SOAR (The Indigo Lounge Series Book 4) (12 page)

He
shook his head. “It’s already taken care of.”

She
pursed her lips. “I’d rather pay for my own protection.”

“I’ll
run it past my employer, and we’ll get back to you.”

Gritting
her teeth, she snatched up her purse.

“Oh,
and my employer and I would like to remind you that the next few days will be
hairy. If you could restrict your movements to your office or your home, that
would be great.”

“I
can’t. I have a charity thing tomorrow night.”

“Details
in your diary?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Then
security will be taken care of.”

Deciding
that asking him how would only gain her even more cryptic responses, she passed
back the gizmo and alighted.

Watching
him drive away, she experienced another pang. It was clear Noah had finally
written her off in everything except his promise to keep her safe. She could
tell him to back down and let her take care of herself, but she’d already tried
that to no avail. Short of confronting him again, a prospect she didn’t think
was a good idea considering how she’d left things, her only option was to let
him carry on with his course of action and ask him to send her a bill
afterwards.

Her
lips pursed. She was one hundred percent sure that wouldn’t go down well with
Noah.

She’d
just have to convince him when the time came.

***

After
a quick change of clothes, Leia did a few breathing exercises and tried to
immerse
herself
in her business day. But with each
hour that passed her nerves grew colder and tighter with apprehension.

She
jumped as a text message came through at four.

 
Stay strong. No excuses. N.

Her
breath punched out of her lungs and her eyes prickled. Unbidden, his words from
Friday night in his bathroom flashed through her mind.

You’re
mine. Even when I threaten to kick your ass, you will still be mine. Mine to
take care off. Mine to fuck. Mine to cherish.

 
A tear slid out. She brushed it away.
What the hell was wrong with her? And why the hell did love have to hurt so
much?

Grabbing
her phone, she texted:
Thanks.
For everything.

She
regretted her words the moment she hit send.

Groaning
at her stupidity, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Thanks
for everything
?
Really?

She
was staring at her phone, wondering whether he would reply when Warren walked in
carrying a cup of tea. She remained seated behind her desk, hoping he’d stay on
the other side. He set the steaming cup down in front of her and sat down.

“I
thought you might need company.” He steepled his fingers and watched her over
them. They’d had a tense conversation this morning when he’d demanded to know
where she’d been last night. Her reply that it was
none of
his business had not gone down well, even though he’d merely
inclined
his head and returned to his office.

“Thanks,
but I was hoping to get through these projections before the end of the day.”
The scent of the chamomile hit her nostrils and her empty stomach heaved. “And
you seem to have forgotten that I prefer jasmine to chamomile.” Was it
deliberate?
Because Warren wasn’t a man who forgot things
like that.

“On
this occasion, I thought chamomile would be better. It’s a special blend.”

Her
gaze returned to the cup. She picked it up, took a tiny sip and set it back
down. “There. We happy now?”

He
rose and leaned over her desk. She sat back, unease stirring inside her at the gleam
in his eyes. “Happy would be a false description of my present state, my dear.
But I am counting on that state returning once we’re over this…hurdle.”

She
was sure he meant more than the situation with her stepfather. About to reply,
she stopped when her phone pinged.

Her
phone was upside down so couldn’t see the display, but every nerve in her body
thrummed with the knowledge that it was from Noah.

“I
really have to get back to work.”

Silence
greeted her pointed remark. Then with a stiff nod, Warren left.

She
pounced on her phone and pressed the button to read her message. Her heart
plummeted at Noah’s reply.

I’d
say it’s been a pleasure but I’m not a faithless, fucking liar.

THIRTEEN

In
a way, she was thankful for Noah’s text leaving her in a frozen state when the
next message arrived. Numb and in shock from unbelievable pain was the correct
state to be in when you receive a link to a sex auction website featuring your
violent rape.

The
blood drained from her face as she replayed at the video. Her face had been
blurred out (for the moment) but the auction was already growing frenzied,
aided by the caption:
Famous CEO In Teen Rape Tape.

The
tape had pinged into her inbox at 5:15 p.m. The group of lawyers, who’d arrived
at 5:00 p.m. to deal with the fallout of Stephen releasing the pictures,
were
huddled with Warren at the end of the conference table.
So far their best advice had been
wait and see.

She
swallowed and
re-read
the last of her stepfather’s
message.

Are
you really willing to call my bluff, little whore? Check the auction closing
time and reassess your priorities. You have until one minute before the auction
ends.

The
auction was set to finish at midday on Monday, but the bidding had been going
for just over an hour and was already at three million.

A
cold shiver spilled more ice into her veins.

 
Her phone rang.
Breath
stalling, she rose from her seat at the conference table and moved to the
window.

“Yes?”

“This
is Paddy. My employer wants you to know we’ve seen the auction tape. We’re
working on it. Don’t do anything rash.” He hung up before she could answer.

