by K. J. Lewis
“Would you like another glass of wine?” I ask her. My eyes lock on hers, but I can’t read her. “My apologies. Reid Beckett.” I introduce myself to the Senator.
“Mr. Beckett. I’m a fan of your work.”
“Thank you.”
“Maybe we could meet sometime?”
“Give my office a call. Sorry to interrupt. Elise, your guests are waiting.”
“Senator Blackwell,” she says before turning and heading back to our table. We take our seat, but before I can say anything, Blake gives a slight move to his head indicating this isn’t the time or place. Elise never misses a beat and slides right into commenting on a story Fran is telling. Dean catches my eye, and I know my brother well enough to know what he’s thinking. Yep, this isn’t going to work.
I know Reid is still uncomfortable with my role. I caught the look he gave his brother when we sat down after he rescued me from the senator.
We all make plans to meet at Reid’s tomorrow while they are putting the finishing touches on our offices at work. Plus, I want to take a step back and think about the roles I want everyone in. We will be doing more corporate work now that we are in New York with Reid, and I imagine we will be pulled into more political messes since we are closer to D.C. Somehow, I need to figure out a way to limit that happening without cutting off our ties and relationships with the people I need to get my job done.
We ride in silence on our way back to Reid’s. The night didn’t end as I had suspected.
“Where’s Nova?” I ask, breaking the tension.
“What?” Reid asks.
“Nova. He wasn’t at your house today when we were there.”
“He was getting his yearly check up at the vet today.”
I nod, and we ride the rest of the way home without another word spoken. Reid opens my door for me once we are in his garage, but instead of going into the main house, he directs me to the elevator to the master floor. I barely have one foot off the elevator when Reid pushes me against the wall. His eyes are filled with lust and frustration.
“Why do I have to keep reminding you that I run this?”
“You don’t, Reid. You just need to understand that running this,” I motion between us, “doesn’t mean running me.”
His frustration is palpable, and I feel it in his hands when he grabs the V-neck of my dress and tears it down the middle.
“You owe me $250 for this dress.” I’m so wet for him, it’s the only challenge I can think to give.
His eyes lock on mine, his face inches from my own. He watches me like he’s trying to decide what he’s going to do.
Finally, he growls, “I’m gonna make you come like no man ever has. I want to hear you scream.”
“Make me.”
It’s the kind of day that reminds me why I love this city. The temperature is perfect and the sun is high over the skyline. Buildings surround Reid’s courtyard, there’s plenty of privacy, but you can still feel that you’re in the city. He’s having lunch catered today, so there is really nothing for me to do except work and gather my thoughts.
I’m doing some reading on my iPad when he comes out onto the patio. He leans me forward so he can crawl in behind me on the cushioned lounger then pulls me to him and puts an arm around my shoulder.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“Just reading some reports for a case.”
He leans down and kisses the top of my head. “Why are you reading a bill about a highway?”
“I’m not. I’m reading the amendments.”
“Okay. Why are you reading the amendments?”
Propping my legs up, I lean back and attempt to explain it without giving too much away.
“Some bills are huge. Hundreds, even thousands of pages.”
“Is this a Saturday morning special? I know how bills work, Elise.”
“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Reid. In a bill this huge, they attach crazy amendments that they know wouldn’t pass on their own. This highway bill means a lot of money for a lot of states.”
“So what did someone attach to it?”
“There is so much junk attached to this bill.”
“But specifically what are you looking for?”
“A couple of things, actually.”
I’m cut off by a ring on the iPad.
“Emily!” I wave into the iPad at Ryan’s sister. She’s lying back in her hospital bed, and I can see the tubing running along the mattress beside her. “How’s my favorite little sister?”
“I’m good. Where are you?”
“I’m in New York. You’re looking a little green today. What’s going on kiddo?”
“They changed me to a new chemo, and it’s not sitting to well with me. I can only talk for a few minutes; I’ve been getting sick every 30 minutes or so.”
“What are they saying about your new regimen?”
“Elise, I call you to talk about girl stuff. If I wanted to talk about how I was feeling, I would call Ryan.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. Did you read the book I sent you?”
“I finished it last night. He got the girl.”
“He did,” I smile.
“They always get the girl.” She rolls her eyes, but secretly I know she wants to read books where the endings are always happy.
“Not always, but you’ll have plenty of time to read those.”
“How do you like being back in the city? Have you seen your family?”
“Not yet. My brother is traveling. My parents are out of the country until next week, and Bren is finishing a six-week escalated course at Harvard before finishing her semester at NYU.”
“Are you still sleeping with your boss? Is that his arm I see possessively wrapped around you?”
“I’m gonna stop sending you those books.”
“Mom found the one you tried to sneak in. She said she was going to have a talk with you. I asked her what she expected from someone who walks around naked in front of clergy.”
“I wasn’t walking around naked, and don’t you dare rat me out to your mother.”
“Fine. I’ll tell her Gabby put it in there. She’ll definitely believe that one.”
