ESTELLE“Oh, hey, Estelle. I didn’t expect to see you here.”I didn’t even know what to say or what I was doing in here in his penthouse. The smell of alcohol and sex was everywhere, making me want to throw up.Klayton swayed in my direction in his boxers. His eyes were blotched red. At two in the afternoon, he was still wasted in his boxers in his penthouse. Wow. And this was the man that I was going to marry? What did I put myself into? “I need to talk to you, but not when you are drunk.”“I’m not. I just woke up. Wait, how did you get in?”I ignored his question because he should know it by now. “At two in the afternoon.”“Don’t be a bitch.” He stopped and towered to me. His face was just mere a few inches over mine. “I will have you after we get married, and get ready that ass of yours. These tits were mine before, anyway.” He was about to have his hands on my breasts. Thankfully, my bodyguard, Qamar, was quick enough to grip his hands away from me.“I suggest you take a few step
LINDEN I could watch her all day. Even the way she twirled the pasta with the fork looked appealing. Nothing sexier than your woman enjoying your food, licking her lips, her eyes lighting up. I took it as a compliment. After dinner, she volunteered to clean the kitchen, but I refused. “I know what to do.” “I don’t doubt that, but I don’t like someone touching my kitchen.” She came beside me with her fist on her hip as I loaded the dishwasher. “Don’t tell me you named your knife after a great samurai or your favorite pot after Gordon Ramsey.” I laughed out loud. “I do have a favorite pan and named it after the gorgeous woman who broke up with me on a piece of paper. Every time I put it on fire, it reminded me of wanting to spank her ass.” She wrinkled her nose. “That’s horrible.” “Yeah. You can go up and change to my shirt. I take it you want to stay?” “Can I?” she asked without a doubt. “I have a spare bedroom on the left. Just next to mine.” “Why can’t we share a bedroom?”
ESTELLE “Hey.” I went downstairs to look for Linden when I found the side of the bed empty. After turning me down last night, I realized that no matter how much he liked me, we could only be friends without the benefits. It was a disappointment, really, but maybe it was good for us. “Good morning.” He met me at the bottom of the stairs, still wearing the same smile. “Where have you been?” After that question came out of my mouth, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry. Forget that I asked.” “Breakfast?” “I called Qamar. He’s on his way, but do you have tea?” His brows knitted. “What’s with you with not drinking coffee and wine?” “Let’s just say my life is a little complicated right now. I can’t pump myself up with alcohol and caffeine.” I followed him to the kitchen. “Are you sure you can’t wait till I make breakfast?” “Maybe you can come by later. Let’s say dinner at my house.” “Alright.” He boiled water and grabbed a teacup. “Do you prefer green?” “Any.” “Green then.” He put
LINDEN“What did they talk about?”“There was no talking involved, boss. They were fighting.” There was a hesitation in Qamar’s voice, but I had to know if Estelle was in danger.“What else, Q? What are you not telling me?”“They were fighting about you.”I nodded in understanding, even if he couldn’t see me. “It’s my fault. I provoked Gustav.”“It’s not your fault. This issue had been there for years before you even met Ms. Bladwyn. And even if you’re not going to tell me, I will do the right thing and what’s good for my client. What are you gonna do, boss?”“I have plans.”“Good to hear that.”“In the meantime, keep an eye on her. Sometimes, she does reckless things to prove she’s right.”“You can count on me, boss.” I hung up the phone.“What’s the matter?” Willa asked with a plate of lasagna in her hand.“I might just do something stupid.”“I’m not judging. You can be stupid for the greater good.” She gave me the plate and a fork and joined me on her couch. “That’s delicious.”“Yo
ESTELLE “So, there’s nothing we could do?” I had been talking with my lawyers, but I could already see my future self before me, losing the battle. “It wasn’t stated in the contract that you couldn’t file a divorce or when you could. To secure your assets, you have to convince Mr. Klayton to sign the tight prenup.” Atty. Randish said, somehow, it uplifted me. “Thank you. I will do that.” “It’s just marriage. You can get out anytime. Estelle, this is a free country,” Atty Tawny smiled with a nod over the screen. “I can’t even look at him without gagging.” Atty Tawny chuckled. “Well, there is that. It may have already been agreed on by both parties, and you can’t change the fact, but you still have control over your future. It’s not the end for you.” “I hope so.” After the conference call, Micah helped me with the outdoor movie ideas I had in mind. After two hours, I was sweaty and a little bit hungry. The chef made some perfect and delicious chicken mango salsa bowl and Caju
