From Sanctum With Love (Masters and Mercenaries Book 10) (6 page)

“Because you hid them so well when we were kids? Yeah, not so much. I knew you were always interested in this kind of stuff. You kept bondage magazines under your bed. I never told Mom by the way. Was it Ms. Hanford who got you into it?”

He felt himself flush. Only his brother could do this to him. If anyone else had asked, he would have explained quite calmly that his first sexual experiences had been with the woman who lived next door. He’d been seventeen and Alicia Hanford had been twenty-one and fresh out of college. She’d rented the two-bedroom next door. Their mother had insisted they call her Ms. Hanford. It was only polite and she was an adult. Kai had called her hot. She’d been a stunning redhead and yes, she’d been the one to introduce him to D/s. She’d taken him to his first club and shown him that all those cravings he had could be put to proper use in the right setting. She and the rest of the lifestylers had made him feel like he wasn’t some freak for wanting what he’d wanted.

Still wanted.

Only his brother had the power to make him feel like a pervert. “Yes. She was a lovely young lady, but our interests diverged.”

“She was a top, too,” Jared surmised. “She’s still in the scene in Seattle. She’s married to her sub. They seem very happy. She speaks fondly of you.”

“Why the fuck would you talk to her about me?”

“I do it for the same reason I’ve kept up with you all along. Because you’re my brother. Well, after I had the money to do it, I kept up with you. You might not give a shit what happens to me, but I needed to know you were all right.”

“How can I not know what happens to you? I go to any grocery store and there you are on the cover of every magazine.”

Jared’s face lit up and for a second he was the same kid who’d begged and prayed for a bike at Christmas and cried when he’d gotten one.

Because Kai had told his mother to spend what she would have spent on him on Jared. Because he’d sacrificed for his brother.

“I know. Isn’t it cool?” Jared said with that sunny smile of his. “Not the tabloid crap. That’s all bullshit by the way. I did not almost break up Brad and Angelina in Cannes. I barely spoke to them. But the cover of
Men’s Fitness
was awesome. I had to do some serious work on my deltoids to make that happen.”

Kai nearly rolled his eyes. He somehow managed to maintain a bit of professionalism. “So did you hire a PI to track me?”

The smile faded. “I have someone give me an update on you from time to time. I think the work you’re doing here is amazing. I talked to Frank Cross and he says it helped him.”

“How the hell do you know Frank?” Frank was an Iraq war vet who had suffered from terrible PTSD and depression after he’d lost an arm to an IED. He’d been in Kai’s program for over a year and then moved back to his family in California.

“He works on the
Dart
set now. He’s a consultant.”

“That’s a big coincidence.”

“Not really. I offered him the job. I interviewed him because he knew you and then I offered him the job because he was a good man and he deserved good work. He’s consulting on weapons but he’s also learning how to film. We got him a camera set that doesn’t require two hands. You’re not the only one who can help.”

“Apparently.” What was his brother doing? He tried to look at the problem from an intellectual standpoint. It was time to take off his anger hat and remember what he did for a living. “You do understand why you’re doing this.”

“What? The film? Because they are paying me a mega shit ton of money, the script is good, and I’ve honestly been looking for a part that shows off my glutes. I’ve worked hard on them. I’m naked like half this film.”

Yep, his brother was an exhibitionist. “No, I meant stalking me.”

It was Jared’s turn to roll his eyes. “I’m not stalking you. I’m very reasonably checking in on my unreasonable asshole of a brother.”

“Yes, I’m the asshole. Of course. Look, this stems back to your childhood. You always got everything you wanted. I’ve walked away. I don’t give in to your demands. Naturally you want to control the one thing you couldn’t. Me. It was also why you slept with my fiancée.”

“Are you serious? I got everything I wanted? Do you think I wanted to get the shit kicked out of me on a daily basis in high school? Do you think I wanted to be orphaned at the age of sixteen?”

This was what his brother did. He tried to one up everyone in terms of who had it worse or could do it better. His competitive streak had been obvious from childhood. “Of course. You had it worse than anyone.”

Jared stood, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “I didn’t. I know that but you won’t acknowledge that I have feelings at…I did not come here to fight with you. I thought it would be best if we sat down and talked so there’s not any awkwardness.”

