The Marine (Black Hawke Security #3)

CHAPTER TWO

brIAR

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“S orry I’m late.” I say, plonking down in the seat as Alice slides a coffee over toward me. “Oh, god. Thank you.”

I lift the cup to my lips and moan.

“That’s pretty much what I sounded like all Saturday night,” Trina says, nodding slowly.

The coffee almost sprays out in front of me, but I’m not about to waste the liquid gold. You’d think I’d be used to the things that come out of her mouth by now.

“TMI. Jesus.” Alice laughs as she shakes her head.

These two girls are my best friends. We’ve known each other for years now. Not long enough that they know about...well, my past, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Then my past showed up, and unless I quit my job and never speak to Savannah, my boss and friend, again, he’s likely to remain in it.

Aidan Black.

It’s taken all my energy to outthink everyone’s movements and dodge him for two months. Trust me, it takes a lot of mental chess playing.

When we are in the same vicinity, we simply ignore one another.

Okay, that’s not true. Aidan’s eyes bore holes into me, and I grit my teeth and pretend I don’t know him, and I’m not affected by his six-foot-three muscular frame and square jaw.

The same body which made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world ten years ago.

The man...who should have stayed in my past along with all the pain.

Savannah Sinclair is the hottest actress in Hollywood right now; I’m her PA. We’ve become close friends since she lost her supposed best friend—who shot her. So the last thing Savannah needs is to lose me. Plus, I don’t want to quit my job. I love what I do; I meet interesting people, and we have a lot of fun.

Savannah needs me.

I figure once the wedding is over and she settles into her new life with Ryder, his friends and work colleagues will be around much less.

Meaning Aidan.

He’s the co-owner of Black Hawke Security—of BHS—where Ryder works. They’re all paramilitary, and if I was in the market for a hot guy, well, that office would definitely be one big supply source.

“You’re just jealous.” Trina snickers as she sips her green tea.

She hates coffee.

Me? I like it black, white, whatever...as long as it’s strong.

“I am.” Alice sighs and flops back into her seat. “It’s been seventy-five thousand years since I had an orgasm.”

“Dude. Get a vibrator.” Trina shakes her head.

Alice glances at me, then back at our friend.

“Dude?” she deadpans. “Anyway, I was exaggerating. I have a purple rabbit. Still not the same.”

“True that.” I nod, almost inhaling my coffee.

I missed lunch because I knew Ryder was visiting Savannah and didn’t want to risk seeing Aidan. Occasionally they drop by together or Aidan visits the security team that works at her Hollywood mansion. So I made a doctor’s appointment and sat in his office making up health issues.

I know. Desperate, right?

“Speaking of dicks, what’s happening with Kael?” Trina asks.

Kael.

My ex-husband. Technically, we’re still married but not for much longer if I can help it. Forever if Kael has his way.

I shake my head. “It’s a process. My lawyer said if he gets violent, call the police.”

“You should have done that all the other times.” Alice softly chastises me.

“Give me his new address and I’ll go around with a shotgun.”

“Trina!” I exclaim quietly and glance around, tugging my long, dark hair over my shoulder as if it’s some kind of protective shield.

“Look at you. He still has you on edge, and he’s not even here.”

I don’t trust that he’s not having me followed.

Kael is...unstable.

Leaving him took a long time. I guess this is what those of us who experienced violent fathers do.

We marry them.

But I found the courage to leave Kael, and I am very proud of that. The fact I left in the middle of the day and had set up an apartment in secret, planning it for months with the help of Alice and Trina, is beside the point.

Kael was mad.

Even when I said he could keep our apartment, he didn’t seem to calm down. It’s me that he wants to control. I know that.

In the end, I had to negotiate with him.

“So, has he signed the divorce papers?” Alice asks.

I shake my head.

“No. I offered him the apartment.”

“Briar!” they both exclaim, and I hold up my hands.

“I know. But he’s using these things as an excuse, and I just want it over with.”

My lawyer was furious when I offered it during negotiations last week without warning.

“He declined,” I told them, shaking my head.

God, I need chocolate. I’ve put on ten pounds since this divorce.

Five, while I was with him.

“So what now?” Trina asks. “Shotgun. Just give me the word.”

I smirk at her and shake my head.

These two women really are the best friends in the universe.

“He wants to try again.” Before the girls both lose their minds, I hold my hand up again. “I know. But I have a plan. If I pretend and let him think I am, then I can get my half of the apartment and move forward with the divorce.”

Their worried faces stare back at me.

Trina swallows and licks her lips.

Alice glances at her.

“He strangled you, Briar,” Trina whispers.

I nod.

It sounds horrible.

It was horrible.

I’m just no stranger to abuse, so I suppose I have a tolerance for it that’s not healthy, but it is what it is.

“I said I would go on three dates with him. All I have to do is play his game. Then it’s over. I won’t be alone with him.” I say, breaking eye contact with them.

They don’t understand. Sometimes it’s better not to poke the bear. Given time, Kael will come to accept that I’m leaving him, and I’m hoping during these three dates he will get there sooner.

At least that’s my plan.

“You know it won’t be that simple.” Alice reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Please rethink this.”

I’ve gone over and over it.

This is the only way.

The alternative is calling the police and making a report about his abuse then getting a restraining order. One I don’t think he will respect.

This path feels like it’s less dramatic and less stressful.

The only date I’m worried about is Savannah’s wedding because, and I quote, “ he’s my husband so I have to take him.”

I can’t argue with that.

He is.

In three weeks, I can call my lawyer and demand the divorce take place. Kael will think I’ve given it my all, and it’s documented as part of our legal process.

If I’m not alone with him, it should be fine.

Plus, having Kael with me at the wedding is not a bad thing. Aidan will be there, and I don’t trust either of us in a room with alcohol.

That dark and intense gaze of his had me waking up in the middle of the night last week with my hand between my legs and his name on my lips.

Worse, I continued rubbing my clit until I was shaking and an orgasm ripped through me.

I hate him.

And I desire him.

Neither of us has acknowledged we know one another, and it’s better that way.

“I’ll be fine. I lived with him for years. We will not be alone.” I reassure them and we move on to much happier conversations.

“Well, bitches, I have to go to my beauty therapist to get my mooch waxed.” Trina stands and slides her bag on her shoulder. “Ta ta!”

Alice and I watch her walk through the restaurant with the confidence of a thousand women.

“Mooch?” I lift my brow.

“How does she come up with all these names?” Alice shakes her head. “Last week it was pow wow. ”

I start to giggle and Alice joins in.

Being with my girls makes everything okay.

Almost.

In three weeks, I’ll be divorced, and Aidan will slip back into the shadows.

I’m sure of it.