Forever Loved (Forever Lost Book 2) (14 page)

“Let’s do it, love. Let’s go.” Leo broke her reverie again, and she caught the absolutely defiant look on his face. He seemed to feel the same, and was clued up on all of her issues when it came to her family. She knew Leo was ready and willing to defend her honor if it came to it, and with that solid force at her back, she was sure she could take anything anyone wanted to throw at her.

***

By the end of the following day, the plans were made. Cassie booked rooms at the village hotel for them to sleep in rather than stay at her parents’ house. As much as she looked forward to seeing them, being under the same roof for three nights wasn’t her idea of fun, and she wanted to have the solace a room of their own would give them if a break were required. She’d booked two adjoining rooms, but was quick to offer Roger the choice if he’d rather not go with them.

“You don’t have to come, Leo will be with me,” she told him, giving Roger the chance to take some vacation time while she and Leo were away. He shook his head and fixed her with a scowl.

“Do you really think I’ll be able to relax knowing you’re there?” Cassie shrugged and wondered why not. “Your family is the one outside link people can use to find you. I want this whole trip monitored and your presence there kept as quiet as possible,” he demanded.

His explanation startled her. Cassie hadn’t even considered that before. The Taylors were an obvious way by which somebody might track her down, and her mind began racing. She was quickly second-guessing her decision to go, but Roger seemed to sense her unease and grabbed her hand from across her desk. “Cassie, I’ve had eyes on that village ever since I started working for you. I would know if anyone had been there asking questions or scoping the place out. The hotel is a good idea, much better than staying with your folks, and you’ve booked it under a fake name so it’s all good. I just want you to bear in mind that maintaining your safety is my number one job, and rest assured that it’s exactly what I’m going to be doing the entire stay.”

“Thanks, Rog. What would I do without you?” She shook off the wave of nausea that’d come over her along with the worry clenching at her gut.

“I’m saying nothing,” he told her with a wink. “But we both know you’d be lost, heartbroken, a wreck…” Roger lay his hand over his heart and swept his non-existent hair back in a display of mock romanticism, making Cassie laugh loudly. She knew what he was doing. Roger often laid on a bit of comedy when he knew she was getting bogged down with her stresses and strains, but she still appreciated the effort, and it worked.

***

The following Thursday, the three of them got settled in the car Roger had rented and headed for the motorway, ready for the long drive ahead. Cassie climbed in the back at first, wanting to sit with Leo while Roger drove, but soon had to switch to the front seat when a blast of travel sickness almost had her reaching for a bag. She’d suffered with it as a child, and had forgotten how badly she could be affected on longer journeys. Tube trains and quick cab rides had a lot to do with that forgetfulness. She’d barely driven anywhere in years, well, apart from the few outings while in Mexico, but she guessed the constant dread overtook her unsteadiness during that period of her life.

Her travel sickness subsided, and she sat back in the chair and watched the world go by out the window. While Cassie loved the city, she realized she missed taking a drive in the countryside or going for a day at the beach, and vowed they would take the time to have more days out. Even if it meant her sitting in the front with Roger while Leo sprawled out on the backseat without her. They needed some time away from work and the chaos of the city, and she figured she could always take a tablet to ease the sickness next time.

After a few more hours, they eventually pulled into a tiny village just outside of Newquay on the south coast of England, and then checked straight into the small hotel. Memories flooded Cassie’s mind, all of them good, and it felt wonderful being home again after having spent so many years away. She’d left at the age of eighteen to go to college and had never looked back, but she was now full of nostalgia and even regret at having been so keen to rush off and find an adventure.

When they’d unloaded their things, Roger went into his room to do the same, using the adjoining door, which he purposely left open. Leo scooped Cassie into his arms regardless of the clear message from her bodyguard that he was still keeping an eye on them, and kissed her so hard she was sure her lips must be bruised.

“What was that for?” she asked when he eventually pulled away, and she peered up into his dark eyes lovingly.

“Nothing in particular,” he answered with a roguish grin, and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “I was just thinking how much I want to tie you to this bed and make you scream until the management have to come and tell us off.” Cassie felt her cheeks burn, but his offer wasn’t an unwelcome one. She turned her head to look at the huge bed, with its chunky wooden headboard and four-poster-frame, and lifted her hand up to tug at Leo’s necktie.

“Well then, I hope you have some more of these in that bag?” she murmured, turning back to look up at him. Leo pulled her in for another kiss, and only stopped when an insistent cough burst their private bubble.

