Chapter 9
”Then she”ll be neutralized, like any other obstacle.” My expression hardens to stone.
The silence that follows is heavy, loaded. Darius meets my stare, grim understanding flickering in his dark eyes.
He”s been by my side through the lowest valleys, witnessed firsthand the single-minded ruthlessness that”s fueled my rise.
With a short nod, he signals his acceptance of my decree. Whatever doubts he harbors, they”re locked away—for now.
Jalisa, though...she worries her full lower lip, weighing her next words carefully.
”You can”t have it both ways, Jermaine.” Her tone is low, laced with an undercurrent of steel I didn”t know she possessed. ”You can”t profess to care about Londyn while also treating her like a sacrificial pawn.”
I bristle at the insinuation, the muscle in my jaw ticking.
Watch it, little sister.
As if sensing the warning in my expression, Jalisa gentles her tone. ”I”m just saying...if you really care about her, you need to be honest with yourself. And with her.”
My chest constricts as I consider her words. Is she right? Have I been lying to myself about my intentions with Londyn?
No.
I”ll keep it separate.
I rise abruptly, the sudden movement startling them both. Palming the desk, I lean forward and level an intense look at each of them in turn.
”This discussion is over,” I growl, voice thrumming with quiet menace. ”From here on out, Londyn Simmons is off-limits as a topic. Are we clear?”
Neither of them dares respond. Jalisa”s eyes are wide, lips parted in a small ”o” of surprise. Darius simply nods, shoulders squaring as he recognizes the tone of finality in my voice.
I rise from my seat, dismissing Darius and Jalisa with a curt nod. As they gather their things to leave, Jalisa hesitates, dark eyes studying me with open concern.
”You”re really going to pick her up yourself?”
Her tone is laced with doubt, like she already knows this is a terrible idea. I bristle at the insinuation, spine straightening as I level her with an inscrutable look.
”That”s the plan.”
Jalisa shakes her head slowly. ”I don”t like this, Jermaine. You”re playing with fire.”
Fire? She has no idea the inferno already raging inside me whenever Londyn is near. The way that woman makes my blood simmer, every rational thought consumed by raw, primal need.
But I keep those thoughts locked down tight. Can”t let on how badly I crave Londyn”s warmth, her softness, the taste of her on my tongue.
Not when there”s so much at stake.
”Relax, sis.” I flash her a reassuring grin, the picture of casual confidence. ”It”s just a little dinner date. Londyn and I have...unfinished business to attend to.”
The weight of that statement hangs heavy between us. Jalisa”s cheeks flush, eyes widening infinitesimally as she registers my meaning.
”Oh my God, Jermaine!” She recoils like I just slapped her. ”You cannot be serious right now!”
Her shrill outburst slices straight through the tension, and I actually bark out a surprised laugh. Darius just smirks, dark eyes glittering with wry amusement.
”Jalisa, take it down a notch.” I hold up a placating hand, fighting back another chuckle. ”We”re all adults here.”
She huffs out an exasperated breath, jaw set in a mutinous line. ”Well, you”re certainly acting like a child about all this! Londyn isn”t just some...some...”
”Booty call?” Darius supplies helpfully.
”Exactly!” Jalisa whirls on him, dark eyes flashing. ”She”s a person with feelings, you ass. And my idiot brother is about to trample all over them in his quest to get his dick wet!”
I flinch inwardly at the crude phrasing, unable to dislodge the sudden image of Londyn”s lush curves from my mind. Those full breasts spilling over the neckline of a dress, nipples pebbled with desire. Soft thighs parting in wordless invitation, glistening and slick with arousal?—
Fuck.
I exhale sharply through my nose, jaw clenched to regain control. My body is a live wire, every nerve ending crackling with pent-up need.
Darius clears his throat, effectively snapping me out of my lust-addled reverie. ”Look, man. I”m with Jalisa on this one.”
I stop, silently inviting him to elaborate. His expression turns somber, the amusement leeching from those dark eyes.
”You”re playing a dangerous game here, Jermaine. Getting tangled up with Londyn...it”s messy as hell.”
My jaw ticks as I consider his words. He”s not wrong—pursuing Londyn on any level puts my entire operation at risk. One ill-timed indulgence could unravel everything I”ve so carefully constructed.
