Silver's Secret: Billionaire Boss Secret Baby Romance (Silver Brothers Securities Book 3), page 13
“It’s okay to be nervous.”
Her grip tightened on my hand. She kept me sane. She was my balance and my rock. I trusted her more than I trusted myself. If that made sense. For the first time in my life, I separated home from work, and this vacation in Austria couldn’t have come any sooner.
“Maybe I am a little nervous.” I grinned. “A week ago I thought I had a few months to get ready, and here I am, already a father. How do I father? They don’t remember your mistakes when they’re small, but they do at fourteen.”
“You’re a natural, and he’s a great kid. I mean, how many teenagers love photography?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“He has your genes, and he can tell between what’s right and wrong. He’s smart and thinks for himself. That’s why he snuck away from his mother and hid at the cove. Very self-sufficient and set in his ways. Remind you of anyone?”
She was right. As always.
“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Jeff Hartley failed to convert him. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced Jeff’s mission in life was to ruin my life, and what better way to do so than keep my son away from me? I’m not sure whether we’d have this chance if you hadn’t killed that bastard, Allie.”
“It was self-defense.”
“No. It was coming. It was karma.”
She snorted and locked her fingers with mine. It felt good. She felt good, and I welcomed the support with a grateful kiss, whispering into her mouth, “I love you.”
“I love you too. Are Kendra and Julian not coming?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Poor Laura.”
“Poor James. Look at him. He’s miserable without her.”
“They’ll get through it, won’t they?” She snuggled into my side.
I hoped they would. My cousin was happier with her than without her, and that had to count for something. I covered us both with blankets and counted her breaths until my pulse calmed, my eyes grew heavy, and we fell asleep until our landing in Vienna.
Allie stared at the lodge home in the Alps like it was the castle of all lodges. Maybe it was.
“Oh, my God!”
“Better than Colorado?”
“I didn’t get to see much of Colorado because of food poisoning, but I imagine nothing could be better than this.”
“Nothing could.”
“I can see why they want the wedding here. How many bedrooms?”
“Too many.” I laughed. “The place is a maze. Four additions over the past decade as the family’s grown. The cliffs make the place only accessible through the front gates, which makes this one of the most secure locations under Silver Securities.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Wait until you see the inside.”
Emma and TJ pushed the double door open and ran inside on a search for their rooms while my parents, aunt, and uncle exchanged greetings with Gabe and Sam.
“This place is going to get busy.” Allie turned in a circle, taking in the cabin.
“It’s just the family and Olivier.” Sam hooked her arm into Allie’s and dragged her aside.
“Olivier is coming?” I heard her ask.
I enjoyed a glass of whiskey on ice, carried our luggage to our room, and stopped by TJ’s on my way downstairs. He was staring at the wall filled with family photographs.
“You all right?” I asked.
“I always imagined this, but I never thought it would come true.”
“I wish it could have been true sooner.” I lowered my hand to his shoulder. “Hey, we should take some photos on this trip and add them to the wall. You belong with us.”
“We should take ones of Allie as well. She’s not up there. She should be.”
“I saw your broken camera at the cove.”
“Wright did that. He found my room.”
Fucking Wright had to ruin something for everyone. I recalled our conversation from the day TJ came to visit me at the hospital. “The guy from the boathouse who hit you was crazy. I checked out his place once when he left, and he has all these sketches and photographs.”
“What guy? Who was on the photographs?”
“I didn’t know who she was until I saw her picture on your phone. It’s Allie.”
“Any way you know the man as Dave Wright?”
“I don’t, but Mother’s asked him to run errands in Manhattan. I’m not sure what errands, but he was happy to do them. Judging by the pictures, he was stalking Allie.”
“So your mother kept Wright to torture Allie.”
TJ confirmed my worst fears. At least, they were my worst ones at the time. If Simone had come with any good intentions, I’d have worked with her, but she became a threat the moment she showed up again. The decision to get her and Wright out of our lives for good had been easy.
And now, here I was, reaping the benefits of that perfect decision with my son at my side. TJ was everything I could ever imagine a son to be.
“That’s why I thought you could use a new camera.” I removed my hand from behind my back and gave him the wrapped gift.
TJ peeled off the Rudolph paper. It was probably too silly for him, but Emma pressured me to let her make the choice, and Rudolph won.
“Thank you. I love it.”
“If you’re up for it, why don’t you take a picture of Allie and you together, and we’ll blow it up? You can give it to her for Christmas. She’ll love it.”
“Really? I can go up on that wall?”
“I would love it if you were there, TJ. I really would. You’re part of this family. It took major balls to stand up against the Hartleys. I don’t know what evidence Gabe will find, but if half of what you’re telling me is true, we’ll have enough to help many people in trouble.”
“I can tell you exactly what’s there, and that’s everything. My grandfather’s contacts, my mother’s schemes. She’s the brains behind Infinity. Grandpa was too drunk half the time to know what was going on, and my uncles… they’re sick and obsessed with money. Mother used Wright to torture Allie and let him live in the boathouse. She lured him with that girl Marissa.”
