Devotion (The Seductors Series Book 3) (2 page)

“Thank you,” I sighed, leaning in to peck his lips. “This looks amazing, by the way.”
I motioned toward all the food.

“Dig in. The sooner we get our energy levels up, the quicker we can start round two in the bedroom.”

“Round two?” I giggled. “I think we’re on round five at least.”

“Let’s see if we can make a double figure tonight then, shall we?” I choked on a small piece of bread. Where did he get his stamina? Not that I was complaining. Trying to reach double
digits sounded perfect to me.

“It should have been you!” My father’s hurtful words sliced my heart in two. “You’ve taken everything I love. Everything! I wish you’d never been born! You were a murderer the day you came into this world. You took your mother away from me then, and now you’ve taken Mina. Get out! I never want to see you again for as long as I live!” I ran, slamming the door behind me, never to return. My father had made his wishes very clear.

“Jade,” Oliver soothed, pulling me from my dream. “Don’t cry, Sweetheart. You can’t keep
punishing yourself like this.”

“It should have been me. I should have died that day, not Mina.”

“Don’t say that. I love you. I can’t imagine a world without you in it. What happened was a tragic accident.”

“I killed my mother when she gave birth to me, too,” I confessed in a panic, sobbing into the darkness. Why was it so easy to confide in him? Was I hoping one day he’d wake up and realize I wasn’t what he thought? “I’m not a good person, Oliver. Stop seeing me through
rose-colored glasses. I’m no good for you,” I whimpered, clinging to his chest. His arms encircled me, holding me tight.

“If you think you’re a bad person for killing your mother in childbirth, then I’m no better, Jade. I did the same thing,” he whispered, kissing my forehead. “We’re not so different, you and I.” I gasped, catching my breath. I hadn’t read that in his notes, but when I thought about it, there was nothing specific about his mother’s death—only that she was deceased. What else didn’t I know about his past? Most of my information came from his file and what I’d learned in Macon the last time I was there. Was there more? “Whatever you think about yourself, you’re wrong. I won’t stop until you understand that, either. I’m here for you. I love you so much, Jade.” I pressed my lips firmly against his to silently thank him, and soon we were submerged in each other again.

“I need a progress report, Jade. It’s been over two weeks.” Sonia was angry with me, but I was no closer than the last time we spoke. Since Oliver’s confession about the
power core, I hadn’t had the chance to bring it up again. With our declarations of love, I had to admit that the mission had been the farthest thing from my mind. I’d discovered that the core existed. Wasn’t that enough for now?

“We’re going to Macon next week. I believe he’ll show me the core then.”

“We need the location of this power core as soon as possible!”

“I’m aware of that!” I snapped. “I’m doing the best I can. I’m closer than Alicia
ever
was. I just need a little more time.”

“Just get it done, or I’ll bring Alicia back in on this mission sooner! Stop dragging your heels!” Sonia was being extra bitchy today, and hung up before I could answer.

“
Bitch
,” I muttered to myself, looking down at my phone.

I’d been going a little crazy these last few days. Oliver had to make an unplanned trip to N.A.T.O headquarters in Brussels with his uncle, leaving me behind to run his office. He wanted me to go with him, but I was trying to mend bridges with Richard. Some alone time to talk would be good for them both. Of course, it meant I was left to handle things in his office alone.

“Miss Gibbs, I have that vile woman on the phone again. She refuses to stop calling until she speaks to someone,” Sylvia announced over the intercom. She had to be talking about Imogen Windom. Oliver hadn’t called her back since canceling their meeting last week.

“I’ll take the call,” I sighed, sitting back in my chair. “Mr. Kirkham's office—how can I help you?” I answered sweetly.
 

“I want to speak with Oliver immediately!” Imogen fumed.

“I’m sorry, he’s out of the country right now. Can I take a message?”  

“How convenient,” she hissed. “I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with him. I demand you get him on the phone this instant!”

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Mr. Kirkham is in an important meeting. Can I ask who is calling?”

“Miss Windom,” she spat. “You can tell Mr. Kirkham that the moment he gets back, I expect a phone call, or I’ll be paying a visit to his office!”

“Mr. Kirkham doesn’t have to answer to you, Miss Windom. He’ll arrange a meeting when he is good and ready!”

“How dare you speak to me like that! Do you have any idea who I am?” Yes, I did. I also had a feeling I was talking to my client for this mission. “I want your name! Does Oliver know how unprofessional you are?”

“My name is Miss Gibbs, but I can assure you, he knows exactly what I’m like. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have far more urgent matters to deal with. Good day, Miss Windom. I’ll be sure to let Mr. Kirkham know that you called
again
.” With that, I ended the call.

