by Alison Ryan
Emerson nodded. “Yes. Very good then. How can I help?”
“Well,” Nolan said, sitting back in the cushy conference room chair and stretching his arms. “We need to get them off our tail. So to speak. If I’m going to get Camilla to her father, I’m going to need your resources. I can’t use the firm’s.”
“I see,” Emerson replied. “I’m guessing they’ve been compromised? Any idea who?”
Nolan shook his head. “It could be all of them for all I know. I have my suspicions. Either way; I can’t use any of the firm’s resources. Not their planes, not any of their ground transportation. Not even my cell.”
“Well, this situation certainly is dire, then,” Emerson said. “It’s bad, as bad as I’ve seen it, and I’ve been around for a while. Why, do you think, Nolan?”
“Well, I think it’s related to your last deal,” Nolan replied. “Richard had his qualms about how it would be received by some of the other clients. We represent a lot of people who would lose out on a lot of money if certain projects backed by Titan money should somehow go through.”
I interrupted, “Can you please fill me in on what the hell you’re talking about?”
Emerson spoke, “I was… am… funding research for a ‘miracle drug’. The drug could conceivably reverse diabetes. The same medicine, or family of medicines, could also profoundly impact things like malaria. The research is promising. It’s shown immune-boosting properties that could help with a whole host of diseases and conditions. Help people cure themselves, so to speak.”
My eyes widened. “Oh my God. That’s amazing. Why would that be such a scandalous thing? Wouldn’t that be… good?”
“Believe it or not,” Emerson said, looking out past me toward something only he could see. “The right things- the good things- are not always the things that people with a lot of power want. Especially if it means they would lose money.”
“But it would save lives,” I said, still not understanding.
“Yes, countless lives,” Emerson agreed. “It would change so many things. But it would also make it so that the pharmaceutical companies’ stocks would plummet. A few very wealthy and powerful people would lose a lot of money.”
“Well who the hell cares about that?” I said. “Okay, so someone is worth two billion dollars instead of four. I mean are there seriously people that fucking greedy?”
Nolan and Emerson exchanged looks. “She really has been sheltered,” Emerson said. For some reason this really pissed me off.
“If sheltered means I haven’t been exposed to greedy dickheads who would rather people die in order to make a profit every quarter, then yes. I guess I am ‘sheltered’. Or what the rest of the world might refer to as ethical.” I glared at both of them. “This whole thing makes me sick.”
To my surprise Emerson started to laugh, a big belly laugh that seemed to come from somewhere deep within. “Camilla Hunt! You’re my kind of girl. You are most definitely your father’s daughter alright. Yes, you’re right. There are some evil men in this world who don’t give a damn about anything but themselves. And that’s why it’s important people like me, you, your father, and Nolan exist. We decide to change the world anyway.” Emerson smiled. “Fuck ‘em.”
“Well, what does this have to do with my father?” I asked, looking over at Nolan, who was now staring at me intensely.
“Well, I’m not the only client with the firm,” Emerson explained. “Some of the very people who would profit the most from cures never being found to certain ailments and diseases are also people who are members of his firm. On the board of directors. Long-time clients. So there was a conflict of interest. A lot of the other clients felt like your father was betraying them by supporting my lobbying for this research. It was… messy.”
I sat back in my chair, dumbfounded.
“But I still don’t understand why he’d have to go into hiding,” I said. “I mean… You’re not in hiding.”
“Well, not to sound arrogant,” Emerson started. “But me going into hiding would be much more difficult. I am a very visible man. There aren’t very many people who don’t know who I am. If I suddenly died under strange circumstances, the press would have a field day. I’d never be able to get away with it.” Emerson frowned. “But even I don’t completely understand why Richard did it. This is the first time I’m hearing this and even I’m confused, Camilla. I wish I had more answers for you.”
I nodded. “Yes, I get that. I guess I just feel like I’m missing something.”
Nolan interrupted, “Emerson, she’ll need a plane if she’s going to see Richard. And she can’t use anything connected to the firm. I’m getting her a burner phone as soon as we leave here. Can you arrange a flight for her that would be off the books?”
Emerson nodded. “Of course, that part is easy. And I have a closet full of burner phones in my office. Let me send one of my people to grab one.”
“That would be great,” Nolan said, standing up. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us out.”
“I’d do anything for Richard,” Emerson said. “I’m so glad he’s still with us. I hope one day soon I can see him again… And thank him for the service he gave me over the years.” Emerson looked at me. “You have a good man for a father, Camilla. One of the best men I have ever known.”
Part of me wanted to cry; because he might as well have been talking about a stranger. All of these people knew my own father better than I did. They were all so loyal to him. They revered him.
And I hardly knew him.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“We’ll talk about that later,” Nolan replied. “Emerson, I’m guessing you need to go.”
“Yes, I need to keep moving for now,” Emerson said. “I have a lot on my plate with Atlas and Odin. As always.”
“Let me know if there is anything I can do to help,” Nolan said. “I owe you so much.”