We laugh, only hers is raspy and sounds like just the effort is exhausting.
“Can I say hello to the best sex you’ve ever had?”
“I’m the best sex you’ve ever had?” Reid asks over my head.
“Oh my God, Emily. Please don’t give him a big head.”
“Hi, Emily.” Reid lifts his sunglasses and looks into the iPad.
“Holy shit.”
Reid frowns at the use of her language. “You really have been hanging around the girls too much,” he teases. This makes Emily smile.
“You said he was good-looking, but I didn’t know he was that good-looking.”
“Are you sure this is appropriate for someone her age.”
“I’m thirteen. Not ten,” Emily answers.
“Actually she’s a twenty-year-old trapped in a thirteen-year-old body.”
“Does your brother know you talk about this stuff?” Reid asks.
“No. And you aren’t going to tell him. I won’t get to experience this stuff on my own. Let me have fun while I can.”
“One day you’ll be sitting on a patio with your person in New York,” I assure her. “She’ll just be ahead of the game,” I tell Reid.
“Elise.” I can hear the change in Emily’s voice. “You and I both know that isn’t true.”
“Emily, I’m not giving up, so you can’t give up.”
“I’m not giving up, Elise. I’m facing the facts. This treatment is the last option we have, and the scans aren’t coming back any different.”
“Emily, you never know what they will discover tomorrow.”
“Elise, we talked about this. It’s time. You promised me.”
“Emily.”
“Elise.” She looks at me through the screen and her eyes haunt me. “Elise.” Her voice has
a command to it. “Don’t let me down. Please. You promised. It’s time.”
I sit up and look into the iPad.
“I promised.” I wipe the tears falling down my face. Emily grabs a bucket and starts vomiting before I see her fingers trying to find the disconnect button on the screen. She’s gone.
“Elise?” Reid brings me back to the here and now, and when I turn to look at him, he’s my undoing. Before he can prepare himself, I plaster myself to him, my legs wrapping around his waist. His arms encase me, and right then, I know there are times I need protecting. Protection from myself.
“Dove. What—”
“I love you, Reid.”
He stares at me for a moment and then his hands wrap around my cheeks. “I love you, Elise.”
“What does that mean to you exactly?” It’s something I’ve been wanting to ask him for a while now.
“It means you own my heart.”
“I mean what kind of love?”
“I don’t understand?”
“What kind of love do you have for me, Reid? Do you love me unconditionally?”
“I. Love. You,” he emphasizes before his mouth claims mine.
“We said we were okay with it. Not that we wanted to see it,” Blake says as he enters, the others following behind.
“I want to see it,” Gabby says.
“There really is something wrong with you.” Fran rolls hers eyes and sets her laptop on the table.
“I’ll be right back.” I make an escape without making any eye contact. Nova follows me into the bathroom, and I take deep breaths until I can contain myself. Releasing the last long breath, I make my way through the kitchen. Everyone is fixing a plate of the food Reid had brought in. Reid plants a kiss to my temple. I love the fact he isn’t afraid to show affection in front of others. He really doesn’t care what anyone thinks.
“Elise.” Dean walks up behind me and kisses the top of my head.
“Dean?” I greet him with a furrowed brow.
“You are my sister-in-law. I think we are past the handshakes, don’t you think?”
“I met you yesterday,” I remind him, raising my left hand looking at my empty ring finger. “Would we really say I was your sister-in-law?”
“Potato, po-tah-to. My little brother has never said I love you to anyone. Or ever looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”
“What are you doing here, Dean?” Reid walks back in to fix a plate. “Dean, leave Elise alone.”
“No worries, bro. I’m here to get to know the team. After all, they’re part of BE now. Gabby here?” He looks to me with so much hope that I can’t help but laugh.
“I told you, no sleeping with associates.”
“Really?” Dean and I say in unison at the shear hypocrisy of his declaration.
“Elise wasn’t my associate when we first started sleeping together.”
“Have you heard from Theo?” Dean asks me. “Has he signed the papers?”
“Yesterday.”
“Fuck yes. Then I’m covered too, bro.”
“What did you do?” Reid glares at his brother.
“We sealed the deal before she was our associate.”
Reid looks from Dean to me, and I nod. “Two nights ago,” I confirm.
“She told you?” Dean sidles up to me. “What did she say?”
“Has Reid explained my position in the company?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know what I do for a living?”
“Yes,” he says, not sure where this is going.
I pull out the gun I have tucked in my waist band and place it on the counter, never taking my eyes of him.
“I use dicks like yours for target practice. Don’t give me an excuse to add yours to my collection. Understood?”
He doesn’t hide his amused look.
“What are you smiling about?”
“You’re not the only one with connections, Elise. I’ve looked into you. I have no doubt you mean it. I’m smiling because she must be willing to give me a chance if you are giving me the shoot-my-dick-off warning.”
“Nice talking with you BIL.” I pick up my gun and my plate and make my way onto the patio.
