I bring up my phone and dial Garnet’s number. “It’s me. There’s been a complication.”

  “Explain.” Garnet sounds even and calm.

  “Briony has a fever. I’m taking her to a doctor.”

  “Where is Teague?”

  “We had a dispute,” I say carefully. “He’s sleeping it off. I’m taking Briony for help.”

  “Listen very carefully, Vincent. She is my niece. You will bring her to me at once. Don’t question me. Do it.”

  “Not this time.”

  His breathing turns thin. “I’m sending Kayla. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

  “Too late for that.” I glance at Briony again. Her eyes open and meet mine. “I regret plenty, but not today.”

  “Vincent!” Garnet has never raised his voice to me.

  “I’ll keep her safe, Mr. Baxter.”

  “I’ve known you for nineteen years. You have been loyal. But a man can do a hundred things right and still pay the price for one mistake.”

  “Goodbye, sir.”

  I shut my phone and run my thumb over Briony’s lip. “Hang on.”

  She stares at me through the fog of her fever, and her lips form a sensual little smile I’m sure she doesn’t know she’s making. She tempts me without knowing it. Pulses run through my body. I’m taking advantage like she accused me of earlier, but I can’t stop.

  “You shouldn’t touch my mouth,” Briony mumbles. “You’ll catch what I have.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Who’s going to protect me if you get sick?”

  Her hot lips wrap around my thumb, and she starts to suck it. My cock, which I’ve been able to calm, jumps so hard it’s painful. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” I growl, but I don’t take my hand away. “We’ve gotta get your fever down.”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Daddy,” she repeats, her voice slurred. “Cause you’re so old.”

  “I’m thirty-two.”

  “Oh.” She touches my jaw. “You should be my guardian, Vincent.”

  Gently, I pull her hand off. It takes every ounce of will I possess to pull the car out of the driveway instead of taking her to the backseat. My cock spasms as my balls throb for release. I could have her now. I could have her under me in a minute. I could get those shorts off and be her nasty Daddy, taking what I need from my little girl.

  Fuck.

  “You look angry,” she says with a sigh. “What’s the matter?”

  “Everything.”

  “You’re funny, Vincent. I like you. Do you want to kiss me?”

  “Go back to sleep.”

  She pouts and whimpers. “My head hurts.”

  “It’s the fever.”

  I focus on the road. Many miles churn past before I can collect my thoughts. We could go to a hospital, but they’d have to check her in. She’d be in the records, and it wouldn’t take Garnet’s people long to track her down. There’s only one person I can go to now.

  I floor the gas and make another phone call.

  Briony shuts her eyes, her face coated with sweat.

  The lights are on at Dr. Campbell’s townhouse office. I breathe a sigh of relief. Olivia Campbell would do almost anything for me, but asking her to drive out here in the middle of the night is pushing it even by her standards.

  Campbell’s been my doctor since I was a kid, and she’s the closest thing I have to a mother. The first time she treated me was at a free community clinic. She still had color in her hair then, and I was a kid living on the streets while my parents shot themselves up with heroin. Before I met Garnet Baxter, Campbell was my lifeline, a young doctor who didn’t have to give a shit but did. She kept me out of the darkest places.

  Of course, nowadays I handle all her legal affairs for free.

  Campbell doesn’t hide her scowl when I shoulder through the door with Briony in my arms. Mia, I had to leave in the car. Campbell is allergic to cats.

  “Thanks,” I tell her.

  “You phone me in the middle of the night and bring a sick girl. You interrupt a lovely dinner with Mr. Campbell. All I get is thanks?”

  I set Briony down in the examination room and check my watch. “Dinner at eleven in the evening?”

  “I’m one year from retirement, kid. I can do whatever the hell I want.”

  “I’m not a kid.”

  “Everything is relative, Vincent.”

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “Who’s the girl and what’s wrong with her?”

