The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

“I’ll ready the tub,” I said as I loaded the dishwasher.

“I don’t need it. I just said to excuse myself.”

My brows furrowed. “Why?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe I didn’t like your tone or how you told me to talk to Reed when you could just tell me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m still adjusting to our situation and used to communicating with my fellow CPO in that tone.” I nodded in understanding.

“It’s okay.” She dropped her gaze.

I liked that she was honest. Maybe our unconventional arrangement would work out even though we seemed to have nothing in common.

“I felt ashamed of how I handled it. I should be grateful for saving my butt many times, and this arrangement, you literally saved my life, my entire future, and I should be begging for it, but here you are, trying to be kind, and you are the one who made all the adjustments to fit into my life.” She breathed deeply as she looked up. “I don’t know how I can repay you. I don’t know what I can offer you. I mean, look at me. I have nothing.”

“That’s not true. This arrangement happens for a reason. You have everything every woman has dreamed of having. You are beautiful, amazing, and strong. Every man wants to be with you, Vanderford. And I accepted your father’s offer because I wanted to do it. Stop beating yourself up.”

“Thank you. Thank you for not making it awkward and difficult for me.”

“You’re welcome. Do you wanna be alone or go to bed now?”

“Can you sit with me?”

“Of course. Go ahead. I will be there in a minute.”

“Thanks for dinner. It was delicious.” Her smile was controlled, and I didn’t know why she suddenly became shy and detached.

I watched her walk away to the family room. I took a deep breath, trying to think about my next move. I needed her to trust me for this relationship to work out because I knew this wasn’t just about bottled-up sexual tensions. This was a long-term relationship that needed nurturing and a lot of patience.

My phone rang on the counter, which caught my attention. It was Rome calling me.

“Langston, what’s up?”

“Make me understand, bro. And here’s what my wife and I have come to a conclusion. You bumped into her, and she recognized you. It was love at first sight, and now you plan to elope. How are we doing so far?”

“So, you heard it from Celeste.”

“Come on, Cade. You are better than that.” He sounded thrilled. I could feel it from hundreds of miles away.

When I was working for him, he urged me to go out on a date, and Princess Carlott was even ready to set me up with some nobles’ daughters, but I was the one who refused because I still wanted to go back home. What happened to London and me, maybe, it was destiny, after all.

“You know who she is then?”

“Yeah, brother.”

“I remember her. Dad was Linus Vanderford’s friend. You flew with me after a successful rescue mission. How’s she? London, right? My wife just followed her on Instagram.”

“Say hi to Princess. I already missed the little prince.”

“She’s listening, Cade. Come on. I’m intrigued. If my mom was right, London was wearing an engagement ring. She wanted to congratulate you but wasn’t sure if it was yours.”

“News travels fast.” I chuckled. “My guess is you read Linus’ tweet.”

“Holy shit!” He laughed out loud. I heard Princess Carlott laughing in the background as well. “Well, damn. I’m happy for you, brother. I will disown you if my wife and I won’t be your principal sponsors.”

I joined them, laughing. “I’m thrilled, brother, but we might get married in the City Hall or before the judge.”

“Why? Is she pregnant?”

“God, no. We haven’t-you know.”

“Wait. What I’m missing here?”

“We’re arranged.”

“Holy fuck,” he reacted.

“Shit.” That one came from Princess Carlott.

“Language, sweetheart,” Rome chided his wife, only to laugh at him. “How? Are you okay with all of this? I mean, she’s beautiful. Storm even said, London’s hot.”

“I said, if I were a guy, I would definitely shag her,” said Princess Carlott.

“It’s the same thing, sweetheart,” he told his wife. “You know what I think? You’re the kind of man who can’t be dictated to, especially regarding a long-term relationship. I mean, this is a marriage, man. It’s sacred, and you will be bound in holy matrimony. You will be forever tied to a woman, even if your status is married or divorced. Have you thought about that? I’m not discouraging you, Cade.”

“Yes. How do you know Princess Carlott is the right one for you?”

“Good question. I can’t wait to hear this man’s answer.” Princess Carlott must be glaring at her husband.

