The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

“Why am I here, Dad?” I stomped my heels into the study and followed him to his desk. “A call would do.”

He ignored my little outburst as he sat calmly at his desk. “You did not miss your father, London?”

“We had dinner last week.” I rolled my eyes. I was supposed to have a sit-down meeting with my designers, but here I was in the middle of the day.

“And we were supposed to have lunch last Wednesday.”

“Dad, I told you I made a promise with Magnus.” Dad didn’t like Magnus. He said he wasn’t good enough for me. Every father probably had the same thought as him. He might as well ask his friend Linden to do a full background check on my boyfriend.

I couldn’t blame him, though-all he wanted was the best for me. But it was not that I was asking for his approval for any men I wanted to go out with.

His face soured instantly.

“Don’t say what you’re about to say. You don’t like him, and I got it the first time. Why am I here? And I miss you. Happy?”

“Are you?” His question almost caught me off guard. I knew it was more than that.

I drew a steady breath like how my therapist used to tell me. “I am, Dad. I promise I’m getting there.”

“What do you want in your life, my baby girl?”

“I have everything, Dad. When you’re happy, I am happy.” I pushed out the smile-the beautiful smile I could muster.

“You need a man who loves you unconditionally.”

“Don’t you love me unconditionally?” I joked, shaking off the tension in my lower belly, though I knew exactly what he meant.

My relationship with Magnus was not something I invested in lasting forever. Call me callous or shallow, but there were many things Magnus and I didn’t get along. I couldn’t say I fell for him during that six months relationship. Something was still holding me back. When he asked me to move in with him, I said I was not ready, and he didn’t ask why. He didn’t even insist.

“Honey-”

I looked away, outside the window. “I’m trying.”

“You’re wasting your time in a relationship that you are just using as your excuse. It won’t make you feel better. When he asked you to move in with him, I knew why you didn’t say yes. You don’t trust him completely.”

I faced him. “I trust him, Dad.”

“No, honey.” He shook his head. “Have you told him what happened?”

“Whatever.” I picked up my phone when it rang. It was Neke, my assistant and my best friend. I rejected her call and sent her a quick message instead. I sat on the chair next to Dad. It seemed that I would be here in a while. “You don’t have anywhere to go?”

“Next week. I’ll take Reed with me overseas for a few weeks.”

I met my dad in the eye. “Why? Those two goons you have are not enough? What about me?”

“Reed speaks four languages. I will assign someone that I know you can trust.”

I wrapped my arms around myself as a sudden terrifying memory rushed into my head, chills creeping under my skin.

“It’s gonna be okay.” I felt Dad’s hand squeezing my shoulder.

“I feel like I can trust Reed with my life. He’s a good and reliable bodyguard.” I squeezed Dad’s hand on my shoulder.

“I know.”

“So, what are you gonna do for weeks, Dad?”

“Meet some important people. Visit the new headquarters in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Your LH will expand too. So, how was your visit to the warehouse?”

I smiled. “Really, Dad? Since when you’re suddenly interested to know about my work?”

“I just want you to talk to me like we talked before.” I saw those pain again. I knew many things had changed over the past two years, but life changed, and nothing was constant.

I changed.

My rescue was broadcast all over national tv. It was humiliating and terrifying, and some blamed my father and me for lacking privacy, for having a lot of money, and for publicly showing off what I had on social media.

I almost died. I was traumatized. And that was what I got. People judged you for a tiny glimpse of the life they saw, and it was brutal, unfiltered, painful, and disturbing.

“We talked, Dad. Maybe because we both were busy, or maybe it’s personal growth, but we’re good. Our relationship is good, and that’s all that matters. I will make it up to you after your trip.” I rose from my seat and wrapped my arms around him. “Please, take care of yourself.”

“You too, London. Call me every day.”

I laughed softly. “You are probably riding a camel or yachting. But, sure. I’ll leave you messages.”

My phone vibrated. I didn’t have to check who it was. It was either Magnus or Neke. But that was ninety-nine percent Neke.

“Who’s my driver, Dad?”

“I’m still asking for a favor. I wanna make sure I can trust him.”

