7

Christina

Faye stiffened next to me. I watched Will for any sign that perhaps the situation had changed. His hand disappeared inside one of the pockets of his cargo pants. I assumed he was checking for a weapon and I felt relieved, knowing he'd come prepared.

"What do you want us to do?"

"We can say we're parents at one of your kids' schools just dropping by," he suggested.

Faye shook her head. "I don't think he'll believe that."

I squeezed her hand. "We have to make him believe it."

Will let the curtain fall back. "He's coming in. Faye, go to the kitchen and prepare some drinks."

I wrapped an arm around Faye's shoulder and whispered, "You can do this." Then, catching the etches along Will's brow, I added, "Go. Now."

"He's at the door," Will said and sat down beside me on the couch. He lifted an ankle over his knee and put his arm over my shoulder, resting it on the couch. His relaxed posture eased my concern a bit, but my heart raced in my chest.

A moment later, a man with a short-trimmed beard and navy suit walked in. He looked like any one of the lawyers at my firm.

He didn't bother hiding his annoyance at finding us in his living room. "Who are you?"

Will stood up and stretched out his hand. "Will Nash, and this is my wife, Chrissy. Our kids go to school together."

Faye's husband shook his hand reluctantly. "Where's my wife?"

"She's in the kitchen getting us a drink."

He dropped Will's hand and moved toward the kitchen, but Will stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"I see you have a chessboard set up. I haven't played in years."

"I'm not playing chess with you." He pulled away from Will and marched into the kitchen.

Seconds later, his angry shouts were clear from the living room. "Why the fuck would you invite them here at eight o'clock at night?"

"It was the only free time when the kids were asleep."

"Are you serious, Faye? You can't invite people here without telling me first."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm your fucking husband."

"Well, they're here now. So, let's just be polite."

"No. You're getting rid of them."

"No."

"No?"

"How did you even know I had guests over?"

"Sal across the street called me about a car parked in front of my house."

Will stared at me with his eyebrows raised. I shrugged. I guess my car wasn't very subtle, either.

"Should we do something? Should we go in there?"

Will didn't answer. He rubbed the back of his neck and paced the room. "What are her options if she leaves now?"

"It could make her case more difficult if she leaves the house taking her kids without his permission. It could be considered kidnapping."

"Shit."

"I know."

"I don't feel comfortable leaving her here tonight."

Just then, Faye shrieked, and both Will and I raced into the kitchen.

Faye's husband loomed over her with his hand raised just above her cheek. Although I'd worked on so many of these cases before, the scene still caught me off guard. "Son of a bitch."

Will, however, moved quickly and reached for the man's hand. He cried out in pain. "What the fuck? I didn't touch her. Get your hands off of me." He pushed Will in the chest, but Will hardly budged.

He pushed him again, but the same thing happened. Will turned to me. "Are you saying we can't get her out of here?"

My fist clenched as I thought about all possible scenarios. He hadn't assaulted her, but there was no way we were leaving her behind tonight. "Fuck it. I'll figure something out."

He nodded with a faint smile. "Get the kids and get out of here."

"What? You're not touching my kids." He lunged for the staircase, but Will caught him.

"Don't worry, buddy. They're just coming to our house for a sleepover. Faye forgot to mention it, but it's all good."

I smiled at Will. It may not hold up in court, but that was quick thinking. I would worry about making an argument for Faye later. Right now, we had to get her and the kids someplace safe.

She raced upstairs, and I followed her. Turning over my shoulder once, I noticed Will had pushed the man's arm behind his back and held him in place as he shouted profanities to his wife.

I followed Faye into one of the bedrooms where two children, probably around three and five, sat up in their beds. "Mommy?"

"Hello, darling. Mommy forgot to tell you about a sleepover we're having tonight. This is my friend Christina, and she's going to walk with you to the car. Isn't this a fun surprise?" Her voice was shaky, but I hoped the kids were too sleepy to notice.

The kids blinked up at me at first and I tried my hardest to smile lovingly while also wishing I could just drag them out of bed and down the stairs as quickly as I could.

Fortunately, the prospect of a surprise sleepover induced them enough to climb out of bed. "Can I take Teddy?" asked the three-year-old.

