Chapter 13
Drew
I need to get Zara away from here. I’m a hundred percent sure that this was down to Doyle. I don’t know how he did it, but I know he’s good for it.
Carlos and two of my trusted stable hands have been searching the CCTV all morning whilst keeping an eye on Luna and her stablemates.
The last thing we need is a virus that we don’t know about knocking down all the horses.
We are sitting waiting in the passport office when the vet calls me to tell me that Luna was given a near-lethal dose of ketamine. He assures me that she’ll just need to be looked after well and given some supplements, and she’ll be fine. She won’t be able to race again for a while, which is a bummer, because she’d just gotten into her stride.
I do what any respectable person should do in this situation. I call in the cops. I ask them to go and search my business for anything illegal.
I’ve already told them that they shouldn’t find anything, but If they do, it’s not because I’ve put it there, and I want them to find out who did it.
I call Carlos, who thinks I’m crazy for bringing in law enforcement.
“What if they do find something?”
“I want them to. If there are illegal drugs on my premises, I want to know. I want them gone. Plus, they might get fingerprints or something.”
“And if the culprit hasn’t been involved in a crime before?”
“Well, shit . . . I don’t know. I just don’t want Doyle to be the one who brings the police to my door, not when I’m going to be flying out soon.”
“Where the hell are you going?” he asks, and I can hear the annoyance in his voice.
“I’m going to see my folks for a few days, and then I’m going to visit Texas and Kentucky.”
“And what if something else happens while you’re gone?”
“Then you call me. I’m not going to the moon. I can be on a flight home in a few hours.”
“Fine, we’ll sort it out when you are back. How long do you think you’re going to be?” he asks, and I look at the clock. Zara’s appointment was at 2:00 p.m., and it’s already 4:00 p.m., and she hasn’t been called yet.
“This place closes at 5:30, so we should be back around seven. Don’t leave the place unattended. I hate to say it, but it could be one of the staff.”
“The thought had crossed my mind. You pay very well, but a lump sum might come in handy to someone.”
“Thanks, Carlos. There’ll be a nice bonus for you this month.”
“Yeah, okay. Like every month. I’ll see you later.” He half laughs and ends the call.
But his comment of like every month gets me thinking. Do I pay him enough? Does he get the bonuses and overtime I approve each month? I send a text over to my payroll team to make sure that Carlos gets double pay this month.
It’s a quarter past four when Zara finally gets called into an office. I offer to go with her, but I’m told to sit and wait by the security guard. But by five o’clock, Zara walks out holding a brand-new passport in her hands, the widest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. Her cheeks are pink and glowing.
“I got it!” she shrieks, waving it around.
I can’t help myself from laughing at her. “That’s great. Let’s go. We’ve got quite a bit to do before we go.”
We are halfway home when Zara starts pressing buttons and asking, “What does this do?” and “If I press this, what will happen?”
“Behave and stop touching shit. You might press something that makes us crash,” I bark at her, and she sits back and smiles.
“Were you doing that on purpose?” I ask, turning to see her smirking out of the window.
“I just wanted your attention for a second. You’ve been distracted since we set off back. Is everything okay with Luna?”
“She’s fine. She was given a near-lethal dose of some drug. She’ll be okay.”
“So, what’s bothering you?”
“The police have just done a search of the stables. Sadly, they didn’t find anything.”
“You wanted them to find drugs?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah. I was hoping they would find some evidence.”
She nods, understanding what I mean.
“When do you think she was poisoned? You and Carlos were both around, and I’m sure you would have seen if anyone had been near her.”
“That’s the thing, the only two people who were near her all day were me and Carlos.”
“You don’t think . . .”
“No, no, of course not, but it’s a mystery as to how. Oh, hey, we never went to see your cousin last night. Do you want to drop in now and let her know you’re okay?”
“We don’t have to. You’ve had a long day.”
“But didn’t you say she’d be worried? Put the address into the GPS. We’re going. And no arguments.”
“I love it when you’re bossy,” she says and punches in the address. The GPS pops up with a map showing me directions, but what I don’t expect is Zara sliding her hand over my thigh and between my legs. I nearly lose the steering wheel, and the car swerves slightly, but I manage to pull it straight.
“You could have warned me.”
“What did you want me to say? ‘I’m going to caress your dick now sir’?”
Jesus. Her small hand cups my dick, and I can feel it getting harder and harder. She starts to open my zipper. “No . . . don’t do that. There are cameras all over the place. I don’t want to get caught with my dick out.”
She bites her bottom lip but continues to massage my now throbbing hard as rock dick.
“Zara, you need to stop, sweetheart. I really can’t concentrate on the road.”
