Emma looked at Simon. He was looking back at her with a strange expression. “What?” she asked.“There is something going on between the two of you.”“What are you talking about?”“Oh, come on. I have eyes, darling. He barely could keep his hands off you and that kiss on the cheek, and the way the two of you look at each other. I felt like I needed a condom.”“Simon!”“Oh, come on. Don’t be a prude. Tell me, what is the use of a best friend if you don’t tell me anything?” Simon whined.“Fine, but not here,” Emma said. Looking around the full club. “Let’s go to this VIP-room.”“That sounds like a plan to me,” Simon agreed.“Luke, could you take us to the room that was booked for us?” Emma asked.“Sure, Miss E. Do you want me to order you some drinks to be sent up?” “Yes, please. Two Angel’s bliss and a bottle of champagne, thanks.” They made their way up to the second floor. As they walked up the stairs, they came to a long landing where on one hand you had a long row of doors, on the
Bane and Jax had finished the talk they had had with Dave and Tobias. The talk had been kind of rough. Bane felt a little better afterwards. He needed to go check on Emma and her friend. Just to make sure she had a good time, before he headed to his office. As they walked into the club, his eyes were drawn to the dancefloor. He was surprised that not everyone in the club was staring at the spot where Emma and her friend were dancing. They looked ethereal as they moved together to the beat of the music. Two angels in a swirl of movement. A surge of jealousy took hold of Bane. He felt a need to yank his angel away from the man that danced with her. But he got a grip of his emotions and focused on the serene look on Emma’s face. She was enjoying herself and even though she and her friend moved provocatively to the music, they never touched except for fleeting moments. The more he looked, the more he could see the absence of attraction between the two of them. They just synced together.
When Bane walked into his office, followed by Jax, he walked over to the bar and poured two whiskeys. He took the ice filled handkerchief and put it in a glass so it wouldn’t drip and left it at the bar. “You will get in trouble if Emma finds out you took it off,” Jax smiled as he accepted a glass. “Just shut up. Did you get an update on the man?” Bane asked.“Bert O’Riley, a nobody if you don’t take into account that his grandfather runs the second largest factory in the city.”“Legit?”“Yes, squeaky clean, from what I can tell,” Jax told him.“If he would to disappear?”“He is the sole heir to it all. His father was a deadbeat, good for nothing, and old man O’Riley disowned him when Bert was two. Burt seems to follow in his father’s footsteps, but as he is the only male relative, the old man keeps him around,” Jax told Bane. “Fuck. It may be worth it,” Bane said.“You rearranged his face and intestines. Why not call it a day?”“He lay his hand on something that belongs to me,” Ba
“I did as you told me, angel,” he lied. “You did not. It wouldn’t be as swollen if you had. But you are the one that will have to live with that,” she told him. She then encased his hand in between the both of hers. Bane liked the feeling and let his hand be there. It was throbbing if he was being honest, and he didn’t doubt that she was right. It would have helped if he had kept the ice on it. “I liked Simon,” he told her and kissed her neck. He could see the smile on her face. “I’m happy. So you don’t mind me having lunch with him next week?”“Not at all.” He kissed her neck again. A part of him wanted to take back his hand and use it to move her hair out of the way. The other part of him was happy having her hands around his and told him not to move. He let that side win and settled to kiss her cheek. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Tired?” he asked. “A little, mostly just content.” He smiled at that. They arrived home and for once she had to get out of the car first. He
“My aunt reminds me that I need to lose some weight, especially if I want men to find me attractive,” Emma said in a low voice. “Fucking hell, Emma. There is nothing wrong with your body, you don’t need to change anything to make men want you,” Bane tried to tell her. He knew that years of being told something wouldn’t go away that easily. But he would tell her every day that she was beautiful, he would show it to her, until she believed it and he had erased the words of the fucking which of an aunt had put in her mind. “Is that why you never let me treat you to deserts?” he asked. She just nodded. Bane kissed her, the kiss was filled with passion, but nut the desperate burning kind. No, he wanted to show that he desired her in a deeper way than just to fill his urgent need. As they finally broke apart, they were both out of breath.“I know it’s hard for you to believe me, angel. But you are beautiful. If I didn’t have my reputation and two of the best bodyguards, I would have to fig
Bane felt Emma make herself comfortable in his arms, and he enjoyed the feeling. He played with her hair and felt like he didn’t want the night to end. “Why were you living with your aunt and uncle?” he asked her. He already knew from the background check he had done. But he wanted to listen to her talk for a little longer. He felt her tense up in his arms and cursed at himself. Of course this was not a subject that she enjoyed talking about.“I lost my parents when I was nine,” she told him.“I’m sorry angel, I shouldn’t have asked,” he said, placing a kiss on her head.“No, it’s fine. Before that, I had a fantastic childhood. My parents were kind and loving and when I think back on that time, it just seems filled with light and warmth. After they died, my uncle and aunt took me in. Uncle Jonas is my father’s brother, I didn’t have any other relatives. So, in a way, I was lucky that they agreed.” There was a small pause, as if Emma needed to gather herself. Bane was about to tell he
