Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (26 page)

Richard’s insistence he hand me over to Cameron to train into this lifestyle had been risky, as though my heart wouldn’t waver like it did for my new master versus my old.

My whirlwind romance with Cameron was over, along with all these glamorous experiences we’d shared, or even us hanging out downstairs cooking together.  

I wandered over to the closet and pulled out a red dress on a hanger. The same outfit I’d warn when Cameron had pretended to be handing me over to Lance.

A chill ran up my spine when I thought of it. I still had his wife’s business card in my bag and had a good mind to phone her up and tell her to leave me alone. I wanted no part of their high roller stakes game.

A knock came and the door opened.

“Can I come in?” asked Cameron.

His face was cleanly shaven now, as though he too was trying to forget the last few days of what had felt more like an affair.

“I can’t decide what to wear,” I said, holding up the dress.

“What you’ve got on is fine,” he said. “It’s Christmas eve. Very relaxed.”

I placed the dress back in the wardrobe.

“I came to check on you,” he said. “How are feeling?”

“Nervous.”

“It’s excitement,” he said. “Richard knows London better than me. You’re both going to have fun.”

I reached out to touch his face.

Cameron’s fingers wrapped around my wrist and he gently pulled my hand away and he kissed it. Then let go.  

“Of course. I’m sorry,” I said.

He shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Thank you for everything,” I said.

“Hey guys!” shouted Shay from downstairs. “Richard’s car’s here.”

My gaze held Cameron’s.

“Richard’s the best man I know,” he said. “He’s kind and patient, and understanding, and he made sure you had everything you needed to free yourself from pain, even with the consequence of him suffering the loss of you, for you. Loving someone this much is profound. Go make him happy.”

“Yes, but—”

“Obey every command.”

“But what if—”

“Every one of them.”

I hesitated, the words I so desperately searched for evading me.

“Go to him now, please,” he said. “Quickly.”

I headed out.

“Mia.”

I turned back to look at him. My fingers curled around the door handle.  

“Remember to honor everything I’ve taught you.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You please me when you please him.”

My feet remained frozen where I stood. “In the car outside the Tower of London, what were you going to tell me?”

He stepped forwards and cupped my face in his hands, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine but not touching.

My entire body alighted by his firm touch, his closeness.

“Cameron—”

“Go,” he said, breaking away.

I hesitated.

“Now,” he yelled.

I ran.

Down the stairs, through the living room and through the hallway, running right into Richard’s arms.

CHAPTER 21

RICHARD HUGGED ME tight, lifting my feet off the ground and spinning me around, and our laugher lessened the tension.

Cameron, Shay, and I escorted him into the living room. Richard shoved the handle of his suitcase down.

His tan had faded a little and he looked fresh from the flight, those designer ripped jeans and black sweater giving him that familiar, edgy look.

“How is everyone?” His deep blue eyes crinkled into another smile.

“Everyone’s great,” said Cameron.

“Welcome to London,” said Shay.

“Could it be any fucking colder?” said Richard, peering over at the decorations. “Good job on the tree. Did you decorate it, Mia?”

“Yes, with help.” I looked over to Shay and Cameron.

“The place looks great,” said Richard.

I stepped forwards and fell into his arms again, needing to know I had what it took to make him happy. I threw a wary glance at Cameron, hoping to see I pleased him.

He gave a nod of approval.

“We’re enjoying your pokey little house,” said Shay, giving Richard a pat on the back.

“What can I tell you,” said Richard, patting Shay back. “This part of London’s exorbitant.”

“How was the flight?” asked Cameron.

“Not bad for a private jet. Not bad at all.”

Cameron rolled his eyes, clearly amused. “We missed you, buddy.”

“I’ll take your case up,” said Shay.

“No you won’t,” said Richard. “I’ve got it.”

“I insist. We want to get you settled as soon as possible so we can start drinking.”

“Well in that case,” said Richard. “Who am I to stop the fun?”

Shay grabbed the handle of the suitcase, tipped it, and rolled it towards the stairs. He headed on up with it.

“How have you been?” asked Richard, as his gaze fell on me.

“Fine. We’re so happy you’re here now.”

He gave a nod, his attention falling on Cameron. “What are you cooking? It smells amazing.”

“Rosemary chicken,” said Cameron. “Your favorite. Nothing like a home cooked meal. And Mia’s prepared an apple crumble especially for you.”

“Well I peeled the apples,” I said.

“And you made the crumble,” said Cameron.

“With your help.” I blushed.

“I made a promise to the United Nations that Mia wouldn’t ever cook again,” said Richard. “You’ve undone all my hard work to establish world peace.”  

I thumped his arm.

He threw his head back in a laugh.

“Champagne?” said Cameron. “Unless you’d prefer water?”

“Bolly’s great,” said Richard.

Cameron reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of Bollinger. He set about uncorking it.

“So,” began Richard, “you decided not to lay low?”

Cameron placed three glasses on the bar. “I took Mia to a few places of interest.”

The champagne fizzed and sparkled and frothed to the top of each flute.

“Cheers.” Richard took one of them and handed it to me. He took another for himself.

“We went to the Tower of London,” I said.

Cameron shot me a cautious glance.