LINDEN“Where are we going?” she asked me again and again. I hadn’t answered her question as I stuffed her inside the SUV. I only told her to wear comfortable clothes.Lynx went to the driver’s seat while Q was on the passenger’s. “So, who’s the new hot guy?” I knew she was messing with me. I could see the glint in her eyes, but joke or not, I couldn’t ignore the twinge in my chest.“Excuse me?” I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I just had you this morning, and I’m sure my come is still there, and you’re already asking who’s the new hot guy?”She just giggled. “He’s cute.”I groaned as I pinched her on her thigh, causing her to yelp. “What was that for, Gabriel Rembrandt?”I smiled. “You might know my birthday, as well.”She took her phone, and I just saw her dialing Sax.“Why are you calling him?”Instead of answering, she pressed her finger against my lips. I held her and kissed it before I pulled it down.“Hey, Sax. I hope I’m not interrupting something.” She paused as Sax migh
ESTELLE “I know it’s none of my business, but when will you tell Mr. Linden about it? You can’t hide it forever. Pregnancy will grow eventually.” “He’s reckless when it comes to the people he cares about. He always wants to be the hero, maybe a part of his job, or it’s his personality, and I don’t want him to be reckless for his child.” “But it’s unfair. As far as I can see, he is a good man and responsible. And a father will always do what’s good for his children.” “You should tell that to my father, Micah.” “Estelle, he’d love to be involved in raising his kid. I’m sorry, but as your assistant, I think I may have an idea of what’s going on.” Micah sat on the chair across my desk. “You’re going to marry the man you disgust while you are pregnant with a man you love—” “Whoa.” My eyes widened, yet my heart agreed. “Who said about love?” She shrugged. “Well, tell me, what you have been doing recently? Staying with him, sleeping over in a romantic place, and him sleeping over in y
LINDEN “I think my past is coming to bite me in the ass, Linden.” I’d never seen Jasper so serious until today. He ran his fingers through his dark hair again. His eyes were haunted. My stomach twisted. “What do you mean, Jas?” “You know my father, what he did, and I was a part of it.” “You’ve paid for your mistakes. You redeemed yourself back—” “To the authority. When I thought I would be safe forever under the protection of the FBI, I was wrong. I just found out that someone dangerous has been asking about me lately.” “I will do everything in my power to protect you. And we’re not alone anymore, Jas.” “No. I can’t let you do that.” He shook his head violently. “I don’t want you to do that. You’re the closest to a family I have left, Linden.” “Too bad that’s not your decision to make.” “I’ve been thinking about this since I found out and decided it last night.” “What is your plan, Jas?” I crossed my arms over my chest as I sat on my desk. “I can’t let you do that alone. Tha
ESTELLE Sixteen months later “Hey, baby.” I couldn’t help but smile. Who would have thought I could be this happy and contented with life? I had a thriving company. I had friends, families, and my baby Rae. And my parents turned out to be good as best friends. And my husband, my best friend, my lover, my anchor. God, how could I be so lucky to have a man like Gabriel Linden? “I’m on my way home. Where are you?” “I’ll be home in one hour. I’m still at Osmium. Do you need anything?” Linden’s company had three times more employees and opened two HQs in Dubai and Qatar. I was so proud of him. No matter how busy he was, he made sure to have time for me and his daughter. “Nope. Just checking how long you would be home.” I took over the chairman chair from my dad, but I always got so excited to go home to him and to be with our baby. “Why?” There was an excitement in his voice. “I could wait a few minutes in the tub. I thought you might wanna join me.” He groaned out a curse. “
ESTELLE“Gabriel Rembrandt, do you take Estelle Rae Solace to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”“I do.”“Estelle Rae Solace, do you take Gabriel Rembrandt to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”“I do.”“I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.” He put the ring on my finger.“I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love,” I repeated as I slipped the ring into his finger.“By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of Isola di Marettimo, Italy, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”Linden in a solid beige suit was a sight to behol
LINDEN It was still surreal watching my father talking with Gustav. I didn’t think it would happen sooner, but looking at them getting along was fulfilling for me and Estelle. “You okay?” Estelle placed her hand on my thigh under the table. “Yeah. You?” I didn’t have to ask because I saw it in her eyes. She looked happy. This must have been her dream for a long time, not seeing her parents at each other’s throats. Willa gave me a questioning look, sitting next to Dad. I slightly shook my head and smiled. “I’ve been to many restaurants, but your food has a distinct taste that I didn’t find anywhere. What’s the secret? Am I allowed to ask it?” Dad chuckled. “It’s all the same. The ingredients we choose but how we prepare and cook are different.” “I also try cooking at home if I have time, but not as close to good as this. Edible, though,” Gustav said. “I can’t cook anything fancy, but I know a few pasta recipes. I just don’t have time, I guess.” Deirdre also enjoyed the menu.