Emma walked into her bedroom with Simon. It felt a little strange to be back. She had only been inside her room to collect some clothing since it had been destroyed. She towed Simon to the bed and they both sat down on it. “What’s up?” Simon asked.“I just want to make sure you think this through before you make any decision. I know how good of a salesman Bane can be, and it isn’t helping that Jax is looking all smug,” she said.“I appreciate that, what do you think I should do?”“I’m not going to tell you that. It’s your life and your future. But I am going to tell you some things that the two charming men in there won’t tell you. You have seen one side of Bane and of the organisation. But there is another side, one that is darker and not as pleasant. And when Bane says that he will do everything he can to keep you out of that side, he will. But things happen, things even he can’t control.”“Emma, I know they aren’t exactly walking the straight and narrow. I know they are the mafia,
“How can I help you, miss E?” Luke asked, glancing at Simon.“Simon and I are going for a walk and Bane asked me to take you or Ben with us, and here you are. Do you have time to accompany us?” “Sure, no problem,” he said and tried to steal a cookie and got a slap on the hand from Anna. “Thank you. Anna, could I ask something from you as well?” “Of course, miss Emma, what do you need?” “Simon and I were thinking of spending the afternoon by the pool, but Simon didn’t bring any swim shorts. Do you know if there is a way he could borrow some?” Emma asked.“Yes, we have some for guests. Let me guess,” Anna said, sizing Simon up. “Size 40?” “That’s spot on,” Simon said with surprise. “They will be in your room after your walk, miss Emma,” Anna said. She held out the platter with cookies for Emma and Simon while keeping an eye on Luke.“Don’t I get one?” Luke asked, sounding like a sad puppy.“No, you tried to steal one. This is your punishment. It will teach you to have patience and
Emma sat at her desk, she had gone through the last of the reports regarding the latest batch of potential new clients. She had selected three that she thought had potential. The rest would get a kind refusal letter, telling them the firm had too much on their plate to take them on as clients, but they could recommend the attached list of accountant firms. Simon’s and her business were blooming. They had stopped looking for new clients as they had their hands full with their existing ones and the ones that asked to join. There was a knock on the door and Tom opened it and came inside.“We need to get going in ten minutes if you want to have time to get ready, Mrs E,” he told her. “Thank you, Tom. Could you make sure that these three potential clients get wetted? I’ll just say bye to Simon and then we can go,” she told him. He nodded and took the folders from her. When Emma had started working from the office, Bane had insisted she needed a bodyguard. Since Tom’s injuries, his wife ha
It was time for Emma to deal with things. She had let Bane keep her in their room, with brief visits to the kitchen and the library, for weeks. She felt much better, especially since Bane had stopped thinking she was too frail for sex. Emma almost felt like her old self again. No, that wasn’t entirely true. She felt like a new and improved version, Emma 2.0. Somehow her time with Walker had given her a little more confidence, and the fact she knew she had Bane and Simon in her life left her with a sense of security that she hadn’t felt since she was a child. It was time she put this new version to the test.“I want to see my aunt and uncle,” she told Bane as they were eating breakfast. Emma had convinced him they should start having their meals in the dining room and not the bedroom. It felt like a good sign that he had agreed. “No.”“You said that it was my decision what happens to them,” she objected.“It is. You will tell me what you want, and I will make it happen. No where in th
Bane looked down at Emma. She was licking his still hard cock clean. She had not let go of his gaze and Bane admired the way the rhinestones sparkled in the soft light. His wicked angel. “On your feet, angel,” he told her, and she gracefully got up. It was evidence of how far along she was in her recovery. She had been right that he was trying to hold back, trying to not acknowledge how much better she was. Because if he did, he would have to let her go out into the world. And that scared the shit out of him. He just wanted her safe. But as he drew her into his embrace, kissing her like he had wanted to kiss her since she woke up, with a scoring heat. He knew he had to give in and let her keep going on with her life. “You have been a really good girl. Time for your reward. On the bed, angel, on your hands and knees,” he told her. He saw the radiant smile that appeared on Emma’s face as she almost skipped over to the bed. She was a needy little angel, he thought as he stripped out of
