Chapter 17Nothing is free
Chapter Seventeen
NOTHING IS FREE
“Emmanuel, Ivy is here, and she brought lunch with her,” his assistant announced when he picked up her call.
Manny could feel the smile spreading across his face at the announcement. “Thank you, Maggie. Please send her in… and Maggie, you can head to lunch,” Manny advised.
The anticipation of seeing Ivy set his heart rate kicking. It never got old for him. Ivy was his world. He held onto that, as everything around him was changing.
“Ah-huh. I’m taking an extended lunch,” Maggie replied.
“Take your time.” Despite meaning every word, the tone of his voice was laced with humour.
Maggie might as well enjoy the next couple of hours off. He didn’t want to be disturbed. Last night was hard on him, even though it was his idea that they remain living apart. Not having her warmth snuggled into his side had resulted in a restless sleep.
Emmanuel stood, just as a gentle rapping sounded at his office door. “Come in,” he called as he rounded the desk.
In the time it took for Ivy to enter, close the door behind her, and take a few steps into the room, his jacket was already off.
“Hey, Manny.”
Did she realise how breathless she sounded? “Doc. It’s nice for you to drop by.”
“I brought you lunch,” she said, holding up the Fusion’s signature takeout thermal bag.
“That you did,” Manny answered as he blatantly ignored the bag while he scanned her form. Her coat hung open, exposing her dark pink silk blouse and pleated skirt, that stopped right above her knees. What was it about her wearing high boots that just did it for him? He stalked towards her, discarding his jacket on a nearby chair. Taking the bag and her purse, he laid them down absentmindedly. His mind was already on the next steps. Walking behind Ivy, he removed her coat while placing lingering kisses on her neck.
“Na-huh. I am here to make sure you eat.”
“Trust me, Doc. I’m going to eat.” He nipped her neck. Then he discarded her coat as well.
Ivy turned to face him. “Manny?—”
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he guided her in the right direction.
“Get on the desk.” A tap to her ass followed his command. She hesitated only for a moment before sauntering over to his desk. Emmanuel removed his tie, and he placed it in his pocket as he followed her.
Ivy sat on his desk. He wasn’t certain if she crossed her legs in an act of defiance. She smirked… as if daring him. It didn’t matter to him. They would not stay that way. He was more than up to the challenge.
“Opened or closed?” Emmanuel asked as he sat in his chair.
The cockiness displayed on her features morphed as her brow wrinkled and she squinted. “Huh?”
Inclining his head behind him, he clarified. “Do you want the windows to remain open, or do you want them closed?”
Personally, Manny couldn’t give a fuck. Not the way he was feeling. As far as he was concerned, he would fuck Ivy on top of a car, in front of city hall, in broad daylight. Since they were so high up and far away from other buildings of the same height, they were unlikely to be seen, but his wife sometimes had bouts of modesty.
“Closed!” Her eyes rounded as she answered with a little too much passion and sass.
“Doc…” Her eyebrows shot up at his sharp tone. It was rare that he took it with her. However, when he did, it meant that the Cock Killer was about to meet her match. “…ask nicely.”
Not only had she recognised that his switch had been flipped. She very much wanted to play along. Emmanuel watched enraptured as her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. She braced her hands out beside her, batted her eyelashes at him, and uncrossed her legs. Her voice was soft as she asked, “Manny, can you please… close the blinds?”
Never breaking eye contact with her, he reached between her thighs to press the button that would obscure the city’s view. Her eyes left his, and she watched the view disappear. Manny laid his hands on her nylon-clad thighs. He felt a slight disappointment at not being able to feel her silky-smooth skin. His hand inched upward until he no longer felt the synthetic material–only her softness. She gasped as he squeezed her flesh.
“Spread your legs for me,” Emmanuel commanded.
Ivy inhaled sharply as he brushed his knuckle over her lace-covered lips. As he slowly glided along her plump folds the third time, the evidence of her arousal left trails on his knuckles. The temptation was too great to ignore. His tongue licked the sweet ambrosia. God, he needed inside her.
