Uncovering You: The Complete Series (Mega Box Set) (277 page)

“Don’t you
dare
,” Rich curses. “Don’t you
dare
claim you loved her. I know what you did to her. I know the truth, Anthony.”

Rich’s father displays a large, easy smile. “Do you, now, son? And what has that truth gotten you? I have no reason to lie. You are a free man, while I seem to be a permanent guest in this fine institution.”

“It’s no less than you deserve.”

“Oh! Richard, you wound me.” I can hear the mocking undertone in his voice. “Do you really share no sympathies for your father? Penny knows. I can tell. She knows I do not belong here.”

He looks at me, expecting a response. Even in the prison jumpsuit, he projects authority. He is a man used to getting what he wants.

“No,” Rich says. “No, you do not belong here. You belong in a maximum security facility for murder.”

Rich’s father tilts his head to the side. “Baseless accusations from my own son. That is all you offer after so many years? Why did you come, Richard? If it is to throw insults in my face, then you’ll find my patience wearing thin.”

“I came to correct your mistakes. Your business associates consider you a thief. You took information from them that they want back. While you’re safe here in
luxury
, they have made Min’s life a living hell.”

Rich’s father does not seem surprised. “Oh yes, I know all about what they want. What interest is Mindy to them?”

“They set their hounds after her. They planned on using her as collateral to get to you.”

“She’s a smart girl. She can care for herself.”

“Are you really so heartless?” Rich asks. “Do you feel no responsibility for what is happening to her?”

“Forgive me, son, but information of the outside world is scarce.” He smiles without humor. “Very little filters through these walls. I do not know what is happening. It may surprise you, but I hold no power here.”

“Tam and Victor were sent after Min. They chased her across the country while you were safe here. She feared for her life. She came to me. I have protected her as best I can. But they will not stop their pursuit until they have what
you took
back.”

Rich’s father considers things for a moment. “So it comes down to this. The son, owning up to his father’s mistakes. And you speak freely of this in front of Penny?” He gestures to me in an offhanded way. My dislike for him grows exponentially.

“I trust her with my life,” Rich says with the utmost conviction. My heart melts in my chest.

“Fine. What do you want from me, Richard?” He holds up his hands as if they were shackled. “My options are limited.”

“Give me the combination to your safe. I will return the documents. Min will be able to live her life again.”

“My safe?” he chuckles. “The one in my office? I’m proud of you. I did not think you had the mind to remember.”

“I’m not here to listen to your false flattery,” Rich says. “Give me the combination. Let your daughter live without fear.”

“You really believe it is that simple, don’t you?” His eyes narrow. “You return what I
stole
—” he emphasizes the word, “—and everything can go back to normal? What is normal for you, Richard? What have you done to make your father proud?”

I feel Rich tense.
That
hit a nerve.

“I live for myself,
father
. Not for you. Not for your approval. Not anymore.” My chest swells with pride and love.

“Fine. You think you know everything? You’re swimming in muddy water with sharks, boy, and you’re just a guppy. A guppy who considers himself a killer whale. You want the combination? Have it.
Six-six, six-six-six
.” He grins maliciously. “Do you expect me to write it down for you, too, or do you trust yourself to remember?”

Rich glowers. “If this is a trick—”

“Then you know where to find me again,” his father shrugs. “I am not as cold or ruthless as you think. I shielded you from so much as I allowed you to grow up in my home. What appreciation do you give in return?” He shakes his head as his eyes focus on Rich. “No. No, I don’t need it, either. Do what you will. Protect your sister. Prove yourself to be the greater man.” He smiles in a provoking way. “You mother would have been so proud.”

Rich growls and starts to rise. At the same time, the security guard on the other side lays a hand on Rich’s father’s shoulder. “Time’s up,” he barks.

“Good-bye, son,” his father says, standing to leave. “Take care of that girl of yours. She looks like a keeper.”

--

“Well, that wasn’t so bad,” I say as we climb into the car. The walk from inside was quiet, with Rich stewing in his own thoughts.

He scowls. “That was too easy. He’s not telling us something.”

“You handled it beautifully.” I kiss him on the cheek. “You didn’t rise to any of his inflammatory words.”

“He must think I’m an idiot if I believe that’s really the code to the safe…”

“Why can’t it be? It’s not like anyone’s going to find it, anyway. Why not choose something simple?”

“Really, though?
Six-six-six
?” Rich snaps his seatbelt on and starts the engine. “I agree, though. That’s why we have to try.”

“Rich?” I ask.

“Hmm?”

“Why did he speak about your mother that way?”

“Because he wanted a reaction from me. He’s smart. Manipulative. He knows how to push people’s buttons.” Rich takes my hand. “If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I could’ve handled it.”

“Nonsense,” I tell him. “You would have done perfectly even if I hadn’t been there.”

“No, Penny,” Rich protests. “You kept me in control. You gave me strength just by being there. I couldn’t have faced him without you.”

“Maybe now you’ll realize you can’t leave me behind anymore,” I remind him, smiling.

Rich chuckles. “I think I already know that.” He shifts gears and drives out of the lot.

A few minutes later, we’re driving through the same wooded landscape that brought us here. I see a dirt side road split from the main one up ahead.

Rich notices it, too. He glances at me. I see a mischievous glimmer in his eye.

Without warning he cuts right, onto the dirt road. At the same time, his hand goes to my thigh. I can see him trying to hide a sneaky grin.

“I kind of passed out on you last night,” he says. “And the encounter with my father has left my blood boiling.” He stops the car in the shade of an enormous tree. “I haven’t had the time alone I need with you since you found me in New York.”

“Richard!” I admonish playfully. “Don’t you know Min is waiting for us?”