The
breath she was holding shuddered out. Great. The man who thought
her a
faithless fucking liar was in charge of her fate,
along with a bunch of lawyers who wanted her to
wait and see
.

Hysterical
laughter curdled up her throat. Turning on her heel, she stalked to the door.

“What
are you doing?” Warren asked.

“I’m
leaving. This is going to go one of two ways. Either we catch the bastard
before Monday, or the video goes viral. I’m not going to spend any more time
discussing the issue.”

She
walked out before he could respond. Entering her office, she snatched up her
bag, walked back out and nearly bumped into Warren. He caught her by the arms
and steadied her. When he didn’t let go immediately, she pulled away.

His
mouth compressed for a split second. “Are you going home?”

“Maybe.
Maybe not.
I’m growing tired of answering to you,
Warren. For the last damn time, I’m a big girl. Let me be.”

Again, a minuscule display of his displeasure in the
tightening of his jaw.
“My dear—”

“That
reminds me. I hate that term. Use my name. Or not. But I’m tired of being
addressed like I’m some wilting English rose. And you’re not Mr. Darcy. So stop
it!”

***

Noah
stared at the phone app he’d had his tech guys build for him, his anger growing
by the minute. When he couldn’t contain his frustration anymore, he swiped it
closed and dialed the number he’d sworn never to call again.

She
answered after four rings.

“What
the fuck do you think you’re doing wandering the streets at this time of night?
And where the hell is your driver?”

Leia
laughed, but the sound was so hollow and ragged, his chest tightened. “I sent
my driver home because, right now, I’m shopping. In about fifteen minutes, I’ll
be stopping to grab some dinner at Pietro’s. Didn’t you see the video? I have
three whole days’ reprieve before the world is one-click away from watching my
rape in full Technicolor. So before then, I intend to party like it’s 2099.
Care to join me?” Her voice turned soft, inviting.

“What
about your life choices? Remember those? The ones that don’t feature me?” He
called himself an asshole for mentioning it. But it was out there. And the
silence that greeted him killed him.

“I’m
willing to make an exception…for one night only.” Husky and drenched with an
emotion he refused to let touch him, the words emerged haltingly.

Something
crushed inside of him as he stepped back from the edge of temptation. “No,
thanks. The offer to be used and abused sounds fantastic, but I turn fuck-toy
only if a woman deserves it.”

A
muffled sound, like a strangled sob was quickly smothered. “Fine. Maybe I’ll
find someone more accommodating.”

A
growl bubbled up his throat. He managed to swallow it down before he could
speak. “You do that only if you want me to hunt you both down and break every
fucking bone in that unfortunate guy’s body. Then I’ll teach you a lesson you
won’t soon forget.”

Again a laugh that screamed the edge of endurance.
“Wow.
Macho,
Ruthless Noah.
Teacher of Lessons.
I still have
your marks on my ass, you know that?”
A hollow giggle.

He
gripped the phone tighter. “Jesus, Leia. Are you drunk?”

“Sadly,
not. I’m
stone-cold
sober. No wait, that’s not true.
I’m sober, but my brain is spinning at the speed of light, like I’m high or
something.”

He
frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I
don’t know… Noah, I can’t stop playing the video in my mind. It’s making my
heart race, but I can’t really feel my fingers…God,” she whispered brokenly,
“please, make it stop…”

“You’re
still in shock. Dammit, Leia, you shouldn’t be out on your own. I’m going to
put you on hold. Don’t you dare hang up, you hear me?” Cursing, he reactivated
the app, reached for his office phone and dialed. Issuing instructions, he hung
up and paced along the west wall of his office. “A car will be pulling up to
you in two minutes. Get in.”

“Is
he…is he bringing me to where you are?”

“No.
But the driver’s an ex-army medic. You do exactly as he says.”

“Yes,
Noah.”

He
banged his head against the wall, hoping the pain would stop him from reacting
to those two words.

“What
happens after that?”

“You
wanted to go to Pietro’s? He’ll take you there, then to Palm Beach.”

He
hung up before he could do something stupid, like ask her to wait for him. He
stared down at the app and judged how long it’d take the Maserati to reach her.
Too fucking long. Stalking back to his desk, he woke up the laptop screen and
stared into the small box at the bottom right hand corner. “Any luck?”

Two
sets of faces stared back at him. The spectacled one in an MIT sweatshirt had
the nerve to roll his eyes. “Damn, you super-rich dudes all want everything
like yesterday. Chill, man.
Hacking is like seducing a woman
,
surely you know that
? Come on too strong and she gives
you the finger, and you have to go home alone with killer blue balls.” He
nudged his friend and they dissolved into high school cackles.

Noah
suppressed a smile and glared at them. “I can’t believe I’m thinking of investing
fifteen mil in a company to be fronted by fools. Maybe I need to rethink our
business venture?”

