Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

ROMAN

A s I descended the stairs, my head of security approached. I cast a glance into the parlor where Alfred and Meredith had continued to drink and berate my staff, apparently completely unconcerned about the welfare of their daughter. If I had been concerned over my future plans for them, tonight would have put an end to it. They deserved everything I had coming for them.

Liam spoke first. His Scottish brogue deepened with his irritation. "Let me shoot them. I'll make it look like they've been burgled. No one will know."

I smiled as I accepted my wool overcoat from one of his men. "Not part of the plan—yet. Are all the cameras in place?"

"Yes, sir." He handed me the security codes on a small slip of paper I tucked in my inner suit pocket.

I nodded as I headed for the front door. Without turning I said, "See that they don't disturb Aurora."

I stepped out onto the stoop and inhaled the frigid air. It was unseasonably cold for May, but the weather suited my mood. Turning up my coat collar, I waved my driver off and headed in the direction of my office. Despite the early spring mist, I preferred to walk. It was only a short distance from Aurora's Knightsbridge home to my offices near Belgrave Garden Square.

I needed the time to cool off and collect my thoughts. It had taken every ounce of my self-restraint not to plow deeply into her tight virgin body and claim her as my own tonight.

After weeks of investigative reports and surveillance, to finally be near her, to touch her, to smell her sweet perfume, had nearly been my undoing. She was everything I had hoped for and more. None of the reports had spoken of her fiery nature. The way she would risk her own safety by talking back to me was highly arousing. I couldn't wait for that cute mouth of hers to get her into trouble with me. I opened my right hand and stretched my fingers as my palm itched for the feel of her pert ass. I had only given her a small taste of the punishments I had planned.

But first, I needed to get her out of that house and into my bed. I refused to claim her as mine under another man's roof. I only had a few more weeks until she graduated. My men were able to intercept her acceptance packet to that university in Paris, but it was only a matter of time before she learned of her acceptance another way. Taking away her parents' money would delay her, but knowing what I did about her character, it wouldn't stop her for long. She was intelligent and talented enough to earn a music scholarship. I couldn't let that happen.

She wasn't going to Paris.

She wasn't going anywhere.

Her future was with me and me alone.

And it sure as fuck didn't include giving her the power to leave me by earning a university degree in another country.

I turned down Wilton Crescent. My footsteps echoed over the mostly deserted street with its terraced buildings. Walking past the similar-looking cream-colored Georgian townhouses, I stopped at the one with the large brass plate that read Winterbourne Enterprises . From the quiet and elegant exterior, you'd never have known there was a small mercenary army with the latest security technology protecting one of the wealthiest corporations in the world on the other side of this door, which was just how I preferred it.

As I stepped past the massive hedge planters and onto the black-and-white tiled entrance step, the massive glossy black door swung open before I could reach for the doorknob.

I was greeted by the front desk receptionist. "Good evening, Mr. Winterbourne."

"Good evening, Sharon. Liam and his crew will be on assignment for a few more hours."

"Yes, sir. I was informed."

I headed to the elevator. This building had been the private residence for several generations of Mountbattens before I purchased it. It was far too small to house my entire operation but was spacious enough to house the offices of my most senior and trusted staff. My office comprised the entire upper floor. Once the elevator doors opened, I crossed the small reception area and pushed open the double doors into my office. Tossing my overcoat on a nearby leather chair, I passed the polished black marble conference table to cross to the bar.

As I approached, the hidden recessed lighting turned on, illuminating the various crystal decanters displayed on glass shelves. I reached for the distinctive bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Grande Champagne Cognac. Pulling off the crystal fleur-de-lis stopper, I poured a generous amount into a nearby snifter. I then shifted the sterling silver Queen Anne brandy warmer closer and placed the snifter in the bracket.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my silver Zippo lighter and stroked the worn and scratched engraving. It was a shield with two crossed broadaxes and a dead dove at the base with a Latin inscription, " Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum ." If you want peace, prepare for war.

I had no right to the family crest, which was precisely why I had carried it since I was a teenager.

I lit the candle and slowly turned the snifter, careful to warm, but not burn, the brandy.

Lifting the snifter from the silver bracket, I cupped the crystal glass in my palm and strolled over to the arched windows behind my desk that looked out over the darkened square. The ancient trees of Belgrave Square Garden were dimly lit by the nearby gas lamps appearing like looming, hunched-back giants, out of place in the sophisticated streets of London.

Despite the late hour, I was still restless. My time with Aurora had left me on edge. My cock still ached from unfulfilled desire. I reached into my suit jacket and pulled out my mobile. Scrolling through the contacts, I hit the send button for Nicole Fleming. The platinum blonde was always game for a quick fuck. After two rings, I hung up before she could answer. I knew it wasn't her I needed.

As had become my habit over the last few weeks, my thoughts turned to Aurora. I knew her friends called her Rory, but she would always be Aurora to me. A beautiful name. Latin for dawn. That was what she was to me. The coming dawn. The soft glow of sunlight. Warmth. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she would bring light into my dark, cold world.

