Marked. Part II: Becoming Noah Baxter (12 page)

Okay, so maybe it's not just Ben. I think she's just shy around men in general.

Charlie meets her gaze, “Thank you.”

“
Sure,” Hattie half croaks, clearing her throat before scurrying out. 

I watch Charlie try to hide a grin as he looks over the papers.

A few minutes later Ben opens the door, ready to speak, but stops when he sees me sitting there.

I open my mouth to say hi, but stop from the expression on his face.

He looks pissed and not like a man you want to mess with right now, or even talk to.

Without acknowledging me Ben speaks to Charlie, “Is there a reason she's in here?”

Charlie keeps working, “Lincoln had to take care of something.”

“
That doesn't answer my question,” Ben's abrupt, his vibe not one to be taken lightly. He has always made me feel comfortable, but at this moment he's not; it's the exact opposite. I guess this is another side of Vault I'm meeting.

Charlie's jaw locks, “Talk to Lincoln, just following orders.”

“Why are you the only one in here?”

“
Because I can handle it on my own,” Charlie quips.

“
I want another man in here,” Vault orders. “When Lincoln gets back, inform him that I may have allowed her clearance, but he's not to abuse it.” He finally looks my way, “Come with me, Lily. You shouldn't be in here.”

I quickly follow behind, somehow always managing to let this place make me feel like a child.

Vault leads me to his office, opening the door for me, “Stay in here. Jay will get you when he's done.”

I step inside and have the door shut behind me.

Well that was incredibly awkward. Why does it seem like I've been put on a timeout?

I decide to lay down on the couch to try taking a much needed nap.

Chapter 18

12:58pm

The main door opens, awakening me from my nap. I groggily sit up to find the guard who seems to hate me, the one Jay calls Asswipe.

It could be my imagination, but his features seem to have a devilish excitement to them when he finds me alone.

“Hello, Ms. Evans,” he greets, more out of formality than anything else.

I stiffly smile,
“Hello.”

I don't want to be in here with him. I should go find Jay, or at least go talk to Ben's assistants for awhile.

I begin to rise at the exact moment he comes to join me on the seat Ben usually resides, throwing a few words my way, “Please don't leave on my account. Besides, Lincoln's busy with his other woman right now.”

I sink back into the cushion, wanting it to be clear that he can try to bully me, but it doesn't mean he'll be successful at it, “Good, hopefully she wears him out. His stamina is off the charts and I could use the break.” My gaze slithers down to his lap before meeting his “I'm up to no good” stare that I challenge with my own “hit me with your best shot” arch of my brow, “Something I'm sure you know nothing about.”

It's clear his hatred for me just went up a notch (not that I really give a shit).

“
Can't say that I blame him,” Asswipe feels the need to carry on. “You're not much to look at.”

I roll my eyes, his words laughable, “
What's your deal? Why do you hate me so much?

“
Well for starters, you belong to Lincoln, and second, you shouldn't be allowed the level of clearance you have because of it, but that was one of Lincoln's conditions for working here while we wait. As if Vault allowing him to use his bank wasn't enough of a request, now his pussy is all over the place for no apparent reason other than he wants them here.”

I get up to leave, “
I'm done here.” I'm not going to sit and listen to he and Jay's childish feud.

In one swift movement he's up and towering over me, his arms pinning me back into the cushion.

His face is inches from mine, “I say when this is over, not some little fucking girl.”

I try pushing him away, “Do you really want to be in my face right now? This
will seriously piss Jay off.” Not to mention how angry it's making me. Where do men get off thinking they can treat women like this?

“
He doesn't run this fucking place,” Asswipe sneers. “I can't wait for Mark to arrive and slit his–”

This would be the moment my fist comes out and introduces itself to his mouth.

Shit! I forgot how much that hurts.

Pain instantly stings my cheek from Asswipe's backhand. His hands tightly grip my arms and bring me to standing.

Uh oh, no good can come from the veins popping out of his temples. I don't regret punching him, no matter the consequences. I couldn't let him finish that sentence.

“
Get your hands off of her!”

We both swivel our heads in the direction of the main door.

Arianna is standing there with her arms crossed.

I light up with a huge smile and try to wave, “Hi, Arianna. I was hoping to get to see you today!”

I'm greeted with the same level of excitement, “I'm so excited you're here. Don't leave without saying good-bye, I want to hear what's been going on with you.”

“
Definitely!”

Arianna looks considerably better than I thought she would. Jay had described her as looking worn down and having lost too much weight. The woman before me is thicker than when we first met, and of course on her it's evenly spread, making her even more curvy in the best of ways. She's wearing wool pants with a blouse and sweater vest. She doesn't appear to be wearing any makeup, a side braid resting over a shoulder, soft wisps of hair framing her face. She's stunning. I think even more so now because it's just her natural beauty and not the false advertisement of cosmetic enhancement.