"Yes, my darling. Grab him, and let's go."

The children followed their mother to the next room where she picked up a sleeping infant from the crib.

"Sabrina is coming to the sleepover, too?" asked the five-year-old.

"Yes. Mommy will be there, too."

"And daddy?"

"No. Not daddy."

"Okay."

I led the way down the stairs and didn't see Will or Faye's husband. I grabbed the children's hands and walked with them as Faye carried her baby behind me. Without turning back, I opened the front door and jogged down the steps toward my car.

Faye stopped me just as I reached for the back door. "I have to take my car. I need the car seats for the children."

"Do you have the keys?"

"No."

Shit.

"Where are they?"

"They're on the table by the front door."

"Stay here with your kids. I'll get them."

I jogged back up the steps and opened the front door. Will had both the man's arms pulled behind his back and snarled something into his ear. The man whimpered.

I stood frozen, fascinated at seeing Faye's husband, who moments earlier raged and threatened violence, now sniffed like a coward.

Will's head snapped up when he saw me enter. "What's wrong?"

"Faye needs her car with the car seats."

He nodded. "It's best if you leave now. I wouldn't want you responsible for anything legally."

"I don't think you should do anything that will get you into trouble," I said, without hesitation.

He grinned widely, and for the first time, I noticed a dimple on his left cheek. "Don't worry about me. I know a good lawyer."

I waited, wondering what Will would do to him, and found myself wanting to watch it happen. I wanted to see him inflict as much pain on him as the man had done to Faye. If not physically, then verbally and emotionally. I wanted him to cry like he'd made her cry. I'd read enough in her report.

"You should go. Faye's waiting."

He was right. I needed to go. But maybe…

I marched up to the guy, and Will's brow creased. Winding up, I kick the bastard in the balls. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His eyes watered and his face turned purple.

"Now, I'm ready to go."

"You are vicious, woman," Will said. "Wait for me. I won't be long now."

I nodded and walked out the front door.

By the time Faye locked the baby in the car seat, Will was waiting outside.

Looking behind him, I couldn't see Faye's husband. "Is he conscious?"

"No. But he'll live."

I nodded. "Where are we going?"

"I've got a place they can stay. I'll drive Faye and the kids."

I threw him the keys and went to my car. As soon as I was buckled in, Will pulled out onto the street and waved me to follow him.

He took the freeway and drove for about fifteen minutes until he exited midtown. I didn't ask questions. At this moment, I trusted Will to find a safe place for Faye and her children.

I trusted the black knight .

When he turned onto Park Avenue, I wondered what he was up to. I called him. "I think we could find something a little more affordable for Faye than Central Park."

"I live in this building and I have an empty apartment she can use at no cost."

He pulled into the underground of the building and spoke to the security guard about letting the car behind him in as well.

"Sure thing, Mr. Nash," I heard him say through the Bluetooth speaker. "Not a problem, sir."

I admired the respect in the guard's voice and wondered what Will had done to earn it.

After parking my car next to his, I climbed out. Glancing at the backseat of Faye's car, I smiled at the serene look on the children's faces. They had fallen asleep on the car ride here. I hated having to wake them.

Will opened the door behind him and scooped the five-year-old girl into his arms. Then he walked around and did the same with her little brother. They both slept soundly on his shoulders, and a small piece of my cold, dark heart melted.

We waited for Faye to come out. She sat in the front seat of the car for a few minutes, unmoving.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I just need a minute."

I opened the back door, prepared to unlatch the baby's seat belt.

"It's okay," said Faye. "I've got her."

I nodded and grabbed the baby bag instead.

Will and I waited a few minutes before Faye stepped out and picked up her sleeping infant.

Adjusting the children in his arms, he said, "Follow me."

Entering the elevator, Will pressed the button for the top floor and I marveled as neither child stirred in his arms.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, I felt at peace. Faye and her children would be safe, and I would ensure that she was the only one who would have custody of them. Especially after I personally witnessed the vitriol that came out of that man's mouth.

The elevator stopped at the penthouse floor and Will led us down a plush-carpeted hallway lit with ornate sconces on the wall. It was an apartment building, but the tiny details made it feel like a home.