Selfishly, I had every intention of holding that light in the palm of my hand, hidden away from the rest of the world.

The doors to my office swung open.

I turned to see my mirror image.

A muscular build standing at roughly a similar height of several inches over six feet, with the same dark blue eyes and black wavy hair. We even shared the same angular jaw and hooded brow, all compliments of our father.

I raised my glass in mock greeting. "Well, if it isn't His Grace the Duke of Winterbourne, Richard Payne the third. To what do I owe this exalted pleasure—brother?"

Richard closed the double doors behind him and crossed to the bar. He didn't turn as he poured himself a brandy. "Half-brother," he corrected.

I walked around my desk and leaned against the front. Crossing my arms over my chest, I raised my glass and took a slow sip, savoring the smoky burn. "How did you get past my security?"

Richard raised an eyebrow as he swirled the brandy in his glass, preferring to use the warmth of his hand to warm it. "Please," he smirked as he strolled past my marble conference table toward me. "You should congratulate me. I'm now the proud new owner of Shelton Pharmaceuticals. I'm sorry if I ruined your plans to acquire it."

"Not at all, brother ."

"Half-brother," he corrected.

I shrugged. "I must confess. My interest in the company was predominantly based on yours. I find myself helplessly curious as to what use you would have for Dr. Leilend's memory drug."

Richard's hand holding the snifter paused halfway to his mouth. He then finished the motion and took a long sip before responding. "Purely intellectual, I assure you."

He strolled over to the fireplace and sat in one of the oxblood leather chairs.

I followed him. Flicking the brass lever that turned the gas fireplace on with my foot, I took the high-backed chair across from him. I looked down at the hand-carved chessboard between us. "White or black?"

Richard smiled. "Black."

He was baiting me as usual, knowing only a stronger opponent would choose black over the inherent advantages of white. It had always been this way between us. From the moment we learned of each other's existence, we had been in a bare-knuckled competition for dominance. If he bought one company, I bought two in the same industry. If I secured the rights to some new groundbreaking technology, he secured the rights to the materials used to manufacture it.

If it weren't for the dramatic differences in the circumstances of our birth, most would be forgiven for thinking we were twins. We were born only weeks apart, but we were far from twins. We weren't even brothers in name only. And there was clearly no love lost between us.

I brought the king's pawn forward two spaces. "Intellectual, you say? It wouldn't have anything to do with that pretty piece you brought to Alain Ducasse's restaurant last night?"

Richard stiffened.

I had hit my mark.

As he remained silent, I continued. "I understand you put on quite the spectacle with her at the Table Lumière. I have some rather salacious photos of the encounter if you'd like them for a souvenir."

Richard moved his queen's pawn forward two spaces. "Stay away from her."

I frowned at his chess piece. "The Scandinavian Defense? Really? A bit juvenile, don't you think?" By his uninspired opening move, I knew I had rattled him.

Richard leaned back in his seat. "Careful, you're not the only one with informants. I understand the CEO of one of your lesser companies has a rather beautiful stepdaughter. Rory is her name, I believe."

I moved my white knight forward. "Aurora," I corrected. "Go anywhere near her and I'll kill you with my bare hands."

Richard surveyed the board. "So it's like that?"

I sipped my brandy and didn't respond.

He nodded before moving his piece. "I feel the same way. They would never find your body."

I arched an eyebrow as I captured his pawn. "So we understand one another, brother ."

"Half-brother." He captured my knight.

The room was silent. Despite its realistic appearance, the fire made no noise. The gas flame was only a soundless, ghostly flicker. And of course, my entire office was soundproofed so no outside noise encroached to disturb our game.

Richard reached into his inner suit pocket and withdrew a silver cigar case. He opened the lid and pulled one hand-rolled Cuban free before offering them to me. I selected one from the case. I then took the silver cutter he offered and clipped off the end before tossing it into the fire.

Reaching into my own pocket, I pulled my lighter free and held the flame just under the tobacco so as not to burn it. Once the end glowed red, I handed it to Richard.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a knowing smirk when he noticed the family crest. Without saying a word, he lit his own cigar and tossed my lighter onto the table between us. If I cared about symbolism, I would be struck by the inherent meaning behind the Winterbourne family crest resting so near the battlefield of our chessboard, but I didn't give a shit about such things.

Richard leaned his head back and blew a fragrant ring of smoke toward the ceiling. "A bit young for you, isn't she?"

Considering Aurora was barely eighteen to my thirty-two years, he wasn't wrong, but I refused to concede even the slightest point. "Not much younger than your current—what should we call Lizzie? Your project? Hobby? Pawn? "

"Elizabeth," he corrected. He then chuckled. "It seems we share a similar taste for innocent games ."

"Among other things," I quipped as I moved my bishop. "It seems your queen is in danger, dear brother."

He shifted his knight into my path, effectively protecting his queen, but endangering my own. "So is yours— dear brother ."