“Up, Doc,” Emmanuel growled, grasping the waistband of her panties.
Ivy was quick to comply. He could see the need in her eyes and he was right on the edge with her. Foreplay would have to wait, the way he needed to be inside his woman. It took no time to unbuckle his belt, unzip, and release himself.
The moment he freed his length, he pulled her to the edge of the desk, hooked a leg over his arm, and used the other hand to guide himself into her. There was no teasing as he pumped into her depths.
Aah. There was absolutely nothing like being at home in his woman.
Ivy moaned with every thrust. One of her hands circled his wrist and her nails dug deliciously into his flesh. He was hurtling towards his release, but she wasn’t there yet. No way would he allow that to happen. His thrust slowed, but that warning tingle was still present. So, he had to pull out of her warm walls.
Ivy greeted his action with protest. “Hey, where are you going?”
Not bothering to respond, Emmanuel tapped her glistening clit with his cock. The sound of his velvet steel meeting her pretty pearl reverberated in the room.
“Mhm,” she moaned.
The shit was so hot that he repeated the act again as he spoke. “I promised you I’d eat what you brought.”
Emmanuel pulled his chair forward and took a seat. What a fucking picture she made. As he dove between her thighs, the scent of her arousal did a complete number on his senses. His bulbous head was leaking as he devoured her. Her flavour invaded his system. Ivy was vocal in her encouragement as she urged him.
“Don’t stop Manny.”
Like he could. He was a man possessed.
The distinct change in her essence flooded his taste buds. He was insatiable as he lapped up every, last, drop. Damn, but his woman tasted fucking delectable. Even after the shaking of her legs subsided, he continued licking and nibbling at her folds.
“Stop Manny. Need to feel you inside now,” Ivy panted.
He couldn’t bring himself to stop. Only when she repeatedly tugged at his ears did he finally pull away. Reluctantly, he stopped his adoration. Then gifted her with a soul-searing kiss. “See…” Peck. “…why…” Peck. “…I couldn’t stop.”
Even now his tongue was yearning for another taste, but his cock jumped in protest at being left out. He gripped her hips as he slammed into her tight walls. Both of their breaths quickened as soon as they came in contact. It took a moment for them to regain their breaths, and when they did… Manny was a man crazed as he stroked into her. He swivelled his hips in a rhythm that drove them both wild. His chant of her name was feral as he chased his release. The sweet sound of her moaning, as her nails tapped on the desk, was his undoing.
“Coming,” Emmanuel roared as he rocked unsteadily on his feet and poured his essence into her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Drained, he felt completely and utterly drained as he stumbled back and collapsed into his chair. Sitting back, his head fell back, and he closed his eyes.
“I love you Doc,” Emmanuel huffed as his heart rate and breath worked to return to normal.
“I love you too.” They were both silent for a while, then he heard her moving around.
“I need to get cleaned up,” she explained when he sat up and looked at her.
“Crap!” he exclaimed. “No, Doc. Stay put. I’ll get you some things to get cleaned up.”
His conscious pricked him. Taking care of Doc is what he did. No, it was more than that. Emmanuel couldn’t lose the part of him that defined who he was. Not now. Not with all the other uncertainties.
It didn’t take them long to get cleaned up. Ivy could finally set out the meal she had brought him. Stuffed chicken, rapini, and truffle mashed potatoes were some of his favourite foods. He smiled at her thoughtfulness.
His internal war was still raging, but he had Ivy. She was caring for him, and it meant everything. Emmanuel pulled her onto his lap, and they fed each other bites of lunch.
“You know this a ‘very’ extended lunch?” Ivy tsked.
“It’s okay. They think I’m the boss.” Manny shrugged.
It was meant to be a joke. However, Ivy heard the tinge of annoyance mixed with pain in his voice. It was all there in the tender expression in her eyes. He could barely take it when she affectionately cupped his face.
“Oh, Manny?—”
He didn’t want to hear the pity in her voice, see it in her eyes, or feel it in her touch, but it was all there.
