Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Malice
I pulled up to the gated entrance of my community, and the soldier on watch stepped out of the gatehouse with a rifle in hand. I rolled down my window so he could see me from within.
“Boss,” he greeted, stopping at the side of the car. He dipped to look in the back seats first before he moved his gaze to Gwen, who still slept peacefully.
I unlocked my jaw and ordered, “Eyes off.”
“I need their identification, sir.”
“They’re fine.”
“But, sir.”
“The gatehouse will have their information tomorrow, Scotts. Now, I’m telling you they’re fine. Open the fuckin’ gate.”
“Yes, sir.”
Moving back a step, he waved to the other guard in the gatehouse before there was a buzz, and shortly after, the entrance opened.
There was a sense of ease as I drove along the quiet streets. The soldiers on Donavan’s squad—the second highest team—were silently taking patrol.
I stopped out the front of the unoccupied house next to mine and turned off the engine. This place was the perfect choice for Gwen and her family. Besides the fact that it was close to mine, it was big enough to fit all four of them without them being on top of each other.
Plus, she wouldn’t be able to move around without me knowing. Which meant there was no escape.
When no one stirred, I unbuckled my seat belt and turned toward the woman beside me. “Doll.”
She made a noise but snuggled into the seat more.
Fucking cute.
Not only that, but even in her slumber, she was also stunning. Slowly, I rolled my gaze down over her short, plump body. Her curves called to me in ways no others had.
Yeah, she would be mine.
I wanted to own her in every fucking way.
It may take time, but it would happen.
I ran my fingers down her cheek, then rested my hand against the side of her neck, feeling her pulse beat rhythmically beneath my touch.
“Baby, we’re here.”
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open before she focused on my face. She smiled gently, until realization hit. Her eyes widened, and she sat up.
“Shit, I fell asleep. Sorry.”
“All good, doll.”
Her back arched as she stretched, pushing her tits forward. With a sigh, she turned to look in the back of the car, her face softening when she saw her snoozing family.
“Guys,” she called loudly.
They groaned and moaned, but all opened their eyes.
“We’re here.” She smiled.
Once outside the car, Gwen helped Greg and managed to get him out of the way before the kids tumbled out.
“Holy shit,” Felix said.
“Oh my God,” Amelia breathed.
Both their gazes were locked on the house before them.
When Gwen looked to see what had their attention, her jaw dropped open. “No way.” She shook her head. “Nope. We can’t stay here.”
“Why?” I demanded.
“It’s too much. It’s a freaking mansion.”
I scoffed. “It’s a five-bedroom home, plus study, and three bathrooms. It’s not a mansion.”
They all stared at me.
Sighing, I waved them forward. “There are no other available houses in my community.”
The children focused on Gwen, but she was too busy glaring up at me.
“Gwendolyn, more sleep is needed for everyone,” I pointed out.
She scrunched up her nose. “We’ll be talking about this.”
I rolled my eyes, lips twitching. We made our way to the front door. I told them the code to the keypad as I pressed it in and warned them not to share it with anyone.
I moved to the side after pushing the door open and waited for them to enter. When I stepped through, I noticed that, at the back of the house, the kitchen light was on, right before I heard heels clicking over the tiled floor.
Veronica stepped around the corner and made her way toward us with a pleased smile on her lips. “Boss, everything you asked for is in the kitchen and dining area.”
I nodded.
Gwen looked from Veronica to me and back to Veronica. She straightened out her dress before she waved. “Hi.”
Veronica glanced at her and away. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Bitch,” Felix coughed.
Christ, I wanted to laugh.
“You can greet my guest like she did you.”
Veronica turned stiffly to Gwen. “Sorry for my rudeness. Hello. I’m Veronica, I’m one of Malice’s three assistants. I’ve left my number on the kitchen counter. Please call me if you need anything more.”
“Hi, ah, again. Thanks for everything he got you to do at such a terrible hour. What a pain, right?”
Veronica turned a wide, worried gaze at me, then looked back at Gwen when I said nothing.
“We all work different hours, so there’s someone available 24-7. It’s an honor to be of assistance.”
Gwen nodded.
“You may leave, Veronica,” I ordered.
She turned to me and smiled seductively, taking a step closer to me. “Do you wish for me to wait at your house?”
“All righty. Kids, let’s go into the kitchen.” Gwen ushered them all forward.
What the fuck was Veronica playing at? If I wanted her, I’d ask for her.
It pissed me off she’d said it in front of everyone.
“Just because Gwen spoke so freely in front of me, doesn’t mean you’re allowed to, Veronica. Leave. We’ll speak at another time.”
She dipped her head, cheeks red from embarrassment. “Of course, boss.”
As soon as she left, I made my way into the kitchen, where they were talking.
Amelia saw me first. “I got Peter Alexander pajamas. Look at how soft they are,” she exclaimed, holding them out to me.
“I believe you,” I told her.
“Check this,” Felix called. He stood in the second living room and pointed at the gaming system. “They have them all. A Nintendo Switch, a PlayStation, and an Xbox.”
“None of that is ours,” Gwen called as she handed Greg a glass of water.
“It is, actually,” I said.
Gwen turned to me, hands on her hips. “He has all that at our place.”