Part of me longs to take the out Darius is offering, to shove down these cravings and avoid the temptation altogether. To excise Londyn from my life once and for all.
But the other part, the selfish part, refuses to let her go so easily. I need this, need her, in a way that eclipses logic or good sense.
”I can handle it,” I growl, shoving aside my lingering doubts. ”Londyn is an asset to be leveraged, nothing more. Don”t mistake this for anything deeper.”
The words taste like ash on my tongue, a hollow lie I pray they can”t see through.
Because the truth is, there”s a possessive fire raging inside me whenever I so much as think of Londyn”s name. A desperate, animalistic need to make her mine, consequences be damned.
Jalisa scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief. ”You”re unbelievable, you know that? One of these days, that arrogance of yours is going to catch up to you.”
Her dark eyes bore into mine, jaw set in a mutinous line. ”Mark my words, Jermaine. This thing with Londyn? It”s going to blow up in your face. And it”s gonna bite you in the ass when it does.”
With that parting shot, she whirls on her heel and stalks from the room, every line of her body radiating disapproval.
I watch her go, an ache forming behind my ribs that has nothing to do with her words. That”s just my baby sister looking out for me, same as she”s always done.
Darius clears his throat again, effectively shattering the heavy silence. ”You sure about this, man?”
My gaze drifts to the windows, taking in the breathtaking vista beyond. The grounds of the Duncan ranch stretch out in a lush tapestry of green, revealed in the soft glow of the moon.
It”s a view I should find peaceful, grounding. But all I can focus on is the darkness of the horizon, that distant line where sky meets earth.
How far does a man have to go to find his redemption?
Shoving aside those brooding thoughts, I turn to face Darius head-on. ”I”m sure. Now quit worrying and make sure my car is ready. I”m going to pick Londyn up myself.”
The words are out before I can rethink them. Darius blinks, clearly taken aback by the impromptu change of plans.
”You want to drive yourself? What about sending the usual car service?”
I shake my head, already moving toward the door with purposeful strides. ”This is personal. I”ll handle the transportation.”
Darius opens his mouth, ready to protest. But one look from me has him snapping it shut again, dark eyes narrowing in silent acceptance.
”Whatever you say, boss.”
As I stalk through the door and out into the warm evening air, Jalisa”s words echo in my mind like a siren”s call.
This is going to blow up in your face.
Squaring my shoulders, I dismiss the unwelcome voice of doubt. Jalisa doesn”t understand—can”t possibly grasp the depth of this burning need simmering inside me.
My fingers curl into fists as I make my way across the expansive grounds, feet crunching over the gravel drive. Ahead, the sleek lines of my black Aston Martin beckon me forward.
Londyn Simmons is the one thing in this world I can”t seem to resist. An indulgence I”ve denied myself for far too long. And tonight, nothing and no one will stand in my way of finally claiming what”s mine.
Not my family”s doubts, not my own misgivings. And certainly not the tiny, rational voice in the back of my mind whispering that this is a colossal mistake.
Because when it comes to Londyn, I”m powerless to do anything but surrender. I left her once, and I”ve regretted it every day since.
So, I”ll have tonight. Even if it means getting burned in the process.
I slide behind the wheel, the buttery leather interior surrounding me in a cocoon of luxury. With a roar of the powerful engine, I tear out of the drive and into the gathering dusk.
The further I get from the Duncan Ranch, the more I resolve to leave it all behind for tonight. My heart races in anticipation of seeing Londyn again, holding her in my arms.
I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to steady my breathing. Part of me knows this is a huge risk. After what happened between us, I swore I”d never let Londyn get under my skin again.
But another part of me, the part that still loves her with a ferocity that takes my breath away, wants this night more than anything.
Maybe that means somewhere in my heart, I”ve truly forgiven her for the betrayal that ripped us apart all those years ago.
I can forgive, but it doesn”t mean I”ve forgotten. Doesn”t mean I”m not still going through with my plan to take down Westbrook Industries—and anything or anyone who gets in my way.
I put the pedal to the floor, propelling me ever closer to downtown. To Londyn.
Tonight, the woman who got away is finally back within my grasp. And this time, I have no intention of letting her slip through my fingers again.
Get ready, Londyn. I”m coming for you.