Chapter 7 What I Deserve #2
Nursing me soothed him. His breaths evened out, and he hummed quietly when I pulled his nipple deeper, the milk squirting down my throat. I could smell his slick, fresh and tantalizing, but at the thought of fucking him, my conscience nagged at me.
It might be what he wants, but it’s not what he needs.
Leo needed to feel safe with me. And after last night, that would take a while. I’d been such an insensitive jerk.
Listening to his calming heartbeat, I emptied both sides while he hugged my head. Then I kissed a line up his throat and shared the taste of his milk with him. When I ended the kiss, he chased after me before he caught himself. Placing a finger over his lips, I marked my spot for later.
“I was harsh with you last night and this morning. I’m sorry.”
Leo looked away, his cheeks getting pink. Why wasn’t he saying anything? What was going on in his head?
“Do you accept my apology?”
“Yes, of course.” Except it sounded like he answered without thinking.
“You must stay here with me, Leo. You can’t leave.”
He nodded, his eyes down.
With the white terrycloth robe framing his exposed chest, he looked incredible.
Golden lashes whispering over his cheeks, full, swollen lips, his long neck and pale shoulders, the divot between his collarbones…
His cherry-red nipples glistened, straining toward me.
He looked like a classic masterpiece that should be guarded in a safe somewhere.
Only the bruises spoiled the image of impeccable beauty.
I gathered the edges of the bathrobe and pulled it back over his shoulders, covering him. He glanced at me through his eyelashes, biting his lip. His cock tented the robe. When I tugged him back into my lap, he went willingly, hugging me around my shoulders.
I couldn’t take back what I’d done to him, but I could and would protect him from more harm.
“Fabio won’t give up after last night, will he?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight for a minute until we sort that out. I might have an idea what we could do about him. You said you had a personal security adviser. What’s his name?”
“Devon Hassel.”
“I’ll contact him, but I need to check a few things first. You’re safe here as long as no one knows where you are, do you understand?”
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“Where’s your phone?”
“I think I left it by the sofa last night. It was in my pocket, in those shorts.”
“Okay. I’ll put it on charge for you, but we need to turn it off for now. Is that okay?”
“Sure.” He sounded anything but sure. “It’s been on airplane mode since last night.”
Cradling his face in my hands, I forced him to meet my gaze. “Leo, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rough with you.” I winced. “Well, I did it, so I guess I did mean it, but I regret it. I just need you safe. You’re very important to me. The most important person in my life, in fact.”
“I understand,” he murmured. And I could see that while he understood the words, he didn’t get it at all. He’d agree to whatever I said because he was afraid of me, and I couldn’t blame him.
“I have work to do now, but I can take care of everything from home.”
Silence.
“I need to reschedule a great deal since we can’t be apart. If I go to the office downtown, you’ll come with me.”
“Okay,” he said robotically, his wide eyes full of silent questions.
“Do you need to take care of something yourself? Anything work-related? Contact friends? Family? You can use my laptop.”
He shook his head, a hint of embarrassment marring his features. Didn’t he have anyone who’d worry about his whereabouts?
“I was taking a break. I don’t have any photoshoots until next month.” Work. No mention of any people close to him.
“Would you like to swim while I sort everything out?”
“Before when I felt ill… Don’t I have to stay in the same room with you?”
“Not unless you want to try running away again.” I tried for a playful tone, but he just ducked his head in shame. “If you get nervous or afraid, come find me. A swim, then?”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to, Leo. I just thought it might relax you. Not everyone likes swimming, but…” I trailed off. I was so much better at giving orders than at this. Whatever this was.
A relationship? Universe, help me.
I got up and led him by his hand to the lounge area by the pool. His shorts and boots lay on the floor by the sofa, together with his phone. I fished the device out of the tight pocket.
“Can you give me your bodyguard’s number?”
Leo took the phone from me and unlocked it.
After typing and scrolling for a couple of seconds, he showed me the screen with a name and number on it.
I typed the contact into my phone. Leo turned his off, handed it to me, and I pocketed it together with mine.
Another stab of guilt in my chest accompanied the movement, but I dismissed it. I was merely making sure he’d be safe.
“You can shower there.” I pointed to the discreet door between the dark paneling.
He dutifully looked at where I was pointing.
“The sauna is next to it. Should I turn it on for you? It takes a few hours to heat up. Maybe we could do that tonight.” I exhaled.
Now I was rambling. “The towels are in the bathroom.”
I was getting nowhere with him, but that was all my fault. And now I had to tear myself away from him.
“I’ll leave the door to my office open,” I said.
He met my gaze, looking confused and lost. I pressed another firm kiss to his forehead and forced myself to let go of him. I could feel him staring after me as I walked away. Maybe giving him a little space wasn’t a bad idea.
I intercepted my FBI contact and longtime friend Andrzej Lewandowski on a golf course. He excused himself from his group to take my call, and after we’d exchanged pleasantries, I explained the situation.
“Congratulations, Davidson. I know the setup isn’t ideal, but you’ve found your mate. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m not enjoying it as I’d wish.”
“I understand. But I can’t do anything the official way, you know that.”
“I’m aware. I was hoping you could provide me with some contacts.”
“What was the name of Leonard’s security guy?”
“Devon Hassel.”
