Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella Read online

  “I’m only watching out for you.”

  Laurel’s jaw became a stubborn line as she glared up at him. He might have gotten Bridget happy with him, but he seemed doomed to forever have a female pissed off at him. “He is your friend and you hurt him. You will back off and let me handle my own business. I am an adult. I’ve gotten through college and I’m ready to make my own decisions. Is that understood?”

  She needed to understand a few things about Mitch. “He’s interested in you. Not as a secretary.”

  “Good because he’s not stupid and backward enough to call me a secretary. I’m an office manager. I have a business degree. His books are horrible. He’s got a brilliant mind and not an organizational skill in his body.”

  He was going to have to be really clear with her. “Laurel, he’s interested in you as a woman.”

  “Again with the good. I’m interested in him as a man. Now if you’ll give me a few tips on how to get that man in bed, I would appreciate it because he is proving to be very difficult.”

  He couldn’t help but wince. “I did not need to hear that.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have butted in where you don’t belong,” Laurel shot back. “I understand that Mitch has been divorced a couple of times. The man has had to start from scratch twice. I’m fairly certain that’s why he’s so skittish.”

  “He’s also into some hardcore hobbies.” He didn’t want to go into what Mitch needed sexually. He’d talked to his sisters about going to clubs, but he wasn’t going into details.

  Laurel crossed her arms over her chest and sent him a pointed stare. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black. If you’re talking about the BDSM stuff, you shouldn’t judge, big brother. And I’m cool with it. Reading Bridget’s books have opened me up to the idea that I might enjoy submitting to the right man in the bedroom.”

  He put his hands over his ears. “Oh, god. Don’t. Please. Wait, you’ve been reading Bridget’s books?”

  “Duh. I was reading her before you started dating her. I love her stuff. She’s funny and she has a lot to say about what a woman deserves. I guess it’s about what people deserve out of a relationship.”

  “Orgasms, right? I mean she writes about single women with multiple men.”

  Laurel shook her head. “It’s a metaphor, dummy. All of those men are actually aspects of one. At least that’s how I see it. I can’t explain it. You have to read it. And you’re a horrible boyfriend for not reading her books.”

  “I’m not really…”

  She held a hand up, stopping him from finishing his sentence. “Don’t say it. Don’t say you’re not her boyfriend, Will.”

  But he wasn’t and it looked like he was going to have to explain. “I’m her Dom and you obviously know what that means.”

  “I know that it’s your way of distancing yourself and it makes me sad.”

  What was she talking about? “I’m not distancing myself. I’m quite close to her.”

  “Have you told her you love her?” Laurel asked.

  A weariness settled over him. He thought this restlessness would fade when Bridget agreed to simply be with him, but it was stronger than ever. “You know how I feel about that word.”

  “Yes, I do know and that makes me sad. I’ve thought about this a lot and I have something to say to you. Lisa and Lila and I have been talking about it. I think you have a twisted version of the word.”

  He was really ready to give in so he didn’t need to have this argument with the women in his life. “It’s only a word, Laurel, and if it bothers everyone so freaking much, I’ll use it. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”

  “Because it didn’t mean anything when Mom used it. Will, I think when you hear that word, you still see her.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit.” He didn’t need another Kai.

  “It’s true,” Laurel replied with passion. Her voice went low but he could hear the force of will there. “You think I don’t remember. I remember how she would tell us she loved us. Especially when she was high. She would bring her boyfriends home and she loved them, too. She would call from jail and coax you into picking her up when we got older. She did it by telling you she loved you. It was just a word for her and you’ve put that definition on it. But I have a different definition and I wish you could see it my way.”

  This whole conversation made him uncomfortable. It was better to leave the past behind, but he needed to know why she saw things differently than he did. “We grew up in the same household. We should have the same definition.”

  She shook her head. “But I knew I was loved. Do you know what I think of when I hear the word? I think of a twelve-year-old boy trying to figure out how to do my pigtails so the other kids wouldn’t make fun of me at school. I think of an eighteen-year-old who could have gone to any school he wanted, but he stayed close to home so he could raise three teenagers. When I think of love, I think of my brother because I always knew I was loved. I wish you did. I wish you knew how much we love you, Will. I wish you could see how much that woman you’re dating…excuse me, dominating or something…is capable of loving you.”

  “I know you care about me.” Maybe she was right because it really was hard to say the freaking word.

  She shook her head and got into his space. “No. I love you. I love you so much. I want everything that is good and right in the world for you. So do Lila and Lisa. And I think Bridget might be the woman who can take care of you.”

  “I don’t need to be taken care of.”

  “Don’t you? Don’t you deserve it?”

  And hadn’t he already slipped into that kind of partnership with Bridget? He woke her up when he had to go to the hospital, something he would never have done with his other lovers. He’d been able to read the charts on his tablet and be more prepared for the surgery because Bridget had driven him. He’d told himself it was all right because Bridget’s work was flexible and there was valet service at their building so she would be safe. He’d desperately needed the help, but he wouldn’t have asked anyone but her. Because deep down he trusted her. He trusted her with herself. She wouldn’t take crazy chances. She was infinitely competent. She didn’t want or need to be treated like a finely made piece of glass. She was a magnificently made woman, and he was going to lose her.