Awkward didn’t begin to cover it. Still, he put on what he hoped was a placid smile. “There won’t be. Like I said, I signed the contract. I’ll be your mentor in all things BDSM. If you have any questions, ask me. I’m an open book.”

Jared’s green eyes narrowed. “All right. That’s an offer I won’t refuse. How about this one? Do you ever feel bad that you walked out on your younger brother because of a girl?”

And he was done. “I said I would answer your questions about BDSM.”

“Damn it, Kai. I want to talk. It’s been twelve years. Do you honestly intend to go the rest of your life without talking to me?”

“I can’t because I signed a contract. I can’t because once again, you shoved your way in and won’t leave until you get your way.”

“Still a hardass, huh?”

“Only if you’re still a dumbass.”

Jared growled and turned away, facing the door. Thank god. Maybe he would get the point that this wasn’t going to go his way. He’d picked up his bag and was almost to the door when he turned around.

“No, you know what, you’re not calling the shots this time. All my fucking life, you’ve been the one to set the rules, but I have some power now and I’m going to use it.”

“You already have. You’ve forced me into this position. You’ve got me as your mentor for this movie. I won’t be doing more.”

“Of course not. I don’t know why I expected this would be different. You don’t take my calls. You don’t answer my e-mails. I’m nothing to you. You know for a therapist you hold a mean grudge. Shouldn’t you be all about forgiveness?”

His brother had never really understood him at all. “I’m all about what makes a person happy and whole. I can be perfectly happy and whole and still carry a grudge against the man who fucked my fiancée.”

Jared nodded. “Yes, I did, and I’ve regretted it ever since. Kai, I’m so sorry it happened, but what you saw that morning wasn’t the truth of the situation.”

“Did you or did you not sleep with the woman I had asked to be my wife?”

“I didn’t intend to.”

This was precisely why he’d never had the conversation. He could play it out in his head word for word. “Did you fall into her vagina? That would be odd since you’re not known for being terribly uncoordinated.”

“I was drunk,” Jared ground out. “Something bad had just happened and she showed up and gave me a ride home. She didn’t leave.”

“Is that when you fell into her vagina?”

“Damn it, Kai. Why won’t you listen to me?”

“Because you’re not talking about the job.” Sitting here with Jared made him antsy. It reminded him of so many things he didn’t want to think about. All those nights he’d sat up watching over Jared, trying to be an adult when he was only a child. He’d loved his mother, but his childhood had been so chaotic. He preferred the peace and calm of his present, and he couldn’t help the resentment that bubbled up when he thought of how Jared was about to disturb it. “I will discuss anything you like about BDSM, but the rest of my life is off limits. If you thought you would get some kind of public reunion for a magazine story, you’re out of luck.”

“I wasn’t looking for press, Kai. If all I can get out of you is mentoring, then I suppose that’s what I’ll do. Who’s the pretty girl?”

Kai stood, looking through the open door. Kori hugged Erin before waving her out the door. At least it looked like one thing had gone right today.

Kori turned and stopped, staring at his brother. Damn it. She was probably like every other woman in the world. He would be lucky if she didn’t drool. The thought of Kori drooling over his perfect brother made him want to punch something.

“Hey, Kori,” he said because he couldn’t pretend like Jared wasn’t standing there. She would find out about their relationship soon enough. “Come on in. I’d like you to meet my brother.”

At least she could defuse the situation between them. Maybe once Jared realized he still had work to do he would go and find a reporter to show his ass off to.

Kori’s mouth dropped open and then she turned and walked right out of the room.

“Kori?” It wasn’t like her to walk away. Kori plunged right in.

Jared stared after her. “Kori? That girl’s name is Kori?”

“She’s a woman and yes, that’s her name. She’s also my office manager.” Kai did not like the way his brother was staring after Kori. Surely now that Jared was a Hollywood star, he was all about the actresses. The ass was surrounded by beautiful women twenty-four seven. From what Kai had seen on magazine covers, Jared was dating a gorgeous, way-too-thin actress who was up for an Oscar.

“Kori Williamson. Wow. Now, see, that is a brilliant coincidence.”