“I wish I had the guts to talk to Miss Windom like that,” Sylvia called from the doorway. “That was really impressive.”

“I’m sick of the hold she thinks she has over Oliver! What is her goddamn problem?” I fumed, collecting the papers I needed to follow up on from his desk.

“She wants his contract with N.A.T.O., and she’ll do anything to get it. She even tried to bribe me and one of Mr. Kirkham’s PAs a few years back into leaking information. Of course we told him right away. He is a kind and gracious boss—I’d never betray him like that.”

“Oliver is lucky to have you, Sylvia,” I smiled kindly. “Why don’t we both take lunch and you can tell me more?” She nodded, grabbing her bag before we headed toward the elevator.

“God, I missed you. I was hoping I’d find you curled up in my bed,” Oliver moaned, kissing down my jaw. It was the middle of the night, but now that he was back, I was wide awake. “How has it been here?”

“Fine.” I gripped his shoulders, pulling him down on top of me. “How was Brussels?”

“It was mostly talk about the disarmament treaty. I wasn’t really needed a majority of the time. I don’t think they’ll ever agree to a Nuclear Disarmament.”

“Wouldn’t that put you out of work if they did?” I frowned, moving to look at him.

“I can’t see it coming to that in my lifetime. The machines keep the peace. We make nuclear energy too, though, so I wouldn’t be at a loss if they did abolish nuclear weapons one day.
 My company has power stations all over the world in hopes of finding a cheaper source of electricity. Something more sustainable. Nuclear energy isn’t all about war. Then there are the new advances that I’m funding for NASA.” I tried to remain calm.
NASA!  
He was funding work in
space
!

“Always the inventor, huh?” I teased, twisting my fingers into his hair.

“Inventor, no.
Investor
, yes. Some things I wish I
hadn’t
funded,” he smiled sadly, looking away from my gaze. “I need to make a decision for the power core I told you about last week. Macy is about to burst keeping it from Dylan. He’s getting suspicious.”

“I haven’t wanted to bring it up since you told me, but I’ve been worried about you. It’s a lot to have on your shoulders.”

“I have no idea what I should do, Jade. Truthfully, I don’t think the world is ready for this kind of power. The destruction it could cause in the wrong hands is unexplainable. It’s so volatile, too, but throwing away all that research and power… It’s not an easy decision to make. When we go to Macon next week, I’ll need to really start thinking about it.”

“Go with your gut instinct. It’s gotten you this far,” I whispered, turning his chin to make him look at me. “You’re a good man, Oliver. You will make the right choice.” He took a deep breath, nodding before capturing my lips with his.

“Enough talk. I haven’t seen you for three days, so all I want right now is to hear your sweet cries of pleasure.” The only good thing about being apart was the hot, raw sex we had when we were back together.  I gave in willingly.

It was harder going back to Oliver’s family home in Macon than I thought it would be. The memories of the last time we had been here
were affecting us both.

“Jade, are you okay? You’ve been quiet since we arrived,” Oliver soothed, stroking my back as I sat down on his bed in the grand master suite. Flashbacks of seeing him here asleep the night I had to walk out on him were clouding my mind.

“It’s just strange being back here, remembering how confused and scared I was. I mean...
this
is the room where you confessed your love for me the first time.”

“It’s hard for me to. You didn’t see me in the morning when I discovered you were gone.”

“Is Claire as angry with me as Richard?” I asked, not wanting to dwell on how much I’d hurt him by leaving.

“No, and neither are Tom and Sam. They can’t wait to see you.”

“Will they be here during our visit?”

“Tom, yes, but Sam is away with his girlfriend. He said he’ll catch up with us in New York, though.” I nodded, looking down at my hands in my lap. “You’re not nervous about seeing Claire, are you? She’ll be fine, I promise, and if my uncle even looks at you the wrong way while we’re here, he’ll have me to answer to.”

“I was hoping your time together in Brussels would have helped. I hate that I’m causing a rift between the two of you.”

“Jade, Richard and I spend more time fighting than actually getting along. Why do you think I only let him visit the New York office four times a month?” he chuckled, running his hand through my hair. “Stop worrying. If we weren’t arguing about you, it would be something else.”

“He’s doesn’t think I’m strong enough for you, does he?”

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. I know you are. You’re the strongest woman I know, carrying the past you have on your shoulders the way you do. You’re amazing.”
 I closed my eyes as he pecked my lips.

“What is the main cause of your relationship with Richard? I feel like there is more than you’re telling me.”

“It’s complicated,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“You know you can tell me anything,” I soothed, stroking his back.

“My grandmother had an affair while she was married to my grandfather. Richard was the outcome. Luckily, my grandfather was forgiving. He accepted Richard as his own. On his sixteenth birthday my grandfather explained that he would fund Richard through college and give him a small stake in Kirkham Industries, but that was where it ended. He had no true rights to the business.”