  I should lie, but I never lie to Campbell. “Someone important to me. I’m trying to protect her. She has a bad fever, I think it’s flu or pneumonia. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you her name. It would be safer for all of us.”

  Campbell stares at me like she can’t decide whether to call the police or the insane asylum. Then she snaps on some gloves. “If anyone asks, I wasn’t here.”

  “No one will ask.”

  “Does the nameless one have insurance or should I put this on your tab?”

  I reach for my wallet before Campbell shoves my shoulder.

  “Joking, kid. Give us some privacy.”

  In the waiting room, I sit with my head in my hands as adrenaline zips through my blood. Usually around this time of the night, I’d be leaving the building Garnet owns, the home of Wilson Baxter LLP, one of the top law firms in the world with offices on three continents. Wilson Baxter was some ancient ancestor of Garnet’s who founded the firm in the nineteenth century. Garnet is not new money. But he has diversified his family’s interests into new businesses, legal and otherwise.

  I’d drive a lonely road to the gym and work out my stress there. My body’s used to the rhythm. Even now my muscles itch for the strain of weights, but I force myself to sit still. It’s almost midnight.

  Kayla must be at Amelia’s house. She would have found Teague, who would’ve told her I left with Briony. Fuck. I should’ve killed the bastard. It wouldn’t be the first time I fired a gun in anger.

  I rub my eyes.

  Best case scenario—Garnet cuts me lose. He could destroy my life with a few phone calls. Worst case scenario—he sends Kayla and her men. They kill me, grab Briony, and drag her back to her uncle.

  I can’t let that happen.

  My phone lights up again. It’s a text from Garnet’s assistant, Janice: “Where are you, Vince? What are you doing with his niece? You’re in serious trouble.”

  I don’t answer, and she sends me another: “Check the local news.”

  A sinking feeling hits my stomach. Turning on the TV in the waiting room, I flip through the channels until I find a local station, and it’s not long before Briony’s picture flashes on-screen. She looks younger, wearing a school uniform. A solemn-faced anchor is speaking. The TV doesn’t have volume, so I check the station’s website on my phone.

  I read the news alert.

  Garnet Baxter has reported Briony missing. Members of the public are asked to contact the police or Mr. Baxter should they spot Briony Rowan. The alert says she was last seen at her late mother’s house, and her life could be in danger. Strangely, there’s no mention of my name. Or perhaps not so strangely. There’s no mention of Teague either.

  I text back to Janice, “It’s not what it looks like. Garnet’s hiding something.”

  No response.

  I stand still, eyes glued to the screen, until I hear the door to the examination room open, and I shut off the TV. Campbell walks out.

  “The girl’s fine. A bad flu. I brought the fever down and prescribed some antiviral medication as a precaution. She needs bed rest and plenty of fluids. I don’t know her name, so the prescription is in yours. You should take the meds in any case, she could’ve infected you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Campbell gives me a frown like a disapproving mother. “You’re up to no good, kid. Don’t even pretend, not with me. Remember when you were twelve and you came to me with a broken elbow. You said you fell off your bike. What was the real reason again?”

  “I got in a fight.”

  “Damn straight.”

  “I was defending myself against a bully.”

  “True.”

  “Kicked his ass too.”

  Campbell sighs. “You turned out a good man, Vincent. The odds were not in your favor, but you made it. With a little help.” She studies me. “Does this involve Garnet Baxter?”

  “Possibly.”

  She’s silent for a while. “You have a good heart, Vincent.”

  I wish that were true. “Doc—”

  “My point is I trust you to do the right thing, so I won’t report this even though I should.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Go get her. She’s been asking for you.”

  I steel myself. When I enter the examination room, Briony opens her eyes and smiles. She looks pale, her eyes still hazy, but they brighten when I lean over.

  “Hey, Vincent. I missed you.”

  I touch her forehead, damp but cool. “You barely know me, Briony.”

  “It doesn’t feel that way. It feels like I’ve known you my whole life.”

  I can’t speak.