Emma was slowly healing and getting her strength back. The first days she had been on a strict diet that Linda had ordered. But as the week moved on, she gradually could start eating like normal. Bane made sure she got all her meals and snacks in their room. He also made sure she had dessert with every meal. As he had told her, he didn’t leave their room. He was constantly by her side. If he needed to work, he did so from the armchair by the TV. He helped her to the bathroom, and he helped her to shower whenever she wanted to. There was a constant stream of people coming to visit Emma. She was moved by how most of the men, some she had only met in passing, came by to look in on her. She made it a point to thank each of them for helping to rescue her. Then there was Anna. She made sure to bring Emma’s meals herself and stayed to talk a little. Tom and Luke were almost in the room as much as she and Bane. Luke was looking better by the day as Simon was finally talking to him, even thoug
Emma looked up at Bane with big eyes.“But…,“ she started.“No but. You need to stop doing things that put you in danger, angel. But we will save the punishment for later. Now relax,” he told her, and he savoured the feeling as she made herself comfortable in his arms. Having her back where she belonged felt amazing, like the world suddenly made sense again. Her body felt too angular and thin, and her hair had lost its shine. But he didn’t care. She was back in his arms, in his bed, and he had told her he loved her. Bane still had a hard time believing she loved him back, and she forgave him. He didn’t forgive himself and would spend the rest of his life making it up to her if she would let him. A cold hand clutched his stomach as he remembered he didn’t know what they had done to her. He knew she had been beaten from the pictures. Linda had told him she had seen all the signs of starvation and dehydration. But other than that, Bane had had plenty of time to think about what else they
Bane was looking at Emma and at the spot on the bed next to her, but he didn’t move. Emma looked back at him and wondered what was going on. “Come on,” she said, patting the spot again.“I’ll just sit here,” he told her, heading toward the chair he sat in when she had woken up.“Why? I would like you to sit next to me,” she asked.“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said.“Don’t be silly. Simon was sitting there not five minutes ago. Come on, let’s have a talk,” she told him. Slowly, with hesitant steps, Bane rounded the bed and gently got on it. He watched her to see if she was uncomfortable or in pain. Emma just smiled at him patiently. As he sat down facing her, he took her hands in his and looked intently at them. Emma just let him be. He had something he needed to talk about, and she would give him the time to think it through.“I’m sorry,” he said, looking up at her. That was not what Emma was expecting. “For what?” she asked, genuinely surprised. Bane smiled at her and caressed he
Emma woke up feeling dazed. Her mind was fuzzy, and it took her a minute to remember what had happened. She tensed up as she remembered the small room she had been in the last weeks. Then she realised she was home. No, not home. She was in Bane’s bed. Someone was holding her hand, and she squeezed it to make herself relax. “Emma?” she heard Bane say, and she turned her head towards the sound. Bane had pulled up one of the armchairs next to the bed and was sitting in it, holding her hand. Emma smiled at him and felt herself relax. He looked tired, but he returned her smile.“Hi,” she said, her voice sounded hoarse and dry.“Hi, angel. How are you feeling?” he asked. Emma thought about it. She had a feeling she should be in a lot of pain, but she wasn’t. “Fine, a bit fuzzy, like my brain is wrapped in a soft cloud. And I’m thirsty and I think I’m a little hungry as well,” she told him. Bane reached out with his free hand and stroked her hair. “You are on some heavy pain medication. I
Relief so powerful that it almost felt like a tidal wave flooded his system. That was, until he registered the state of her. She looked so tired, and why did it look like she had lost weight? But in her brilliant blue eyes, he could see hope. Then his focus shifted to the man that was dragging her backwards by the arm. Walker’s son, Bane realised. As Emma was dragged out of his view, Bane turned towards the chaos that was playing out on the ground level. Jax and his men had made progress. They were forcing most of Walker’s men to the right while some of Bane’s men herded the guests and workers to the left. No one was foolish enough to assume the guests and workers were harmless. They all knew that there could be numerous guns, knives and other things hidden amongst them. They would be searched and dealt with when this thing was over.“Found the item,” Bane shouted. Jax, Luke and Tom looked at him and he glanced toward the stairs. They all nodded. There was an effort made to clear the
Bane was sitting in the dark van that was parked in an alley, trying to be invisible, which was hard for a vehicle of its size. Bane had a hard time sitting still. He was bouncing his knee up and down, staring at the com system, willing it to come to life. Jax, that was sitting next to him, gave him an annoyed look. Bane glared back at him. Bane’s temper was not at its best. Three weeks. Fucking three weeks. They had made him wait. If Bane was being fair, which he wasn’t in the mood to be, it hadn’t been Jax’s, Luke’s or Tom’s fault that it had taken three weeks. If they had known where Emma had been held, nothing could have kept him from going after her. But that had been the issue. No one could find where Walker had been keeping her. It had taken Spenser less than three hours to find Emma’s aunt and uncle and drag them back. That had been an entertaining evening, Bane thought. Within thirty minutes of Bane stepping into the same room as Jonas Cobler, he had told Bane everything he k