Chapter 34
RAFE
M y phone rang not five minutes after I got off with George.
Rowan’s name popped up.
“Hey, Ro, what’s up?” I answered.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were being harassed?”
“Aiden ratted me out,” I leaned back into the hotel sofa with a sigh.
“Yes, he did. And rightly so. Maybe you should come back to London and stay with me and Andrew for a while. What about…”
“Stop. Do not go into your micromanaging CEO mode, please. This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re concerned and trying to take over.” I paused. “And it’s not just me. I’m worried about George.”
“And both of you have security?”
“I have a bodyguard arriving this afternoon.”
“Arranged by Alex?”
“Yes. Korry Doyle is his name. His brother Kiernan is with George in Tortola. George’s ex, Aldo Veruci, is at the root of all this. Annoying pain in the arse. Aiden and Alex are working on a plan to get rid of him.”
“They do, and that’s why they called me. We’re going to offer him a sum of money in return for signing an NDA.”
“Is that legal?”
“Entirely. Aiden suggested we offer Aldo a settlement and, in exchange for the money, he agrees to sign an agreement ceasing all contact with George and with you. And agrees never to discuss or divulge details about his relationship history with George to anyone. The restraining order gets dropped. But if he breaks the agreement, George can sue him. Apparently, Aiden’s done quite a few of these for his A-list clients. It’s really quite simple.”
“I do have money of my own, Ro, and so does George. I don’t need you to put up the funds.”
“Rafe, Aldo needs twenty thousand pounds to pay off his debt.”
“Fucking hell,” I exclaimed. “Okay, so that’s not a small amount. But still, George and I will deal with it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Do you think this will work?”
“It’s worth a shot. Hopefully George doesn’t have any other angry ex-lovers waiting about.”
“He does not. And it’s not his fault,” I bit out.
“Calm down, Rafe. I know that. Still, until we finalize this, maybe a bit of distance from George is a good thing.”
“If you’re suggesting what I think you are, forget it. I’m moving in with him. I love that man beyond measure, and no one is coming between us!” I bellowed.
Rowan chuckled and I realized my error. He was goading me like the annoying brother he was. “I’ve never heard you speak about someone so passionately before. Who are you and what have you done with my baby brother?”
“Piss off,” I grumbled.
“You are so in love with George it’s nauseating.”
“Yes, I am. Do you know what he did? He wrote me love notes and hid them in my suitcase. A note for every day we’re apart. He’s so romantic.”
“I’m about to flutter like a character in a Jane Austen novel,” he chuckled.
I hung up on him. He texted me more annoying comments which I ignored.
There was work to be done. I grabbed my laptop and accessed my bank accounts.
I sold a few investments so the money would be ready.
Then I got to work editing the photos from the past week.
I replied to messages and pictures from Niall and Willem, who looked to be having the time of their life in Miami.
They were packing up Niall’s apartment and then heading to Amsterdam in a few weeks.
Alex had forwarded me the details for my security, including photo ID. A short while later, my bodyguard appeared at my hotel room.
“Nice to meet ya, I’m Korry Doyle. How’s things?” Korry asked in a deep Irish accent.
“Outside of the fact that my boyfriend’s ex is being a nasty bitch, and now I need a bodyguard, great,” I replied.
“Love makes people stupid. Can’t be bothered with relationships meself,” Korry grumbled as he began to scan the room.
Korry towered over me, and I was a tall man. Dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, with short blond hair and tattoos on his face, he looked like he belonged in a motorcycle club rather than personal protection.
“I’ve got a video call with Alex about to start. There’s a kitchenette, so help yourself to coffee or tea or whatever snacks you’d like.”
“Thanks,” Korry replied and wandered off.
I dialed into the videocall and watched as Aiden, Alex, and George popped up on screen.
“We’re all here, so let’s get started,” Aiden barked.
“Everyone knows Aldo is in financial trouble, and this is the main reason for his harassment of George and now Rafe. We’re going to solve this problem simply—with a cash settlement and an NDA.
Think of it as a separation agreement. He’ll get what he wants, and you’ll get what you want.
I know twenty thousand pounds is no small change, but if you’re able to do it, I think this will work. ”
“I’ve got the money ready,” I replied.
“No, Rafe. This is my problem and I’ll sort it. You are not losing your money,” George commented.
“Well then I insist on giving you half the amount. We’re partners now.”
“I don’t feel comfortable asking you to do this, love,” he replied, rubbing his beard.
“You’re not asking, I’m offering, sweetheart.”
“Have the money ready to wire this week,” Aiden interrupted. “You, George, Rowan, the bloody tooth fairy—wherever it comes from, I don’t care. George, I’m sending you a copy of the agreement I’ve drafted. Read it carefully. Once you sign, I’ll go visit Aldo and present the offer.”