His hand starts moving up and down my thigh. He unbuckles his seatbelt and faces me. “Let her wait,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss.

Our mouths meet. I devour him greedily. His tongue duels with mine as his hand tightens on my leg. Feeling frisky, I climb over the center console onto his lap.

Rich’s hand slips under my jeans and he grabs my ass. I grind my hips against him as we continue to kiss. I can feel him growing hard. It excites me.

I pull at his shirt and tug it over his head. He rips the top buttons of my blouse open. My breasts heave out. Rich makes a low, growling sound, and then lowers his head to feast on my flesh. He tugs my bra down, slipping the girls free. I moan and arch into him as he sucks on one nipple. He turns his attention to the other one, his tongue flicking it back and forth in his mouth. I thread my fingers in his hair, pulling him into me.

The horn sounds, startling both of us.

“Sorry!” I grin at him and move my elbow.

Rich chuckles. “Trying to draw attention to us in the woods, are you?”

“Oh yes, I want all the animals to see.”

“I didn’t know you were such an exhibitionist,” Rich teases.

“Maybe it’s something you bring out in me,” I quip.

“Do I?” Rich kisses me again. “In that case, I think we’ll have to explore it further.” Another kiss. “What else do I bring out in you?”

“Mmm… many things.” I laugh as his stubble scratches against my skin. I run my hands down his body, hook my fingers into the waist of his jeans, and pull down.

His erection springs free, hard and thick. I curl my palm around it and start stroking him up and down. Rich exhales a heavy groan.

I bite my lower lip and smile, watching Rich’s face. I love seeing his features full of ecstasy like they are now. Knowing I’m the one he’s responding to that way makes me feel so sexy.

“My god, baby, you’re so good with your hands,” Rich pants. I bring my other hand into him, so I’m stroking his cock with both of mine. I circle my thumbs over the tip and pump him as he groans with pleasure. I feel my own breathing growing heavy. A thin layer of perspiration beads my body from exertion.

Rich pulls my head toward his and crushes his lips to mine.

“I want you deep inside me,” I whisper in his ear. “Rich, I want you in me now.”

His hands fly to undress me. I hold onto his shoulders for balance as he slides my pants down to my knees. I’m moist and ready for him. I wiggle one leg free, kicking my shoe off in the process. Then, I slowly sink down over him.

The air leaves my lungs in a shaky moan. Rich fills me to the brim. I love the stretched feeling. To think I was once scared of it is ridiculous. The little bit of discomfort makes it so much better.

“Jesus Christ, Penny, you’re so tight.” Rich’s thumb starts to circle my clit. “And you’re so ready for me.”

“I’ve missed you,” I tell him as I start to rock.

Pretty soon, the car is filled with the sounds and smells of sex. I moan into Rich’s mouth as he continues to kiss me. I lean back into the wheel and steady myself on his legs as he pumps into me. My breasts are heavy and swollen, my nipples tight, straining buds. I can see the veins pop in Rich’s sculpted arms as he grabs at me. I can feel the swell building within with every glorious intrusion of his penis. I can see the pleasure in his eyes, hear the satisfaction in his voice.

I cry out as the tension builds to the breaking point. My body is rocked by a series of unimaginable waves. Rich bursts into me at almost the same time. The hot, sticky fluid fills my insides and adds immense satisfaction to my pleasure.

I collapse forward, into him, drenched in sweat and fulfilled in the way only he can make me feel.

Rich’s breathing is ragged and hard. As he regains his strength, he pulls me close and whispers in my ear, “I love you.”

Chapter Eight

We clean up as best we can, get dressed, and drive back. Rich sports a satisfied smirk all the way to the hotel.

Min is frantic when we arrive. “Oh, my God!” she gasps. “What took so long? I’ve been dying in here!”

Rich and I share a look that she catches. She starts to frown. But, Rich calms her down and explains everything: The long wait, the conversation with their father. The um,
traffic
, on the way back.

“Does he look… okay?” Min asks. “I know he deserves to be there, but still…”

“He’s fine,” Rich answers gruffly. “If anything, they’re pampering him in there.”

Min senses Rich’s reluctance. “He is our father, Rich.”

Rich grunts in reply.

We get back into the car and drive to their house. Rich circles the block once, looking for suspicious vehicles. Even though we don’t find any, he remains wary as we approach the doors.

Min uses her key and we walk to the office. Rich activates the mechanism that frees the painting and help Min and me through. The heavy door at the bottom moves more easily this time.

Rich kneels by the safe. He looks at Min, then he looks at me. I give him a confident smile.

It’s only skin-dep. Inside, I’m trembling with the unspoken worry we all share: What if Rich’s father lied about the combination?

Rich takes a deep breath and punches in the code.
Six-six, six-six-six
. My breath catches. The second that passes feels like eternity…

The safe springs open.

“Shit,” Rich mutters. “He was actually telling the truth.” He reaches inside and takes out a single, dark USB stick.

“Oh my God!” Min jumps and envelopes me in a hug. She takes the USB stick from her brother. “This is it!”

Rich stands up. “All that trouble for something so small.”

“Can I see?” I ask. Min hands it to me. The device is small and heavy—much heavier than the cheap plastic dongles sold in stores. There’s a cap that comes off. I notice an inscription on the underside: ‘RedArm Corporation.’

As I give the USB stick back to Rich, a wave of relief washes over me. Finally, I feel the end of all this uncertainty is near.

I point out the lettering to him. He nods. “Yeah, that makes sense. RedArm is my father’s former business partner’s company.”

“What do they do?” I ask.

“It’s probably a shell organization to legitimize all the underground dealings that go on,” Min offers. “Officially, it’s a boutique consulting firm. But that can mean anything.”