“Doc don’t—” His private line ringing halted whatever Emmanuel was going to say. There were very few people who could get a hold of him on that line. One of whom sat on his lap. He groaned, as he suspected who it might be. Dodging his best friend had become his new hobby. Emmanuel was worried if he spent too much time with Frank, it would cause him spilling the news he wasn’t yet ready to share.
“Let me check who it is.” He told Ivy as she stood, allowing him to go check his phone.
Emmanuel recognised the number.
“Scott,” he answered.
“I have news. I can be there within the hour.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Emmanuel hadn’t spoken much since he got off the call.
“Darsh, will be here soon. Let’s finish eating.” He resumed his seat, pulling Ivy back into his lap.
“Do you think he’s found him?”
He could feel the anticipation rolling off her in waves.
“Don’t know. We will find out when he gets here.” Emmanuel wondered the same. The truth was, his feelings were mixed. Part of him wished Darsh had found his mystery twin, and the other wished he didn’t. Once the man was found, they couldn’t put the genie back in the bottle.
Darsh arrived sooner than Emmanuel expected. The couple had barely finished eating, and Ivy was still putting away the food when Darsh was ushered in by him.
“Hey man, why does it smell like a restaurant in here?” As Darsh asked, he walked in. Ivy wasn’t yet visible to him.
“Ivy and I were just having lunch.” Emmanuel hid his smile. It was better that the scent of their later activity was present versus their previous one.
“Nice. After I share my news, I’m going to grab some grub.”
“Hey, Darsh,” Ivy called out in greeting.
Darsh recovered quickly from the surprise of Doc being present.
“Ivy, aren’t you a vision?” Emmanuel rolled his eyes at his friend’s antics. Of course, Ivy looked beautiful, she always did. However, the man liked getting under his skin. It was Darsh’s personal pastime when they were all together. He kissed Ivy’s hand, and his lips lingered.
“You’re good. Let go of my wife’s hand,” Emmanuel admonished.
She, of course, just smiled at the men’s behaviour. It was nothing new to her. Darsh just laughed and placed another peck on her hand.
“How are you, Ivy?”
“I can’t complain. I heard you haven’t eaten. We have plenty of leftovers.”
“He is a vegetarian,” Emmanuel answered him.
“Actually, I’m a pescatarian.”
“Oh, we have crab bites. Let me get you some.” Ivy immediately reached into the bag to retrieve the container.
“That sounds delicious. Thank you, Ivy.”
“Aren’t you on the clock?”
“Yes. But your lovely wife and I are taking part in an ancient ritual of being a delightful hostess and wonderful guest. You should try it sometime.”
Darsh retrieved one of the bites from the container she held out for him. It disappeared as he popped it into his mouth. In a few quick bites, it was finished.
“Wow, that was superb.”
Ivy handed him the container. “Here you have them.”
“Thank you, Ivy. That’s sweet of you.” Darsh popped another one into his mouth and winked at Emmanuel. “I’ll finish these later.” He placed the container on the table. Just like that, all traces of humour disappeared.
“I think you both will want to sit for this.”
They all took seats, Emmanuel, and Ivy side-by-side while Darsh was across from them. He removed his Mac from his bag and placed it on the table. “I know. I told you it would take some time to find out who your brother is. While I do not have all the information. I have enough that I feel comfortable sharing with you.”
Emmanuel sat up straighter as he waited for Darsh to continue.
“His name is Leonardo Baldi.”
“So, his name is Leo,” Ivy said.
Thank God she spoke. He certainly couldn’t string words together. All of this was real. He realised then that a small part of him wondered… no, hoped he didn’t have a twin. Although it would result in them still not having an explanation for the paternity, it was preferable to this. Some stranger who shared his DNA had fathered a child and allowed someone to pin it on him.
“How did you find out who he was?” Ivy asked.
“Believe it or not. In the simplest of ways. I wasn’t certain where to begin. So, I started with a facial search. Hell, I didn’t even use our specialized software. I did a regular Voogle search. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ran across a picture on the sixth page… thank you for being a public figure, by the way. It took hours of pouring over picture after picture of you.” Darsh made a face of discontent.