  “Why do you care so much?” she whispers.

  “You’re my responsibility.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Come on, we have to move.”

  “I’m sorry I kissed your finger in the car. I didn’t mean to gross you out.”

  “You didn’t kiss my finger,” I say.

  “Huh?”

  “You sucked it. And you called me Daddy.”

  Red darkens her cheeks. “I did?”

  “Yeah. But I touched you first so we’re even.”

  “Oh.”

  “Let’s go.”

  With her fever down, Briony can stand, but she’s unsteady on her feet. Strong though, and determined to get her way. She brushes my arm away, complaining about me leaving Mia alone in the car. I let her hobble a few steps. But her legs give out in the hallway, and I’m there to catch her.

  “Crap.” Scarlet creeps up her face.

  “It’s alright.”

  Our faces are inches apart, my hands on Briony’s waist.

  Watching us a few feet away, Dr. Campbell clears her throat. “Take care, Vincent.”

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  Outside, Mia is clawing at the passenger side window. I open the door, and the cat jumps into Briony’s embrace.

  “Are we going back to my mom’s house?” Briony asks as we get in the car. She’s nervous and fidgets. “Please don’t take me to my uncle. You saw what my mother wrote.”

  “I saw.”

  “Can I stay with you? If it’s not too much trouble, just until I figure stuff out.”

  I look at her, then start the engine. “We’ll figure stuff out together.”

  “Together?”

  “I’m not leaving you,” I growl.

  “W-Where are we going?”

  I have a house in Bethesda, way too big for a single man, and I’m sure it’s crawling with Garnet’s thugs right now. It never felt like home to begin with. A lot of nights I sleep at the office.

  I could take her to my parent’s place in Baltimore County. The idea makes me want to laugh. They’ve been off the needle for years, clean and sober, but we haven’t spoken since I was a teenager. They never asked for forgiveness, and I didn’t need their apologies. I left that life behind. Besides, Garnet knows where they live too.

  Briony touches my hand, and it jolts my chest. “Vincent? Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, baby.” I blink. The word just slipped out. “Briony—”

  “It’s fine,” she whispers. “You can call me baby if you want.”

  I shouldn’t. But I shouldn’t have done a lot of things in my life.

  Dr. Campbell is standing outside her door, watching us pull out of the parking lot. She gives me a wave, and I wave back before I turn onto the street.

  “We’re going somewhere safe,” I tell Briony.

  Chapter Five

  Vincent

  Two hours later, after a stop at the pharmacy, we reach my condo building in an affluent neighborhood of Fairfax. South of D.C., it’s a place Garnet doesn’t know about. I bought a penthouse unit on the top floor two years ago, and I’ve been saving it for when I retire from Garnet’s world. It would’ve been a home all my own, sort of a nest egg, without memories good or bad.

  That’s not happening now.

  I wonder what the hell I was saving it for in the first place. Grow old here like some fucking hermit and forget the past? Before Briony, that was acceptable. Now I can’t imagine letting her go.

  Briony needs a good night’s rest, and we can’t do more tonight. I’m on edge, watching out for police. Kayla and her men too. The latter, I know, are far more dangerous than the law.

  “Do you bring a lot of girls here?” Briony asks in the parking lot. She holds a sleeping Mia in her arms. She tries to make her question sound like a joke.

  “Just you.”

  “Oh.”

  When we get inside, I finally let my guard down. Briony looks around and sets Mia on the floor. The cat curls up in the corner.

  “Are you a monk or something?” Briony says.

  My condo isn’t decorated and barely furnished. What furniture I have is black and white. “I’m not an interior designer.”

  “Where do I sleep?”

  “The bedroom.”

  “Uh-huh. Does it have a bed?” She sounds a little bratty and too fucking cute.

  “Yeah. It’s yours. I’ll take the sofa.” I touch her forehead. Cool and dry. “How do you feel?”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t forget to take the pills.”

  “I won’t.” She stares at me, biting her lip.

