Chapter 35
Lillian
“Sean?” I grab the musk-scented top sheet, wrap it around toga-style, and pad down the hallway. My clothes are scattered everywhere, but his are missing.
Unable to find my underwear, I go commando, then race downstairs.
As I walk past the conference room, I overhear Sean say, “She’s never going to forgive me.”
Behind the door, I can’t make out Dante’s muffled response, but it doesn’t matter. This kind of crap is fucking unacceptable.
When the handle refuses to turn, I pound on the metal. “I know you guys are in there. Open up.”
“Can I help you?” All of a sudden, Dante’s blocking my way.
Pushing him aside, I scowl at my duplicitous fiancé. “Forgive you for what?” My stupid voice screeches.
“Whoa, now.” Palms down, eyes on mine, he closes the gap between us. “Mace found our missing ladies. They’re both fine. I should’ve run right to tell you. Instead, I let you sleep.”
My breath whooshes out. “Are you saying my father doesn’t have them?”
“I am. We all agreed they can stay put as long as there’re no phones, no emails.” He’s holding something back, but there’s no way to ask. Not here. Not now.
“Okay.” I turn toward Dante. “I apologize. Thanks for finding my sister. I mean it.”
“No problem.” My boss sends Sean a super-secret silent warning, then switches off the lights.
I know they are up to something, and I will find out.
Once Dante disappears down the hall, I slide my fingers behind Sean’s neck and tug him to my lips.
“Mmm.” Taking over the kiss, he presses me against the wall.
With instantaneous human combustion a distinct possibility, we make it back to our apartment.
Eyes shining, he drops me on the bed. My heart races as he climbs over me, planting his knees on either side of my hips.
“I love you, babe. You realize I’d do anything to keep you safe, right?”
Before I can question his meaning, he yanks off my t-shirt and places his tip at my already slick opening.
“Can’t wait.” He plunges inside me, so deep, I see stars.
“But…” All thoughts vanish when he pulls out with a slight pop.
Gasping for breath, every nerve on fire, I lock my legs behind his back, holding on for the ride until my orgasm explodes, breaking me into tiny fragments.
But, oh no, he’s not done. Lubricated by our sweaty bodies, he ups his pace. While I shudder, the bed rocks. Digging my feet into the mattress, I arch up for a second high, even though the first one hasn’t finished.
“Dear God.” As I brace for the grand finale of the century, a groan escapes from deep in his chest.
His muscles stiffen, he pistons one last time, then shouts, “Lil!”
“Oh… Oh. Oh yes!” I come. He comes. Heaven comes.
After our pulses calm, he rolls me on top. With his heartbeat slowing in my ear, I follow him into sleep.
I’m back in my college dorm when the fire alarm blares.
Stupid pranks. I pull the pillow over my face. “Shut up.”
Sean’s strong hand grabs my bicep, shaking me awake. “Shoes. Jeans. Sweatshirt. We’ve been breached.”
As my eyes blink away the dream, he snatches the weapon from the bedside table. “Stay here.”
I’m a goddamned black belt in multiple martial arts. Dressing as I go, I race for the front door behind Sean.
It flies open.
Pop! Buzz.
Sean crumples to the floor.
Before I can react, a second Taser sinks into my thigh. My hamstrings seize as I’m thrown over someone’s shoulder. Upside down, I scream, but like in my worst nightmares, nothing comes out.
The kidnappers take the elevator to the sub-basement. There, I’m tossed onto a mattress in the back of a dark van. I’m blindfolded. Once they tie-wrap my wrists and ankles, they shove a surprisingly clean cloth into my mouth.
When the vehicle climbs to street level, I roll across the metal until I ram into the back door. After we level off, we weave through the city, the motor whining as it accelerates onto a highway. Either minutes or hours pass—I can’t be sure. Regardless, I stop struggling to conserve energy.
I’ve escaped from my father before. I will do it again.
It’s dark by the time we stop. The thick scents of diesel fumes, greasy burgers, and urine threaten to turn my stomach. As I’m carried away from the van, I suck in my breath, hoping to hear voices, but other than footsteps on the gravel, there’s nothing except idling trucks.
Breathing hard, a man carries me inside a silent room, then drops me onto cold, hard cement. A loud click signals he locked the door.
Wasting no time, I rub the side of my head on the floor until the blindfold slips off. A grim chuckle escapes me. My father is losing his edge. He either didn’t inform them of my skill set or chose idiots to kidnap me.
