The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

London had not said a word other than crying in my arms. What had gotten into Linus’ head to put his only daughter into this tough and ridiculous situation? I had no doubt he loved London-she was his life, but he went too far.

I’d seen how much that horrible incident affected him. And why on the green fucking earth he chose me of all the capable men in the world? He could have chosen someone with financial stability, an excellent moral compass, a good pedigree, and a place in society.

I knew myself. I was nothing special. In fact, I didn’t deserve to be her husband. London deserved a good man who could give her the world, the attention, and the love she deserved.

When her breathing became even, I slowly placed her down on the couch and covered her with the throw.

This house was the first property I bought when the sperm donor’s money made lucrative profits from my investment.

Since high school, I never spent a penny from his child support. I never thought of returning it to him either because he deserved it. If he cannot care for a child, he should get a vasectomy or use a condom-be responsible like any reasonable man. That was what came into my mind the moment I knew who was my biological father.

The balcony was one of my favorite places in the house as it showcased the backyard and garden spot, and I spent most of my time here alone. I even bought a telescope.

Her phone suddenly rang from her bag. It was probably her father or, worse, her ex. I second-thought answering the call. I could not just sneak into her bag, invading her privacy, but the situation would escalate if it were her father.

So I had no choice but to get her phone. As soon as I answered the call from her father, I went inside to avoid waking her.

“Sir.”

“So you answer her call now?”

Isn’t it what you want?”She fell asleep,” I answered shortly but respectfully. I always respected him despite the fallout. I should treat him like my second father if he were to be my father-in-law.

“Is she okay?”

“Besides coming here to me like you already have predicted, she was crying the entire ride, and she still cried until she fell asleep in my arms. What do you expect, sir? She would jump over the moon that you arranged marriage to a stranger like me?”

“I know you through and through, son. I love my daughter so much, and I would not just throw her to the wolf if I didn’t know who you were.” I wondered how far he knew about me.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I know you’re not after my money.”

“Maybe after her money, if you die,” I said half-jokingly. “But don’t worry, and I am sure before you arranged everything, you also prepared the prenuptial agreement. And even if you didn’t, I would be the first to suggest we sign it.”

“Very well, then.”

Without so much thought, I said, “London will stay with me tonight. I have a spare room for her.”

“I’m expecting you would say that.”

“Despite how you saw us together, I respect you and London and would never take advantage of her vulnerability. She came here to talk, and when she wakes up, we will talk.”

“I am not judging you, Striker. You’re an attractive man, and she’s a beautiful young woman. All I want from you is to take off her and treat her with kindness.” The word kindness made me laugh.

“Kindness? Seriously, sir? What did you see in me exactly? I’m dying to know.” I was still laughing.

“Don’t make me say it, son.”

“Okay, sir. I won’t insist.” I was still smiling when I heard a male voice in the hallway. “Sir, I have to go. I think London is awake.”

“Okay, son.”

I hang up the call, walking into the living.

“I’m Reef, ma’am. Reeford. Caretaker of the house,” Reef said calmly. He was a fifty-year-old man I trusted with this house when I stayed in my apartment.

“Where’s Cade?” There was a wariness in her voice.

I sprinted down the living room to find Reef with hands up while London was at the other corner.

“It’s okay, Vanderford.”

“Cade!” London ran in my direction, wrapping her arms around me.

“It’s okay. That’s Reef, the caretaker. He keeps his beard long like a hobo, but you can trust him. He’s a war veteran.”

“I’m so sorry, Cade. I was filling your fridge as you’ve asked and found her going to the kitchen, and she ran away.”

“It’s okay, Reef. Thanks.” I wrapped my arms around shaken-up London. “He’s a good guy, I promise.”

“You left me.”Oh boy, these words again.

“I’m sorry. I was talking to your dad and didn’t want to wake you up.” I watched Reef walk to the back door. When I pulled away, I held her in her arms. “Look at me, Vanderford.” There was still mistrust and horror in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. What did he say?”

“Look.” I paused. “I know you don’t trust people you’ve never met, and that’s great. You shouldn’t let your guard down. But you should trust me when I say I’m here for you, and I won’t let anything happen to you as long as you are with me, okay?”

