The Billionaire’s Pawn

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.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“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.”

“What if he leaves me?” I cleared my vision. Though he was Linden and not Striker, I still wanted to see the truth from someone I trusted.

“Then he may have a reason.”

“God, I don’t think I can take it.” I began to sob as I wrapped my arms around myself.

“Yes, you can. You’re stronger than you think you are. You’re a fighter, sweetheart. And let’s not think about it. Cade is a committed person. He’s loyal to the fault and selfless.”

“I can’t marry him for a wrong reason.”

“If you care about my buddy, then it’s not wrong. I’ve seen how you looked at each other. It’s more than just an arrangement, and that’s not the only reason you are with him right now. You ought to be together. As crazy as it sounds, it’s already written in the stars. All you have to do is take care of that relationship and nurture it until it grows. Let it foster. Let it grow into something beautiful. Okay?”

I nodded. My chest lightened slightly, but the guilt was still there, knowing I was keeping a secret from Striker.

“Thank you.” I reached out to his hand, squeezing it. “You’ve always been there for me for years, and I never got to thank you.”

“Because you don’t have to, sweetheart.”

I stayed there for a while, Linden never left my side, but he gave me a little quiet to myself. The garden was amazing. There were wall planters, pots, beds, and a small greenhouse, and on the left side looked like poles were probably hydroponics.

“You built all these?”

“It’s not a complex job, sweetheart. You only need basic tools and seeds.”

I glanced at him blankly.

“Sorry. Yeah. It didn’t come all together at once. It took time to look like this. I was planning on having a pool.” He shrugged. “But-”

“You made the right choice. This is amazing. And considering that you have a talent in the kitchen, this comes in handy.”

“That’s what I thought at first. Thank you, sweetheart.”

My phone chimed, interrupting us. I checked the screen. It wasn’t my father or Striker.

“Maybe our man.”

“Nope. It’s Neke.”

“Do you want me to call him?”

I held his arm and shook my head. “He has a lot on his plates right now. My issue with my father is the last thing I want him to waste his time on. But can I stay here for a while? It’s okay to say no if it’s too much to ask. I can go home.”

“Are you kidding me?” He smiled at me. “Stay as long as you want. Just heads up, my guest room is nothing like a five-star accommodation.”

I chuckled. “You are a five-star hospitable man.”

“Why, thank you, sweetheart. Hungry?”

“You heard my stomach growl, haven’t you?”

Linden laughed softly.

“I was supposed to have dinner with Dad, but things didn’t go as planned.”

“Do you eat pizza?”

I widened my eyes. “Who doesn’t?”

“Any allergies?”

“Tomatoes.”

“Excuse me?” The look on his face was comical.

“Kidding.” I laughed, and it felt good. “Not that I know of.”

“I’ll let you to yourself. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“I can help.”

“Not tonight, sweetheart. But, thanks.”

“You know I can’t crack an egg.”

“Not judging.” He laughed as he walked away.

We had a great time. The pizza was spectacular, especially the homemade sauce. I enjoyed the thin crust with a little bit of chard on the edge. Man, why he hadn’t had a restaurant on his own?

I retired early. I’d caused too much trouble for Linden already. The room had a moderate size, which was good. The bed was pretty well-made. It was homey and fresh.

I went to bed after he loaned me his pretty big-size plaid shirt. Then I just sat there in the middle and got emotional again. Before I could cry to sleep, I was saved by a soft knock.

“Linden?” I called out his name. The door swung open, and instead of him, my man emerged. I couldn’t even begin to say how relieved I was to see him.

“Hey, baby.” He sauntered toward the bed with a sad smile and a hint of guilt.

“How did it go?” I tried to lighten up and see the smile that I had missed.

He came to bed and pulled me into his arms. He let go of a long deep sigh after he kissed me on the side of my head. “Rough day, huh?”

“Kind of. You?”

“You could have told me.”

“Sorry. You’re dealing with something your own.”

He pulled back, cupped my face, and stared at me. I could even see the depth of pain in his eyes; I wished I could unsee it.

“Don’t get mad at me, please?”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. I sighed at his sweet gesture. “Why would I ever be mad at you? And your problem is mine as well, Vanderford. I wished I was there with you, and it hurt, but I’m glad you came here instead of being alone in the house.”

“I’m sorry. I told Linden not to tell you.”

“He didn’t. He just sent me a text that I should head here. I know something has happened. The look on your face when I opened the door showed a lot of things that you didn’t have to tell me.”

“Well, you’re here now.”

“And you are wearing his shirt.” He inspected what I was wearing.

“So you’d rather watch me walking in his house naked instead?” I crunched my nose.

He went out of bed and took off his suit jacket. I watched him with amazement as he kicked off his shoes, pulled his tie off, unbuttoned his shirt, unbuckled his belt, and when I looked up, he had a wicked smile on his face. He was also enjoying watching me.

I rolled my eyes as I moved to the side to give him enough space. When he joined me back in bed, we were back in each other’s arms as if we had done it a thousand times. It was so comforting that I had him who I could rely on, who would be there for me during difficult times.

“What’s in the pretty head of yours, Vanderford?”

“Just grateful you’re here.”

“I will always be, but it would be great if you first called me before my best friend.”

“If you were not with your father, who would I call first?”

“It doesn’t matter if I was with the POTUS. I will still come to you.”

“Noted, sir.” I got a pinch on the butt. “Ouch. Behave now, cowboy. We’re not at home.” My cheeks burned as I remembered what I had done last night. It was just the sexual tensions between us could cut a thick cheese. Yeah, I was definitely into him. He was hot and oozed sex appeal without even trying. And damn, he was thick and long. He was definitely the biggest dick I’d ever seen. He could be a top porn star. Striker was so blessed in that part.

“Hmm. Did you just think what I think it is?”

“What?” My back stiffened as I met his gaze.

His smile was dirty, and he was amused. “I know you are thinking about what happened last night. You literally blew my mind.”

I covered his mouth with my hand. “Enough embarrassing me.”

His brows knitted but still had humor in his eyes as he pulled my hand away. “Embarrassing you? I thought you were awesome. I love the fact that you do what you want. I like that you are liberated in bed. It means a lot that you trust me enough because, honestly, I’m flattered and honored. At the same time, I have this twinge in my chest that you are a pro in that matter.”

My face burned even more. “You think I’ve done that to men-”

“Baby.” He shushed me and pressed a finger on my lips. “That’s not an insult, and I’d rather not talk about other men. Okay?”

I took his finger away. “Don’t shush me, you big-”

“Big dick. I know.”

I rolled my eyes, amused deep inside. “Your over-inflated ego needs a check.”

He just laughed at me and squeezed me into a tight hug. “I missed you today, Vanderford.”

“Me too.”

“Now tell me what happened.”