  My dick starts to move, and I grit my teeth. “Go to bed then.”

  “I can’t,” Briony says, pouting. “I’m feeling yucky. Can I take a bath first? And I’m starving. Is there any food?”

  I frown at her. I’m used to living alone and not used to questions. Fair questions considering her fever just broke. I grab my keys again. “Stay put. I’ll be back.”

  She sits on the sofa. “Not going anywhere.”

  I find a twenty-four-hour drugstore and get some shampoo and conditioner. Not knowing what else Briony needs, I buy up half the feminine products aisle. I get some snacks and protein bars. Cans of cat food for Mia because cats don’t live on air and hugs last I checked. Then I find a burger joint and drive back breaking every speed limit posted.

  Briony sees me carrying eight bags, and she smiles. I set down everything in the living room.

  She picks out a box of tampons and glances at me. “Really thinking ahead aren’t you?”

  “The bathroom is down the hall. First door on the right.”

  “Let’s eat first,” she says. “You look hungry too.”

  I am, but not for food.

  Briony downed her burger in record time, and I ate half of mine. Mia is content in the corner with a can of something that cost twenty dollars. Briony says it’d be a good night if the shower worked. I’ll have to look into my plumbing in the morning. It’s been months since I slept here.

  Wide-awake, Briony leans over the table, cupping her chin. I tell her about the news report I saw in Campbell’s office. She giggles.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “I’ve never been a missing person before,” she says. Her smile fades. “But I’m not missing. I’m being hunted.”

  “They won’t find you.”

  She gives me a long look. “Who was that guy? Teague.”

  I say what I know about John Teague, Kayla Dominic, and Garnet’s other enforcers, men who work in the shadows. I mention the banker’s beheaded dog and a few other sordid cases.

  Briony frowns. “Is Uncle Garnet running a law firm or a mafia?”

  “It’s complicated.” I feel strangely defensive of Garnet for a moment.

  “They’re bad guys,” Briony says. “Nothing complicated about that. Mom was right, no wonder she warned me to stay away. Uncle Garnet is dangerous.”

  “To his enemies.” Wolves and lions are dangerous, but they still protect their cubs. I can’t figure out why Garnet would want to hurt his niece.

  I show Briony the file Garnet gave me. Her mother’s will, signed and witnessed. It names Garnet Baxter as Briony’s guardian, with power over her inheritance. The will contradicts everything Amelia wrote in the letter Briony found. It contradicts Amelia’s warnings to stay away from Garnet.

  But Briony says the signature belongs to her mother. “What does this mean?”

  “It means the will is a forgery. It means your uncle is going out of his way to control your mother’s estate. And you.”

  “Why?”

  “I was hoping you knew.” It can’t be the money in Briony’s inheritance. Two million is a fortune, but pocket change for Garnet Baxter. I can’t think of anything in the world Garnet can’t buy. “Did Amelia ever talk about your uncle?”

  “No, but Mom and I never talked much anyway. Do you think we should go to the police?”

  “They’ll hand you over to your uncle.”

  She stares at me from under her lashes. “Can’t you tell them you’re my guardian?”

  I remember how Briony called me her guardian in the car while her fever ran. She called me Daddy too, and I’m damn sure she didn’t mean that in a fatherly sense. I remember the way she sucked my thumb. An image of her lips wrapped my cock flashes in my mind. I have to stop thinking like this. We can’t be lovers. We can’t fuck.

  “The police won’t believe me over your uncle. He has influence I don’t.”

  “But you’re protecting me.”

  “Fuck sakes, Briony. You barely know me and you want to be what—my little girl?”

  She flinches. So do I. I heard the lust dripping off my tongue when I said those words. My little girl. Mine.

  “I’m not that little,” she says in a tiny voice.

  “Go to bed,” I growl, pushing out of my seat. “Get some sleep. You’ll feel differently in the morning. You’re tired. You don’t know what the hell you’re saying.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11