Without needing a key, Will opened the door using only a retina scanner. It was impressive, even I had to admit that.

Although he described it as an apartment, it resembled a suite at some five-star hotel. I'd never stayed in one, but I'd always checked out the pictures before booking the standard room with the double bed.

The kitchen was black with white countertops and gold knobs. Will turned to the right, and we walked down a narrow hallway. Stopping at the first door, he opened it, revealing a King-sized bed. "If you can turn down the sheets, I'll put these two in this bed together."

I pulled the white duvet down and gently grabbed the little boy and laid him on the bed. Will lowered himself until the little girl rolled onto the mattress, linked her arm with her brother's, and fell back asleep without even opening her eyes.

"Unfortunately, I don't have a crib for the baby tonight, but I'll have one delivered first thing in the morning."

That was an ambitious promise, but he'd said it so confidently that neither Faye nor I questioned it.

"That's no problem. She'll sleep with me in the bed and I'll put pillows on the other side of her. She's too young to roll off just yet."

"That's good."

Faye's eyes began to water again, but before I could tell her that everything would be all right, Will stepped up and put a hand on her shoulder. "I will take care of everything while you get back on your feet. Don't worry about a thing except taking care of yourself and those kids." She swallowed a large lump in her throat and managed to squeeze through a "Thank you."

"Now, we'll let you get some rest, but we'll see you in the morning."

She nodded.

"Goodnight, Faye. I'll get started on the separation and custody papers."

She reached forward and folded her arms around me. Mine lay limply by my sides for a second as I was unaccustomed to someone hugging me for comfort.

Slowly, I drew my arms up and around her waist. It felt strange at first, but not terrible. It wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be.

I couldn't read Will's face, but he watched us with an intensity I couldn't decipher.

I asked him about it after Faye locked the door behind us, and we stood in the hallway.

"It's important she knows she's not alone. That she has people around her ready and willing to help."

"But the look you gave us. It somehow, I don't know, it felt more personal than just what was happening with Faye."

He turned away and rubbed the back of his neck. "I wouldn't read too much into a look," he said. But I knew there was more to it. Usually, whenever I realize this, I let it go. I had enough of my own problems. I didn't need to dig into other people's lives to learn about theirs.

But, for some reason, I wanted to learn more about him.

"I can walk you back to your car," he said. "Unless…"

"Unless…?"

"Maybe come in for a coffee. We could both use one to unwind. It's not too late yet."

It wasn't the hour I was worried about. It was my heart racing in my chest, the somersault my stomach just did when he bit his bottom lip just now, waiting for my response.

Perhaps it was the adrenaline from tonight's getaway. Perhaps my hormones raged from kicking the asshole in the balls earlier and knowing I would do everything in my power to keep him away from Faye and those children. Whatever it was, my body wanted more than to go to sleep right now.

"Sure. I can come in for a little while," I heard myself say.

His eyes grew larger, by only a fraction, but it was enough for me to know I'd surprised him.

Damn, I may have surprised myself, too.

We took the elevator up to the penthouse floor and walked to the end of the hallway. Will pressed his thumb to the black pad at his door. The lock whirled, and the door clicked open.

"Here I was thinking that hotel keys were advanced," I quipped.

He smirked. "This isn't me. My brother, Jager, hooked us all up when he joined the company."

Will opened the door wider and motioned for me to go in first. If I'd thought the other apartment looked like a hotel suite, then this one looked like a mansion on one floor. The tall windows faced Central Park, and they were so expansive I could probably see the entire park from up here.

The kitchen cabinets were black here too, but so was the countertop, only with a white vein running through it. It wasn't shiny, so I ran my hand over it.

"Smooth."

"Yes. It's a velvet finish."

"It's very nice."

He smiled, and we walked over to his living room. "No TV?"

"I never watch it."

"What about the game?"

"I rarely take time off, and if I want to see one, then I buy tickets to watch it live."

I raised my eyebrows. "That can get very expensive."

"Mmm…" he said, evasively, but said no more.

I'd noticed Nikole traveled more since marrying Jake, and I knew he had a yacht. I figured he was well-off, but I was starting to think these former military men were more than just doing well for themselves.