“You’re welcome.” Emmanuel embraced the moment of levity.
“Anyway. I recognised a Sicilian landmark in the background. We discussed how, while you docked in Sicily, you never went ashore. I clicked the photo, and it led me straight to him. His social media footprint is small, but it was just enough.”
“What are the highlights of what you have learned so far?” Emmanuel was certain Darsh had a comprehensive report, but he wouldn’t be able to wade through it… not now.
“Someone went through a great deal of trouble to erase the fact that you two are twins. They went through all that trouble and yet handled both your records in the same way. Two newborns with sealed files. Missing original birth certificates. It’s going to take me a while to get through all of that red tape.”
Emmanuel had a good idea of who that someone was. What the hell had he done? Bought him or some shit? One thing was for sure, he had to wait to confront him, because if you didn’t have all the facts, Larson Scott would weasel his way out of explaining, and then ensure they never found the truth.
“What I know is that you two were born in a little city on the border of Ontario and Quebec. They recorded both of you as single births.”
“How is that possible?” Ivy asked. Thank God for his wife. Her voice was the beacon he could hold on to as it drowned out the thudding in his eardrums.
“That is what I’m going to get to the bottom of. On the day they came into the world, the number of children born doesn’t match the number of mothers who gave birth. Again, powerful hands at work, altering information?—”
“What else have you learned about this… Leonardo?” Emmanuel asked.
Ivy reached over, grabbed his hand, and squeezed it.
Darsh gave him a peculiar look.
“Tell me what I should already know?”
His friend nodded. “He was raised by a single mother in British Columbia. From what I can tell, they moved around a fuck ton. He was an exceptional student. Fluent in three languages. Oh, he played football, and he was the backup quarterback for his high school. He went to university on an academic scholarship. Full ride. Then, after university. He moved to Italy and lived there for fifteen years. Ever since, he has split his time between Vancouver and Italy. He has a mid-sized business. Bachelor. He’s never been married. No other children.”
“Okay.” Emmanuel wasn’t sure what he expected to hear, but it wasn’t enough. He hated being at a disadvantage. This man knew about him. They needed to be on even footing.
The instructions he gave to Darsh in front of Ivy were to try to find out what he could. Afterwards, when Emmanuel had a moment alone, he gave more detailed instructions.
“Hey Darsh. I need to find out everything about Leonardo Baldi. All the details, please. Find all the fucking skeletons. Any and all weak spots.”
Emmanuel breathed a sigh of relief. There was an outlet for all the pent-up emotions that he was feeling.
“Shit. I get a feeling when this is all over. I’d hate to be him.”
“Don’t waste any worry for him. He shouldn’t have fucked with my family. I don’t care who the hell he is. The price is going to be heavy.”
“I would hate to be him.”
“When I’m finished with him. Leonardo is going to hate to be him, too.”
“Emmanuel, should I be worried?”
“Not at all. Nothing is free. Fucking with my family comes at a price. If it’s something he can’t handle. That’s too bad. He shouldn’t have signed up.”
“Fair enough.”
“I’m serious about this. I want to know it all. Especially what role the Journee woman played in this. Everything! Even if you have to call Ash.”
Even as he said it, he realised his request sounded slightly unhinged. Calling Ash was like asking the devil for a favour. Well, not exactly. The devil used to be an angel. The same couldn’t be said of Ash.
“Emmanuel, calling my brother into this isn’t the best idea.”
“I don’t care. I will deal with the fallout later. Bring Ash on if needed. I want to know if Leonardo had a hangnail in 3 rd grade.”
“For all our sakes, I will do my level best not to involve my brother. You were just talking about prices… dealing with Ash comes with one too.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You aren’t just some random client. We have been friends for many years. Make sure you have all the facts before you act.”
Solid advice.
Of course, he would consider all the facts before he crushed him. How else would Emmanuel know how to inflict the most damage?
“Of course, it is why I have you. To get me the information.”