“At least you’re carrying it,” Blake says as I re-holster it into my waist band.
“Nice to see you, West.”
“I wasn’t sure if we would be covering the assignment we will be working on with him or not, so I thought I would invite him.”
“It’s fine. Has he signed a nondisclosure?” I look to Reid who nods a confirmation. “No problem then. Plus, any friend of Blake’s is a friend of mine.”
He seems a little uneasy, so I give him a welcoming smile.
“So is today all business?” Gabs asks, tearing into her bread.
“I brought cards,” Blake announces, setting them on the table.
“Do any of you know what it’s like to work in a real office environment?” Reid asks.
“Don’t disturb the creative process, boss,” Gabby says.
Blake answers his phone. “Thomas…When? Fuck a priest. Follow her. What about Fellinger? New York? Why New… did someone schedule a meeting with you?” He gestures for me to join the conversation.
I glance at my emails and see what Blake expects me to see. Turning the phone to him, I verbally confirm, “Senator Blackwell asked me to meet a client as a favor to him.” I smile knowing we are closer to solving our case, but my smile is met with a frown from Blake. He disconnects his call.
“How long are you staying here?” he asks me.
“I’m going to Bren’s tonight.”
“She still have that place on 8th?”
“Yep.”
“Can she let my guys in there?”
“She’s out of town. I have the place to myself till she’s back.”
“Not anymore you don’t. You have a new roommate. Can you let the doorman know I’m allowed in?” He dials a number on his phone.
“She doesn’t have a doorman.”
He looks frustrated. “Then give me the key.”
“No.”
“Elise.”
“Blake.”
“Hey, it’s Thomas. Elise has been made. I want three men on her in thirty minutes. Coordinate with Reid’s man, Cooper. I’m texting you his number now.”
“Reid—” he starts, but I cut him off.
“No.”
“Reid, I’m in charge of security for this team. I can no longer guarantee Elise’s safety.”
“You already have two guys on me. I saw them at the restaurant last night.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide them from you, Elise. If I was, you wouldn’t know they were there. Why are you fighting me on this? You never argue with Theo when I make these decisions.”
“Because, you aren’t having a conversation with me about it. You keep running to Reid when I push back.”
“Are you done?”
“Are you both done?” Reid asks. “Elise will be staying here with me. What are we looking at exactly?”
“Nothing that I can’t handle, as long as I have her cooperation.”
“Don’t.” Reid cuts me off.
“Ugh. Fuck a priest,” I spit out in frustration. Blake is right. I wouldn’t be pushing back if this was Theo still in charge. But it’s not, and even though I respect Reid, I’m not convinced that he truly respects my role. He wants me in a protected box. I don’t want to keep having the same argument. I need to win this one.
I stand and take the empty plates to the kitchen. West enters, bringing me a couple more.
“Frustrating to have people talk around you and not to you, isn’t it?” he says.
“You sound like you have some experience in this area.”
“I come from a very boisterous family with seven older siblings. My family wrote the book on this.” He smiles and I realize what a truly beautiful man he is.
“You should model.” I tell him. “You’re stunning.” He rewards me with a blush that make
s me laugh.
“You’ve been around Blake too long. You have no filter.”
“Maybe I’m the one who corrupted him.”
“You forget, I’ve known him since he was a kid.”
“True. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Reid yet about the assignment, but I know he plans to have Blake take the lead. Is that going to be okay?” I study him.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Your reaction to seeing him last night just made me think you weren’t exactly excited to run into him. Although he seems thrilled to have seen you?”
He looks around for a minute before leaning against the counter.
“We didn’t part on the best of terms.”
“Well, that was some time ago. He’s changed a lot since I’ve known him, so I know he’s changed even more since you guys parted ways. He’s a good guy. You can trust him.” I offer him a kind smile. He seems unsure.
“Trusting him was never a problem. We’ll be fine. If you all think he is best for the case then I can work with that.”
“Good. Now grab the bowls.” I motion to the ones on the counter and grab the ice cream out of the freezer.
“So, how long has this been going on?” Dean asks. Blake is shuffling cards.
“Three years,” Fran answers. Blake deals and I take the seat across from him. Reid is logging onto his laptop a couple of seats down. I motion for West to take a seat beside me.
“More,” I tell Fran. She adds another scoop of ice cream to my bowl then takes her seat once everyone has a bowl and starts arranging her cards.
“When is Theo coming?” Gabs asks, shifting some cards around. Dean is watching over her shoulder.
“Next week. He’ll be here for the benefit,” Reid answers from his perch.
“I can take 8,” I tell Blake.
“You can take 8?”
“Yep.”
“Are you sure? You always overtrick.”
I feign shock and look at West.
“I think he just called you a whore,” he says with a mischievous smile.
“Not helping, Southie,” Blake grumbles, writing down our projections.
“Why do you call him Southie?” Fran asks around a mouthful of chocolate.