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The Billionaire's Pawn 25
STRIKER She was still staring at the ceiling, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth. I leaned in and let her feel the lightest caress of my lips on her exposed flat tummy. Her muscles contracted against the touch. “Really? None?” She shook her head. Okay. Challenge accepted. I swept my tongue onto the belly button. Her body moved, her eyes squeezed shut, and her toes curled. “Come on, baby. Give it to me,” I said as I teased the tip of my tongue on her belly button in a sensual dance that made her pussy wet, and I could see behind the black negligee that her nipples puckered and as hard as pebbles. I moved up, hovering over her body, supporting my elbows, and made sure I wouldn’t crash her with my weight. “You’re unfair, Vanderford.” I planted a kiss on her chin. “You were mean.” “I was not.” I kissed her again. “Let me just make it up to you.” “You always do that while you wouldn’t even let me try.” “I swear, you can do anything you want. You’ll get tired of me.” Wh
The Billionaire's Pawn 26
LONDON Moses Braddson is his father. It kept repeating in my head. Wow. That was the biggest revelation I had in a while, and it was crazy. I mean, come on. Half of Striker Cade’s blood founded the Hover Company, one of the top Aircraft industrial companies in the world, and the Hover subsidiaries such as Hover Defense and Hover Space and Security. Moses owned seventy-five percent and was the Chairperson, CEO, and President. He literally ran the entire Hover and was a total badass. “He is your father?” I asked again to make sure I heard him right the first time. “Moses Braddson, is your father?” He nodded silently. “Does Tate know?” “Yeah. Dad was the one who told me everything.” His eyes were still glued to the tv screen, showing how the firefighters, ambulances, and police cars rushed to the crash site. “Are you okay? Do you wanna sit down?” I rubbed his arms. “Yeah. Thanks.” He sat on the couch while I went to the kitchen to get him something to drink. “Here.” I offered
The Billionaire's Pawn 27
STRIKER “Go ahead. See your father.” It still rang in my ear. Beatreigh, my aunt. It was even strange to meet her face to face. I wondered if her son, Lake knew about my existence. “Striker, wait,” she called me again. “Yeah.” She held me and put something into my palm. “Keep it.” When I checked it, it was a man’s ring. “Is this his?” “Yes.” “I can’t.” I offered it back. “Keep this with you. You can give this to him when he wakes up. I won’t stay long anyway. I leave as soon as I do what I promised to Dad.” “It’s not just a ring. It’s Braddson’s ring. Whether you like it or not, you’re the Braddson heir.” “Well, let me spell it out, Beatreigh. He’s still alive, and I’m just a mistake. I’m not seeing him again after this. So, please, take it.” Beatreigh just gave me a smile with a light nod. “He never took that off, but it had to when he went for MRI. And hate him all you can, but fifty percent of Braddson’s blood is in your veins. He is your father, and I am your aunt. Wher
The Billionaire's Pawn 28
LONDON He was lifting weights when he spoke. “Dad wants me to see Moses again.” Since I’d been staying at his house, he had to share his mini gym with me. I lowered the speed of the treadmill. “What’s your thought about it?” This topic was sensitive for him, so I tried not to suggest anything. “I think I did my part the last time, but at the same time, if Moses wants to see me, I’d give it a try.” “Are you doing this for Tate or for you?” There you go, I just did it. “Sorry.” He sat down, wiping off the sweat on his forehead with his shirt. “I don’t know, Vanderford.” He then linked his fingers together as if he wanted to tell me something, but finding the right words was hard. “Come on, sweetheart. You know I will always have your back, whatever decisions you make. I would never judge you.” His smile was so sweet as he met my gaze. “What’s that smile for?” I couldn’t help but smile back. “You just made me smile.” He came to me, and I had to pause my workout and kiss him on
The Billionaire's Pawn 29
STRIKER “Welcome, sir Striker.” A butler in a white and black uniform welcomed me. “He’s been expecting you.” “Thank you.” I didn’t ask how. I didn’t set an appointment to see Moses, but here I was, walking into the lion’s den. Moses’ estate was like I’d never seen in the neighborhood. A late renaissance-inspired luxurious castle in the middle of the woods, but I had passed with three levels of security. Passing through the longest hallway alone was tiring, but the whole place looked rich in king-inspired interiors. “How many rooms are in this house?” “This one alone, sir, has thirty-three.” “Is that his lucky number or something?” The butler smiled. “So when you say alone, just this side?” “Yes, sir.” I nodded. I didn’t know if I should be amused or amazed. We stopped in front of the elevator. “I’d like to walk if you don’t mind.” “Of course, sir.” We climbed up through the red-carpeted grand staircases. I couldn’t help but admire the whole place. I’d been to palaces, c
The Billionaire's Pawn 30
LONDON “I can’t do this anymore.” My chin trembled as I looked up at the dark sky that seemed to empathize with my situation. “What do you mean?” Linden leaned his elbows against his knees as I got his full attention. “I can’t tell you.” I dropped my gaze and felt so guilty and embarrassed. “I understand. If there’s only one thing I’m sure of, everything’s gonna be okay.” “You don’t know that.” I wiped a single tear that rolled down my cheek. “I know it because we’re here for you. You’re not alone in dealing with it. My buddy will not allow you to mope alone.” “It’s Dad.” My voice cracked. My chest squeezed tight at the thought that I would still push through the wedding because I was selfish and was doing it for myself. “You don’t have to tell me, London, but if you would take my advice, tell Cade everything. A foundation of a strong relationship is trust. Build it with trust, and you both are gonna be okay, even if everything surrounding you seems to start falling apart.” “
The Billionaire's Pawn 31
STRIKER “I’d like you to take a look at it if you have time. And tell me about your idea.” Why the fucking hell he trusted me so much with such a huge project? I mean, what did I know about it? In my entire life, I was satisfied with a job that paid my bills. Things only changed lately, and I needed a regular office job before I got married. Although I had investments, savings, and properties, I never depended on dividend income. I still needed a job. “I doubt I can help. I don’t have knowledge about that.” “You haven’t checked it.” “Fine.” After our dinner, his doctor came for a regular check-up. He advised the same thing. Moses needed bed rest, but we seemed to share the same DNA. He was stubborn as fuck. He went to bed after he took his medicine. As soon as the doctor left, he got up, complaining to me. “I’m getting sicker in this house.” “Too bad because you are not going anywhere.” He joined me in the same spot and sat in the wheelchair. “I’d rather spend my time with
The Billionaire's Pawn 32
LONDON I spent an hour in a bathtub with wine that no longer appealed to me. I was more concerned with how to break to Striker regarding my father’s true intention. I didn’t tell him last night. I couldn’t. I was too scared to face the consequences. I only said to him that I had some disagreements with my father. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t convinced. He knew I was hiding something, but he somehow respected my decision for now. Right now, he was watching me like a hawk from the corner, but he hadn’t said a word to me. I wasn’t happy with his silence. And it hurt like hell, but I was a selfish bitch and wasn’t ready to lose him. I couldn’t bear it. “The tub is big enough for the both of us.” He just remained there, his arms crossed over his chest, sighing constantly. He bounced his gaze between me and the view outside the window. “When are you gonna see Moses again?” “Monday.” “That’s good.” “Then you should have a one-on-one with your dad?” “Not a chance. He’
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