“But it’s all old,” Felix said.
“That doesn’t matter,” Gwen snapped. She took a breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.” Her attention came to me. “What about all of our stuff from our house?”
“We can change things out and put whatever you want to keep in here.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and shook her head. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
I nodded. “There are three bedrooms at the front of the house, which would suit Amelia, Felix, and Greg. Two of the bedrooms are connected to one bathroom and the third is next to the guest bathroom. There’s also the living room we walked by.
Out here, as you can see, is the kitchen, dining area, second living room, and laundry over there.
” I pointed to the left. “Outside is a deck area, a pool, and some land if you were to get a pet.”
Amelia gasped.
“No,” Gwen quickly said. “At least, not yet. It’s something we can talk about.”
“Upstairs is the main bedroom, spare bedroom, bathroom, study, and another living area.”
Gwen’s brows dipped.
I held up my hand before she could say anything. “Get some sleep. We can argue tomorrow.” I smirked. “Walk me out, Gwen.”
“Right. Yeah. Okay.” She turned to her family. “You guys fight over who will get which room, but Greg gets to pick first.”
“I don’t mind,” he said.
“Nope. You pick, Greg. We want you comfortable here.”
“I’m sure I will be. You’re all here.”
“Awww,” she cooed at the old man and gently hugged him before moving my way.
Once outside, I faced Gwen. She tipped her chin up and met my gaze head-on.
She was mesmerizing.
“This place… it’s amazing, Malice. Too amazing.”
“Your house was just as nice.”
“It was older and not as big,” she quickly added.
I cocked a brow. “Irrelevant.”
She grumbled under her breath, then sighed before suddenly grinning sheepishly up at me. “Sorry. I’m tired, and everything tends to get on my nerves.”
“Only when you’re tired?” I teased.
She snorted. “Shut up. But I also know when to say thank you.”
Closing the distance between us, I pushed a few lose strands behind her ear and ran my fingers down her cheek to grasp her chin. “Anything for you, doll.”
“Anything? That’s a big promise, stud muffin.” Her eyes widened and she blushed. “I can’t believe I just said that to you.”
Chuckling, I said, “You’ve said worse.”
“Yeah, but that stuff was with a phone between us, and we couldn’t see each other.”
I didn’t get to reply because a car pulled up, and one of my men stepped out with a handbag.
“Boss, I was told to drop these here. Suitcase is still in the car.”
I took the bag and keys from his hands and handed them to Gwen. “Head to the barracks. Get some rest.”
“Will do, thanks.” He walked off. The barracks were where the guards stayed if they didn’t have a family house. It was only a few blocks away.
Turning back to Gwen, I noticed how she was hugging her bag and grinning up at me. “Thank you so much again.”
A phone started to ring. Gwen dug through her bag and pulled one out. Her face scrunched up. “Hello?” she answered, then stilled. She forced a laugh. “Right…. Ah, well, I’m not in Vegas anymore. Family emergency. Sorry…. Maybe another time?” Her gaze flicked to me and away.
I stole the phone from her hand and placed it to my ear. She made a grab for it, but I placed a hand on the top of her head to hold her in place. “Who is this?”
“Who’s this?” a man countered.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
“Look, I didn’t know she was married or whatever. I’m just a barman. She was willing to hook up—” I ended the call.
My blood boiled and rose to the surface.
I dropped my hand away from her head.
“Yeah, having my boss ask questions kind of gives my planned hookup the wrong message. Not embarrassing at all.”
I clenched my teeth.
Her humor faded. “Malice?”
Leaning down, I touched my nose to hers. “You’re mine.”
“Yes. Your employee.”
Fuck me.
She had no idea what was to come.
I’d make sure to keep a better eye on her so no one could get close enough for this to happen again.
Only I was allowed to be inside her sweet-as-sin body.
Her cheeks flushed, and she licked her lips.
Did she want my lips? A kiss?
It would have to wait because as soon as I had my mouth on her, I wouldn’t want to stop for hours. Straightening, I asked, “Is this your burner phone?”
“Yeah?” she drew out.
I pocketed it. “Get another.”
Her head tilted, brows pinching. “I guess I was due a new one.”
Good. I’d remove the number from this phone so she wouldn’t have access to it.
“Anyway,” she said, and I knew she was changing the subject because she was uncomfortable. “How much is the rent on this place?”
Irritation stirred. Did she honestly think she owed me for this house?
“Nothing,” I clipped.
She placed her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”
Christ, I enjoyed her fire.
“We’ll speak tomorrow. Go get some sleep, Gwendolyn.”
“You use my full name when you are annoyed or pissed. What have I done now?”
Reaching out, I tugged a curl and watched it spring back up. “Nothing. Get inside.” I tipped my chin toward the house.
“I call bull,” she sang.
“House, Gwendolyn.”
She huffed. “Fine.”
Before she could walk away, I captured her wrist and tugged her close. Leaning down, I dragged my tongue over her bottom lip, then caught it between my teeth and bit. When I released her, I murmured, “Until tomorrow.”
She gaped up at me, whined, then snapped her lips closed. With a nod, she rushed back inside.
Grinning, I turned and walked toward my house.