The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

I sat across Neke at the coffee shop. “It’s just been twenty-four hours, right?” Who was I trying to convince? Neke or myself?

Reed was back as my bodyguard. He could be less chatty, so bored I could die to death, or lenient if he wanted to.

“Tell me why you like Striker so much. I mean, I get it. He’s hot and all, but why, of all the hedge fund guys or billionaire boys club, what did you see in him?”

“I first met him two years ago.”

“Wait. Hold on.” Neke held my hand. “What do you mean you met him two years ago? What happened then?”

“He was a member of the team that saved me.”

“You’re kidding. How in the hell did I not know that?”

“He got another assignment, I guess.” I looked down at my hands. “I know I’m sick in the head. I tried to forget him, I swear. But he’s like a plague in my brain. It wouldn’t just let me. I mean, I’m so tired of hoping and waiting, and then he’s gone again.”

“Oh, baby girl.” She held my hand, squeezing it. “I couldn’t fathom what you’ve been through, but if you really feel a strong bond with Striker, then maybe he’s the guy. It would only be terrible if he’s the bad guy and you’ve fallen deeply for him. But he seemed a good catch.”

“I didn’t say I’ve fallen deeply. It’s just sad that he doesn’t feel the same. I know it’s ridiculous. I didn’t have this connection with any man. You see, I’ve tried hard to be with someone, but I realize I’ve been wasting my time.” I huffed, frustrated with my stupidity.

“Maybe it’s not a waste of time.” I knew Neke was trying to make me feel better, but I didn’t think it was working. “It’s a learning experience.”

“Or maybe, I will just travel so far away. Perhaps I will meet my soulmate in Paris, Germany, or Asia. Or maybe I will fly around the world and enjoy jumping off the cliff, skydiving, or swimming with sharks in Galapagos. Maybe all I need is a whole new experience, and perhaps someone who is an adrenaline junkie will like me, not some guy who doesn’t look at me how I want him to.”

“Have patience, my dear.” She suddenly widened her eyes at me as if she just got an idea. “We should see his father.”

“Mr. Cade. Why?”

“Ask him how his son has been?”

I shook my head harshly. “No. No freaking way. We would only appear desperate.”

“Aren’t we?”

When I went silent, she asked, “Then what do you have in mind?”

I slumped my back to the chair. “I don’t know.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“No.”

“Give me your phone.” She offered her hand for my phone.

“No way.”

“Jeez.” She rolled her eyes, irritated.

“Tell me first, what are you gonna do?”

“I just want to say hi and ask him if he’s okay and that you have your bodyguard back.” She wiggled her brows. “Right?”

I still shook my head.

“Fine. But if that guy doesn’t contact you after twenty-four hours, like he said he would call you in two or three days, I will see him whether you like it or not. I’m your assistant, and I’m very resourceful.”

“Fine.”

***

I wore casual jeans and shirts as I waited for Neke to arrive. We had a plan today, but I was still hoping to receive a call from Striker.

My dad finally left my house last night, but I was sure he warned everyone to inform him if I got a visitor. Sometimes, he treated me like his eight-year-old daughter instead of a fully-grown woman.

I still wondered what Striker was doing now that he no longer worked for my dad. I was sure he could easily find a job in his father’s company, or maybe he found another client to protect. I hoped she was ugly, an old lady, or a grumpy billionaire like my father.

I checked the time on my watch. Neke would arrive anytime now. I went to my office when a new design idea popped up. I grabbed the iPad on my desk and went to the app. I was about to start a new blank canvas when something caught my eye.

“OhmyGod.” It was a baguette bag design, almost a clutch, except for the handle. Every detail was spectacular, classy, and timeless. The pattern was almost middle eastern. It was just amazing. A barbie pink. The handle was synthetic leather. The buckle was my initials. How did he manage to put all those details in a short time? I was in awe.

“Wow. That’s a damn good design. I didn’t know you’re also interested in bags.”

I gave the iPad to Neke in a floral top. “That’s not mine.”

Her jaw dropped when she saw the signature. She looked at me with her big dark eyes and then back to the design before closing her mouth. “Remind me again why he took a bodyguard job? I suggest you marry him. Now.”

“Wow. I admire your enthusiasm, but he didn’t even call me. Or even just texted.”

“Well, that’s a bummer.” She pursed her lips. “Let’s go and have fun.”

When we reached her car, I looked at her. “You know we can’t go in your car.”

“Don’t worry. I asked permission from your dad nicely and that your bodyguard can follow us.”

I widened my eyes at her. “You didn’t.”

“Call him.” She opened the passenger door for me. “Get in, Lady Vanderford.”

When I got in her car, I stared at her. “How did you convince him?”

“It doesn’t matter. Baby, here we come!” She drove her car off the driveway.

I laughed at her. “So where are we going?”

“When did you last have a great burger and fries?”

I pursed my lips.

“Oh, you’re missing a lot, best friend.” She smiled meaningfully at me. “I think you should marry Striker. He looks fun and not to mention hot. And he looks well-hung, too.”

My jaw dropped. My face burned as I looked at her in shock. “Oh, my God! You didn’t just-”

“Said he’s well-hung? Don’t tell me you just fantasized about his face and not the whole package?” She laughed so hard. “I mean, come on. Have you seen his ass in those pants? And those sinewy muscles in his biceps. He probably has nine-”

“Okay. Okay.” I surrendered my hands. “Stop right now. I’m not gonna talk about his-”

“His penis, dick, cock, junk?”