“How do you know her last name?” It wasn’t like Kori had a nameplate on her desk. “Or is this more of your creepy stalking shit? Don’t play it with her. She’s off limits. She’s a very nice lady who happens to care about the people around her, and I’m not going to let you play games with her.”

“With Kori? I wouldn’t dream of it. I owe that woman,” Jared said with a grin. “It seems like I owe her a lot. I always wondered where she went.”

“Went?”

Jared turned around, settling his bag over his big chest. “You do know her story, right? I know that woman. Five years has not made her any less luscious.”

Kai shook his head. “How do you know her? From LA? She was a secretary out there before she made the move to Dallas.”

His stomach twisted at the thought of Kori in his brother’s arms. Was that why she’d walked away? Had she been one of Jared’s conquests?

“She was not a secretary and I never slept with her. Though I had plans to because again with the hotness.” Jared had his Cheshire cat grin on his face. “Looks like I know something you don’t know. Maybe we will talk about something besides BDSM. I’ll see you at the club tonight. Unless you’re planning on coming home before you head to Sanctum.”

“Why would that matter to you?”

He walked to the door. “Because I’m staying upstairs at your place. I already set myself up in the spare bedroom. I snuck in after that big guy in the suit. Needs a decorator, by the way. You know it all kind of looks like this. You need a little color in your life, brother.”

“You are not staying with me.”

“Sure I am. I always bunk with my mentor. It’s how I work. Maybe you should have read that contract better. My friends will be staying at the Anatole, but I’m with you. And don’t worry about a key. I did this film last year where I played a cat burglar. Like I said, I’m already in. And when you’re ready to talk, I’ll tell you all about your office manager. I think you’ll find it fascinating.” He stopped and looked back. “And Kai? It really is good to see you.”

He stood and watched Jared walk out.

Fuck a duck.

* * * *

Kori had to stop and take a deep breath. Her hands were shaking. What had happened? Why the hell had Jared Johns been standing in her boss’s office?

She should go to her car and get inside and drive away. Maybe Florida would be nice this time of year. Anything was better than having to confront her past.

Anything was better than explaining to Kai that she’d lied to him.

She stopped at the front of the building. From the doors she could see Sanctum. It wasn’t dark yet so the lights hadn’t come on. Sanctum was now surrounded by a privacy fence since it had been reconstructed after some asshole had blown it up.

With Kai inside.

That had been one of the worst days of her life. She’d gotten the call from Eve, who wanted to know if Kori had copies of Kai’s health insurance cards since the originals had been blown up.

Kai was fine, but she’d known that day that she was the idiot who fell in love with her boss. By the time she’d gotten to the hospital, Kai had been ready to be released. He’d been joking around and cursing a blue streak at the loss of the building where he’d lived. She’d been crying. He’d stopped and stared and for a second she’d thought he would walk right up to her and take her in his arms.

Nothing. She’d gotten nothing more than him clearing his throat and asking if she was all right.

So she’d known then and there that whatever she felt for him wasn’t reciprocated. It was fine and good and they’d never mentioned it again, but god she hated feeling humiliated.

She opened the doors and stepped out. Their building wasn’t protected by a fence. Big Tag had offered to include their three-story building, but Kai hadn’t wanted his patients to feel like they were walking into a guard tower. Getting through security apparently didn’t go with Kai’s peaceful vibe.

When she saw the limo parked in the front drive, she kind of wished Kai had changed his mind about that.

The limo door opened and a young brunette in a sheath dress stepped out. She was wearing ridiculously high heels and sunglasses that had enough bling to outshine the sun. “Are you the person who runs this…place?”

“Nope.”

She started for her car, which was parked in the back. It was a piece of shit sedan, but it still worked and she didn’t have to make payments on it. Her phone vibrated in her bag but she was ignoring that for the time.

“Hey, I was talking to you.”

Kori could hear the sound of designer shoes hitting the pavement. “
No hablo inglés
.”

“Yeah, like I’m buying that with the pasty white skin.”

Kori turned. It seemed to catch Designer Shoes off guard. She stopped suddenly and wobbled for a moment. “If you’re looking for Jared, he’s upstairs. You should go find him.”