Chapter 31
Lily
Lily: Happy Thanksgiving to you and Dad! Sorry I can’t call. Having a lovely time with Kaitlyn. Will catch up tomorrow xx
Mom: I hope you are having fun. Miss you as always xx
Ifrown at my cell, ignoring the chatter around me. Am I just imagining the inflection in Mom’s text? It’s as if it should read, I hope you’re not lying to me, Lily Kendrick. This is why I avoided talking to her for so long. Mom always could tell when Luke and I were hiding something.
After sending a similar message to Kaitlyn, but suggesting I’m with Mom and Dad, I wrap my hands around my steaming mug of coffee and return to staring out the window.
The coffee shop is across the street from a sleek and modern apartment block.
Black granite steps lead up to a grand foyer where a concierge stands behind a reception desk in a fancy uniform.
Mace Griffin’s residence has all the hallmarks of a billionaire’s bachelor pad.
I knew I was dealing with someone with power and influence, but the Griffins are something else, and I’m trying not to let that frighten me off.
It had been surprisingly easy to find out where Shade lives, despite his efforts to erase any trace of himself from the internet. It’s possible he’s removed his existence from Google just to stop me finding him, but I think this is just Shade all over. He hides. Just not well enough.
I bite my lip. Stop calling him Shade, I tell myself. Wield his name like the trophy it is.
I’d found the registered Chicago address for Griffin Corps, and after spending yesterday staking out the office block, I’d spotted Ash and another of the Griffin brothers leaving.
A few minutes later, Mace had come out with the final brother, who I’m pretty sure was Reid.
Reid got into the waiting car, but my target remained on the sidewalk.
I was close enough to hear Reid speak. “You’re walking home? Are you mad?” he’d said, but Mace was already striding away.
Keeping a safe distance behind my quarry, it didn’t take long to understand why Reid had shouted at him.
It took forty-five minutes for Mace to reach home.
My feet were aching and my shoes pinched so much that I’d considered catching him up and putting an end to the chase there and then.
But yesterday was simply an information gathering exercise.
Tonight is going to be the showdown. If he turns up.
I’m making a lot of assumptions. Firstly, that he’s out, and that he’ll be coming back home tonight.
It’s Thanksgiving and I know his family is important to him.
I also know Connie is the most amazing cook, so why wouldn’t the brothers gather at the family home?
I’m just hoping Mace returns to his apartment before the coffee shop closes, or I could be spending half the night out in the cold.
I’ve considered the possibility that he’d drive straight into the underground parking garage, but I’m hoping there isn’t an elevator to take him straight to the penthouse without appearing in the foyer first. And yes, I’m making another big assumption that he’s in the penthouse.
I play with the edges of my cell phone as I continue to stare at the apartment block.
I could just phone him. I’ve already made him wait for almost two weeks.
I don’t imagine he’s enjoying being kept waiting, but this is a big decision he’s asking me to make.
I want him to know that I’ve thought it through even if there was never any question of what I was going to do.
Phoning him up and simply asking him his name would have felt far too anticlimactic, like he was taking pity on me and treating me like a victim.
What happened to me at Syndella was terrifying, and knowing Mace will always keep me safe is the best feeling in the world, but I need to remind myself that I can look after myself too.
If I’m going to be a part of Mace’s life, I need to show him that he’s met his match.
As I lift my cup to my lips, the coffee shop door opens and I have to spit a mouthful of coffee back into my cup.
I spin in my seat, putting my back to the doorway.
I’m wearing all black, from my sweater and leggings, to my padded jacket and the beanie hat I’ve stuffed my hair into.
I’m in full spy mode, and just have to hope that Mace didn’t spot me as he came in.
Heat prickles the nape of my neck as I wait to feel his hand on the back of my neck, or his mouth close to my ear.
I release a sigh of relief when I hear him place an order to go.
My shoulders tense as I listen to grinding coffee beans.
There’s a beep as payment is made, and then a draft of cool air as Mace leaves.
Jumping up, I race to the door. I pretend to fix my beanie as I leave the brightly lit shop, using my hand to cover my face in case Mace turns and spots me. He sips his coffee and strolls straight towards his apartment.