With my vision restored, I assess my surroundings. Cot. Table. Chair. Microwave. Toilet. Sink. Today’s Washington Post. A flashing red LED in the ceiling.
My father’s voice behind me sends me into a panic attack. “Daughter. Ready to come home?”
Curling into a ball, I shield my head and vital organs as best I can. When the beating doesn’t come, I dare to glance up.
A speaker. Of course.
Fingers clenched, I glare at the security cam, mouthing each word, making sure there’s no misunderstanding. “Fuck you.”
A second later, the blinking light stops.
No time to lose, I worm my way to the toilet, where I shoulder the tank lid ajar.
Once I slide down the wall to my back, I drive both heels into the porcelain, sending it flying.
It slams onto the cement floor with a crack.
One more kick splits it apart, leaving wickedly sharp edges, perfect for freeing hands and ankles.
I will never surrender. Never.
As I stand, the door clicks.
Shit-fuck-shit. Palms out, feet braced, ready for combat, I wait.
The handle rattles.
Calming my racing thoughts, I picture my attack. Fist to neck. Knee to groin. Elbow to the back of the head.
Hinges creak. My knuckles tighten. The door opens.
“Hi-yah!” Halfway through driving my knuckles into the intruder’s throat, I recognize Sean and aim to the right. “Jesus effin, Holiday Balls! I could’ve killed you.”
His unique scent grounding me, he tugs me into his arms. “Are you hurt, sweetheart?”
“Liam saw me. He spoke to me. We need to go. Now.” Inhaling, I push him away, then point up at the ceiling cam.
“Slow down.” He tips up my chin, holding my gaze. “It was us. Dante’s men. We kidnapped you.”
“Excuse me?” As my jaw drops and my brain short-circuits, he places his hand on my lower back, expecting me to move.
“I’m so sorry, babe. We had to keep it real. Otherwise, your dad wouldn’t buy it.”
Digging in my heels, I screech, “Keep it real?”
I never screech. “Are you kidding me?”
Eyes on the ceiling, he drags his fingers through his hair. “Hear me out. We’re taking down your father. Like you always wanted.”
“I don’t give a goddamn about him right now. I want to know why you thought it was okay to terrorize me.” Fists clenched, I resist the urge to hit him.
After leaving the room, Sean leads me between the dozens of idling semis before lowering his voice. “We tricked Liam into thinking Fitzpatrick took you.”
My head spins, partly from hunger, partly from diesel fumes, partly from disbelief. “You’re making no sense. Start over. From the beginning.”
The man who claims to love me explains as he walks across the stones, hops into his SUV, and drives.
Ten miles down the road, I finally understand. “So, Fitz is giving me to my father in exchange for Pearson’s death.”
“Yeah.” Glancing at me, he nods.
I rub the back of my tense neck, wondering what the hell these guys were smoking. “It is by far the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Hey, it worked. Our man has accepted the job, and once the hit is done—or rather faked—Liam will call Fitz, who will pretend to be convinced and arrange a swap.” His enthusiasm is so misplaced, I might lose my mind.
“Why would Fitz believe him?” This is where their plan is most likely to break down.
“Because the Irishman is on our side.” His chuckle sounds so confident, my temper snaps.
“Bonkers. You should’ve included me in the planning. Whatever happened to trust?”
Expression fierce, he meets my gaze for half a second. “Like Becks and Grams’s hideout? That trust?”
As the thunder rumbles and the rubber blades squeak across the glass, I lower my voice. “That’s different.”
“Is it? How? Explain it to me.” His knuckles tighten around the wheel.
Angry, betrayed, and heartsick, my voice cracks. “My promise was made to Rebecca years ago, before I met you. Can you please take me home now?”
“Sure. To the safehouse.”
“No, Sean. Back to my place.” Folding my arms, I glare at him.
His brows lift as he enters the fast lane. “You mean our apartment, right?”
“No, I do not.” The moment the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back.
Face grim, he swallows hard. “Tell me one thing. If we hadn’t staged your abduction, were you going after Liam on your own?”
“I don’t know. I hadn’t decided.” Yeah, I sound petulant, but hey, I was kidnapped.
“Fine. I’ll drop you off at home. It doesn’t have to be me, but you’ll need a guard.”
“Send Mace.” Shifting in my seat, I face the side window to hide my tears. I’ll be damned if I will let him see me cry.