“Devon? Call him. He’s ours. A dragon omega, great reputation. Cassidy and Hassel Security is the name of the company.”
Like half of the private security people in Ardaine, Devon Hassel was a dragon shifter. I blew out a breath of relief. “That’s excellent news.”
“It’s a pity you couldn’t report the incident on Friday night. A kidnapping attempt, especially of someone with a media presence like Leonard, would have the police putting in all their resources.”
“I had to land in a fifteen-feet-wide alley. I left rubble behind me and two unconscious human alphas with possible fractures and concussions. I was lucky nobody was walking by with a phone camera ready.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t tell me that. Nothing short of rescuing your mate would have justified that, Davidson.”
“Thanks. And what about Fabio Altera?”
“I can have a look into the official records and ask around, but I can’t peek into anything that’s classified without people finding out. Besides, it’s another state.”
“Do whatever you deem is safe.”
“You should call Hassel immediately. He’s good.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Except the bodyguard didn’t answer either of my two calls. Frustrated, I checked my emails and hovered above Lawrence’s number when the phone rang in my hand. Hassel’s name appeared on the screen.
“Davidson Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Hassel, for returning my call.”
“Sullivan, from Sullivan Aerospace.” His voice was bright and pleasant. “I know. I searched the number you were calling from.”
“Ah. That’s why you didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know my number was that easily verifiable.”
“I have my means. You’re one of ours.” Meaning he knew I was a dragon, too. That would make things easier to explain. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you on the weekend. I have information about the whereabouts of your client, Leonard Chase.”
A beat of silence followed. “I’m listening.”
“I met him on Friday.” I paused, making sure Hassel would get my meaning. “He’s my mate.”
A small gasp came from the speaker. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“He’s in my house right now, a couple of doors away from me, safe for the moment. I figured you’d appreciate learning he’s okay.”
Hassel sighed. “I can go to sleep now.”
“You haven’t slept?”
“My client disappears from his apartment, and his phone is off. Then I learn that the man who’s after him has his jet parked at a private runway here in Ardaine.
I worked through the night, but the only thing I found were two banged-up mercenaries at a hospital.
I didn’t want to underestimate Leo, but I didn’t think he could have taken them out on his own.
So now I’m guessing the mess in the alley was your doing. ”
He’d found all of that out in one night. “My friend from the FBI said you’re good. I’m impressed.”
“You talked to Andrzej? Then you know what we’re up against.”
“I do. And I’m most invested in eliminating the danger Leo is in.”
“Of course. But you’re also bonding, and he’s probably still working through the realization. Listen, Altera is going to Italy tomorrow for an annual conference. He’ll be busy and very much in the public eye for the next eight days. That might buy us some time.”
“He could still send other people.”
“He already did. Leo’s apartment is being watched, so is the gym he frequents, his favorite takeaway restaurant, and even his stylist. Altera hasn’t been stingy when it comes to resources. Is your home safe?”
“I’d like to think so. I have camera systems and sensors along the border of the property, a guarded gate, an alarm, and security personnel when I’m gone.”
“My recommendation is personnel around the clock. You met Leo at the Rosebud club on Friday. Were you seen together?”
“We both wore masks, so not easily recognized.”
“Okay. Even if Altera eventually finds out where Leo is, he won’t risk storming your house. Just don’t let Leo go out on his own.”
“I won’t. But what does Altera think he can accomplish? Leo is a public figure. He can’t just kidnap him.”
“He’s already tried,” Hassel reminded me. “Besides, while Leo is a celeb in Dalton City, he’s not that famous in Ardaine, and not at all in other countries. If Altera takes him abroad, especially into some area with limited omega rights, he could keep him there for years.”
I blew out a breath through my nostrils. “That’s insane. Why would he go to such lengths simply because he’s been dumped? The risks are not worth it.”
“Never underestimate a man’s bruised ego. People start wars for lesser slights.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “What do you know about him? I’m checking his businesses, but everything seems neat and legal so far.”
“Altera is a strange one. I can’t find anything about him older than a decade.
It’s like he appeared out of thin air ten years ago.
He has roots somewhere in Italy, but that’s all I know.
He must have changed identity at some point during his late twenties or early thirties, probably while still in Italy, and then thoroughly cleaned up after himself. ”
That didn’t sound good. A man who went to such lengths had more than one skeleton in his closet. “Keep looking, please, and keep me informed. Send any bills my way from now on.”
“Have you talked to Leo about it?” Hassel’s tone held an edge. “He’s the one employing me. I can’t just switch to you. Mates or no mates.”
“I understand. How about you come by on Monday? We can talk, all three of us. Leo is still shaken, and you must catch up on sleep as well.”
“I do need that.”
“Do you have a safe way for me to send you the address?” I asked.
“I know where you live.”
I smiled. “Of course you do. Listen, Leo doesn’t know you’re the same species as me. I should ease him into it.”
“I hear you, and I won’t tell him. The first few days of bonding get overwhelming for dragon mates. But I’m glad he’s with you.”
“One last question. You mentioned Leo’s favorite takeaway. What was it?”
“He orders Hawaiian poke with tuna. It’s a small hole-in-the-wall on the corner of Twenty-Second and Eastern Road. You could get a delivery via courier.”
I scribbled the address in a notebook. “Thank you.”