“Easy. You know, I wanted to throw her out of my office the first time I met her. At the same time, I couldn’t. I mean, call me whipped. There was definitely a love or lust at first sight there. I thought she was hot that day. I couldn’t fire her because I wanted to see her every day. And when things got a little deep. You know what I mean.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, he’s not a saint. Just tell him after we fucked.”

“Storm, please?”

“Shut up.”

I was smiling the entire time as I listened to their banter. They were madly and deeply in love with one another. The way they looked at each other was cringy-sweet.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Yeah. I knew either she would be my wife or I wouldn’t be married. So, do you see her that way?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, come on. You would know it the first time you saw her.”

“Babe, every relationship is different. Some start as friends. Some hated each other first. Some are like us, and there’s this unexplainable cosmic attraction they can’t deny.”

“Yeah. I guess Princess is right.”

“See?” They must have fist-bumped.

“Tell you what-a piece of advice from a happily married man. What never lies is your heart-so trust your heart and your gut. If you feel it, she’s the one. Go for it. If you have doubts even for a tiny bit, run.”

“Thanks, brother. I think I have the answer.”

“Very well, from my family. Congratulations, bro.”

After talking to them, I grabbed the glasses and the bottle of wine before I joined her in the family room. I found London sitting, her feet on the couch.

“Hey. Sorry. I was on the phone with Langston.”

“It’s okay. I hope you don’t mind. I turned on the TV.”

“This is your home too.” I placed the bottle and glasses on the table. “Are you tired?” I joined her on the couch.

“Not really.” She barely looked at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She looked at the tv screen, but her mind was somewhere else.

“We should talk about what’s bothering you. I will do the same, Vanderford.” I held her hand and pulled her closer to me. “Come.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders so she could lean against me. “Tell me what’s bothering you?”

“I have a therapist if I wanna talk about it. At least she’s paid not to judge me.”

I looked down at her even if she couldn’t see me. “Why do you think I would judge you? I want to know so that we can find a solution together. I’m not perfect, Vanderford. I made mistakes. I’ve done terrible things. Considering you have everything, and I don’t, for a man like me, it’s a big slap, insecurity overload, but I didn’t want to see it that way.”

“You’re still not sure why you gave me this ring.” Her voice was low, but I didn’t hear any uncertainty.

“You heard me talking over the phone.” That was my first assumption.

“I was supposed to get the wine.”

“Then you should have waited there and listened to what I said before you left.” I sighed deeply. “I remember looking at you that night I first saw you. There was something in that first eye contact it was hard to ignore and forget. As stupid as it sounds, it seemed everything stopped, the time, and all I could see was how terrified you were. Your eyes never lied, Vanderford. At the same time, it was the first time that someone saw me-really saw me. I promised you that I would never leave you, and it wasn’t just to comfort you because you were terrified.”

She nodded against my shoulder.

“I’d be lying if I said it was just to get the job done, but because I wanted to be there for you, it came from my heart. And then I realized after seeing you and your dad, those cameras flashing on you, I knew there was no chance I’d have belonged in your life. I didn’t belong there. So I walked away. Then when I saw you again, it came back to me in a flash, and it hurt to see the look in your eyes. You hated me. That’s the honest answer I can give you, Vanderford.”

She lifted her head before she wiped the tears on her face. I didn’t even realize she was crying until she sniffled. “I don’t hate you. I never did and couldn’t. I was stupid, mentally derailed, and emotionally unstable to hold on to that promise. I mean, I felt it, I saw you, I felt we connected. My mind was jumbled. Clearly, after what happened, I wasn’t thinking straight. That incident affected me physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.”

“I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“I was horrified. I was terrified I wouldn’t see the light of day. I wasn’t ready to die. They threatened to cut me to pieces. I was so….”

“It’s alright.” I pulled her into my arms, and she came straddling me. “You don’t have to continue.”

“I was so scared alone in the dark.” She shook to cry in my arms. “When they threatened me, that was when I was ready to die. I even wished they shot me first so I wouldn’t feel the pain.”

“You are safe now, Vanderford. I won’t let anything happen like that again. I swear to you with my life.” I wrapped my arms tightly around her and cooed her to calm down. She was still shaking. “I’m so sorry that you had to go through that alone. I wish we had been there sooner. But I’m here now.”