“I didn’t drive all this way to watch you two make out,” Roger grumbled. “Are we heading to your folks’ house straight away?” Cassie checked the time and nodded. She’d arranged for her parents to invite Will over after he’d finished work, where they’d meet them as a surprise. It was already past closing time at his law firm, so she guessed he’d either already be there or on his way, and she was excited to see her brother after so long. Cassie stepped away from her beau, after placing one last kiss on his delicious lips, and she grabbed her purse.

They were back in the lobby in no time, and Cassie made a point not to make any eye contact with anyone in or around the hotel. She wanted this time away to be all about her family, not the small village in which everyone knew each other, and therefore knew all about her dark and sordid past. Nothing was sacred in this goldfish bowl, and she was eager to focus solely on those she loved rather than the people from her past who were looking for nothing more than the updated gossip to add to the tales they’d heard about her along the way.

After a quick drive, the three of them pulled into a driveway outside a bungalow bigger than most townhouses in the city. The Taylors hadn’t sold up when their children had moved out; in fact they’d simply utilized the extra space as a library and study. Timothy and Penelope Taylor had both retired a few years before, but having always been busy professionals, they had never quite stopped work entirely. They each had projects in the community they focused on and small businesses they turned around for a while before moving on to the next idea, or so they’d told Cassie every time she called to check in. She didn’t doubt it for a moment. Her parents were never ones to sit around and do nothing.

The trio of visitors had barely climbed out of the car when the front door flung open and Will came tumbling out. In his hurry to reach his sister’s side, he knocked over a large vase full of flowers on the porch, but obviously didn’t care. He scooped Cassie up into a hug and lifted her off her feet, twirling her around while the others looked on with wide smiles.

Cassie gave Will a big kiss and stepped back once she’d been put down on her feet again. Her heart was so full, and she took in the sight of her not-so-small brother before her. He’d changed since she’d last seen him, and had bulked up too. She could feel the thick muscles beneath his shirt, and wondered if he’d started working out. His dark hair and eyes were exactly like hers, but she loved how he’d kept his innocent stare despite having grown in her absence. Cassie prayed he’d never experience the pain she had in life, and hoped that glint in his eye would never fade.

“Will, I’d like to introduce you properly,” she told him, leading him over to where Leo stood waiting patiently by the car. Roger was out of the driver’s seat and scanning their perimeter already, seemingly giving them a minute to reacquaint themselves without his watchful gaze, and she was grateful to have a moment of their own.

“So this is the infamous Leonardo Solomon. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you at last,” Will said, taking the lead effortlessly in his usual calm way. He reached forward to shake his hand, and Cassie grinned as Leo reached out to take it, but then pulled him into a tight hug instead. He patted her brother’s back loudly and then pulled away after a couple of seconds, grinning from ear to ear.

“The pleasure’s all mine. And please, call me Leo,” he told him, and Will nodded in silent acceptance. They’d been the same for years. Cassie and Will had always preferred it that way. The change hadn’t started out as an act of rebellion, at least not until their parents had shown how much it’d annoyed them, and by that point the shortened names were absolutely going to happen.

Eventually, their mother, Penelope, came down from the doorstep and kissed Cassie on the cheek before shaking Leo’s hand in welcome.

“Wonderful to meet you, Leonardo,” was all she had to say, clearly dismissing his preference, as always, but Leo remained cool and simply returned the kind greeting. Her father did the same, all prim and proper, and without an ounce of warmth towards her man. Cassie knew they blamed him for what’d happened to her with Victor. Penelope had outright told her so after the trial, and it was one of the main reasons she hadn’t gone back to live with her parents and their small village when she’d returned. No one person was to blame for her hardships, except maybe Cassie herself, and while they snubbed any insinuation of her karmic considerations, her parents had also refused to believe that her misfortune could simply be bad luck or consequences. The men in her life had been to blame, and that was that, or so Penelope had informed her.

When Leo had come back into Cassie’s world, she’d been excited to tell Will, but had dreaded telling her parents. They’d reacted exactly as she’d expected—with cold indifference masked beneath a fake smile, and lies masquerading themselves as compliments. Regardless of all that, Cassie still had said nothing to call them on their behavior. There might’ve been a different future mapped out for her once upon a time ago, but she also had to consider how she might’ve never gotten to see her family again if things with Victor had gone differently.