  She wouldn’t stay with a man who couldn’t love her. Not forever.

  He had to enjoy the time he had. The now. He had to hold on to the now.

  He kissed his sister on the forehead. “You be careful with Mitch. He’s a good guy, but those two women damn near broke him in ways that have nothing to do with his finances.”

  She gave him a long hug. “I’ll be careful. And if I ever manage to get him to really look at me, I’ll be careful with him. Try to think about what I said.”

  “I will.” He doubted he could do anything else because he was worried now that no matter what kind of contract he wrapped her in, he still wouldn’t be enough for her.

  Chapter Ten

  Two days later, Will watched Bridget. She looked gorgeous in her sarong and sandals, as the light of the fire from the torches seemed to caress her skin. The night was warm and she was surrounded by friends. None of the family had come to this luau prepared for the bride and groom. From what he understood, George Slaten was busy with business contacts and Bridget’s mom was busy with a bottle of Malbec.

  There was soft Hawaiian music playing and the roast pig smelled fabulous. Bridget had carried baby Tristan around for a while, showing him the sights, and for those moments she seemed truly happy.

  Bridget liked kids. She was going to want kids.

  Fuck. Did he want kids?

  All he knew was that the thought of Bridget having someone else’s baby got his guts in a knot.

  Laurel smiled and sat down next to Bridget, who seemed to be on her way to being her new best friend. Why wasn’t she smiling? She hadn’t really smiled at him for two days. Not since he’d found her walking on the beach by herself.

/>   Something had happened and she wouldn’t talk about it. All she would tell him was she’d decided that her sister was an adult and they shouldn’t butt in.

  Something had gone terribly wrong because Bridget always butted in. Always.

  Since that day on the beach, the only time he felt close to her was when they were making love. Only then would she soften and wrap her arms around him and give everything to him.

  Was she starting to guess that he was a bad bet?

  “Doctor Daley?” a voice asked.

  He turned and saw Frankie standing there in all his golden boy glory. Yeah, it was a good thing the dude was probably gay because Will had not liked how Bridget’s chin had dropped at the very sight of him. It wasn’t like the man was that good looking. Surely he had flaws. Somewhere.

  Even Will had to admit he kind of liked the dude. He’d been a perfect gentleman around Bridget, even getting her to laugh from time to time.

  Will forced himself to nod. “Hey, how’s it going?”

  “Beautifully so far. Only a few days more. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  Great. Will followed him and found himself led to a far corner of the park that overlooked the ocean. The sounds of the waves should have been soothing, but he had a feeling this conversation wasn’t going to be at all pleasant. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Bridget and Amy. The family situation. I need to understand where you fit, Daley. Amy hasn’t said much, but I do understand that until a few days ago, I’d never heard your name and now you’re engaged to Bridget. I want to know if this is one of Amy’s schemes. She’s quite good at them.”

  If Amy hadn’t told him anything, then he didn’t need to know. “My relationship with Bridget is none of your business.”

  “I disagree,” Frankie replied. “I’m Amy’s fiancé. I love her quite dearly. If you’re some sort of rent-a-hunk himbo here to take Bridget for all she’s worth, then I’m going to have to shut you down. I’m not going to allow anyone to hurt Amy, and Amy would be hurt if her sister was. I’m afraid I’ll have to be quite firm on this matter.”

  “You’re really in love with Amy?”

  He turned, the hint of an enigmatic smile on his face. “I’m quite devoted to her. I have been since we met a few months ago. You know how you meet a person and realize very quickly you have a connection?”

  He’d known from the moment he saw Bridget that he wanted her. He’d known within days of sleeping with her that he needed her. “I guess I do.”

  Frankie sighed as he stared out over the ocean. “I love Amy, but as you’ve already figured out, there are many kinds of love.”

  “So you admit she’s not your type.” He still wasn’t so sure Bridget was right about not talking to her sister, but who was he to complain? He’d tried to butt into his own sister’s love life and Mitch still seemed stiff and awkward around him. He’d fucked things up with his best friend and almost alienated his sister.

  Frankie shook his head. “She’s everyone’s type and that’s all I’ll say on the matter. Now, I would like to know how much it’s going to cost me to get you out of Bridget’s life.”

  Okay. Now he didn’t like the man very much. “There is not enough money in the world.”

  Frankie finally turned and gave Will an assessing look. “I’m thinking there is. She doesn’t have any, you know. I mean she’s got what she makes from her writing, and that’s not an insubstantial amount, but it’s nothing compared to the Slaten fortune. How about I pay you a hundred thousand? That should cover your medical school loans and leave you with a little something left over. I’m sure if you stayed with Bridget for several years you could amass that much, but now you can have it all in one go. And you can find another target.”

  Will’s blood pressure ticked up. He’d managed to keep Bridget calm for days. He wasn’t about to cause a scene himself. “I am going to forgo the pleasure of beating you senseless, you piece of shit. I’m going to do it because Bridget would be upset, but if you ever talk to me again, I don’t know what I’ll do. Bridget is mine. Mine, do you understand? And no one in this god-forsaken family of hers is going to come between us. I’ve been here for exactly two days and I already know every single one of you is rotten to the core. I have zero idea how that woman came from this family. She’s worth a hundred of you.”