“Neke?” I was beyond amused. “Stop it.”

“Admit it. How was the sex with Magnus?”

I could bet my face was bright red right now. “I’m not talking about my sex life to my best friend. How about you, huh? When was the last time you had sex?”

“Yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Yesterday?” I asked in shock.

“Yes. You need to loosen up, London. Clean those cobwebs. Since you couldn’t go out with me, I went to a bar and met a nice guy. He took me to his apartment, and bam.”

“Wow. I wish I were like you, you know. So spontaneous.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“Well, since your white knight is free and not your father’s employee anymore, why not just take the leap and bang him.”

“Jeez. Excellent advice.”

“You like him a lot, London. Seduce him.”

“I can’t.”

“What are you scared of?”

“That I’m not well-experienced, that I might disappoint him.” It was harder to admit, but I knew she wouldn’t judge me.

“Silly. If a guy likes you a lot, he will never be disappointed. Sometimes, guys like inexperience because it’s not about how she is well aware of sex. It’s the connection, the common ground, the sparks, the anticipation, you know what I mean? And it’s not just about sex; maybe he wants to know you first. And trust me. Striker is into you. He needs no seducing. Maybe it’s just the job that kept him from asking you out.”

“Well, he’s done a bang-up job of avoiding it since he’s not my father’s employee anymore.”

Forty-five minutes later, we stopped in front of the restobar.

“A restobar?”

“Let me guess. You haven’t been here before?”

I shook my head.

“Well, you’re about to taste the best burger and fries in town.”

“I doubt that.” I climbed out of the car.

“We’ll see.” Neke came to me and inspected me from head to toe.

“What?” Confused, I asked.

“You look like a rich kid.”

I rolled my eyes.

She ruffled my hair, opened a button on my shirt, and glared at my bag. “Jeez. Next time, buy bags from your shop. And you’re wearing Louboutin to a restobar.”

“It’s appropriate.” I glared back at her.

“Whatever.”

As soon as we entered, I smelled booze and grease, but it looked cozy, too.

“Come.” Neke grabbed my hand so that I could follow her.

“I can find my way, you know.”

“Guys!” she suddenly called someone.

Then an overwhelming sense of familiarity hit me when a familiar face raised a hand.

“Ohmigod. Linden?” I froze in my place.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He rose from his seat with a huge grin and walked in my direction. He pulled me into a hug, squeezing me.

“I missed you, too.” I chuckled.

“Really?” He beamed down at me. His team members were all giants, I must say.

“You look good.”

“You, too, sweetheart.” He still called me that.

“Really. Did Neke drag you into his?”

“No. It’s my idea.” I froze at that voice. My heart started pumping so fast that it made me so nervous.

Linden suddenly faded. My attention was on the man I missed, smiling down at me. Like always, that smile melts my heart. He was wearing a dark green long-sleeve shirt, sleeves slightly pulled up his elbow, showing enough of his strong arms.

“Hi.”

To my shock, he pulled me into a hug, not the kind of hug Linden gave me, but the kind of hug that I had longed for a long time.

When we pulled apart, I looked at him. “I thought Dad warned you not to see me again.”

“I told you we’ll talk in a few days. I’m a man of my own, Vanderford. He can’t dictate me, and I won’t break that promise again.” He placed a hand on my back. “Take a seat.”

“She never ate in a place like this,” Neke started.

“You could have just told me.” I sat first to Striker’s right.

“Why would I do that?”

“So, you didn’t talk to my dad?” I tried to act not overwhelmed.

“I did. I told you. Since when did I lie?”

“Fair enough.”

“Remember them?” Linden asked, gesturing at the guys beside him.

“Of course. Sax Ryder and Kye Wilder.”

“See? She knows us.” Sax grinned at me. “How are you doing, London?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Then the food arrived. The burger looked delicious and huge. The melted cheese alone was mouthwatering.

“Here.” Striker placed a plate full of fries, salad, and a big burger. “I hope you don’t mind what I ordered for you.”

“This is exactly what I had in mind,” I lied, but now that Striker was sitting beside me, I didn’t mind having fast food once in a while. Besides, this was me loosening up a little.

“Drinks? They have wine.”

I smiled and widened my eyes. “Oh, no. I’ve had enough wine. I’m traumatized.”

His laugh was almost a giggle. His smile reached his cobalt-blue eyes. “They have good selections of drinks.”

“Just water, please?”

The waiter took my order. Then I noticed that he was drinking beer in a pint glass.

I snatched it while he was talking to the waiter and sipped it. It was nice. “May I have like this, please?”

“Are you sure?” he asked me.

“Yeah.” I nodded and put back his beer that tasted like cola.

When we started eating, I realized something was missing.

“Do you need cutlery, Vanderford?” As if he just read my mind. He then pushed them to my plate.

“No.” I smiled and grabbed my burger, and took a bite. I knew I had sauce around my lips, but who cared? I put that thing down and grabbed the tissue Striker offered. “What? Never seen a lady eat a burger messily before?” Then I wiped my mouth while I was chewing. “This is really good.”

“Better than the one made by your chef,” said Neke.

Then I realized they were all looking at me, except Striker. “What?”

“We’re glad you came,” Linden said.

“Thanks.”

“Stick with us, sweetheart. We got your back. That’s a promise.”