“You don’t have to worry about Simone or anyone else anymore.”
“Will I have to live with her when we come back after Christmas?”
“No. You’re going to stay with me and Allie. If you’d like.”
He nodded, stepping from one foot to another.
“Is there something else?”
“Do I have to be a Hartley? You know, when I go back to school?”
I brought him in closer and held him against me. “We’ll do whatever you need us to do. You’re welcome to be a Silver.”
“Thanks.” He smiled. “I should go. Ems has a tight schedule. Swimming, ice bath, Swedish spa, and then she says she can work.”
I laughed.
“She got me a tool belt.”
“Thanks for helping.”
“Dad?”
He looked up, and my eyes welled in an instant. No one had ever called me that before.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I didn’t realize how much I like you calling me Dad.”
His smile stretched, sinking the dimple into his cheek. “I’m happy I finally can. Do you think Freddie will be okay?”
“I had a bird handler transfer him to our house. They’ll have a look at the mass on his leg and will let me know about a treatment plan as soon as the pathology report returns.”
“You’re smart.”
“So are you, kid.”
“I don’t know as much as you do.”
“Not yet, but you will. Wisdom comes with age and experience.”
It also came with more worry and a heart full of feelings I couldn’t quite handle just yet. We spent the remainder of the day catching up with family, playing pool, and enjoying a rare moment of peace.
By midnight, our hosts had gone to bed while we remained awake. The time difference would mess with us for a couple more days. Our parents were playing cards by the wooden fireplace in the common room. Emma had started on the fairy light decorations she’d discussed with Sam. TJ was helping her, carrying around a hammer and a tool belt she’d bought for him last minute. He’d quickly rejected the ‘Tool Boy’ nickname but enjoyed her company as much as everyone in the family: to a limit.
Snow drifted to the ground, flying down the powdered mountains. The white peaks stood out against the night’s backdrop. I walked down the hill, pulling an empty toboggan to where Allie was standing at the lookout point, admiring the town’s lights in the distance.
“What are you up to?”
“Just getting some fresh air. It’s hard to sleep.”
“It will get easier in a few days. Can you ski pregnant?”
“You can, but I have another week in the first trimester, so I’d rather take it easy.”
“I can do easy.” I let go of the toboggan’s rope and wrapped my arms around her, bringing her body to mine. “I can do very easy, slow and easy, nice and easy—anything easy as long as I’m with you.”
“Did you have your father’s brownies?” Her shoulders shook with a chuckle, and her breath trailed in the cold air.
“There’s a significant possibility of that. Want to go for a dip?” I pointed to the pool’s glowing light.
“It’s the middle of the night.”
“What happened to all that YOLO talk you give Laura?”
She looked up. “I’d have to get my bathing suit.”
“No, you don’t. I prefer au naturel.”
“You did have brownies.”
I took her mouth as soon as the accusation left hers and sealed my fate when she tasted chocolate on my lips and moaned with need.
“They don’t give me the hangover booze does,” I explained against her lips.
“I heard they make you horny, too. I’ve missed you, Mr. Silver.” Her voice held the inviting note my dick had been awaiting.
“Let’s do it right against that half-shaved spruce.” I pointed to somewhere behind me.
“I’m willing to do you, but I’m not skinny dipping with my mother, your parents, Emma, and TJ, and everyone else for the matter, in the house.”
“Please, don’t mention my sister when I’m hard and horny.” My desperate kiss sucked the desire right out of her mouth. Her delicate whimper sang to my need, and I pulled on her jacket zipper.
Allie was right. Out here was much better. I could concentrate on her swelling breasts without my little sister or parents nearby. She removed my hand from her jacket.
“We’re within view.”
“I have a solution.” I resumed undressing her. “How about I whisk you away tobogganing?”
“Naked?”
I stopped and looked her dead in the eye. “YOLO?”
Her mouth curved up, and the idea of taking her to one of the most beautiful features on this property flashed in my head. She wouldn’t deny me there.
“There’s a lighted trail around the perimeter. Come on.” I wiggled my brows. “You sit, and I’ll pull.”
She zipped her jacket and sat on the toboggan. I pulled on the rope, marching through the drifts of snow until we reached the fairy lit path. I knew that Sam loved fairy lights, but judging by the twinkle in Allie’s eyes, every woman loved them. Her mouth fell open, and she sat back on the toboggan, where she watched the lights dance to the wind’s sway.
“Tristan, this is beautiful.”
“I told you so.”
I kneeled in the snow and tied the loose laces on my boot. Allie sat up and gasped. I connected my gaze with hers as she choked, and then covered her mouth. “Are you proposing?”
My focus darted from her stunned face to myself, kneeling in front of her.
“Am I proposing? Ahem, no. At least, not today,” I winked, though the square box burned inside my jacket pocket. I might not have timed this right, but I was ready to commit to this woman for life.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that—”
“It’s my mistake, Allie. No need to apologize.”
“Your father’s been talking about rings, and Emma’s been talking secrets, and I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“This vacation is not about thinking, my love. This vacation is about relaxing. So why don’t you let me help you do that?”