“You and the firm have done a lot for me,” Emerson said, patting Nolan on the shoulder. “It’s hard to part ways. But without Richard, there is no firm. Not for me. I hope you understand.”
“Completely,” Nolan said. “We’ll head to the airport in a couple hours then?”
Emerson nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements and text you. In code of course. I’ll make sure the pilot has a new cell for Camilla. Do you need one?”
“I’ve taken care of that,” Nolan said, looking over at me. “Just want to take care of her now.”
Emerson looked at me. “Camilla, it was good to finally meet you. Wish it was under better circumstances. Maybe another time. Send my best to Richard, will you?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
We all walked toward the conference room door. As soon as it was open we were surrounded by the men in suits again.
“Goodbye,” Emerson Titan said as four men ensconced him.
And suddenly, he was gone. And we were alone.
Chapter Seven
As we walked back down to our room, I grabbed Nolan’s arm.
“Now will you tell me?” I asked.
“You’ll know once you’re there,” Nolan said. “I just don’t want to take any risks. The pilot will know where to take you. That’s all that matters.”
I stopped, suddenly hearing what he was saying.
“You won’t be with me?” I asked. “Aren’t you coming? Don’t you want to see him too?”
Nolan shook his head. “I can’t go with you on this flight. I need to distract whomever is following us. And I can guarantee you there are people following us. You’ll leave in a couple hours for the airport in one of Emerson’s cars. They’ll switch you in and out a couple of times before heading to the private airport where one of his anonymous jets will whisk you away to your first stop.”
“My first stop?” I asked. We were in front of our suite’s entrance now, and suddenly I couldn’t stop thinking about what we’d been doing in there before our meeting with the mogul. “Is this all to distract?”
“Yep,” Nolan said, opening the door for us. “It’s never been more important for you to be invisible, Camilla. I’m still not sure this is the right thing to do, but you’re understandably insistent on seeing him. So I’m making it happen.”
He walked past me, loosening his tie as he did.
“So what do we do now?” I asked, demurely. “I won’t be leaving for a few hours?”
Nolan turned to look at me. “What do you want to do, Camilla?”
I walked over to him slowly, unbuttoning my blouse as I did, starting from the top and working my way down. “You know what I want, Mr. Weston.”
He stared at me, his eyes hungry with lust as I got closer and closer to him.
“It’s about what I want though,” he said, his voice deepening. “Isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Of course. I’m just here to submit to you. Completely.”
He walked over to me, his gait confident, his fists clenched. I’d unbuttoned half my blouse and in one quick motion he’d torn it off me, exposing my nude teddy I’d decided to wear under my ensemble. It was all one piece made of lace and mesh, and I’d fantasized about being exposed to him in it, my ample breasts spilling out of it, barely contained by the thin fabric.
He was practically salivating.
He lifted me up and my legs were wrapped around him. I could feel the hardness of him, even with his pants still on.
“I’m going to fuck you senseless,” he rumbled into my ear. His voice was primal and urgent. I knew he would show me no mercy.
He threw me down on the bed and I writhed as I watched him strip down to nothing, his cock angry. He stroked it with one large hand as he stared down at me.
“Take all of your clothes off,” he said. “You’re so bad, Camilla. Wearing something like that. Is it crotchless?”
It was. I opened my legs so he could see me, all of me. I could feel the wetness on my inner thighs. He sucked in a breath.
“Fuck,” he muttered. “You’re going to be my complete undoing.”
His pounding was the most aggressive I’d ever taken from him. He treated my body like his fuck toy- something there only to give him pleasure. He was rough with me and I loved it; I wanted to be something he found so desirous that he couldn’t control the beast I knew was within him… The beast that was within all men like Nolan.
I bent to his will and followed his every instruction.
“Turn over,” he’d demand, smacking my ass. “Let me fuck you like the whore I want you to be for me. Only me, Camilla.”
And if by whore he meant I was only his for the taking, then that’s what I would always be. To receive him was all I could ever want. If he wanted to fuck me like a whore, I would be a willing one.
“Yes, Mr. Weston,” I panted. “I’m your whore. You own my body.”
“That’s fucking right,” he said as he entered me, his cock so hard that I winced. “You’re my precious girl, Camilla. My concubine. My everything. I’ll fuck you and love you for the rest of my life. And you’ll never get me to stop. Right? If I want you, you’ll give me everything. I can fuck you how I please. Say it, Camilla.”
“You can do with me as you wish,” I cried out, an earth shattering orgasm erupting from me. I could feel myself pulling his cock inside of me even further as I pulsated. “I’m coming so hard for you, Mr. Weston.”
He yanked my hips back and started pumping me faster now, impossibly deeper. “I can feel it, Camilla. My good girl who I love to fuck. I can feel you coming for me. Your mentor. Your master. Your owner.”
Oh my God. Was it bad that this turned me on? To be his good girl that he owned? I loved playing this part and being beneath his experienced hands, his eyes staring down at my body, a body that only belonged to him, would always belong to him.
“I need your come, Mr. Weston,” I begged. “I’ll be so good for you. You can come anywhere you want to. On me, in me. Just show me how much my body pleased you. It’s my only purpose!”