I hang back when he enters the foyer. He chats to the concierge, then moves to the furthest elevator.
When he vanishes, I’m left standing on the sidewalk in indecision.
I have my tale prepared for the concierge.
I’d like to think everyone’s a sucker for a love story, and I’ll be able to persuade him to let me sneak up.
I could show him that I have Mace’s number, but it’s not exactly a rubber-stamped invitation to his apartment.
My stomach is leaden as I walk up the steps.
What’s the worst that could happen? If I can’t enlist the help of Mace’s guard, I’m just going to have to swallow my pride and ask him to announce my arrival.
As I reach the top of the steps, I see an intercom.
It looks like I won’t even get into the foyer without permission.
But my luck changes when a couple appear from one of the elevators and head for the doors. At the same time, the concierge disappears into a back room, and I seize my chance. I rush for the doors as the couple step through.
“Happy thanksgiving,” I say, styling it out in case they have any ideas about challenging me.
We part with smiles and I hurry towards the elevator Mace used.
The console is slightly different to the others.
It’s exclusive for the penthouse. I’ve never used one before, but I presume there’s an added level of security, and once again I’m preparing for defeat as I press the button. The doors slide open.
After selecting the only floor option, I glance in the mirrors. I don’t like the startled woman looking back at me. As the elevator soars upwards, I pull off my beanie and shake my long, auburn locks loose. I’m the Slayer.
There’s a self-assured gait to my walk as I step out of the elevator, and the rubber soles of my boots keep my approach silent.
There are three doors, one to a staircase and another to what I guess is a store closet because there’s only one set of doors that has the grandeur befitting a penthouse suite.
The double doors are black gloss and there’s a high-tech console on the wall that I’ve no chance of breaking into.
I’m almost laughing at myself when I push one of the doors, just in case it’s that easy.
There’s a hiss as the door glides open, and as soon as the gap’s wide enough, I slip inside. Fuck. That couldn’t have gone better. I am a badass.
The entrance hall is wide and sparsely furnished with just one sleek side table that offers no place to hide.
To make matters worse, the end of the hall opens out to a vast living space.
From my limited perspective, I can see grey couches and a gigantic widescreen TV on the wall.
There’s the corner of a kitchen island, but if Mace is there, I don’t hear him. The apartment is silent.
I have to consider the possibility that his brother is here too, even though Mace arrived alone.
And if Reid finds me before Mace, it could get awkward.
I take a steadying breath as I step deeper into the apartment.
I walk past a series of closed doors and stop when I’m at the halfway point.
This is it. Time to make my presence known.
Ignoring my racing heart, I put my hands on my hips. My chest expands as I fill my lungs.
“Mason Griffin!”
And then lights go out.
As I’m plunged into complete, impenetrable darkness, my pulse spikes. I was an idiot to think his high-tech security system wouldn’t notice an intruder. I know in my bones this has to be one of Shade’s moves, and I commit everything I’d seen of my surroundings to memory in case I need to move fast.
Nothing happens.
What if I’m wrong? What if this is all automated? What if Mace is locked away in a home gym somewhere, and isn’t aware that I’ve just triggered some alarm that could have a swat team bearing down on me before I get the chance to explain myself?
I turn my head left and right, but I don’t know where the threat will come from. And it’s so fucking dark, I wouldn’t be able to see it if it was staring me right in my face.
“Hello, Lily,” Shade whispers close enough that I feel his breath on the side of my face.
“You bastard!” I cry out, mostly with relief. “Did you turn the lights off?”
A featherlight touch runs down my spine. He’s behind me. “Looks that way.”
I steady my breath. “Well, you’ve been caught Mason,” I say smugly, excitement pulsing through my veins.
“Is that what you think?” he asks, his voice low and menacing. “You got in here, but only I can let you out.” The direction of his voice moves. He’s circling me. “And I’m not going to do that. I did warn you.”
I hadn’t realized I’d been harboring a fear that he might be the one to reject me until relief floods me, quickly followed by carnal desire that makes my legs tremble. I stretch out a hand and find that darkness has filled the space where I was sure he was standing.