“But would you?”
“Would I what?”
“You know… marry me?”
“Allie, are you proposing? Wait a minute. Don’t answer that—because there’s no way I will have a woman propose to me.”
“I wasn’t proposing. It was a hypothetical question.”
“I’m not a fan of hypothetical proposals; only real ones.”
“Oh, good. Right now is not a good time anyway.” Her voice shook with nerves.
“Why would now not be a good time?”
“It’s your cousin’s wedding. I wouldn’t want to steal any attention from Sam.”
“I don’t even have a ring, Allie,” I lied.
“That’s why I said it was a hypothetical question.”
“Well, to give you a hypothetical answer, I have been thinking about us, Baby Puss, and TJ, as a family. A real family. If you’ll have me.”
“Wait—was that a proposal?”
“No, just a promise to love you forever.” I kissed her, and she melted into my arms. She pulled away at the sound of her lowering zipper.
“What are you doing?”
I gripped her breast through the sweater. “Look at your nipples. They’re begging for my mouth.”
“You excel at distractions, Mr. Silver.” She laughed and grasped my hand, but I was quicker. I pulled her off the toboggan and into the snow. We rolled like a couple of teenagers, laughing, until we came to a stop. I hovered above her. The fairy lights above sparkled in her eyes. Stray snow covered her flushed cheeks, and her breath trailed in the air. She looked like a goddess. I helped Allie up and brushed the snow off her jacket.
“Ahh!” she screamed out.
“What is it?”
“I got some snow under my sweater.”
I removed the packed ice from behind her back. We stood in the shadow of the shaved spruce. Strays of wet hair stuck to her cheeks, and I tucked them behind her ear, one on each side.
“Make love to me, Tristan,” she whispered.
I pounced on her mouth and caught her lips between mine. She yielded to my persistent tongue, like she’d been waiting for a quiet moment. My greedy hands searched for access to her skin.
Zipper down, sweater up, undershirt, up—
“Allie?” I said into her mouth, pulling on an elastic band. “What the heck is this?”
“They’re joggers.”
“You mean long Johns?”
She snickered, and I found her skin. She closed her eyes, giving herself to my touch.
“Wait.” She pulled away, breathing hard. “We can’t do this naked. We’ll freeze.”
I lowered her zipper and heard my voice command from within my chest. “Turn around.”
She braced herself against the tree, and I yanked at her bottoms, exposing her pink ass. It took another two point five seconds to loosen my slacks and remove my dick from my pants. It fucking steamed in the cold air, burning to be inside her. An erection was never comfortable in pants. It was even less pleasant out in the cold, but as soon as I’d slide inside her warm pussy, the world would make sense again. Ever since I’d found out she was carrying my baby, an immeasurable sense of protection flowed through my veins. I’d do anything for her… for them. I wanted to make love to this woman for the rest of my life.
I wound her braid in my hand and tugged, angling her face to the side. She opened her mouth and arched her back, waiting for my dick. I pushed just enough to make that mouth open wider.
Her wanton breath coated my face between my kisses. I slid my hands off her flushed ass, pulled away, and watched her pink skin turn red.
She leaned against the tree, and the rough bark bit into her cheek. Her whimpers and quick gasps were driving me mad. My balls gave into the pressure, my knees locked, and I stilled inside her with relief.
I slid my hand to her soaked pussy. My icy fingers found her heated clit, swollen and ready to burst. She pressed into my hastened strokes. It was rare I came before her, but I’d make this up by a tenfold. I pushed forward once, twice, three lucky fucking times, and she screamed her pleasure.
“Ahh!”
She shuddered in my grip and rode the orgasmic wave on my fingers and dick. The sound of her bliss carried through the valley and back, which, of course, made her laugh. I loved her laugh. I loved her strength and vulnerability, her trust and commitment. I loved everything about her, and I couldn’t wait to show her just how much I needed her in my life.
CHAPTER 13
ALLIE
Heavy steps echoed behind me. The sound of the flappy broken soles neared, but each time I turned around, no one was there. The alley narrowed as I faced a dead end. The cigarette breath near my ear burned in my lungs. I whipped around and faced the monster.
Wright held my chin in his hand and lowered his gaze to my growing stomach.
“Don’t worry, you’re not quite ready yet.”
“Get away from me!” I pushed at his chest, and he was gone in a puff of a white cloud.
“Leave me alone.” I waved my arms through the thick smoke until someone grasped my wrist.
“Allie, Allie, wake up.”
I shot up in the bed, heaving in air. Tristan encased me in his arms, bringing me back to reality, soothing my shakes. My heart pounded against my ribcage. The thought of Wright brought back the memory of his cigarette stench, and I coughed.
“You’re all right now.” Tristan smoothed his hand over my back. “It was just a dream.”
“I was dreaming?”
“Well, it actually sounded more like a nightmare.”
I shook my head and rested against the bed frame. “It was him.”
“Baby, you’re safe now. You’re both safe. He’s dead.”
