillar of strength to lean on. I’ll do everything that I can to lengthen her time, but it’s up to God to cure her,” he reasons with me. Carson’s right. She can’t see me like this. I square my shoulders, take my last sniff and wipe the remaining tears away with the back of my hands. I’m blaming my instability on the damn pregnancy hormones. “That’s better. Now give me one of your stunning smiles,” he encourages.
I offer him a pursed grin and ask, “Did you really mean it? Will you do all you can to buy her more time?”
“Of course I did. I don’t give idle promises. It’s a waste of my valuable time,” he states.
“Thank you.” I loop my arms under his and squeeze his torso, letting him know how happy he’s making me.
Chapter 18
Lillian Ly
“Lucy,” Gabby squeals with joy. Her youthful voice echoes crisply, tickling my heartstrings as she courses into Carson’s office, leaving her mother and healthcare representative behind. There’s so much life in her little body that it’s hard to believe she’s deathly ill. Her crescent smile brings more cheeriness into this room than the sun shining through the windows. I leave Carson’s side to meet her half way, lifting her up into my arms. She weighs hardly anything, lighter than Carson’s expensive down pillows. “I’m so happy to see you again,” she whispers to me with her short limbs wrapped tightly around my neck, oozing with pure affection.
“Me too.” I gather her emaciated body gently into my chest. I don’t want to hurt her. Don’t cry, Lil. I have to keep reminding myself. She appears gaunter than I remember. “How do you like Boston so far?” I ask, lowering her down to her feet. Jane, still ashen with dark circles under her blue eyes, ambles up to us and places an encouraging hand on my arm. “Hi, Jane,” is all I can muster without getting completely choked up again. Carson watches me behind his desk, offering his support. Be a pillar of strength, he told me.
“I like it here. My big room is really fancy and my bed is so fluffy,” she shares in her bubbly voice. “I love the elevator rides the best.” Really? She enjoys those things. She’s much braver than I am.
“Gabby, let’s not be impolite,” Jane reminds her daughter of her manners. Moms will always be moms no matter what, never missing an opportunity to impart words of wisdom. “Come say hi to Mr. Bradley.”
Carson rounds his desk to meet us. “It’s fine, Ms. Gray,” he assures, waving courteously at her. “Hello, Gabby.” He bends down on one knee to her level, pats her head and rests his hand on her back, regarding her naïve expression. She wears a golden wig, shoulder length with slanted bangs. I assume this light color is close to her natural shade. Surprisingly, she doesn’t shy away, but flashes him a coy smile instead, diminishing his sternness. Straight away, she has him wrapped around her sweet little cherub face. I can see i
t in his warm doting eyes. “I’ve heard many wonderful things about you,” he divulges. His tone is mellower and gentler than I’ve ever heard it.
“You have?” she replies, astonished and impressed. Gabby couldn’t be more thrilled. Everything on her face sparkles bright, like twinkling stars illuminating an entire galaxy.
“Yes, I was told you have an amazing voice,” he praises as his eyes shoot up to mine. If I thought I was in love with him before this moment, I was wrong. I’m more lost in his tenderness now than ever. “You think you can sing a song for me sometime?” he asks her. She nods eagerly.
Leaning into his ear, she whispers audibly, “Is Miss Lucy your wife? She’s very pretty and very nice. I really like her.”
“I really like her, too,” he whispers back, showcasing the deepest dimpled grin I’ve ever seen on his gorgeous face. “I agree. She’s very pretty and nice, and I’d love to marry her. Can you persuade her for me?” he urges her playfully. Her head nods enthusiastically, throwing her over-sized smiling blue eyes around. I toss him a lopsided smirk for being an opportunist once again. Carson stands up and laces his fingers between mine, chucking our cousin cover-up out the twenty-fourth floor window. “Ms. Gray, I can see why Lucy is so captivated by Gabby. She’s a doll.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bradley. She’s pretty special to us.” Her voice trembles slightly as her moist eyes fall on Gabby’s face. I remember that endearing look. It’s as if she’s securing every last minute she has with her baby in her mind. “I’m sorry, Francine. Let me introduce you to Mr. Bradley.” Shaking off her stupor, she ushers the woman who’s been in a daze since she first stepped foot into Carson’s office. Her reflective eyes have been locked on Carson’s face without tiring, as if she recognizes him from some prior occasion.
Carson stretches his hand out to her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Manns. It’s a pleasure.” Her body tenses visibly. Her reaction is so peculiar that even I am starting to feel uneasy. Finally, she extends her shaky hand out to him. Their connection seems moving for her. Carson senses the same vibe as I do. His eyes narrow slightly with his lips pressed firmly together. Uh-oh. These are Carson’s warning signs before he turns unapproachable and scary.