LINDEN I just had the best sex in my life. Now that she got what she wanted, I expected her to get up and wear back her robe and pretend it never happened, but it didn’t happen. Estelle stayed in my arms, placed her hand over mine, and seemingly checked how big my hand was. “We didn’t use a condom.” The moment the word condom came out of her mouth, I froze and felt a cold bucket of water thrown over my face. And I honestly didn’t have one. I swallowed hard. “Shit. Fuck. I forgot. I swear I’m always responsible and never slept around without condoms. I guess I was too caught up in our moments, but I promise I’m clean. I’ll show you my test. And I just had it three weeks ago. It’s random for us to get tested as part of physical—” “Wow.” I snorted. “You have more than ten sentences when it’s also my fault. I never had anyone in two years. Just so you know, I’m still on pills.” Oh, thank fuck. I let go of a sigh of relief as I straightened my spine. “Why?” My query had her back stif
ESTELLEI was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the man sitting next to me had been in love with me. If what Linden said was true, then I was not that observant of the people around me.The Jeep drove smoothly to the main road, and Quinn hadn’t said a word since I got into the passenger seat, but I could feel he“You know him, don’t you?” I turned my head to him.“We’ll talk in the villa,” he said calmly. I thought so.“I wanna know who he is, Quinn.”“You will.” His focus remained on the road. The villa wasn’t far, so I patiently waited until he dropped the bomb on me.“Don’t you think he’s old for you?”“Judgy, aren’t we?” I raised an eyebrow. He was probably right. I didn’t care. “It was just a boat ride with a friend. Nothing more.”“I saw how you looked at him and kissed him, so there’s definitely a second date.”I drew a deep breath. “He’s maybe thirty-two or thirty-three.”“Thirty. From what I heard, he’s quite a lady’s man.” Suddenly his phone vibrated. “Hold o
LINDEN “Where the fuck are you?” I cringed at the voice of Sax yelling from the other line. I just woke up because my phone kept ringing, and now the first thing I heard was his voice cursing me. “Why should I tell you, asshole? You woke me up just to yell at me. Who are you? My mother?” “Sorry, bro. I thought you were already up. It’s eight in the morning.” His voice calmed down. Since the Firm became Osmium, he and Kye resigned as Adley’s details, and Osmium wouldn’t be complete without my brothers. Although Sax and Kye wanted some adventures and were bored protecting clients, I had trust in them that they could handle themselves, so they led Team Phoenix and Hydra. “What do you want?” I got up from the bed, suddenly feeling empty. I already missed the soft and warm Estelle’s body, but I chose to ignore that longingness that it was impossible to fill. “Well, we just came back from the assignment. It was successful, by the way. Then your office is empty except for Padilla.” S
ESTELLE “So, you really don’t have a plan to meet again? I guess this encounter is an accident.” I wanted to say I miss him. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck, cling to and kiss him hard. I saw in his eyes too. We wanted the same thing, but I couldn’t understand his restraint. “We should get inside.” “Or go somewhere else?” I suggested. My desperation just got out of my hand. “I don’t think it’s the best idea.” He didn’t even try hard to hide his hesitation. “Why? Since when?” My head tipped to the side as I cocked my eyebrow. “I’m single, and you are too. You didn’t mind it yesterday.” “That was a mistake, Estelle.” “Why? Tell me why? And I will forget everything that happened between us.” He swallowed hard. He looked hurt. Why? Because he’d been lying to me? Why did he care? Wasn’t it a part of his job to lie and play in deceit? “What is it that you can’t take the leap.” “I told you, Estelle. I’m done with flings. And you deserve—” “If I hear that shit one more ti
LINDEN I went back to the hotel, distraught over something I’d done right. I should have told her I was there to bring her home, but what was the point when she already blew my cover? She knew who I was, but my assignment. And she was going home anyway. Somehow, I still accomplished my mission. But I lost something in the end— the chance and her trust. After I called Hope to confirm my itinerary the following day, I went down to Terzo waiting for me. He gave me an odd look the moment he saw my duffel. “I’m going home.” “Already?” “Yeah.” I got in the passenger’s seat of his Maserati Ghibli. “I left tons of work.” “You should chill out sometime. You will never run out of work, but our time is not a guarantee.” “Look at you.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “How’s your father, by the way?” “He’s doing great. That’s why I’m trying to enjoy before I take over the family business because once I’m in that position, I have a lot of changes to do and might as well disappoint my father
ESTELLE “Oh, God! I’m so relieved you’re finally back.” Mom had been hugging me for about a minute, and she hadn’t let me go just yet. “Mom, you have to let me catch a breath.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. Finally, she pulled away and inspected me from head to toe, then to Quinn behind me. “She’s not going anywhere. Leave us, Quinn.” When Quinn shut the door behind him, Mom said, “You look beautiful. Not too tan. And you look happy.” “Because I am.” I couldn’t let go of her hand. I really missed my mother. Mom always looked beautiful and sophisticated at fifty-five. I hoped I would look just like her when I turned her age, and I was her carbon copy anyway. “Are you ready to come back to work?” “This is your office, Mom. The job suits you well. You’re meant to be the CEO of Star LLC.” “What about you?” “I will still be the chairman, contribute to the design, be the consultant, attend meetings, continue with the campaign and donate to charities. Are you okay with that?” “Yes,
LINDEN “Oh. I see,” my sister hinted. “Now I know why.” “Can you give me a minute?” I didn’t even bother looking at Willa as I was already marching toward Estelle in an intense fevered stare throwing at me. The people I called my family, brothers, and best friends seemed to understand the awkward situation I was in. They left as I had just walked in carrying a deadly weapon, except Quinn. “Can we talk?” My voice came out a whisper, but she heard me though. “About?” She arched a brow. If I saw in her eyes was right, she was pissed off. “I’ll be in the backyard,” Quinn mentioned before he left us. Yeah, about what exactly? About how I lied to accomplish my mission? “Us.” Way to go, Gabriel Rembrandt. “Wait. There’s an us?” Her sarcasm almost made me cringe and spared me a sharp glance. “I thought you were pretty much clear that there was no us. Excuse me.” “And I thought you didn’t want a relationship.” “Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” When she began to walk back, I quickly
ESTELLE “What the hell?” I yelped in surprise to find Linden already sitting next to me in the backseat of my car. “What are you doing here?” “I told you I need to talk to you.” I shot him a sharp glance. “Then a normal person does by calling my office to arrange an appointment.” “I think we both know that we pass beyond that.” “Mr. Linden, would you mind stepping out of the car, please? You’re making my client uncomfortable,” Quinn interrupted. Linden was unbothered and hadn’t moved a muscle. His gaze was still pinning it on. “Just give me two minutes, Hunter. And I wouldn’t do anything to harm Estelle.” “You’re doing a great job showing it, Mr. Linden,” Quinn said. When Quinn got out of the driver’s seat, opening the door for Linden, I butt in, “It’s okay, Quinn. He said two minutes. Just please wait outside.” “Are you sure?” He looked straight at me. “Yeah. I can handle this type of man,” I said in contempt. “What type of man exactly do you think I am?” I faced him, mee