Chapter 19 Matteo #2
“As you know, the recent allegations against Councilman Rogers have put some scrutiny on my company,” Sebastian begins.
“I’ve been wanting to increase our digital security measures for some time, but this gave me the push to pursue a partnership sooner rather than later.
” He nods his head at Akio. “I hear Lunar Security is number one in cybersecurity in the country.”
“We are.” Akio pulls out his tablet, showing him a graphic of how our cybersecurity procedures would work. “After an assessment of your systems, we can form a customized security plan tailored to your needs.”
“I only want the best.”
I fight not to roll my eyes. “My assistant informed me you were interested in physical security, as well. Based on the media circus downstairs and what’s happening in your personal life, I think I may have some idea, but can you tell me a little more about your needs in that area?
” I’m watching him closely, every tick, every smug grin.
He doesn’t seem like a grieving father whose daughter is missing.
“Ah, yes, well. As CEO of Helix Enterprises I have a hectic schedule and have a hand in various areas of business. I work with a lot of different people, and there have been a few instances recently where…” he pauses, running a finger over his mouth.
“Let’s just say stakes were high and tempers were even higher.
Clay can attest to that.” He flicks a hand at his associate who is posed nearly the same way as his boss, one foot resting on a knee, his drink balanced on the other as he sprawls back in the chair.
“Clay takes on the jobs that I am too busy for.” Whether the slight is intentional or not, I don’t fail to notice Clay's fingers tightening on his glass. “I’m looking to add a protection detail for each of us. Would that be possible?”
“We definitely have the manpower to provide those services, yes.”
“Good, good.” He runs a finger over the rim of his glass.
“I would expect full discretion from your men. If they were to follow me to my meetings, I mean, I would hope that whatever sensitive information is shared or brought to light would remain… between us.” His sharp green eyes – eyes so achingly familiar – flick to me.
“Would Lunar Security be willing to add a discretion clause into our contract?” In other words, would my men look the other way when he’s trafficking people?
“I think that could be arranged,” I say with a nod. “With the proper incentive, of course.”
“Of course.” He tips his glass at me, meeting my gaze with a knowing look. “I’d be willing to pay extra for keeping any delicate matters under wraps.”
There’s a knock on the door before I can agree. It opens without Sebastian’s approval, which makes a vein pop in his temple. I crane my neck to look over my shoulder at who has the balls to face this man’s wrath.
“Shit,” I hear Akio whisper quietly enough for only me to hear.
A leggy blonde strides into the room, exuding an air of confidence that reminds me so much of my little menace.
Clay stands quickly, “Quinn, you can’t be in here right now.”
Quinn. As in Fallon’s best friend Quinn. As in Fallon’s best friend Quinn who has successfully hacked into our systems at our home on multiple occasions, and who possibly knows exactly who Cerberus is.
Fuck.
Each of her strides are purposeful as she ignores Clay’s warnings and aims for our group of chairs. Light green eyes land on me, then bounce to Akio and narrow. Shit. I grip the arms of my chair as she comes to a stop right in front of me, and wait for the ball to drop.
“Miss Cadieux,” Sebastian says evenly. “I’m in a meeting. Whatever it is, you need to wait.”
“I understand. I just thought you’d want the file you had me working on to give to Lunar Security.” He arches a brow at her. “The file you told me to pull on all of Fallon’s communication at work.” She grits her teeth, not hiding her frustration. “To help find Fallon.”
“Oh, yes. Right. Thank you.” He clears his throat and tosses a glance at me. An explosive rage ignites in my core and I have to bite my tongue hard to keep from reacting. This motherfucker clearly isn’t making his missing daughter a priority.
Clay takes the file from Quinn, and she turns to me and Akio. “I hope to see my friend again very soon.” Then she’s marching for the door, leaving me blinking back my confusion.
Quinn obviously knows something about us and Fallon. Maybe not all of it, but she fucking knows. The question is, why didn’t she say anything to Sebastian? This would have been her perfect opportunity to call us out.
Akio and I exchange glances.
“Sorry about that,” Sebastian says, tossing the file on the coffee table between us. “But that brings me to my final need. My daughter, Fallon, you’ve heard that she’s missing?”