“Very nice,” said Richard.

“How’s Winston?” I asked.

“Missing you,” he said, taking a sip.

I missed that cute mutt too. “Is Scarlet dog sitting?”

“Yes, I told her she can take him to the office. He gets a little antsy when I go away for a few days. How was The Tower?”

“A little scary at first.” My stare shot to Cameron’s. “In a good way.”

A full spectrum of memories flooded me: the dungeons, that dreadful reveal about Cameron’s time in Afghanistan, and just this morning us ice skating on the moat.

“Mia’s desperate to go on a double-decker bus,” said Cameron.

“We can do that.” Richard turned to Cameron. “I’ll take her on the Eye.”

Cameron went to say something and chose not to.

“You took her on the London Eye?” asked Richard.

My face blushed wildly.

“Any word from Lance?” asked Richard sternly.

The mention of that name had me taking several large gulps of champagne.  

“Let’s chat later,” said Cameron. “You just got off a long flight.”

My back stiffened as the tension rose.  

Richard flashed a wary glance my way. “Apparently you had dinner with him? And you took Mia.”

“And you know this how?” asked Cameron.

“Lance texted me,” said Richard. “He was pissed the dinner didn’t go down so well. Mentioned something about unruly behavior. About you not controlling your sub.” Richard gave a reassuring smile. “Good for you.”

“Your meeting with him didn’t go down too well either,” said Cameron.

“We agreed to disagree.”

“He’s in London,” said Cameron.

“Really.” Richard blinked at him. “Other than the threats, I had a great evening with Lance and Helete.” He looked over at me. “Helete’s his wife.”

I gave a nod I knew that.

“They were happy and relaxed,” said Richard. “He’s excited about his campaign.” He gave a mischievous grin. “I even offered to donate to it.”  

“Good for you,” said Cameron. “How did dinner end?”

“With me telling them Mia’s my girlfriend. I offered them another sub.”

“And?”

Richard looked over at me. “I warned Lance if he threatened me again I’d sabotage his campaign. I made it a joke.”

“How did he react?”

“Apparently Lance has a friend at the New York Times itching to do a piece on me. The fallen son and all that. He wants to out my hedonistic lifestyle.”

“What did you tell him?”

“If he exposed me to my father’s enemies, his political career would be over.”

“Fantastic,” said Cameron dryly.

“And then Lance threatened to take you down,” said Richard. “I reminded him he has no power over us.”

“Which catapulted him to London,” said Cameron.

“They have a house here,” said Richard. “How did you do? No better apparently. You had dinner with them?”

“Helete wasn’t there,” I said. “I bumped into her when I went Christmas shopping this morning.”

Richard’s gaze scanned beneath the Christmas tree. “Where?”

“Fortnum and Mason,” I said.  

Richard looked horrified.

“We’re trying a different tactic,” said Cameron.

Richard motioned for Cameron to go on.

“I told him he can have Mia. For a week.”

Confusion marred Richard’s face.

Cameron made a gesture. “And then Mia offered her opinion on the matter. Lance left the restaurant shell shocked.”

“I merely defended myself,” I said.  

Richard’s lip curled into a smile. “I’m not sure whether to be disturbed or delighted.”

I moved toward the bar and reached for the champagne bottle.

Cameron took it from me and poured a fresh glass of bubbly into my flute. “There you go.”

“Steady on, Mia,” said Richard.

“It’s Christmas,” said Cameron.

“Still,” said Richard. “Addiction runs in her family.”

My stare lowered in shame.

“My only concern for Mia,” said Cameron, “is her ferocious behavior around candy. That girl will take your hand off if you’re holding a piece of chocolate.”

I giggled at that, though my smile faded when I caught Richard’s glare.

“Someone has to watch out for you, Mia,” said Richard. “It’s because I love you that I’m hard on you. You know that.”

I took another sip.

“Mia, what did you say to Lance to scare him off then?” asked Richard.

“That I didn’t want to go with him.”

“And?”

“She made a scene,” said Cameron.

Richard looked amused. “So, by making him believe I think less of her, that devalues her?”

“So far, so good,” said Cameron. “And no message from him since.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” said Richard.

I held my breath, waiting on Richard’s next words.

Cameron leaned on the bar. “Go on.”

Richard reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “These are from him.” He handed his phone over.

Cameron scrolled through what looked like photos on the screen. “This explains your mood.”

“Quite the collection,” said Richard.  

Cameron’s gaze rose. “Our friendship is stronger than this.”

“Without question,” said Richard. “What was going on between you both in Harrods?”

“Rounding out her education,” said Cameron. “She’s more than ready for you.”

“His men were tracking you through London,” said Richard.

“I know.”

And although I’d suspected it, I knew for sure now.

Richard gestured for his phone back.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What kind of photos?”

Cameron handed Richard’s phone back. “Just us hanging out, Mia.”

“Did Lance send those?” I asked.

“Yes,” said Cameron.  

“What happened to keeping a low profile?” said Richard.

“I refuse to play Lance’s games,” said Cameron.

“Or are they your games, Cam?” said Richard darkly. “This wasn’t
the
plan.”

“Did those photos put you in this shitty mood,” said Cameron. “For God’s sake, lighten up.”