  A slow smile spread across Frankie’s face. “Is that right?”

  “Yes, that’s right.” He finally got it. He finally figured out why her mother calling her healthy had bugged her. “Healthy means fat. That bitch. She stood right in front of me and called her daughter fat.”

  “Mother Slaten is very good at that,” Frankie replied as though it should have been obvious. “Not much good at anything else.”

  Now he could see that every single woman in her family, with the exception of her sister, had subtly insulted her. “She’s gorgeous, and I won’t listen to anyone who says otherwise.”

  “She is a stunning woman. She’s almost as beautiful as her sister. So George didn’t send you I take it.” Frankie took a deep breath. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been working myself up to this scene for days.”

  “Bridget’s dad? Why do you think he sent me? Why would he send me?”

  “Well, I discovered a connection to you a few days before we flew out here. You see, I snoop. A lot. It’s one of my hobbies. George has a file on you. I wasn’t able to read it, but he keeps files on all his employees. I was worried he’d sent you in to handle Bridget. It would be exactly like him to send his own man to ensure the prodigal daughter’s return didn’t disrupt his plans. I assume Bridget’s going to attempt to talk Amy out of marrying me. George won’t let that happen.”

  Will shook his head, trying to take it in. This family’s intrigues astonished him. He’d figured out rapidly that they very rarely said what they meant. It was all a dance of subtle insults and backhanded compliments. “I hadn’t met the man before dinner the other night. Bridget introduced me, but she got us out of his line of fire really quickly. I’m not a plant. We had mutual friends and I pursued her until I ran her to ground.”

  “So you are engaged?”

  “Of course we are.” He wasn’t going to give up the game at this point.

  Frankie chuckled. “You’re a horrible liar. Let me guess. My Amy got sick of her cousins talking about Bridget. She had too much wine and announced that Bridget was dating a hot guy. Oh, but Amy never does things halfway. She likely said Bridget was getting married, too.”

  It was obvious that Frankie knew his fiancée well. “I think you should talk to Amy about that.”

  Frankie tipped his head as though agreeing to the point. “Well, obviously I apologize for trying to buy you off and for suggesting that you might be a paid escort.”

  “Hey, I’ve never been accused of prostitution before. It’s a new experience. So that begs the question of why Slaten has a file on me.”

  “More than likely because he was trying to get leverage on you. It’s what he likes to do. He’s not as clever as he thinks he is though. And he definitely likes to underestimate the people around him. Especially his daughters.”

  So Bridget’s dad had been digging up dirt. He would find quite a bit. He could take all that dirty laundry right to Bridget and lay it out.

  And Bridget would defend him to the death. She could find out all his secrets and she would still be by his side. She’d accepted that his mother was in prison. She’d accepted that he’d grown up in a disgusting trailer and that he’d been an idiot about Starr. Would she come to accept that he wouldn’t love her? Eventually, perhaps. He could see it quite plainly. She would sign the contract for a month and then he could easily shift them into a longer-term contract. He could make the argument that they didn’t need two places, or better yet, that they would really do better with a house.

  He would ply her with affection and sex and his special brand of dominance and she would give up on those dreams of having a man who returned her love
.

  What did she mean when she used the word love? It was a stupid word that meant absolutely nothing to him, but Laurel’s speech kept playing around in his head. Words could have many meanings. He needed to figure out what Bridget meant by love because he was rapidly coming to the conclusion that she was as necessary for his happiness as breathing.

  “You say you love Amy. What do you mean by that?”

  Frankie stared at him for a moment. “Mean?”

  “What does love mean to you? I…I don’t get it. You’re not sleeping with her. If I’m wrong, I apologize, but I’m trying to figure something out.”

  “You’re not wrong. Amy and I don’t sleep together, but we are an odd form of soul mates. I think the idea that we only get one is wrong. At least I hope it is. I think maybe we go through life finding these people who hold little pieces of our soul. Sometimes you find a big chunk and I think that might be what we call love.”

  He growled under his breath, frustration taking over. “I don’t get the metaphysical shit.”

  “All right. You’re a literal guy. Uhm, I love Amy because she accepts me. I can be exactly who I am around her. I don’t have to pretend the way I do around others. She’s a safe place for me. When we first met, well, let’s say I wasn’t in a good place. I’m here today because of that woman. Whatever happens, she’s my friend for life. Do you love Bridget? I asked and you didn’t answer.”

  He hated that question and yet he answered because Frankie had been open with him. “I don’t know. I want her.”

  “That’s a good start. You don’t have to know now. She seems happy.”

  Yeah, Frankie didn’t know her. Bridget was saying all the right things, but Will knew what she looked like when she was truly happy. He let it go because there was no point.

  “Hey, buddy, you seem to be out of those coconut cookies. I know that sounds sad, but I have a woman who can’t drink for another six months, so I get her whatever she tells me to. Who do I need to pay to get me about two dozen or so of those suckers?” Ian Taggart asked, his big body blocking the light from the party.