Chapter Three
Brock Hall
Amy
“Who is this employer of yours?” Jonah’s voice was only a whisper as Stevens drove the enormous Mercedes onto the grounds of Kyle’s gigantic property.
“A businessman.” Cognizant of Kyle’s driver listening in on the entire conversation, she kept the reply short. “Mr. Kyle.”
“What sort of business?” Jonah leaned closer, as though he, too, was wary of Stevens.
The truth was, Amy didn’t know. Kyle had never discussed the origins of his wealth, and frankly, the odd dynamic between them, coupled with her debilitating anxiety where money was concerned, meant she’d never asked.
“I don’t know, but he just paid for your bail,” she reminded Jonah. “So, let’s make sure we’re respectful, eh?”
Apparently unconvinced by her reply, Jonah scowled, but he said nothing further as Stevens pulled up outside the impressive front entrance.
“Here you go.” Stevens’ voice was irritatingly smug from the front seat.
“Thank you.”
Hers was intentionally clipped as she slipped out of the back and waited for Jonah to follow. Her son closed the door and watched as the car moved away. Having come straight from detention, he had little in the way of personal possessions with him.
“This feels weird, Mum.” Jonah gazed up at the huge mansion. “Why would you have been offered a job here?”
She tried to ignore the disparaging judgment in Jonah’s tone that implied she wasn’t worthy of a role there. She supposed a lifetime of low-paid, laborious roles had conditioned him into believing that was all she was good for.
“Kyle bumped into me at the grocery store.” She paused, recalling the event. “He’s an old business associate of your dad’s, and after talking for a while, he offered me a job.”
She conveniently missed out on the part where Kyle had taken her to dinner, and she’d broken down into ungainly sobs. Jonah didn’t need to know about those things.
“That’s a bit random.”
Amy had the sense he was choosing his words carefully. “A coincidence, perhaps,” she clarified. “But a lucky one.”
“Hmmm.” Jonah’s focus flitted from her face to the massive doors again. “And you do what for him, exactly?”
Whatever he asks…
“A multitude of things.” She forced a smile. “It’s enjoyable work, Jo-Jo, and the money is fantastic. I’d have been a fool to say no, let alone homeless.”
“How much money?” Jonah ignored her final comment, and she was glad. She hadn’t intended to rub salt into the wound, and she’d meant what she’d told him. None of this was his fault.
“Why would you ask that?” She straightened, conscious of the chilly breeze that was whipping around the side of the house. “You’ve never asked me about salaries before.”
“I don’t know.” Jonah shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s just something about this seems off, that’s all. I want you to be safe.”
“I am,” she reassured. “And this role could give us and your brother a shot at a better future, so please watch your tone around my employer. He can be funny about the way people speak to him…”
“Funny?” Jonah’s gaze narrowed.
“Particular,” she clarified. “But remember, without him, where would you be?”
“Yeah.” Jonah blew out a breath. “I remember.”
“Listen.” She hadn’t meant to remind him of his recent custody, but she needed Jonah to toe the line and not make waves while he was staying there. The Lord knew it was going to be weird enough being around Kyle, with all their crazy sexual shenanigans and one of her sons in residence. She still had no idea how that was going to resolve itself. “It will be okay, love. You’re out of jail, and you’re safe.”
“You’re right.” He wrapped his long arms around her. “Whatever this place is, I appreciate being here. I’m sorry I’ve caused you yet another headache, Mum.”
***
“This must be your son, Jonah.” Kyle strode toward them, his hand outstretched as they walked into the immense hall.
Amy had been relieved that the front door had been unlocked. It avoided another potentially awkward chat with Jonah about why she didn’t have a key.
“Mr. Kyle.” Jonah took his hand and shook it firmly. The compliant version of her son was far more like the person she knew and loved. He’d never really been a rule-breaker before, and even his recent descent had been based on his desire to do more and be better. “I’m Jonah Kendal. I want to say a huge thank you for everything you’ve done to help me and my mum.”
“You’re welcome.” Kyle beamed at him. “I’m happy to help.” His gaze slid to Amy, the corners of his lips twitching as she met his eyes. “Although you did steal my housekeeper for the morning.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Jonah glanced between the two of them as though he could sense the visceral energy they produced. “But she was my mum first.”
“Jonah!” Amy’s tone was chiding. After everything she’d just said, she couldn’t believe his cocky comment.
“He has a point,” Kyle sniggered. “I guess we have to share for the time being.”
“Thank you for taking Jonah in.” She hesitated over the final word she wanted to use, unwilling to call him ‘sir’ in front of her son. It shouldn’t have been such a big deal, but the word had started to take on an altered meaning since he’d commanded her so sensually. “We do appreciate it, Mr. Kyle.”
“You’ve got it.” Kyle’s gaze was fixed on Jonah. “When’s your court date?”
Amy’s throat dried when Jonah answered. He wasn’t due back to court for weeks, and she knew Kyle would ascertain what that meant—her son would need to stay there for much longer than her agreed trial period.
“If it’s a problem, we can make other arrangements.” Her cheeks heated as she attempted to assuage any concerns Kyle might have. “Jonah would just need to let the court know, and—”
“It’s no problem.” Kyle cut her off. “Jonah’s a welcome guest here.”
