by Brit Vosper
Olivia looked back up at me and her burgeoning smile warmed the frustration from her face. She may not trust Marcus and she still didn’t consider him a father, but she was still excited to tell him.
“What the fuck? How bad?” Marcus shouted down the phone causing us all to turn to him. He looked pissed off. “Alright, I’ll be there soon. Get the doc out and don’t touch that little fucker again till I get there.” He hung up and placed the phone in his pocket while shaking his head.
“Problem?” Olivia said.
“Not as such. My guys have got hold of that little bastard James. I’ve been after him for weeks.” Marcus knocked back his whisky and stood to leave. “But he’s not in a good way, and I need to get there. Sorry, I’m gonna have to go.”
“Wait,” I said. “You can stay for a few more minutes?”
Marcus shook his head. “I can’t. He’s conscious, and I need to speak to him while he still is.”
“There’s something we need to tell you. Both of you.”
Olivia reached across and touched my arm. “Maybe we should wait for another time?”
“We won’t be down again for a while.” I smiled and held her hand in mine. “We need to do it now.”
“What is it?” Marcus said folding his arms. “And why aren’t you gonna be down again? I thought you were going to work with me soon? I could use the help. Sooner rather than later.”
I kissed my teeth. “Yeah, it’s kind of about that.”
Marcus groaned. “Please, don’t say you’ve changed your mind.”
“It’s more that the situation has changed.”
Milena huffed. “Would you spit it out already?”
Olivia smiled and shook her head at her sister. Then looked over at me. “Are you going to tell them or shall I?”
The grin I’d been trying to hide all afternoon refused to be held back any longer. “I think it’s your privilege.”
Marcus unfolded his arms and opened them towards her. A confused smile worked its way on to his face as he picked up on ours. “Well?”
Olivia looked up at him, her eyes beamed with joy. “You’re going to be a grandad.”
His jaw fell open, and he shook his head in confusion trying to process what she said. “What?”
“You’re pregnant?” Milena squawked, as she held her head forward stunned.
Marcus laughed. “I’m going to be a grandad!”
Olivia nodded at them and laughed. “Yes. How many other ways can we say we’re having a baby?”
I didn’t think I’d ever seen Marcus as happy. He looked like he’d been given the news of his life. Without even acknowledging me. He ran around the back of my chair and picked Olivia up off the floor with his bear hug. She squirmed under his grip then relaxed and held him back.
“I’m so pleased for you.” He pulled away and held her face in his hands. “You’re gonna be an awesome mother.”
Olivia’s warm smile grew. “Thank you.” She looked down and stepped back. “I hope I will be.”
He stroked her arm. “I know you will.”
Marcus turned to me. I swear there were tears in his eyes. “You…”
He pointed at me, and I stood with my hands raised. My grin was almost as wide as his.
“You… bastard.” He laughed, lunged forward and pulled me into a hug. Olivia had to step back to avoid us. “You fucking bastard. You only went and fucking did it, didn’t you?”
I laughed. “Yeah, I did.”
Pulling back, Marcus wiped his eyes and beamed at me. “I’m so happy for you, man.”
I think he was happier for himself. “Thanks.”
He turned back to Olivia. “How far along?”
She chewed her lip and looked off to the side. “About three months.”
He turned to me, his eyes narrowed but his smile still beamed. “You’ve only been together three months.”
I shrugged. “Things happened quickly.”
He held up his hands and shook his head. “I don’t want to know.” He laughed then sighed. “Goddamnit, I’ve got to go. I wish you hadn’t told me.” He pointed to his grin. “How am I going to play the evil crime lord with this face, now?”
“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Olivia said dryly.
He turned to her and held her hand. “Your Mother would’ve been so proud. I know I am.”
She gave him a soft smile and glanced down.
“Goddamnit. I’ve got to go. And there’s nothing more I’d rather do than stay here and celebrate with you both.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and slapped me on the back as he turned to leave. “Congratulations. To both of you. We’ll arrange another time to celebrate soon. Even if I have to trek out to the country to see you.” He gave us another beaming smile. Then huffed as he strolled to the door, back on a phone call as soon as he left us.
Milena stood and cleared her throat. Then offered me her hand. “I suppose congratulations are in order.”
I shook it and nodded. “Thanks, I suppose.”
She glared at me then turned to her sister. “If one of us had to keep the bloodline going, I’d rather it be you.”
Olivia laughed. “Is that your way saying you approve?”
She shrugged. “It is what it is.”
“I’ve just told you I’m pregnant, can’t you be a little happy for me. As a human being if not as a sister?”
Milena plastered on her fake smile and bowed her head. “I’m pleased one of us has everything they could wish for. No doubt this new arrival will bring you even more joy and happiness. Now, please excuse me. I must be heading off, too, some of us have work to do.”
Olivia sighed as she watched her sister gather her things to leave. “Milena.”
She stopped and shot her a cold stare that reminded me of Gian. “What?”
“I’d be happy for you.”
She huffed. “You would. Empathy has always been your weakness.” She spun and left for the door.
“Milena.” Olivia started after her.
I grabbed her arm and held her back. “Let her go. We’ve had all the pleasantness we’ll get from her today.”