Asswipe sneers down at me, reminding me that he still has a strong grip on me, “Look who it is. The pussy that's actually hot.”

“
Really? That's the best you can come up with to fire at me?” He really sucks at verbal smackdowns.

“
Totally lame,” Arianna agrees, coming closer.

I look her way, “I know, right?”

Arianna wiggles a finger at us, “You can let go of her now.”

“
Why the fuck should I?”

Arianna points to a camera, “I don't think Vault will be too pleased when I tell him to view this.”

I'm dropped like a sack of potatoes, my butt bouncing off the cushion when they collide.

Ouch, I rub my side. For such a comfy couch that kind of hurt.

Completely ignoring Asswipe, I get up to hug Arianna, “You look great!”

She blushes and fiddles with the end of her braid, “Thanks. I feel good, you know, for once where it matters, not where it doesn't...or at least I'm starting to.”

That makes me incredibly happy for her.

“
It's thanks to Jay, Charlie, and Vault. They've really helped me to start finding out–”

“
If you're making the rounds I wouldn't mind a piece,” Asswipe moves to pinch her ass, but before it even makes contact Arianna has taken hold of him and abruptly pins him to the ground.

My mouth drops open.

Arianna smirks, “Jay taught me some moves.”

“
Nice.” I'm surprised how unworried that makes me feel. I think I can officially say I'm secure in the relationship Jay and I share.

“
Yeah, he saw what a great effect it had on you and the confidence of knowing how to defend yourself. He hoped it would do the same for me.”

I gesture with my chin to her secure hold, “I see that it has.”

Arianna goes to look down at the same moment Asswipe throws her off him. She goes flying, her back smashing into the marble floor.

I rush over to her, knowing that had to have hurt.

A ferocious energy hits my back. I twist my body, fully expecting it to be Asswipe and ready to kick his ass.

It's not. It's so much worse.

Not for me, but for him.

Things are about to get interesting.

Chapter 19

Jay, Charlie, and Ben are standing in the doorway–at this moment they should be called fury, rage, and wrath. The three of them combined are emanating something that I'm not even sure the devil would want to fuck with.

Jay's visibly trying to reign in the desire to kill,
chest expanding with each enraged intake of air.

Charlie goes to make the first move, but Ben stops him by a slap to the chest.

Asswipe straightens himself, trying to appear like he isn't about to shit his pants, but his eyes aren't hiding it very well.

Ben stops right in front of Asswipe, chest to chest, and leans in to whisper something into his ear that has all the color draining from his skin.

Satisfied that he understands, Ben goes over to offer Arianna a hand up, his eyes softening with compassion. Both his hands take hold of her face and they lock eyes. The two have a conversation only they can hear. Arianna's looking at him like he's her entire world. When Ben kisses her on the forehead, she closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath. Without further acknowledgement to the rest of us, Ben takes a step back and heads in the direction of his private office.

“He's all yours,” he informs Jay and Charlie. “Just don't mutilate him so much that he can't work. I have plans for him.”

This has Jay and Charlie sharing twin expressions of eagerness.

Both step forward and match strides over to us.

“
Ready to defend your pussy, Lincoln?” Asswipe taunts.

Why would you provoke a man like Jay? You'd have to be an idiot. Oh, wait...

“I'd watch myself right now and start thinking about making smart choices that don't end with your skull getting bashed in.”

I unconsciously nod my head in agreement.

Jay's eyes rest on my cheek. Something dark and sinister dilates his pupils, nostrils flaring, and he takes a gigantic step to put himself directly in front of me. I know his anger isn't directed at me, but damn if it still doesn't make my heart race.

The back of his hand lightly strokes the spot that still stings a bit.

“Did you do this?” Jay growls, deep and menacing, his eyes pinning Asswipe to the wall.

Asswipe doesn't answer, but there is no denying his fear. The hatred rolling off Jay and heading towards him is the scariest thing I've ever seen...or felt.

Before Jay begins his annihilation, he bends down to tenderly place his lips over the backhand mark.

Oh my, Jay sure knows how to turn me into mush.

“Lily, you need to get out of here. I don't want you seeing this,” Jay says over his shoulder.

I shake my head no,
“Nuh-uh.”

“
Lily,” he warns, grinding his jaw.

“
You can't kill him, Jay.”

“
I'm not planning to, but he's definitely going to wish I had.”

My stomach rolls from images of Asswipe's body after Jay's done with him. I'll spare the details, it's too disgusting.

I look to Charlie, hoping he might help him see reason, but he seems to be just as ready to destroy as Jay. His fists are squeezed so tight they are white, or maybe it's because all his blood has rushed to his head, ready to detonate at any moment.