“Thank you.” Jonah glanced at her, his eyes full of questions.
In her mind, she heard his queries.
What’s going on here?
Why is he being so generous?
Is there something between you two?
She’d had all the same thoughts in the last few days herself.
“Let me take you to your room.” Kyle motioned to the staircase. “Amy, can you meet me in my office afterward, please?”
“Of course, Mr. Kyle.” She squeezed the muscles of her sex, hoping the formal address would compensate for the one word she wasn’t using. “I’ll see you later, Jonah.”
Jonah offered her a quizzical smile as he followed Kyle up the sprawling stairwell. She watched the two of them disappear into the labyrinth of upstairs hallways.
***
Amy waited outside the door to his office, uncertain whether he’d approve of her going inside without him. Playing safe, she leaned against the rich wood paneling and replayed the last few moments in her head.
Jonah’s prophecy had transpired to be true. The situation was weird now that her son was there, and there was no denying it. How long could she pretend that her and Kyle’s relationship was strictly professional, and what would Jonah think if even a fraction of the truth was disclosed?
A painful knot of vulnerability furled inside her. She had no answers, but she had a sickening suspicion that the solutions might reveal themselves in the coming days. Incorporating Jonah into the household had never been part of the deal. It had only ever been about her and Kyle. But now the terms had changed.
Jonah was there, and she was absurdly thankful Kyle had taken him in—even though she knew his presence would alter things.
She glanced up as the door at the end of the confined, wood-laden corridor opened, her heart pounding as Kyle came into view.
“Sir.” She straightened, abruptly aware of how overdressed she felt in her casual clothes. “Thank you again… for everything. I know having Jonah here wasn’t what we discussed initially.”
“No.” He strode along the carpet to join her. “It wasn’t.”
His tone was playful, but the curt response twisted unease in her tummy.
“I’m grateful.” How many bloody times had she told him already?
She was like a robot stuck on repeat, but she had to say something, had to convey her gratitude. Kyle’s money had tugged her and Jo-Jo out of a hole the size of Nebraska. If she worked for him for a hundred years, she didn’t know if she could ever truly repay him. The fact his knowing gaze sent fire to her blood made everything messier.
“I know.” He paused beside her in the narrow space, nudging her against the wood paneling. “Our deal has changed, little girl.”
Her throat dried, his pet name for her washing over her like cold water. She wanted to tell him how thankful she also was that he hadn’t used the term in front of Jonah, but the intensity in his eyes held her lips still.
“Yes, sir.” There was no point arguing. She’d deduced that much on her own. “I owe you the bail money now, too, and I’ll make sure I pay it back somehow, I pro—”
His hand moved like lightning, one slender finger pressing lightly to her mouth. “The contract you signed already stipulates a far higher salary if you choose to stay beyond the trial.”
“Yes, sir.” She mumbled around his digit, surprised at how little she was riled to be silenced by him. Only a week before, she’d have been outraged by the deed, but pressed against the hard wood, she barely even flinched. “But I was talking about what I owed you.”
“I know.” His mouth tugged upward, though his expression remained stern. “You owe me a lot, Mrs. Kendal.”
She shivered at the way he made that sound, vaguely aware that her reaction was probably the point. “Yes.” She sounded breathy. “I know, sir.”
“It’s okay.” His handsome features softened as his fingers shifted to gently holding her nape. “We’ll extend clause seven, little girl. That ought to resolve things.”
Clause seven .
She swore her heart galloped faster at the reminder. That illusive clause was as comprehensive as it was imprecisely worded.
“Extend it?” Trapped between the unyielding wall and his delicious body, she could hardly catch her breath.
“Mmmm.” He definitely smiled that time.
“But…” Her head fogged as his fingers stiffened at the back of her neck. “I thought that clause could mean anything you wanted it to anyway, sir?”
What was she doing? Was she asking for more in the way of punitive measures from the dark god before her?
“Oh, yes.” His head lowered, those tempting lips skimming over her mouth. Amy’s eyes fluttered closed at the intimacy, her chest straining to be free of its fabric prison and feel the potency of his touch again. “That’s a good point, little girl.”
“I just want to make sure you get what you’re owed, sir.”
Staring into his eyes, she accepted without hesitation that she’d have done anything he asked of her. Even if it meant falling to her knees and devouring him there in the hallway, even though she knew her son was somewhere in proximity and the idea of him catching them was possibly the most soul-destroying thing she could envision.
That was Kyle’s power.
She didn’t love him the way she loved her children, and he certainly didn’t need her support the way they did, but the electricity sparking between them was utterly fucking consuming. Something about him and the way he instructed her set her soul alight.
“Don’t worry about me, Amy.”
She was conscious of him reaching for the door handle to his office, but his gaze never left hers.
“I’ll be okay.” His eyes glinted. “You know I will.”
“Yes, sir.” It was all she could muster as his hands reached for her ass.
In a heartbeat, he swept her from the ground, her legs opening to wrap around his middle without him needing to order it. Pressing her body against his, she breathed in his spicy scent as he pushed the door open and stalked them both into his study.