“I’ve only got another day here in Geneva. I’m flying to Miami to sign the papers for the condo and then I’m meeting up with George in Tortola,” I replied.
“Make sure Korry goes with you,” Alex interjected. “Korry and Kiernan are on retainer for the next couple of weeks. If Aldo signs the settlement, we can discharge them early.”
“I hate to rush, but I have another client call to take,” Aiden said. “We’ll be in touch.”
Aiden’s screen went blank before I could thank him.
“I need to get going as well. Jared has an event tonight,” Alex replied. “Stay safe.”
“Thanks, Alex, for everything.”
“Any mate of Jared’s,” he responded and left the call.
“Another week or so and this could all be over,” George commented.
“I hope so. When I get to Tortola, I have plans for you, and I and I really don’t want a third or fourth wheel hanging about.”
George smiled at my comment. “We’ll see what happens, love. Let’s stay positive. Maybe you could burn some sage or something. Just in case.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in all that woowoo stuff.”
“I didn’t. Until the storm in Australia. And now this. Do you think there’s a curse on Now, Voyager ?” he teased.
“No. But I think Andrew was spot on when he joked about a love spell. The ship is three for three already.”
“We might be able to use that. Rowan could book more external charters for singles looking for love.”
“Let’s keep it a secret for now. I don’t want every single man clamoring to sail with you,” I quipped.
Korry walked into the living and plopped down on the sofa behind me, waving at the screen.
“This your boyfriend?” he asked.
“Yes, this is George. George, meet Korry.”
“How’s Kiernan? Has he helped himself to your fridge yet?” Korry chuckled.
“I’ve got to go the market again tomorrow,” George replied. “I’ve never seen anyone inhale so much food in so little time.”
“He gets low blood sugar, so be warned. He can turn into a real rager,” Korry replied, and George’s eyes widened. “He used to be an MMA fighter, so you’re in good hands. No one’s going to feck with you on his watch. Kiernan fights dirty.”
“That’s comforting. I think,” George replied with a wary expression. “Do you mind if I have a private word with Rafe?”
“No worries. I’ve got to get stuff set up in my bedroom,” Korry muttered and got up. “Don’t worry about your food bill, George. Send it to Alex to take care of. Nice to meet ya.”
“Likewise.”
As Korry ambled off to the other end of the suite, I started to laugh.
“And what is so amusing, sweetheart?” George asked.
“You. You should’ve seen your face when he said ‘rager.’ I thought your eyes were going to pop out of your head.”
“Kiernan’s not far off from a rager right now.
After slamming every door and cupboard in my flat, eating all my food, and scaring the life out of the condo board management, he’s now watching a rugby match on his mobile and yelling like an angry sailor.
He’s getting louder and louder and using swear words I’ve never even heard of.
And I’ve heard it all. I’m going to be sleeping with one eye open from now on.
Aren’t I supposed to feel more secure with a bodyguard and not less? ”
“He can’t be that bad,” I teased.
“Korry seems nice. Calmer than his brother,” George remarked.
“I’ve no idea, he’s only been here a half hour.”
“He’s not guarding you too closely, is he?” George asked with a raised eyebrow. My stern-faced captain was back. “Is there a lock on your bedroom door?”
“Don’t be daft. Even if he was gay, I’d hardly notice him. He’s here to do a job, that’s all.”
“I’ve had to rein in my possessive impulses for the past several weeks, my heart, but my patience is coming to an end. I miss you so fucking much. When you finally get down here, be prepared. We’re not leaving my bedroom for a month.”
The dirty grin George gave me had my blood running hot. His salt-and-pepper beard had grown in a bit, and I couldn’t wait to feel it on my arse, on my sensitive hole. Fuck, that thought had my cock thickening so fast I was dizzy.
“I feel the exact same way, sweetheart. You’re all I think about. First thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every moment in between,” I confessed, wishing I could reach out and touch him.
Between the sexy love notes he’d written me every day and our nightly calls, it was like foreplay times ten thousand. I’d never been so desperately horny and needy in my life.
George leaned forward and was about to say something else when a loud crash echoed behind him. He shook his head and suddenly Kiernan popped up on screen. He and Korry were identical twins, albeit with different hairstyles. And temperaments apparently.
“You got a broom somewhere?” Kiernan muttered.
George pulled out his earbuds and said something. Kiernan took off and then George turned back to me.
“Fuck, are you sure we can’t trade bodyguards?”
“Not until we get to Tortola.”
“Hurry it up then. Another few days with Kiernan and I may be at risk of fleeing my own home.”
Another loud bang was followed by shouting. George placed a hand over his eyes.
“If I have a home left to flee.”