ESTELLE“Just follow the design and make sure it’s childproof, but the furniture will arrive on Wednesday,” I told one of the guys from K&B Designs.“Understood, ma’am.”“I’ll leave you all to my staff. If you need anything, just let them know so they can call me. I have an errand to run.”“Got it. Thank you.”I left the house, hoping I could get to talk to Dad before he got swamped with work.I couldn’t shake the guilt off my body. And I felt ashamed of how I handled the situation earlier. Instead, I overreacted when my husband was right the whole time. I was five months pregnant and just risked my baby. I could have reacted worse if I was in Linden’s position. “Well, hello, preggy.” I was glad to see Micah. Honestly, I missed her, but I couldn’t keep her with me since Dad needed her more than I did.“How’s your new boss?”“Awfully good. He doesn’t demand and makes my job a little easier.”“Unlike me?” I arched a brow.She laughed. “Your work is the one demanding. You’re here to see
ESTELLE Standing stark naked before me, his big cock rested with pride. Linden joined me in the tub and made a low, masculine, sexy sound as he dipped into the water. We stared at each other— the intensity set my body on fire. I let my foot trace his thigh until I found what I was looking for. My pulse quickened as I rubbed it with my foot. He grew instantly hard. Linden moved his hand, tracing his fingers over my knee, moving circles. I was instantly wet. He flicked his gaze to my bare chest, turning me intensely on. My breasts were heavier. My nipples were hard. Heat rose in my cheeks. Arousal thickened my throat. As he leaned close, he cupped my head and took my mouth. I gasped. He started kissing me slowly but quickly turned hot and greedy, kissing me like he was starving. Not breaking the kiss, he pulled me, encasing me so I could sit astride his thighs. The water splashed. Wrapped my legs around his waist, I sat, rocking my hips against him. I could feel him so hard, pokin
LINDEN I knew this would happen. The fucking pillow was getting in our way. I lay on my back while Estelle curled into her pillow. She looked comfortable, though. I only wished she found that kind of comfort in me. A moment later, her body shook. She made fun of me. “I can hear your brain cursing the hell out of this pillow, Gabriel.” She turned her head, grinning. “It’s all right, baby. If only I could take all your discomfort, pain, and weight from you. I already did. What a little comfort you found in your pillow that I wouldn’t give.” “Really?” “Why do you sound so surprised?” She turned to face me. “I don’t know. Couples don’t wanna have babies immediately because they want to spend time together, cuddle, travel, do something fun before they want another responsibility.” “Do you want that?” “Before we got married, you knew what I wanted, but things changed, and I don’t have an ounce of regret for having a baby. Though I’m still scared of this huge responsibility, but I kn
ESTELLE Dad and I flew back home as soon as he was cleared to travel. I missed my husband, too. Aside from the overdue board meeting, I had a job that could not wait. “What the— !” Linden’s eyes widened in surprise, lifting me up, but he was also careful not to put pressure on my growing belly. “Baby.” “You didn’t miss me that much, huh?” I wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed the side of his head. “You have no idea.” He put me down and hugged me. “You smell amazing.” “I’m sorry, husband, but I have to get ready. I’ve moved the board meeting once and can’t be late.” “Wait. Is it today?” He looked at me before he kissed me on the lips. “Yeah. See you later over dinner.” “Yeah. And I have something for you. It’s in your closet.” “Oh. What is it?” I beamed at him. “My long-delayed birthday gift.” I chuckled. “You don’t have to give me a gift.” “I feel terrible already, but I will make it up to you next year.” “It’s okay, Gabriel.” I hugged him. “But I’m gonna be too l
LINDEN My team just landed two hours ago from London. Estelle agreed to stay with her father, which made me happy with her decision. I only took a quick shower in the hotel and changed into a white shirt and dark blue pants before meeting Ilya. As fear thickened my throat, I forced a deep breath as I walked into the local bar in Austin. I entered alone, but I trusted my men to do their job. I roamed my eyes and quickly found a white male around my age with buzz-cut dark-brown hair sitting at the corner. He was confident and wasn’t facing the door. Judging by his wide shoulders and broad back, it was indeed Ilya. The only image I had of him was from Gustav. I didn’t want to know how he got into the country undetected. “May I join you?” His gaze lifted from the half-full pint of beer on the table. He stood up and offered his hand. Ilya didn’t smile, but his eyes expressed recognition and appreciation. I shook it firmly before I joined him on the table and motioned and gestured a
ESTELLEI blinked in disbelief. And Willa had never been tempted to check his brother online or go to Osmium to visit him. Either she trusted him so much, or she couldn’t endure the agony of knowing how dangerous her brother was facing every day.I mean, gathering intelligence was a risky business. I’d seen movies where people get killed and tortured for information.“She does, but only about the firm, and she doesn’t have to. I’m just protecting her from the risk of knowing the nature of my work.”“Now, I’m more curious.” Willa frowned further.“That’s all you have to know.”“No. I want to know everything.”“Honey, Willa.” Moses drew a deep breath. “The Hover Company has subsidiaries. Hover Defense and Hover Space and Security. They are the largest private gathering information agency. They gather intelligence and information around the globe. We detect threats, support decisions, and share with our government contract agencies. And these guys and among others who work at Osmium are