Shawn remained by Hugh’s side, staring at the man he figured to be the one calling the shots. In his mind, he chuckled at the pun. He hoped whoever he was wouldn’t actually call for shots. Dying in an ancient chamber somewhere in Thailand wasn’t what he had planned for this mission. He and Catherine had a plan to go to the Maldives on their honeymoon after another wedding; dying here was unnerving. He hasn't even proposed to her yet. Hugh gave a nod, and a firm hand grasped Shawn’s by the shirt and hauled him up, propping him on his knees. The smartass in him couldn’t be held back any longer. Shawn turned his head and looked at Hugh, who’d picked him up. "Hey! Come on, you have to improve your trash. Let that be a lesson to you. Don’t shove people unless you’re going to help them up after." Hugh raised a brow; he appeared shocked by the statement but mumbled nothing, taking a step back and pointing his gun at Shawn’s head. "Talk, and I will kill you!” "Good to see your sense of hum
“What are you talking about?" Catherine roared, "Let us go! Let her go!" One of the guards moved closer to her, brandishing his weapon. She quickly quieted down. Dr. Lanna drew a deep breath and sighed. "They didn’t take me, Catherine," the old woman said. "Not initially, at least," she added with a degree of venom. "I went to them for help." "Why on earth would you do that?" Shawn asked. The doctor sighed. “My grandfather trusted you. “I'm sorry, Shawn. I didn't have any choice. Next to Dave, Catherine was staring down at the nearest gunman, probing him for a weakness that was not easily revealed as Dr. Lanna turned to Elizabeth. "Is this really necessary?" She motioned to the others. "They’re not going anywhere. You took their weapons. They are here to help me find the Buddha." "Oh, doctor, believe me, they killed and apprehended dozens of Javier’s men in Scotland. They can kill again; don't trust that bitch," Elizabeth said. “What?” Shawn wrinkled his forehead. "My men in Sc
"Fuck! What is the problem now?" Hugh demanded very irritably. Ignoring the query, Shawn removed the genuine ring from his pocket and placed it on top of its duplicate to give it more weight. The ground began to tremble again, and the ancient stones' grinding sound resumed at full volume. Instead of ascending, the ground began to descend this time. "Oh, my bloody hell... I hope this isn't the end of us, Shawn! I want to see more of the world and its wonders!" As the massive apparatus continued to glide downward, Dave shouted above the din. "Good!" Hugh and Elizabeth looked at each other, then smirked, while Eddie looked worried. Shawn was suspicious, but he was eager to see where the lift would take them. As they sank into a shaft cut neatly into the sandstone, the ground above was gone. Then, along the border of the moving surface, a gap appeared, growing wider and wider until the old elevator came to a standstill with a thud. The passengers' gaze carefully probed the dark reces
Shawn had taken advantage of the unexpected and moved swiftly, slamming his arm as hard as he could. The flame struck Hugh's and his men’s temples, sending embers and flames crawling around his skull. The huge man swayed for a split second, dizzy from the impact. He instinctively dropped his revolver and rushed up with both hands to his face, screaming in anguish. Shawn retaliated with another swing. His men’s scream echoed in the chamber when he fell from the platform. Hugh screamed, “Haaaa!” his face was burning, and one of his men attacked Dave and one attacked Catherine, while Elizabeth went to the golden Buddha statue. Catherine screamed, "Shawn, to your left." He was surprised; he hadn't expected Hugh to be able to stabilise so quickly, even though his face was burning. Hugh took the lamp with one hand and Shawn's throat with the other after blocking his attack. Shawn tried to dislodge the fingers that were squeezing his breath, but the grasp was too tight. He swung hard at H
One year later, Chicago The laughter of Shawn and their four-year-old adopted daughter from the orphanage, Mathea, was the sweetest sound in the world to Catherine Richmond. It had been a long trip for the two of them, and after their third wedding, friends gathered to celebrate her coming back into the world. Chelsea was the one who was overjoyed to learn that she was alive, and since then, Shawn vacation house has been tormented by their gifts almost every week, and because Catherine was three months pregnant, they decided to take a long holiday in the Maldives, as Shawn had promised. Everyone had been kept in the dark about Anthony's riches and their travels to Scotland and Thailand. Catherine paused and listened to their antics. Soon, Catherine strolled into their bedroom. "What’s all the laughter about?" she asked, zipping her suitcase. Shawn responded with a smile on her lips. "I helped Mathea close her case and lift it to the floor. It was so heavy I told her I’d better chec
Two months ago,The palatial manor, three hours outside Paris, glittered like a jewel beneath the starlit night sky. Lights glowed from within the sprawling mansion and along the circular drive out front, where half a dozen sleek sports cars were parked on the cobblestones.From Dave Brown's vantage point on a tree-studded hill five hundred yards away, he watched as a beautiful yellow Ferrari rolled up to the villa and took its place between a dark Veyron and a silver Pagani Huayra. Add in the pair of Lamborghinis, the Maserati, and another Ferrari, and there was well over ten million dollars worth of automotive luxury parked outside the late Alfonso Richmond III Alfonso’s mansion. Plus a collection of cars worth twice as much that was hidden in the huge bays of the private garage of the alleged drug-dealing mob.If nothing else, Alfonso and his criminal associates had impeccable taste in cars."Apparently, selling your soul to the devil pays well," he muttered into the wireless mic t
Inside Alfonso's mansion, Chelsea held her composure until she had reached her private quarters on the mansion’s second floor. Once inside, she leaned against the closed door and let her revulsion leak out of her in a shudder. At least she was getting better at the charade. She doesn't have any choice but to play this game if she wants to know about the sudden death of her step-dad. Yes, the man was not perfect, but he raised her enough to know that he didn't just die for some unknown reason.There was a time when she might have had to bite back a scream because the revulsion of Hermano touching her was too much. It had been a year since the old man’s death, but still, she was at a loss of what really happened to him in Thailand, and she knew Hermano was the one to blame.Her skin, however, crawled everywhere Hermano touched her. His strong fingers were still on her body, on her breast. His harsh smack to her backside wounded her dignity as much as it did her ass. She despised being
Even though she believed she was ready to face him again, her first glimpse of Dave standing barely inches away from her stunned her.Her terror was replaced by an intense sense of incredulity... and uncertainty as she lifted her fingertips to her lips.Although she recognised his voice and perfume, she couldn't place the harsh, disapproving face staring back at her.The flowing golden locks that would have accentuated his slim, pointed cheeks and hard, square jaw were hidden beneath a black knit skullcap. While she knew he had dimples on either side of his sumptuous mouth when he smiled, his sculpted lips were kept in a cruel, unforgiving line right now. His brown eyes were focused, his brow furrowed as he held her in a measuring stare that seemed as threatening and unyielding as his grip on her a minute ago."What in the world!" Dave exhaled sharply and muttered. His face stiffened even more. "It's truly you, Chelsea. I needed to be certain. I refused to believe it."She frowned. He
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i