“We have,” Akio answers, and I can see the spark of his own outrage of Sebastian’s indifference to his missing daughter. “Do you have any idea what might have happened to her?”
To my irritation, Clay speaks up. “Fallon is a free spirit.” Free spirit? More like a ball buster. “She does whatever she wants. For the first week, we thought maybe she’d just gone off on a trip without telling us.”
Us? Like he’s even a factor in Fallon’s life and she would update him?
Like he even knows who she really is? I may not have circled around the fucking sun that is Fallon Helix long, but over the course of my time watching her and getting to know her, I can tell that Clay is talking out of his ass.
The possessive monster in me wants to roar that she’s not his and never will be.
Despite the hurtful words I spat at her that night in the library, she belongs to Cerberus. And we protect what is ours.
Beside me, Akio stares at Clay like he’s imagining what it would feel like to drive his blade straight into his gut.
“It became apparent quickly that wasn’t the case,” Sebastian adds. “As part of the contract we will draw up with you, I’d like to add that you aid in the search for my daughter.”
“Of course,” Akio says. “With our technology, we’ve got some top of the line tracking features that would help with the search.”
“Perfect. Then you’ve checked every mark. How soon can you get started?”
Hook, line, and…
“Well, we do have a long list of clients at the moment. It could take two or three weeks to even start the assessment period where we evaluate your systems. That is, unless we have reason to dedicate our full attention to Helix Enterprises—”
“Done,” he cuts me off without hesitation. “It seems we are of the same mindset, Moretti. I have about a million reasons for you to make Helix your priority client.” He tips his glass at me before draining his drink.
Sinker.
“Of course. We’ll put a hold on all of our other cases and get started this week. In the meantime, we can rearrange our security forces so that each of you has the best protection detail we have available.”
“And what about Fallon?” Clay asks. “When can we expect some progress on her return?”
My smile is full of teeth, and I know it’s not entirely friendly. I frankly don’t give a shit.
“Just leave Fallon to us. She’s in excellent hands now.”
Declan
I have a real fucking problem and it starts with an F and ends with a deliciously round ass in my face.
Fallon jogs two steps ahead of me, not because she’s faster, but because running with an erection is really fucking uncomfortable.
We kept pace for the first mile, but my attention kept straying to her tits as they bounced with each of her steps.
I thought giving her some space would solve the problem, but my dick only got harder watching her from behind.
It’s only the pure joy painted all over her face at pushing her muscles to their limit that keeps me from tackling and rutting her into the ground like an animal.
I can’t stop staring at her. The curve of her hips and her cinched waist. The cupid’s bow on her full lips when she looks at me over her shoulder.
The way her long, raven hair sways in her ponytail.
I’m enraptured by her reluctant fascination when she takes in the hedge maze to the side of our home, the utter euphoria that takes over her face when she breathes in the misty morning air like it’s the best thing she’s done in a while.
I want to ask her what she’s thinking when she gets that little crinkle between her brow every time she looks back at the estate my brothers and I call home.
This girl is like a drug, drawing me in with her confidence and take-no-shit attitude, her tenacity bordering on stubborn pride that matches my own, giving me a taste of those sweet lips, making me want more until she’s all I crave, all I can think about. It’s not good. It’s not what I do.
Like I said, I’ve got a real fucking problem here.
“I thought you said this was a race,” Fallon calls over her shoulder. I track the bead of sweat dripping down between the bottom of her sports bra and the top of her leggings and lick my lips.
“We are racing.”
“Racing to win, not lose.”
A smirk pulls at my lips. Smartass. “That is what racing means, Poison.” She lets out a sound of annoyance, but I don’t say anything. I especially don’t remind her that we said we are racing the length of the property line and that the last half-mile is completely uphill.
I keep a steady pace behind her, but slowly gain the distance between us when we hit the last curve before the long stretch home.
Fallon’s heels dig into the path, her muscles straining to keep the edge on me as I come neck and neck with her. Her eyes cut to me, her breath coming in harsh pants, sweat pouring off of her as the incline increases. I shoot her a wink and start to pull ahead.
Fallon kicks her foot out at the last second, catching me at the ankle before I can pass her, and I stumble forward until I’m face down in the dirt, left gaping in the wake of her laughter.