Relentless (Starcrossed Lovers Trilogy 3)

We were still in towels when a knock came at our bedroom door. I answered it with the towel still around my hips, glad to find it was one of the Quentins’ housekeepers with a tray of food.

Steak. Tender and rich and exactly what was needed.

Elaine gobbled hers up on the bed, still in her towel, hungry enough that she had eaten the whole dinner before she glugged down some mineral water and lay back with her hand on her freshly swollen little belly.

“I didn’t realize how much I missed our lifestyle back home,” she said. “Not until we were lucky enough to land right into it again.”

She was right on that score. One thing for sure was that we wouldn’t be giving it up again anytime soon.

We snuggled up in bed together, flesh against flesh. She slept like a delicate creature next to me, barely moving until we woke up in the morning with sunlight shining bright through the windows.

Yet again, I had no idea what time it was, but I knew it was time to be forming more of my allegiances and cementing new partnerships in stone.

Elaine was still half asleep as I got myself washed and suited up ready for the day. She sat up in bed as I fastened my tie, her hair a stunning mess like a halo.

“Shall I come?” she asked, but I shook my head.

“No, baby. Enjoy your new surroundings, and enjoy your time with Francesca. I’ll make sure they send your breakfast upstairs before she comes to get you.”

Yet again she looked surprised. Surprised and happy.

“I’m spending the day with Francesca?”

“Yes,” I told her. “You’re spending the day with Francesca and she has a whole host of plans for your time.”

Hell, I couldn’t wait to hear about them later, but I wasn’t going to share them with her. I wanted her amazement to be fresh when Francesca told her exactly what would be happening for her.

I kissed my angel before I left, having to pull myself free from her arms before she tugged me back under the covers with her.

“I’ll see you later, sweetheart,” I told her, and again, it felt so natural to be in such an easy new world with no fears hanging over our head.

“I’ll see you later, handsome,” she replied, and waved me off with a smile.

She’d sure be smiling when I did see her later, that was for sure.

Devon Quentin was already suited up and ready to roll when I joined him downstairs in the sitting room. He got to his feet, giving me a handshake that was even more firm and enthusiastic than the day before.

“Francesca will be getting Elaine’s breakfast sent up to her,” he confirmed, and I smirked at him.

“A full English, I hope.”

He smiled back. “Of course, Lucian. Most certainly a full English. Minus the black pudding, as per your request.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I’m very appreciative that she’s going to be well taken care of.”

“Don’t you worry about that. Francesca will most definitely be taking care of her. It’s an honor to have you both here. Speaking of which,” he added. “Would you like any breakfast yourself?”

But no. I wouldn’t. I shook my head with a thanks.

“I have more pressing things to concern myself with,” I told him. “We have plenty of plans to finalize.”

“Of course,” he said, and patted my back as we walked towards the hall. “I’m extremely keen for us to get started.”

The limo was already waiting outside when we stepped out through the entrance. I glanced up at the wing I knew my princess was relaxing in, relieved all over again that I’d trusted my primal calling to be so true to our nature.

Quentin and I took our seats in the back of the limo, and our negotiations started up the moment we pulled away from the drive.

I was very firm in my offerings, and he was very keen to accept them. Partnerships in everything from pharmaceutical research to cross-Atlantic insurance deals, right through to underworld arms deals. I had a sense of drive and excitement I hadn’t truly felt in my gut for several years. Life at Morelli Holdings was challenging, and interesting, but not like this. Not like forming a whole new initiative of opportunities with a whole new web of connections.

We pulled up in Canary Wharf and the limo dropped us at Quentin’s HQ. I stepped inside, shoulder to shoulder with him, proud and arrogant in my very finest of ways.

It was after a solid morning of conversations with Quentin’s recommended associates that we shook hands on some deals and some of the other business partners left the room. Then it was just Quentin and I alone together again, sitting across the table from each other with a respectful smile on our faces. He was impressed. I could see it.