She looked up at me with a cheerless smile, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Why is she so callous?”
The question wasn’t directed at me. More to herself, but I held her close and gave her the answer she already knew. “She’s bitter. You were chosen over her.”
“But I’ve given her what she wanted.”
“No, you haven’t. You’re still in control. She won’t soon forget that.” I brushed the hair from her face. “But you should, for now. Don’t let her put a downer on this.”
Some warmth returned to her face. “The big reveal didn’t quite go as expected, did it?”
“Marcus was pleased enough for all of us. I’d say that qualifies as better.”
She laughed and shook her head. “What now? I can’t go see Alice, she’s in Spain for a week with Mark. Home?”
My grin widened. “Not just yet.”
Disappointment creased her eyes, and she pouted at me. “You want to stay here? I can’t even have a drink.”
I held her face in my hands and hovered my lips above hers. “Are you whining? Because you know whining girls don’t get what they want. Do they, honey?”
Her eyes glinted as a mischievous smile warmed her face. “No, I wasn’t whining.”
“Are you sure? That’s what it sounded like.”
She laughed. “Just stating a fact.”
“Good.” My lips met hers and I kissed her with all the hunger rising within me. It would be a long drive home, and I wasn’t prepared to wait that long. I bit her lip and drew a delicate yelp from her throat. Then looked down into her fervent eyes. “I don’t want to drink.”
She giggled as she shook her head. “No, not here.”
“Are you telling me no?”
She straightened her expression, but couldn’t hide the amused smile. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
I reached for her hand and held it in mine. “Come with me.”
She hushed her protest as I led her resisting past the bar. “Aaron, no.”
Opening the door, I looked back at her and raised my eyebrows. “Don’t argue.”
Her lips pressed together in a mock scowl as I pulled her through into the hallway and down to one of the private rooms.
“Aaron!” She growled as I dragged her inside and locked the door behind me. Playful amusement crept through her forced frown as she backed away from me and over to the far side of the small room. “We can’t do this here.”
I stalked over and pressed her into the wall. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
Those striking green eyes were burning with desire as she stared up into mine. That look fed my soul. There was a power in it that made me weak, yet, gave me strength. She didn’t realise the extent of the hold she had over me. How she could control my heart with little more than a blink or a wink. One look would make me fold like a wilting flower and another would stir a wild torment inside.
I ran my hands through her hair then gripped it tight. She gasped as I held her kiss a breath away. Her lips reached for me, twitching with her shallow breath. She smiled as I kept her waiting. Her impatience growing. A soft whimper escaped from her throat.
“Is that a whine?”
She shook her head, but did it again. The delicate noise whispered through my chest. She knew exactly how to play me.
I yanked her from the wall and dragged her over to the side table, turning her around to face the mirror which hung above it. When she saw her reflection, she turned her head.
“No. Not the mirror,” she grumbled.
I bent her forward and spanked her arse. “Look.”
She yelped then shook her head. Her eyes were screwed shut.
Pulling her hair, I forced her head up, and hit her again. The moan that rumbled in her throat stirred my need. “Open your eyes.”
She screwed them tighter. “No.”
I hit her harder, and she cried out as they flung open.
“Good girl.”
Her eyes fixed to mine as I caressed her arse, stroking where I’d struck. She didn’t drop my gaze, but her eyes softened as I teased her sensitive skin and smiled.
“Look at yourself.”
“I don’t want to.”
“It’s not a request.”
She did as she was told and met her own eyes in the mirror. I could see the tension on her face as she studied the reflection she hated. It hurt to see the pain she carried inside. The disgust at what she thought she was. But I wanted her to see what I did.
“Olivia. You’re beautiful.”
She swallowed and glanced away. I slapped her arse and her eyes darted back to her reflection.
“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, inside and out.”
My hand travelled between her legs, and her breath hitched as I stroked the warmth beneath her jeans. Her face relaxed as I teased.
“You’re strong, powerful, and fierce. You’ve a fire in you that could burn down a room.”
I came behind her and smoothed my fingers around her waist. Popping her button and unzipping her fly. Her eyes glanced at mine as a smile curved her lips.
“Look at you. Look at what I see.”
She flicked back to her reflection as I eased the jeans down her thighs.
“I see a woman who is brave, determined, and obstinate.”
She laughed. I trailed my hands up her warm skin and groaned as I caressed her arse.
“I see the sexiest woman. One who can make me hard with little more than a moan.”
To prove my point, I pressed against her. As she lifted from the table, I wrapped my arms around her and I held her close against my chest. Looking over her shoulder, I caught her eyes in the mirror.
“I see the mother of my child. The woman I love.”
Thank you for reading
I hope you enjoyed Broken Bonds, the first in Broken Series and the lead story in The London Crime Syndicate Collection.
Want to know what happened to Lucy?
Lucy’s Law will be my next book in the collection. Turn the page to read the exclusive prologue, and sign up for my mailing list to be notified as soon as it is released.