I was crying out now, the waves of pleasure hitting me relentlessly as we played our game. This role was what I was born for. I’d never wanted someone so much. Even as he fucked me, I couldn’t get enough. I was delirious with want.
He yelled out, a primitive sort of scream that came from deep within his soul. He slammed into me over and over and then I felt him release, the heat of it bringing me over the edge. We were truly one in that moment, his body filling me and mine taking all he could give me, wanting all of it, and more. Much more. Always.
We’d been completely spent over an hour later, both of us breathing hard as we lie next to one another on the bed, naked and sweaty.
“That,” he said. “Was the best. Ever.”
I rolled over and smiled at him. “The best sex ever? Really?”
“Not just the best sex,” Nolan replied. “The best time. The best experience. The most amazing hour of my life. Bar none. No competition. You win, Camilla Hunt. You win so hard.”
I laughed, so proud that I could be on that kind of pedestal.
“I love you,” I said, without thinking.
He turned to look at me. He touched my face but I could sense a sadness in his eyes. “I love you too. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
I laid my head down on his chest, listening to his heart beat. It soothed me, that sound.
“What will happen?” I asked. “After we see my dad? Will we come back here? Run the firm together? Flush out the moles?” I looked up at his face. He was staring at the ceiling, one arm crooked underneath his head. “I just don’t want this to end, Nolan. Ever. Is that crazy?”
He shook his head but he wouldn’t look at me. “It’s not crazy at all to want to spend your life with someone you love.”
I looked at him, my stomach suddenly hurting from anxiety. As always, Nolan wasn’t telling me everything.
“If it were up to me,” he said. “And I have thought this so often you wouldn’t even believe it… I’d do what your dad did. Except I would escape to Vanuatu. Assume a new identity. The name of someone who was a huge part of the good parts of my childhood.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Who would that be?”
He smirked at me. “I have to keep some secrets for myself. But you could figure it out. We talked about it before.”
I playfully smacked his rock solid stomach. “You keep enough secrets as it is. How would I find you?”
“I’d hope you’d be with me,” he said, running his hands through my hair. “When it comes down to it… I hope you choose me.”
“Always,” I said, suddenly understanding his solemn expression. How could he ever think I’d ever choose anything other than him?
About an hour later Nolan received a text from Emerson letting him know everything was good to go.
“We should hurry though,” Nolan said. “They’re going to take you in an unmarked SUV. Four of them will leave the hotel at the same time and all four will go in different directions. All four will have a woman in them with your hair color and your build. But clearly only one will have Camilla Hunt in it. And we’re hoping, if someone is following you, that it throws them off. Either way, you won’t be taken to the plane until you’ve switched cars a few times.”
I looked at him, tears suddenly stinging my eyes. “You won’t be with me?”
“I can’t be,” he said, holding my face in both his hands. “I want to be. But for both of our safety, you need to go alone. But I won’t be far behind you. I have things to settle here before I go.”
“And you still won’t tell me where?” I asked. “This is beyond frustrating, Nolan.”
“I know,” he said. “But it’s what we need to do. I don’t want to compromise Richard’s whereabouts. But more than that, I don’t want to put you in any sort of danger. I won’t take even the most conservative of risks when it comes to you.”
This was not what I wanted. I’d been apart from him for so long the last few months. I didn’t trust how long it would be until he was with me again. And
he wasn’t looking me in the eyes when he spoke.
A red flag.
“Promise me,” I said. “Promise me you’ll meet me again. I won’t go anywhere else until I see you, Nolan. You can’t… Not again…” I was crying now.
So weak.
“I swear to God,” he said, pulling me to his chest. “You will see me again in the next 48-72 hours, Camilla. I would die before I broke that promise.” He tilted my chin up toward his face. “I need you more than you need me. You have no idea.”
He kissed me then. It was a kiss full of passion and the promise of things to come. It was the truest thing he’d given me so far.
And I believed him. Without question.
Thirty minutes later I ducked my head into a sleek, black Range Rover with tinted windows in the bowels of the parking garage. There were three men in the vehicle with me. The suits. They didn’t speak, but it was clear they were in on what was happening.
“We’re taking you to another hotel and garage,” the driver said to me, glancing at me in his rearview mirror. “There you’ll get into a Maybach with a different security team. After that they’ll tell you the next step. It might take a couple of transfers before we’re cleared to take you to the final destination. Please be patient, Miss Hunt.”
I nodded. “Of course. Do what you have to do.”
I wanted Nolan there with me. I was never more safe than when he was close by. I ached for his presence. A dark cloud would hang over me until I saw him again. That much I knew was true.
At the next hotel I slid into a Maybach with curtained windows; a different driver and only one other man in a suit in the passenger side.
“Hello, Miss Hunt,” the driver said. “Seems like we’ll need a couple more transfers before we take you to the airport.”
“Okay,” I said. “That’s fine.”
And they weren’t kidding. I hopped in and out of a total of six luxury vehicles before finally hopping into an older model Chevrolet Malibu of all things which finally took me to the private airport outside of Vancouver.