"Did you grow up on Park Avenue?" I asked while Will pressed the green button on his coffee machine. He shook his head. "No. I grew up in Brooklyn on Oak Street. Not too far from where you live now."

"Oh."

That was a decent neighborhood. Not necessarily the two penthouses and a yacht kind of place, but nice.

"Why did you move?"

He handed me a mug. "Well, there was nothing left for me there and I wanted to start new."

That sounded oddly familiar. "Did your parents leave you behind?"

"No. They died."

"Oh."

Well, I hadn't expected that. I knew the normal response would be to ask him how it happened; to delve deep into his psyche and learn what made this man tick. Except, I didn't want that. I didn't want to start a relationship with this man. I wanted to climb into bed with him and forget about my worries for a night. I had dealt with enough in my own childhood without piling on someone else's issues.

If that made me a bitch, well, I'd been called worse.

He rubbed the back of his neck as though he'd regretted the words. He was probably worried that he'd ruined the mood. Well, I should set him straight.

After taking a long sip of my coffee, I placed it on the glass table next to us.

"I don't want to talk anymore," I said, walking up to him. I reached for the hair elastic at the back of his head and pulled it down. His light brown hair fell forward, caressing the shadow that had grown over his jaw.

His brown eyes stared into mine, and when I ran my tongue over my top lip, he inhaled sharply.

"Are you just going to look at me all night?" I asked.

The brown hues in his eyes heated, and he raised his hands to caress my waist. "I was respecting your inclination to be in control. But I'll happily take the lead."

He moved his hands to the first button of my black blazer and removed it. Then the next, and the next. He moved slowly, watching as my chest rose with each inch of bare skin he revealed. I wore a black silk chemise underneath and my nipples hardened when the cool air hit them. I wasn't wearing a bra.

He groaned when he realized it and shook his head. "Had I known that's all you were wearing underneath that blazer, I would've thought of nothing but ripping it off you."

My stomach dropped, and I closed my eyes. "Your words make my pussy wet."

"Jesus, woman. Are you trying to unman me before I even take my pants off?"

"If that's all it takes, we're going to have a problem."

He chuckled. "There's no problem, sweetheart. I can take whatever you give me. The question is…"

He pulled me up against the bulge in his pants, and my pussy cried out in excitement. "Can you take what I've got?"

"Yes," I whispered, and pulled his head down and kissed him. Moaning, I wrapped both arms around his neck and couldn't believe my body's reaction. I'd never wanted a man as much as I wanted Will Nash at this moment.

"Fuck me," I whispered, pulling away from his lips, only to slam against them once more.

"Ah, fuck, Christina."

He ripped the blazer from my body and ran his fingers down the back of my skirt, finding its zipper. Slowly, he unzipped me and dropped to his knees to pull the skirt down. He did the same to my black lace panties and waited for me to step out of them both.

Standing in front of him wearing only a thin black chemise, I waited, panting, for him to kiss me again.

He did, only it wasn't on my mouth.

His tongue swept across my clit and sent a shiver from my neck down my back. I trembled at the sensation. He pulled me closer and did it again and again until I moaned aloud.

I felt Will's fingers along the back of my thigh, lifting it when he reached my knee and pulled it onto his shoulder.

He then did the same to the other leg.

I grabbed his neck, steadying myself as he nibbled and licked my pussy.

Throwing my head back, I held onto his neck while grinding myself against his mouth. His moan vibrated against my sensitive flesh and I shivered again.

Rising to stand, he distracted me momentarily as I was lifted high onto his shoulders. I wanted to tell him to put me down, but he hadn't stopped licking me so my mind couldn't string together the words.

I was so lost in the sensation I didn't realize we'd moved again until my back hit the wall. The small wall was enough for me to wrap my arms around it behind my head as Will sucked and teased my clit.

"Yes," I moaned. "Yes, do that again."

He sucked harder and my leg started to shake. I clutched the wall behind me and pressed my thighs together.

His teeth scraped my sensitive nub, and the shiver shook my whole body, sending a ripple from my clit to my asshole. "Fuck, yes." I came and came and came and Will didn't stop.

Panting, I pulled on his long hair. He moaned but looked up. "I'm not finished," he said.

"But I am," I smiled.

"Oh, no you're not. Not for a very long time."