She valued her freedom so much that she couldn’t bring herself to be upset with her mother’s oppressive opinions or her father’s grumpy aloofness. All that mattered was that she was away from the cartel’s clutches and had her family back in her life. Her parents evidently couldn’t understand that, but Cassie knew it wasn’t their fault. It was simply who they were. If she chose to stay away or never say the things aloud she wished she could, that was fine—as long as it was up to her.

“So, Birthday Boy,” Cassie said, filling the silence by making a fuss of Will. “You have us for three whole days, what are we doing with it?” He seemed delighted, and Cassie loved the still gentle, boyish grin he awarded her.

She wrapped an arm around his waist and followed him inside, bouncing on the balls of her feet with each step she took. Nothing could bring her down, not now she was here and in the arms of the boy she’d loved since the moment their mother had brought him home from hospital. He gave her a squeeze that made her heart ache, but in a good way. “I’ve missed you, Snot Face,” she told him with a grin.

“Missed you too, Jelly Belle,” Will replied, and she giggled. He hadn’t called her that in over ten years, and she guessed she’d asked for it with name-calling him first. Cassie no longer associated herself with such a silly nickname, and hadn’t since they were still kids.

Now, that name reminded her of those precious sweet treats and Leo’s new nickname for her. To Cassie, it also symbolized the turning point in hers and Leo’s relationship. Such a silly thing, but even now a bag of the sweet candy would bring her a smile and a flutter in her chest. She looked back at Leo, having known he’d follow close behind, and she caught the stunning grin on his face. He’d obviously heard Will call her
Jelly Belle
, and was shaking his head in surprise.

In that moment, Cassie didn’t care what her parents thought of Leo. She was tough enough to know the difference between love and lust this time around, and wasn’t about to let her mom or dad diminish what she and Leo had. Love hurt at times. In fact, it’d come close to tearing her apart. Cassie had learned that lesson a long time ago, but knew he was well worth the risk.

Chapter Twelve

The small group chatted long into the evening, catching up, and for Leo, getting to know one another better. Will was warm and courteous to him, as Cassie had told Leo he would be, and he appreciated the effort her brother seemed to be going to. Will had the same gentle, yet honest and sincere way about him that Cassie had, and Leo had taken a liking to him almost instantly.

Roger had made a quick introduction and then taken a spot by the door, where he’d yet to move from. His usually friendly persona which Leo had gotten so used to nowadays was gone, though. Roger was all business, and Leo was glad of it. At one point, he’d considered asking Cassie to let him go, but had come to realize how important he now was, and not just for Cassie, but for them both. Leo knew that with Roger around they could relax and be a normal couple during times away from the safety of the apartment, and he appreciated the chance to enjoy his lover’s company rather than constantly worry about her safety.

After finishing his glass of Penelope’s homemade lemonade, Leo was desperate for a real drink, and he politely asked Will if they had anything stronger in the house.

“Let me show you my wine cellar,” Timothy replied for his son, before standing and indicating for Leo to follow him. He knew exactly what this was. It was Timothy’s chance to establish dominance and pretend to be a protective father, when actually he’d been far from it. From what Cassie had told him, her dad had been absent during most of her childhood, working away from home for weeks at a time. When he had been around, by all accounts he hadn’t made a fuss of his children or kept his promises to take them on days out or lavish them with attention.

Cassie had confided in Leo that it felt as if her father been there for her only when it’d suited him, and had otherwise sat back and done as Penelope instructed, just like the placid man he seemed content to be. Leo didn’t like Cassie’s father, he’d known before even getting here. In the interest of keeping the peace, though, he’d endeavored to be on his best behavior. Leo wouldn’t give Timothy the chance to badmouth or cast judgment on him, so he stood and walked out into the hall after him with a courteous smile.

“I didn’t know you were a wine connoisseur, Timothy,” Leo said, and he began reeling off names of expensive bottles he too had procured over the years. Timothy’s wide eyes said plenty—he was impressed. “I also have a passion for collecting beautiful things,” Leo added, eyeing the art on the walls as they walked through the large house. “Back in New York, I had an assortment of vintage sports cars and million-dollar collections of fine art.”

“Ah yes, your Stateside collection,” Timothy replied with a scowl, and Leo noticed the change in him immediately.
Here we go,
he thought, concealing a knowing smile. “From what I understand, you paid for those things using a fortune made from exploiting the vices of others. Is that right?” His voice was calm, but his face said it all—Timothy wasn’t at all comfortable confronting Leo, his domineering wife had clearly put him up to it. Leo knew that Penelope was the one he’d have to win over, or at least come to an understanding with if he were to get anywhere with Cassie’s family. Timothy was merely her lapdog, and Leo pitied him.