“Open your mouth.”
“I’m not–”
“Do as your told.” He’s behind me again.
“Fine,” I mumble, and open my mouth. For some reason, I close my eyes too, like that makes any difference in the darkness he’s trapped me in.
Shade places something on my tongue. Chocolate. “What’s that for?”
“For later,” he promises. “When I let you kiss me.”
As the chocolate dissolves on my tongue, fingers trace my cheek. I turn, but my hands slice through empty air again. “Shade!” I hiss.
“Shade?” His voice is further away now. “Who’s he?”
I fight the smile and ignore the twisting desire tightening around my core. “I thought we were done playing games?”
“So did I, Slayer,” he says, his tone cooling a touch. “You made me wait for your call for eleven goddamn days.”
I track his movements from the sound of his voice. “You counted?”
“Every. Fucking. Second.”
Unexpected pressure builds behind my eyes. I really did torture him. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you?”
He’s moved again, forcing me to turn in circles so I lose all sense of direction. “I’m starting to think not,” I say, aiming a scowl into the impenetrable shadows. My eyes have had time to adjust, but still, I see nothing. There isn’t a hint of ambient light anywhere.
Holding out my hands in front of me, I take baby steps forward. My hand grazes a wall, but not the wall of muscle I was hoping for. I keep walking.
“I still won, Mason. And I demand my prize.”
“Fine. Come and get it,” he teases.
He’s ahead of me now and I trail the wall with a hand. I pass a couple of doors, but keep moving until the wall stops abruptly. I’m in the living space.
“Shade?” I ask as I walk forward. Silence and darkness greet me. “I swear…”
“Stop,” he says quickly. “You’re going to walk into a barstool.”
I must be close to the kitchen island I spied. I cock my head. “Wait. You can see me? Are you wearing night vision goggles?”
He doesn’t answer.
“This isn’t fair! I caught you!”
“Lily, you’d still be sitting in that coffee shop if I hadn’t come to fetch you.”
My jaw drops. “You knew I was there?”
“I knew,” he confirms. He isn’t moving now, so I move towards him. “Just like I knew you were following me yesterday. Damn, that was a long walk home. And then, when I practically led you to my apartment, you fucking left.”
The tips of my fingers tingle as I search the space in front of me. I’m getting closer. “I was casing the joint."
"Right," he says. “So you could figure out how to breach security and get into my apartment?”
The sum total of my research was looking at the building on Google maps, but he doesn’t need to know that. “I got in, didn’t I?”
“Because I told the concierge to let you in.”
It’s hard to think of a comeback because he’s right… When my fingers touch warm flesh, Mace exhales at the same time I gasp. He’s not wearing a top. “There you are.”
“Here I am.”
My flattened palms explore his bare chest then circle over his shoulders as he rests his hands on my hips.
His mouth brushes mine, and when his tongue swipes across my lips, he groans. “The taste of your sweet mouth is so damn addictive.”
“Kiss me properly,” I beg. I chase his mouth, but he pulls back.
“All in good time.”
“Damn it, Shade, I won. I knew your name weeks ago,” I argue.
“How so?” he murmurs as I press my body against his.
My fingers splay across his shoulder blades, and I apply pressure to his left shoulder, then his right. “Mace. Griffin,” I say, for each of his tattoos. “I said your name when we were at the lodge, and you just made some smart remark.”
Shade peppers kisses along my jawline, and I tip my head back as he unzips my jacket. “No, I’m pretty sure you never once suggested it was my name.”
I reach for his hips and discover the waistband of his boxers. So, he’s not completely naked. Not yet. “Semantics. You’re a bad loser, Mace.”
He kisses just below my ear. “I don’t feel like a loser. Not when you say my name,” he whispers.
I let him slide my jacket off my shoulders and throw it to the floor.
He pulls off my sweater next. When I kick off my boots, Mace pulls down my leggings.
He crouches down to undress me, and my socks come off last. Now that we’re both in our underwear, I wait for him to stand up.
When he doesn’t, I reach for him. The bastard has disappeared again.