My mind went reeling, but I was sure Dad would take care of it. Considering what happened two years ago, he wanted the best man to protect me.

“I’m sure Linden has a recommendation.”

I nodded. “Of course.” I still felt sad. I didn’t know why I felt so distraught. I mean, I didn’t know that man personally. All I got was his name, but he did save my life even though he was paid for it.

Everything was still fresh to me.

His cologne hit my nose, and those cobalt-blue eyes stared at me as he asked if I was okay.

“London, are you okay? Look at me and nod if you can hear me.” His voice was deep, heavy with worry.

I was in a state of horror and stunned as I met the man who had saved my life. He was cupping my face with his big hands as he looked right into my eyes, full of hope, begging me to trust him.

I nodded shakily. I couldn’t form a word. My sight turned blurry as tears poured down my cheeks.

“Sweetheart, it’s gonna be okay. I won’t leave by your side. I promise.” Somehow his words sunk into my head, and I held into them.

And I held into that a little too much. Before I could even say thank you, he was gone. I never saw him again. And I still couldn’t forget that look up to this date.

And I hated myself. I hated that I trusted him.

I was done with hopes-with hoping he’d be there for me.

It was stupid.

I sighed deeply. I wasn’t aware that Dad was watching me until I looked at him.

“If you want him to be your temporary bodyguard, I will make it happen.”

“I don’t need him. Someone is more capable than him.” I snorted.

“London.” I heard that warning before.

“Honestly, Dad. He could probably be on some tropical island with his girlfriend or happily married and over of saving people. Who knows?”

“Aren’t you a little bit curious to know more about him?”

“No. Not even a bit.” It was a complete lie. I was lost, feeling abandoned. I felt dependent in that short vulnerable moment, as if I had turned my life over to him. I gave all my trust, and he didn’t even blink an eye or even say goodbye before he left. “I wish him a good life.”

“He was-”

“Dad, please?” I raised my hand. “He did his job, sent me home to you safe and sound. That’s all. And why are we even talking about what happened years ago?”

“Because every time I mentioned Linden, I saw the minuscule hope in your eyes.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“If it makes you find closure, I will find him.”

“No.” My chest constricted tightly. “I thanked him once and moved on. I don’t owe him anything.”

“That’s not true, London.”

“Dad, please. As I said, I wish him the best.” I picked up my bag and went to Dad to kiss him on the cheek. “Enjoy your trip. I love you.”

“I love you.”

I felt transference for my savior if there was a Stockholm syndrome for captors. I always dreamed of meeting him someday. And it was stupid to on to that foolishness.

I went up for a while and used my bathroom. Before I shut the door behind me, I drew a long deep breath, basking in the silence.

The hair at the back of my neck suddenly raised like someone was watching me that had stopped me dead in my tracks. My whole body shivered. My heartbeat echoed in my ear. It never happened in a long time. I became hyperconscious, but this time in a good way.

I took my first step down the grand staircase and felt someone’s presence. And then it went all slow-mo as I found him as if waiting for me to catch his hand, like the scene in Titanic where Rose was meeting Jack. As stupid as it may sound, I was beyond eager.

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Ultimately, the universe had an ill sense of humor because this was a sick joke. Or my mind was playing tricks on me.

Like every time I had nightmares, he wasn’t there for me-it was just me, alone, coping with the horrible experience. To my surprise, I also saw the excitement in his eyes, a small smile curved on his full lips, those cobalt-blue eyes-the very same warmed eyes I had seen two years ago.

But he left.

I went to continue my cold-hearted mode, ignoring my pulse accelerated as I broke my gaze.

Even though the closer I got to him, the more I was sure he was here-the same stance, the face, and he even looked more attractive in his taper haircut, clean shave, and that sharp, strong jaw as if he used to clench it. And he looked hotter in his simple button-down white shirt and dark pants.

My knees almost gave in as I passed by him. And I was instantly hit by the manly scent of him. And now all I could hear was my high heels, and my heart plummeted for him.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let go of the breath I had held for so long as I reached the car waiting for me. I took a few deep breaths. After all these years, I realized my heart still beat for him.

Damn him.

Damn you, Striker Cade.