“You and your wife are welcome to question me, my morals, values, ethics, and past misdemeanors, Mr. Taylor.” Leo was cool and calm as he delivered his practiced speech. He’d known this would come at some point over their visit, and was glad that at least on this issue, Timothy hadn’t disappointed him. “How I earn my money is of little consequence to how I choose to spend it, but yes—I did make a small fortune from delivering others the object of their desire for a fee. It’s the same principle as your vintner really,” he said as he plucked an expensive bottle of red wine from one of the shelves. “He must earn a fortune selling his wares to rich connoisseurs who can afford to indulge, and is he immoral for doing so?”

Timothy frowned. “I guess not, but when what you’re selling is women and drugs…”

“I don’t sell those things, or perhaps you’d like to see my financial statements?” Leo cut him off, and Timothy shook his head. He took the bottle from Leo’s hand and carefully slid it back in its place on the pristinely organized shelf. Leo knew he was stretching the truth, but he wasn’t
technically
lying. Jamie had taken over that side of things, so as far as his life in the UK went, he was completely above-board and legal in his current business ventures. Plus, he wasn’t about to go into any detail regarding his professional life during their visit. It wasn’t any of their business, and he wasn’t interested in their opinions on the state of his affairs.

“I’m sorry, Leo. It’s just that Cassie’s been through so much, and I would hate to see her get hurt again, that’s all,” Timothy replied, and he visibly softened. His mask dropped, and the weak, weary man shone through again. He’d evidently said his piece, and Leo respected the sentiment.

“I get it, but I’m not the bad guy. I worship Cassie, and did everything I could to save her back in New York. I almost lost everything getting her away from that monster, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I see things through to the end, Mr. Taylor, so don’t ever think I’d up and leave, or hurt her knowingly.” Leo was sure Timothy’s eyes were glistening with tears he’d held back over all the years, and he had to take a breath to stop his voice from faltering too. “I’ve made it my life’s work to make your daughter happy, and I would never let anyone else cause her pain ever again. Cassie means everything to me, and I’d die without her,” he told him, and was surprised by his own words. They were so honest it hurt, but seemed to do the trick. Timothy’s face lit up, and he smiled from ear to ear.

“In that case…” He pulled the wine back from the shelf and rubbed at the label thoughtfully. “I guess we should be celebrating more than just Will’s birthday.”

***

Cassie chatted away animatedly with her little brother while their mother cooked up a storm in the kitchen and Roger watched over them all from his seat beside the door. Leo and their father still hadn’t emerged from the cellar, and she guessed they were having some version of “the talk” Timothy had given Jonah once upon a time ago. She cringed at the sheer thought of it, but knew Leo would stand his ground, whereas Jonah had crumbled under her parents’ scrutiny.

“So, come on, be honest. There must be someone you’ve got your eye on? Weekend hookups are all well and good, but now you’re through university and the long days and nights with your head stuck in a book…there has to be more?” Cassie demanded, grinning broadly at her brother.

She couldn’t ever remember a woman he’d brought home to meet their parents, or whom he’d mentioned as more than a passing fling during their phone calls, and she hoped he might finally be ready to move on from bachelorhood and find something special now that he was finished with his studies.

“Well, there’s this one girl…” Will replied, and his shy smile said it all. Cassie jumped up and down in her seat, clapping her hands with girlish delight. Her brother scowled and shook his head. “Calm down, sis. It’s early days yet, but we’ve had a few dates, and I like her.”

“Are you going to invite her out with us tomorrow?” she asked, mentally planning their night out in the nearby city to celebrate Will’s birthday. He shrugged.

“I’d said about going to see a movie or something, but I can text her and ask if she’s up for a night out with us instead? You coming to visit was a surprise after all, so I couldn’t ask sooner.” Will grabbed his cell. He stared at the screen thoughtfully, and Cassie decided to give him some privacy to come up with his message to the girl she could already tell had made her mark on him.

She stood and walked the few steps to where her bodyguard sat watching her with a smile. She rested her hip on the sofa beside his perch.

“All good?” she asked, and he nodded.

“All good,” Roger repeated with a smile. “It’s nice seeing you with your family, especially him.” Cassie knew he was talking about Will, and she nodded.