Join my mailing list
Lucy’s Law
Prologue
Lucy
Grass whipped at my bare feet as I ran. Dew soaked my legs all the way up to my flimsy dress. Blades snapped off, sticking as they cut into my skin. The long tangles of stalks threatened to trip me at any second. The leather collar choked at my throat, and the chain hit heavy on my back with every step. I kept on as fast as possible. The tree line was approaching. If I could hide in the woods, I’d have a chance of escape.
My muscles burned with the exertion and my heart thundered in my chest, making my pulse pound in my ears. The cold morning air tightened my lungs, and every breath was painful, like the icy breeze froze my lungs from the inside. I’d been in the cell too long. My body wasn’t used to the effort.
A lightness buzzed in my head and my vision sparkled with static. I couldn’t go on much longer, but I had to get to the trees. Then I could hide. I was good at hiding, they wouldn’t find me.
I didn’t know who they were, but Sir was nervous. He was afraid for me. If they scared him, then I had every reason to be petrified. I heard him fighting before he shouted at me to run. It sounded like there were a lot of men. What did they want? I thought Lawrence was coming. Were they here instead, did they want to hurt me?
The grass became thicker the closer I got to the trees. It was harder to run. I slowed as I jumped between the thick tufts.
Darkness loomed as the canopy cut out the sun. The shadows crept forward like sharp claws guiding me into the depths of the woods. I didn’t like the dark, but it wasn’t half as scary as the men at the farm.
I leapt over a fallen branch. My foot caught within the piercing twigs. I yelped as I stumbled to my knees. As I tried to kick off the branches, I heard the wet thuds of footsteps behind. They were closing in.
Panic surged through my limbs, firing me ahead like I’d been shot with electricity. My hands clawed at the wet earth as I pulled myself forward. The collar tugged at my neck, and the branch came with me as I pushed to my feet. A broken twig pierced the soft skin of my sole and I wailed, but I yanked my other leg free.
“Lucy!”
I shook at the man’s voice. Fresh terror flooded my veins. Scrambling to my feet, I dragged myself to the trees. My left foot was hurting, but I limped through the rough undergrowth. The branch hung from the chain and scratched at my legs.
“Lucy, stop!”
He sounded familiar, but it wasn’t Sir. Was it Lawrence? Had he come with those other men?
I slowed as I approached a large oak, stopping to hide behind it as I fought to release the branch from the chain. I freed myself then turned to see.
He was thirty metres ahead in the long grass. His sharp, tailored suit ruffled as he dodged through the thick, unruly tufts. His grey trousers black and wet up to his thighs. The morning sun caught his dark, slicked hair. It shone almost silver in the light. A few strands broke free and hung displaced over his brow, making his carved face appear softer.
He looked different. More dishevelled and less commanding than yesterday, but it was him. Lawrence. The man who bought me from Sir.
When he saw me peering behind the trunk, he slowed his pace and came to a stop at the edge of the tree line. He watched me while he caught his breath. His cold, blue eyes surveying me as I cowered against the tree. He softened his shoulders and lowered to a squat, his hands resting on his knees.
“It’s okay, Lucy.” His voice was low and calm despite his heavy breath. “It’s me, Law. Do you remember me?”
I nodded. “Yes, Law.”
“Good. Don’t be frightened. I’m not here to hurt you. Do you remember what I said to you yesterday?”<
br />
“Yes. You want to help me.”
He smiled and his blue eyes creased with warmth. “That’s right. I want to give you a new life, Lucy. One where you don’t have to be afraid anymore. Do you want that?”
Not being afraid is the only thing I want.
When he told me that in the cells, it sounded genuine. I wanted it then, but I had no other option. If Sir was to sell me, I’d rather it be to Lawrence than some pervert.
Now, I had a choice. As unappealing as it was, I could take my chances back on the streets. At least I knew what to expect, and that’s more than I could say for Lawrence. There was no guarantee he’d help me. “Who are those other men?”
He glanced over his shoulder, then shook his head as he turned back. “They’re not here for you.”
“Are they here for Sir?”
“Yes. He’s a bad man. They’re coming to take him away.”
“Sir never hurt me.”
“He kidnapped you. He’s hurt others. And he’s made someone furious. He had it coming. You don’t need to worry about him anymore. I’ll look after you and take care of you.” He opened his palms towards me. “Do you want that?”
It sounded better than being on the streets. Even the cells in the basement were better than sleeping in squats and doorways. I had food, warmth, safety. Sir scared me, but I still felt safer locked away with him than being alone in the dark where anyone might get me. Could I go back to sleeping rough?
Would Lawrence be anything like Sir? I thought so this morning, but I wasn’t sure. If he helped me, what would he want in return? “Why do you want to help me?”
He gave me that warm smile again. “You’ve been through a lot, Lucy. I’m able to help. I can give you a better life.”
“Why would you want to?”
He sighed and his smile faded ever so slightly. “Can’t I do something nice for someone who obviously needs it?”
I shook my head. “No. Not without getting something in return.”
He chuckled and his smile turned rogue. There was no warmth in it anymore, just a sly, knowing curl that tipped one side higher than the other. I stepped back as he rose to standing. He was tall and a lot more imposing on his feet. His intense, blue eyes studied my face as I watched him carefully. I edged away from the tree. Ready to run at any second.