“Does it feel good though?”
“It feels too fucking good. I really don’t want you to stop but . . . Fuck, Zara, ah shit, ah shit . . .” She’s not stopping though. I click the car on to cruise control and hope to god I don’t need to brake quickly.
I see a sign for a service station and pull across the three lanes.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
I don’t answer. I can’t. I’m on the verge of coming in my fucking pants and being on the road doing seventy-five miles per hours isn’t the best idea.
I spot what looks like a country lane with a “No Unauthorised Vehicles” sign.
Fuck it. I turn left and head down the road for about fifty meters and pull into a layby. I stop the engine, push back my seat, and open my jeans.
“Come on . . . fucking suck me. You want to drive me crazy, go for it, but I promise you, there will be no orgasms for you tonight.”
She smiles and then dips her head and takes my dick into her mouth. I lean back in the seat and relax while she takes care of me, her warm mouth and tongue making easy work of my impending orgasm.
“Oh, baby, you are so fucking good . . . so good. So goooood.” My hips thrust upward as come spills into her mouth.
When I’ve calmed down a little, and she’s wiped her mouth, I turn to her and ask, “Why did you do that? That was ridiculously dangerous.”
“You were in your head overthinking everything. I wanted to bring you back, take your mind off it for a second.”
“You certainly did that, and I loved it, but please don’t do that again. I don’t want to be the guy known for death by blow job.”
We make it to her cousin’s house in one piece, although Zara looks a little less put together than she did in the passport office.
I take a look at the house, and it surprises me that it’s not a huge property. “Is this the address?” I ask.
“Yes. I know what you’re thinking. But they are good people. My aunt and uncle are really kind. They don’t like my father either.”
“That’s a sign of good character to start with.” I get out the car and go to open Zara’s door, but she’s already halfway out. “Did you not want me to act proper in front of your family?” I laugh.
“It doesn’t matter to them, Drew. They will like you at first sight because I like you.”
A girl comes flying out of the house, her arms flailing everywhere. “Jesus, Zara, where the hell have you been?!” she screams as she nearly falls down the steps.
“It’s a long story. I just came by to let you know I’m okay, but I’ll be away for a few weeks. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Are you going with him?” she asks and points at me.
“Yes, sorry. Drew, this is Laura, my cousin, Laura, this is Drew Blackmoore.”
“I know who he is . . . Jesus, you are hotter in the flesh. I’ve seen pictures of you in Horse and Country . I have to say they don’t do you justice.”
“Ah, yeah, Zara told me you have a horse.” I look around and don’t see any stables. “Where do you keep it?”
“In my bedroom,” she replies and then laughs. “At some stables not far from here, but they’re putting the livery fees up again, so I’m going to have to move across town.”
A thought flashes through my head, and before I can think it through, it comes out of my mouth.
“Why don’t you use my facilities? I’ll do you a really good rate.” She starts laughing and then coughing as she laughs harder. “What’s so funny?” I ask.
“You don’t want my old bones mixing with your royalty, and plus, even at a special rate, I couldn’t afford your plush surroundings.”
“Well, I can give you it for free, but you’d owe me.” I wink at Zara, who is utterly confused.
“And how would I repay you? I’m not into incest.”
“Look, Zara obviously trusts you, and I need people that I can trust around. I’d need you to be around and keep your eyes open. Help Carlos with a few jobs while we’re away.”
“And that’s it? What happens when you get back? Will we have to move again?”
“I can arrange for a three-year contract. But we need you to be vigilant, keep your eyes open, and make sure nothing happens to my horses.”
“Is this guy for real? He’s never even met me before, and he’s coming to my rescue. I know I’m the prettier one, but Zara deserves a nice guy.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s actually more for my benefit than yours.“
“You’ve got yourself a real charmer here,” Laura says, and I wince at my shortness.
“Can you two stop it? I never expected your first meeting to be like this. I hoped you’d get along.”
I can see the disappointment in Zara’s face. “We are getting along, aren’t we, Laura? We’ll be best of friends before you know it.” I smile widely and give Laura’s shoulder a little hug. Despite me being a little off hand, I actually do like her. I’m not normally wrong when I meet people, and Zara trusts her. “Sorry, I was trying to be nice. I’m just not used to it.”
“I get that. I’ll think about your offer,” Laura replies with a sarcastic smile.
“So, now you know she’s safe, we should go. We’ve got a lot of stuff to get done before we leave,” I say, taking Zara’s hand.
“What? Wait! Where are you going? Where are you taking her?” Laura asks in a panic.