The
boys sobered. “Jeez, chill. We’ll have something for you soon.”

“Make
it sooner.” He exited and reactivated the app tracking Leia. He frowned and
managed to resist for all of ten seconds before he redialed her number.

“You’re
headed in the wrong direction for Pietro’s.”

A soft hum.
“I’m not hungry anymore. Your guy checked me over. He
claims I just need rest. I’ll grab something when I get to Warren’s house.”

Razors
slashed his gut. “You mean home?”

She
hesitated. “It doesn’t feel like home anymore.”

He
jackknifed in his chair, his breathing non-existent. “Then fucking
do
something about it.”

“I
will. I intend to…if I get through this nightmare.”

“
When
.
When you get through it,” he insisted through gritted teeth.

She
sighed. He heard the sound of soft leather creaking as if she was relaxing
against the seat and bedding in for the long ride. At this time on a Friday
night, the traffic at her part of town was horrendous. It’d take at least half
an hour to get onto the highway leading to Palm Beach. “Are you still there?”
she whispered.

Hang
up. She’s safe and secure. Hang up now
. “Yes.”

“I
need something to take my mind off of my shitty life, Noah.” Her voice sounded
so small. His fist clenched on his thigh.

“Your
life isn’t shitty.

“We’ll
agree to disagree. Tell me about the T-shirt. What it means to you?”

“No.
You don’t deserve to know.”

She
inhaled sharply. He steeled himself against the wounded sound. “Noah, I’m sorry
if I…I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“Do
me a favor? Let’s agree to leave our feelings out of any future discussions we
have, okay?” She didn’t reply and Noah could almost see her grey eyes darken
with hurt. He turned his chair to face the window and relaxed. “What are you
wearing?”

“What?”
Her confusion almost made him smile. Almost.

“You
want something to distract you, tell me what you’re wearing.”

Her
breath hitched. “I’m wearing a red and black block leather dress.”

“Go
on,” he said.

“Umm…it’s
sleeveless, with a long zipper at the back—”

“So
it opens all the way down to your ass?”

“Y…yes.”

“How
short is it?” he asked gruffly.

“It
comes down to mid-thigh and it has a couple slits up the sides.”

“And
pantyhose. Are you wearing pantyhose, Leia?” Fuck, what the hell was he doing?

“No,
I’m wearing black stockings with a red garter and four-inch black heels.”

Her
husky voice poured over his senses like the smoothest, most expensive whiskey.
His fist unclenched and hovered over his crotch. Leaning his head back further
against his chair, his eyelids drooped as his blood pounded.

“So
you power dressed and then decided to end the day by feeling sorry for
yourself?”

“I
never claimed to be invincible, Noah. I do what I can to survive.”

 
Her words struck a deep chord within him.
He closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he proceeded with the game. “You’re
only weak if you think yourself to be weak. Now…panties. Tell me you’re wearing
panties underneath that short dress.”

“Yes,
I’m wearing a black thong.”

He
swallowed hard. “One of yours?”

“Yes.”

“Describe
the design to me.”
 
His voice
sounded so thick he wondered if she had understood him.

She
cleared her throat and he heard the sound of leather creaking again. “There’s a
cluster of silver studs centered just over where my…umm…”

“Your
clit?”

“Hmm…it
sends a small pulse of heat if I rub my hand over it.”

The
image of her sitting at her desk, her fingers sneaking beneath her dress to
touch herself every now and then, attacked his brain to the point where he
pulled the phone away from his ear and bit down hard on his knuckle.

When
he could breathe without feeling as if he would explode, he brought the phone
back.

“Why
did you wear it today?” He wasn’t sure why he asked, but the words spilled out
anyway.

“I
guess I didn’t want to feel completely helpless. Wearing the panties reminded
me that I wasn’t useless, that I was worth something. It also reminded me that
I had ultimate control over my…my sexuality.”

“Does
that sound like a shitty life to you, Leia?”

Her
breathing changed. A sigh.
An acceptance of truth.
“No.”

“Good.
Is the partition up in the car?” He was skidding on dangerous ground, but he
already knew he was too
far gone
to turn back.

The
faint whine of the partition sliding up answered his question. She was just as
up for it as he was. He hadn’t wanted to discuss feelings. So, sex it was.
Phone. Fucking. Sex.

“Switch
to video, Leia.”

Her
breath caught. “What?”

He
suppressed a smile. “You thought what’s about to happen would take place in
dark anonymity? Wrong. Turn on the video link. Now.”

He
heard her fumble for a few seconds,
then
her face
flashed into view. She’d had the good sense to turn on the interior light at
the side rather than overhead, which meant the driver would only catch a faint
glow through the dark partition. But Noah could see her just fine. Her face was
lightly flushed, and her eyes were wide with anticipation and arousal.