LINDEN “Why do you wanna talk to me alone?” “About what you asked Sax to do.” He took something from his jacket. It was an envelope. “Sorry, I just made the copy to be discreet. The original is at Osmium.” “What did you find?” “Nothing out of the ordinary, or I just missed something. She works in an expert marketing service, just like everyone, she came and left. She has a kid, a boy. Don’t worry. He’s not yours. He’s mixed.” “Of course, it’s not mine. I was on tour. When I came back, she was pregnant. What do you mean by mixed?” “A black father, I guess.” A Black? But Miles is white. “What else? Did she meet someone or go somewhere after work?” “Looks like the boy’s father is not in the picture anymore. No child support. She’d dated a man two years ago and worked different jobs within that span, marketing-related. She frequently moved every few months, though, and just moved in two months ago and lived with her son alone in an apartment, with little savings in her bank accoun
ESTELLE “So you married that man.” My father didn’t even take a seat, but I was surprised he came to my office instead of shouting through the phone. The last time he was here, he wanted to take the seat from me by force. “He has a name, Dad.” “I know who he is.” “No, you don’t.” Oddly, I didn’t even care, no matter how many ounces of anger he had in his words. “What you know is what you want to know. That’s biased, Dad. Give him a chance. And I’m pregnant.” He snapped his head. Anger and disgust plastered all over his face. “Are you out of your mind? Let me guess, his?” “I love him. And, of course, he’s the father. And he wants this child, too.” “Of course, he wants. That’s what he wants, to take control of you. He always wants to be the good guy. He steps up to that place when things go wrong and wants to be your hero.” “You get all wrong, Dad. He’s not like that.” “Are you sure about that? He came to the rescue when you were on that island. He pretended to save your compan
LINDEN I remembered I was in the office, talking to Skyla. Her visit surprised me, but I was hoping I could speak to her after what I found out. But unfortunately, we didn’t get to that point. When I struggled to breathe, she asked for help, and I managed to hold her hand. And I still remember her coming with me in the ambulance. The rest, everything was a blur. I thought I was dreaming, but I felt the pain like I got run over by a roller. I thought I was going to die. I couldn’t breathe. The feeling when you drowned— the water entered your lungs and expanded your chest. The next thing you knew, you wished you could have a minute to be with your loved ones and felt sorry for how I took them for granted. I thought I was dead. Until the rich laugh of my wife reached my ear. I opened my eyes, feeling disoriented, but I was lying at a forty-five-degree angle, and I could sense Estelle was sitting close to me. Her sweet and alluring smell hit my nostrils, her hand holding mine. “N
LINDEN Moses walked in like the filthy rich he was. “You know when to make a grand entrance, huh?” “Oh, how I hate the hospital.” His eyes flared with anger. “And you’re a stubborn son of Jaymes.” I smiled. “I’m a cat, and I still have six lives.” “And it still has limits, son. If I were you, you take care of your health. You’re a married man now. You have a wife and child to take care of.” I nodded in understanding. “I know. Once I am out of here, I’ll stay home until I fully heal.” “That’s the best decision you ever made for a while. No more secret mission, Gabriel.” “Yes, boss.” My father and Willa walked in. The look in their eyes was alone enough to break my heart again. “I’m fine, guys. Before you preach me.” I raised my hand. “I swear I stay put, follow my wife and doctor’s orders, and take care of myself.” “I thought I wouldn’t be in the hospital again unless I visit my daughter-in-law and see my first grandson. I’m old, Gabe. I don’t wanna die of a heart attack rig
ESTELLE “Welcome home!” “Jesus.” Linden startled. His eyes lit up to see everyone in our living room filled with balloons. “You guys take this welcome party to a whole new level.” “This is how we show our love when you’re alive. So you better take care of those lungs of yours. Otherwise, you will be alone on your deathbed.” Willa came to us to kiss his brother on his cheek. “I love you.” “Well, thanks, sis. That’s very kind of you. I love you, too.” “This is for you, brother.” Sax was carrying a lung-shaped pink balloon and hugged him. “When you have trouble with your balls, I got it covered with a ball-shaped balloon, too, brother.” “Your dry humor never improved. Thanks for the effort,” he said, patting Sax’s back. “Easy there, Sax. And your bromance is getting a little bit too much, enough to make me gag.” Kye nudged him. “You’re just jealous. I’m giving him attention lately than you.” “For Christ’s sake.” Kye managed to shake his head, leaving Sax alone. It was surprisin
LINDEN “Are you okay?” I couldn’t ignore the worry in her voice. “I’m better than okay. Now lean over. I need to kiss you.” Her lips barely brushed against mine, and I tilted my head to kiss her. Her mouth opened, and I deepened the kiss, delving my tongue in. “God. Baby, I missed your taste.” I was hungry for her— starved. I controlled myself in the hospital for almost four days and couldn’t take it anymore. I craved for her. I wanted more of her. At this moment, I had fewer options. I cupped her tits, putting a little pressure on my kneading. I instantly felt her wetness. Fuck yeah. She wanted me, too, eager and ready. When I pinched her nipples, she moaned into my mouth. My hands slid around her back down to her hips, my silent demand. She tore her mouth away, planting kisses on my jaw, down to the column of my neck. I shuddered, threading my fingers through her hair. She flicked her tongue on my nipple and laved in circles, tormenting me a little. For now, the pressure on m
ESTELLE “That’s the dumbest idea I ever heard,” Kye countered after Linden told him his plan to catch Jake Boyd. “What made you think he would confess? Or worse, he will get spooked and hide or sue our asses for harassment. Let’s make it legit. First, we need evidence to start a case and a good prosecutor to bring him to court-martial. Who’s the victim?” Skyla hesitantly raised her hand. Thankfully, Emery was not around. Mom took him with her to the park. And because mom loved kids. “Oh.” Shocked, Kye shut his mouth before he cleared his throat. “When did this happen? If you don’t mind me asking.” “Before the time Linden thought she was cheating on him,” Sax was the one who broke the news while my husband remained silent. And his silence spoke volumes. When he did that, a lot was going on in his mind. One of those was guilt— he was blaming himself. “Seven, six years ago?” “Seven. My son is six.” “Shit. I’m sorry. I guess I wasn’t thinking about him.” Kye looked horrified and a
LINDEN“Bro, we can’t pretend the boss wasn’t here earlier. Care to tell us what you two talked about?” Sax was very predictable. I knew he wouldn’t let it go. He was still keeping grudges against me when I didn’t tell him the whole detail of how I ended up beaten up.“You mean, you wanna know?”Pissed off, he stood up from the chair and was ready to leave. “Fine. Don’t tell me.”Before he could walk out of my office door, I called him. “Sax.”“No. I get it. You’re different now. You’re our boss. Your words are your order for subordinates like us to follow. I guess I just got used to the idea that you’re still the friend I used to laugh and joke around with. “See you at Osmium, boss.”“Sax,” I called his name again, but he chose to ignore me and left.I shut my laptop and rubbed my temple. I was typing an email, but I couldn’t concentrate anymore, no matter how important it was. I left my office to find him and met my wife in the hallway instead.“Sax left,” Estelle informed me.“He’s