“There’ll always be a big place in my heart for that boy.” She peered back over her shoulder to watch as her brother spoke quietly into his phone, evidently having opted to make a call to his new girlfriend rather than just send a text. “It feels good to be with him again. In fact it feels good being with all of my family, regardless of the past.”

“Damn straight,” Roger replied with a warm smile, and she patted him on the shoulder before heading back over to where her brother was sitting. She stopped en route and stared at the handful of photographs that littered the nearby mantle, and smiled. The first few were of the pair of them as young children, and each was so very happy and carefree, the epitome of innocence. She was a quirky, fun, and adventurous young girl, but had later caved to peer pressure in her teens and followed the herd. During those years, Cassie had been at a completely different end of the spectrum to her lighthearted old self, but at the time she hadn’t cared enough to miss who she’d once been.

Somewhere in the house would be an album filled with pictures of a dark-haired teenager who looked like her, and yet that same girl was an entirely different young woman to the one that stood there now. Her mother had called her a diva, a “right royal pain in the bum,” and even a bitch—and she had been. Cassie had wanted it all, and downright expected it. Now? She’d happily settle for peace and normalcy. Well, that and her now regular bursts of excitement only Leo could seem to awaken in her between the sheets.

Leo and Timothy appeared in the doorway after a short while longer, looking relaxed and far more at ease with one another than when they’d left. Cassie knew without asking that her hunch was correct, and they’d had their obligatory talk. However, this time it seemed Leo had passed whatever test her father had put him through at the behest of their matriarch. Even Cassie knew her father didn’t have the wherewithal to give her partner too much hassle without being prompted, and she smiled to herself at how domineering her mother seemed to be. What a complete contradiction Cassie knew she was to Penelope, and yet she didn’t care. She’d never wanted to end up like her mother, regardless of her affection for her, and had evidently succeeded.

“Do you fancy a glass of real wine?” Leo asked when he reached her, and he brushed her cheek with a delicate kiss. Cassie looked down at the bottle of aged red wine in his hand, and knew it must’ve cost hundreds of pounds to buy, but also that it’d be wasted on her palate. She shook her head no. “I thought you’d say that,” Leo said before she could answer, and then pulled a second bottle from behind his back.

“That’s much more like it,” Cassie said with a smile, and she snatched the bottle of sauvignon blanc from his hand before following him over to the drinks cabinet to grab a glass. She poured one for Will too, and handed it to him with a wink. His eyes were bright, happy, and he returned the gesture with a soft smile. Cassie liked this new girlfriend of his already. Just talking with her on the phone made him light up, and she couldn’t wait to see how they were together in person.

By the time they’d all settled back in their seats and were sipping on their chosen drinks, Will had his date arranged for the following evening, much to Cassie’s elation, and their mother had begun delivering plates of appetizers. The siblings tucked straight in, while Leo waited courteously as Timothy took a few bites, and then he had a taste.

She watched him the entire time, unable to stop from admiring the man she loved with every inch of her body and soul. Cassie envied the wine glass as he brought it to his mouth and pressed his lips to the rim. She was jealous of the admiration and respect he showed to the vintage wine as it passed over those lips, and when his tongue curled around a piece of Parma ham-wrapped fig, she felt herself blush. A surge of desire blasted through her, and it was all Cassie could do not to jump on him and demand he take care of those needs the way only Leo knew how.

She’d shocked herself. Never had she experienced such a horny rage like it, and knew she had to be sending him some hormonal energy waves from across the room, because when his gaze met hers, he was like a caged animal. His intense stare seemed to penetrate her from feet away. Behind his cool exterior, Cassie knew there was a power in him that could, and would, have her floating on air the second they were alone, and she craved him. It didn’t matter that she was stronger now and more independent than ever. She no longer cared about how she ought to feel or what she was meant to want from a modern relationship. She wanted the same thing she’d asked him for the first night he’d come back for her—to be owned by Leonardo Solomon.

“So, Leo. What made you head over to the States for your education rather than stay here?” Her father’s voice broke the intense silence, and Cassie forced herself to push aside her needy, salacious mood. She sipped on her wine, but oddly wasn’t enjoying it, so she opted to focus on a loaded bruschetta that sat in front of her instead. As Leo contemplated his answer, she realized she didn’t know all that much about his life from before he’d moved to America either. When they’d talked about their childhoods, he’d been so reticent after telling her how he’d been orphaned at such a young age that she’d decided against pressing him for any more information. Like with all things deep and meaningful, Leo had to open up those vaults inside of him at his own speed, and only when he was ready.