She nodded and looked embarrassed.

“I took Reef in. And PSTD is a real piece of shit. Reef is struggling to deal with it. It hit him hard, but he’s getting there. I helped him get help. He lost his family halfway. They didn’t want to deal with the horror of seeing him helpless every day. I can’t let him go.”

She nodded and took her phone from me. “I was just shocked to see a man in your house. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have left you there.”

“I’m fine.” She went to the table with photos. I followed her, and she picked up the picture of Dad and me. “You look cute here.” There was amusement in her tone. “You wore braces?” She looked at me in disbelief.

“Yup. I didn’t wanna frame that, but Dad insisted.”

“Well, this was your fifteenth birthday.”

“And girls didn’t wanna kiss a boy with braces.”

She giggled before she picked up the latest one. “Wow. Is she a real-?”

“Princess? Yes. That’s Carlott Laylin Jemaine Storm Gattewarde Braynburd, Princess Royal.”

“Wow. That’s a mouthful, but she’s beautiful. And the groom?” She clearly wasn’t aware. At that time, she was still healing from that terrible incident.

“My ex-boss, a good friend, Rome Langston. He’s in Winterbourn”

“Rome Langston? He looks familiar.”

“He is. His dad, Sterling Langston, was your dad’s friend.”

She nodded. Then she went to pick the picture of my team. “The real heroes.”

I chuckled sadly. “Brothers not only measure by the blood running in our veins. They are the people I’m proud to call my brothers.”

“I can’t believe Cenric was actually in service.”

“Yup. He’s a good guy.”

“So do you, Cade.” She smiled at me and patted my arm.

“Hungry?” I wanted to change the topic before she went 360 and discussed marriage. I let her follow me to the kitchen.

“Do you cook?”

“I can, but Linden is the best in the kitchen among us.”

“Then just fruits or salad.”

“You’re not doing a diet to fit the social media standard, Vanderford.”

“I’m not doing that for them. I want to maintain my size and fit into my clothes. And why do you keep fit? And don’t tell me it’s part of the job.”

“I want to live longer, so I stay healthy and fit.”

My answer put a smile on her face. “Can I stay here for a night? If you don’t mind. I can crash on your couch.”

“I already told your father. And I have spare rooms, Vanderford. You’re not sleeping on the couch. And you can stay here as long as you want.” I opened the fridge. Reef filled up everything. I could make us sandwiches, but London was already beside me.

“I change my mind.” She grabbed Greek yogurt. “Can I have some berries?”

I grabbed punnets of berries. “Do you want nuts?”

“No. Do you have granola?” She went to the island.

“Yes.” I gave her a bowl and a spoon. Then I went to the cupboard to grab the granola pouch. “Let me wash the berries. Do you need anything else? Syrup?”

She looked at me with query.

“What?”

She smiled and went into her task.

I took some berries, washed them, sliced, and put them into the bowl before I placed and joined her on the counter.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Do you like sweet?”

“I ate anything in moderation. Let me guess, your ex doesn’t, but he likes to drink.”

“What do you know about Magnus?”

“Enough to know that he’s a douche and should mind his own body. He’s obsessed with keeping you in size 0 but not accepting a permanent job.”

She stopped. “What do you mean?”

“Your father offered him a position in one of the subsidiaries, but he turned it down. He wanted to be the CEO of LH.”

“You’re kidding, right?” She looked surprised-my guess was she didn’t have any idea.

“Vanderford, I would never lie to you.”

She looked pissed. I shouldn’t have told her, but she would eventually figure it out anyway. “That jerk. Why my LH?”

“Because of the sales. For a startup clothing line, you did a great job.”

“My team.” She poured half into a bowl and offered it to me.

I took it. “Thanks. You and your team did a great job. I’m proud of you.”

Her smile was bright and genuine. Her eyes lit up with pride. “Thanks. You’re jobless right now. Looking for a designer job.”

“No. Thanks for the offer, but I don’t wanna work for my future wife. I still know my self-worth.”