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that,” I gasped, playing my cover.

“My father never treated him like a half brother. In his eyes, Richard was his brother. That was all that mattered. He helped him attain his law degree and then made him his advisor when he took over.”

“Your father is an amazing man.”

“Richard took it as my father pitying him. Before my father became ill, they had a very similar relationship to the one Richard and I now. To be honest, since I took over Kirkham Industries, I’ve never felt so alone. It’s been a constant battle. Richard still sees me as a young, naive boy. That all changed when you walked into my life, though. I don’t feel alone anymore,” he beamed, pulling me into his arms.  That was how I made him feel? “Did you want to freshen up before Claire gets back from town? I can run you a bath if you’d like.”

“Only if you’ll join me,” I smirked, running my fingertips down his chest.

“That was my plan.” He pecked my lips before kissing me with more force.

Claire was arranging a vase of flowers when I entered the kitchen. Oliver was busy in his office, so I thought now was the best time to see what she really thought about us being back together.

“Pretty flowers,” I commented as she spotted me walking in.

“Welcome back, Jade. It’s lovely to see you again.” She seemed genuinely pleased that I was there. “Oliver told me that Richard has been giving you a hard time. I can’t apologize for my husband enough. He can be a stubborn fool, that’s for sure.”

“He’s worried about Oliver. I can understand that.”   

“He should trust Oliver’s judg
ment. I happen to think you’re extremely good for him.”  

“You do?” I gasped, shocked.

“I’ve never seen him this happy. In his line of work, he needs that—something
other
than his job.”

“I just want to support him. I’m so grateful that he let me back into his life. I know how much I hurt him.”

“He loves you, Jade. Oliver may have tried to hide it, but he couldn’t get you out of his head. He would have never stopped looking for you.”

“I’m glad I found him first, then.”

“I hope you two aren’t gossiping about me,” Oliver called before I felt his arms wrap around my waist.

“Would we do that?” Claire smiled, looking at us.

“I’m going to go and visit my father. You can stay here if you want, though. No pressure,” Oliver muttered in my ear. Crap, he was going to see his father
now
? Was I ready for that?  

“Oh, I…I…” I had no idea what to do.

“You can stay and catch up with Claire if you want. I’d understand.” He really wanted me to come; I could see it in his eyes.

“No, I want to come if that’s okay with you,” I replied, watching his stunned face.

“Of course it’s fine with me. I’m not sure what kind of mood he’ll be in, though.” Oliver looked toward Claire. “How was he when you saw him?”

“He was having a good day on Monday. He recognized Richard.”

“Right away?”

“After a few minutes. He didn’t stay with us long, though. We lost him half an hour later.”

“Are you sure about this, Jade?” Oliver asked one final time.

“Yes,” I smiled, touching his face. “Come on, let’s go.”

It didn’t surprise me to see that Oliver’s father had the best care money could buy. The home itself was a magnificent mansion. Each resident had their own personal caregiver, and Oliver’s father had the largest room in the building.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Oliver,” a
fair-haired woman greeted us as we walked into his father’s bedroom. He wasn’t there, though.

“Hi, Gail. Where is he?”
 

“He’s fine. The doctor hasn’t finished with him yet, so why don’t you take this lovely lady outside and I’ll bring your father out to you when he’s done?” Oliver nodded, taking my hand in his and leading me away.

“This place is lovely, Oliver,” I mused, looking around as we stepped through the doors.

“I would have rather kept him at the mansion, but Richard won that argument. I’m not in Macon enough to fight for my father’s right to stay in his own home!”

“How is your father’s health?”

“He’s deteriorated since being here, like I knew he would. How can he hold onto his memories when he doesn’t recognize anything here?”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning in to kiss his neck before wrapping my arms around him.

“Richard said that if I really cared about my father, I should have moved him to New York. But how could I run my business
and
look after my dad? I didn’t see that as a viable option.”

“That was a heartless thing for your uncle to say.” I was seeing another side to Richard that I didn’t like, but it all made sense now. His uncle was jealous of Oliver, just like he had been with his father.

“He thinks I’ve got it easy—living in New York, running Kirkham Industries—while he looks after my father.”

“Your uncle is delusional! I’ve only been working with you for six weeks and I can see how stressful your job is!”
    

“Jade, it’s okay,” Oliver chuckled, pulling me onto his lap as he sat down on one of the benches that were scattered around a table. “Although, I do find you standing up for me incredibly sexy.”
 

“Who else is going to watch out for you if I don’t?” I ran my hands through his hair, gazing down into his hooded, dark orbs. “I love you. I’m always going to stand up for you.” I meant those words, too.