“To meet my family in America, and to visit a couple of my businesses over there. Why?”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit sudden? You’ve only just met . . .” Laura grabs Zara’s hand and holds it tight.
“I’m not going to hurt her, Laura. I’m doing it to keep her safe. Your uncle has been a bit of a thorn in my ass, if I’m quite honest, and I don’t want him to do anything else stupid.”
“Oh! And you’re happy about this, are you?” she asks Zara.
“I am. Drew even took me to the passport office, so I didn’t have to go home and try and find mine. God knows where Father would have hidden it.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he carries it around with him, the bastard that he is,” Laura snaps.
I look at Zara for her reaction, but she doesn’t flinch or tense, she just smiles. “I’ll be fine. But please think about Drew’s offer. It would make me feel better knowing Carlos had someone on hand that we trust. Things are a little . . . weird at the minute.”
“I will. Do you have a number I can contact you on?” she asks, taking out her phone.
I smile and nod at Zara. “Go on, give her your number. You two can text and call as much as you want to now.”
“She’s got a phone?” Laura exclaims excitedly.
“Of course she has. I’ve not kidnapped her.”
They exchange numbers, but it takes longer than normal because Zara hasn’t remembered hers yet.
“That’s three people you have now. By the time we are finished in New York, you’ll have a lot more.”
The girls hug, and I walk back to the car. I know Laura is making sure Zara is okay with everything, and I want to give Zara the opportunity to talk to her without me there. I need to build Laura’s trust, too. I need to make her see I’m not the evil player her uncle has painted me to be.
I’ve had a few texts and calls over the last twenty-four hours with people, each one of them a damn client, telling me about the rumours Doyle is spreading. It’s a good job they trust me more than him, or my business would start to suffer. It’s also another reason to get Zara out of the way. She doesn’t need to hear lies about my so-called sordid past.
A few minutes later, Zara gets back into the car and smiles. “Thank you. I think Laura might actually like you.”
“I must admit, it got a bit rocky for a minute. I forgot that I needed to be charming.” I laugh, and so does Zara.
“Why did you offer to stable her horse for free?”
“I just thought it made sense, and it might also be nice for you to have someone around that you know. She’s your best friend as well as your cousin, right?”
She nods. “Sad to say, she’s my only friend. Or she was . . . I’ve got you and Carlos now, and a couple of the stable hands have said hi and smiled.”
“You’ll have so many people in your life by the end of next week that you’ll be begging for peace and quiet. And that phone . . . you’ll probably want to throw it out of the nearest window.”
“Why?”
“Because I have two sisters-in-law who like to fucking text constantly. They keep adding me to chat groups, and I keep leaving, but then another one appears.”
“It must be nice to have a close family.”
“It is . . . most of the time, but sometimes, they don’t get it when I want to just work or be on my own.”
“It’s only because they care. I wish someone had cared about me that way,” she says, taking my hand.
“Sorry, I sound ungrateful, but they ring at stupid times. They are five hours behind, so it’s not unheard of for my phone to ring at 3:00 a.m.”
“Oh . . . yeah, that could be annoying.”
“It is, but all that said . . . they are really nice women. My brothers have fallen on their feet, and it looks like Carter is on the same train with Brook.”
“Carter is the footballer, right? The one who had that awful accident?”
“Yeah, he’s a lot better, and he owns the club, too.”
“The one my father used to own?” Zara asks. “I remember when Carter was trying to save it. My father was being really difficult about things. I don’t know why. He could have put his hand in his pocket, but he chose to just let it go under.”
“Hmmm. So, your father has had dealings with us Blackmoores before then?”
“Only Carter. He was really pissed off when Carter took legal action over the accident.”
“That’s what employer’s liability insurance is for though, if your staff gets injured at work.”
“I don’t think he was insured, or not as fully as he should have been.”
“So, that makes a little bit of sense as to why your father dislikes me so much. If my brother sued him—and I know how much he got paid out—that might piss me off a little, too.”
Zara’s phone pings with a text, and I can’t hide the smile as she picks up her phone excitedly.
Laura: Tell your hunk of a man that I’ll accept his offer. I’ll need help moving stuff up there though.
She reads it out excitedly and then reads out her reply.
Zara: Okay, we will arrange something when we get back.
I watch her as we drive back. She keeps looking at the phone in her hand.
“You, okay?” I ask, noticing her smile has faded.
“Yeah, I just miss her, that’s all.”
“When we get back from the States, you can spend as much time as you want with her.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. I’m not your keeper. You’ll have to learn to trust me, but if I say I don’t want you to go somewhere and do something, it’s only because I care. I’m not going to keep you in a prison, just safe.”