Jay takes Asswipe by the shirt and slams him against the wall, keeping a grip on the material. Asswipe winces when his head bounces off it.

Jay raises a fist and readies it for his face, but pauses mid swing.

He lifts a chin to Asswipe's swollen, busted lip, fist still suspended in the air,
“Who did that?”

“
The little girl. I didn't know you like 'em so young–”

Jay's fist connects with the other side of his jaw, “Shut the fuck up.”

Jay looks at me, pointing to Asswipe's mouth, “You did this?”

I proudly nod, “Yup.”

His eyes twinkle in amusement, “And why is that?”

“
I didn't like what was coming out of his mouth.”

“
So you thought you'd punch him?” He asks in a shocked, almost pleased voice.

“
Yes, at the time it seemed like my best option at achieving my goal.”

“
Of getting him to stop talking?”

“
That is correct.”

Jay smirks, “
Nice choice.”

“
Thank you, I thought so too.”

Jay turns his focus back on Asswipe, pulling back his arm and punching him in the gut, “That's for giving my woman a reason to hit you.”

He looks back at me again, “Your hand all right?”

I caress it, “It's tender. His jaw's like concrete.”

Jay punches him in the gut again, sending Asswipe heaving over his fist, “That's for hurting her hand.”

“
She hit
me
.” Asswipe manages to cough out, still buckled over.

Jay takes hold of his shoulders and uses his knee this time, “You gave her a reason to. Don't ever fucking do that again. You have a problem with me, take it out on me. Not Arianna, and definitely not Lily. Got it?”

Asswipe straightens and spits out an, “I got it.”

“
The only reason you're not dead right now is because she doesn't want you to be,” Jay explains.

I highly doubt Asswipe feels any sort of gratitude towards me as Jay lets him go.

Asswipe begins to walk away but Charlie steps in, “My turn.” Charlie's face is clear of any expression, which makes it just as scary because you can't tell what state he's in or the extremes he's willing to go.

Asswipe uses his shirt to remove blood from his lips, “Do your best. I dare you.”

The two start going at it like it's the MMA. Jay has to pull me behind him and back us against the wall to make sure I'm not hit, forcing me to peek my head around his massive body. He yells at Arianna to go out the main door and she quickly obeys, darting nervous glances at the two men fighting.

Oh my god, they are really going at it. Whenever Charlie gets a good swing in I have a hard time not yelling out in triumph.

I'm really surprised that's not Jay right now.

“
It would be, but I wouldn't be able to control myself,” Jay answers to what I had accidentally spoken out loud.

“
I'm sorry,” I feel guilty for asking him to be somebody he's not.

“
Don't be. This is good practice. If I can fight off this desire right now, I'm pretty sure I could do it when I'm back home with you.”

I smile into his arm, liking his choice of words.

Ben throws open his office door, “That's enough.” It slams shut, both men instantly stopping, their body's covered in sweat and blood, chests heaving from exertion.

Charlie and Jay silently communicate before Charlie opens the door to Arianna and Hattie, who are deep in conversation, both pairs of eyes glued to the door.

Hattie gasps when she sees how bloody Charlie is.

Charlie gives Asswipe one last scowl, pointing to Arianna, “Don't ever think about touching her again. I don't care if you're Vault's family, I will kill you.” He scans Hattie, “In fact don't touch
any
woman that works here. Don't even look at them.”

I'm still trapped behind Jay who is watching Asswipe's every move, daring him to take a step closer to us.

As Asswipe walks away he grumbles something about Mark not coming soon enough.

I lunge for him, somehow finding the strength to push past Jay, who extends his arm out and causes my midsection to halt around it, “I appreciate the gesture, babe, but I'm rather fond of those hands and what they can do. Save it for someone who's worth it.”

Good point.

Once the door is closed, Jay turns to me and strokes my cheek again, concern etched in his brows, “You sure you're all right?”

“Does it look that bad?”

“
No, it's hardly noticeable. I'm just making sure.”

I stand up on the tips of my toes and Jay has to lean down so I can give him a peck, “I sure do love you, Jay Lincoln.”

Jay smiles along my lips, wrapping his arms around my waist to lift me up, making my feet dangle in the air, locking me in his strong arms, wanting to be able to give my mouth more attention. Our tongues thread together, getting entwined and lost in the other.

My arms circle around his neck as though their life depends on it. We increase the magnitude of the kiss to a level that consumes me to my core.

When we finally break apart, I have to rest most of my face to the side of his, overwhelmed with the level of intensity we can draw out of one another.

“
Oh, Lily,” he exhales, his pulse quickening it's pace. “What am I going to do with you?”

“
Ugh, you guys are sickening to watch,” Arianna playfully announces from the door.

Jay doesn't let me go as we turn our heads in her direction.

“It's kind of creeping me out to see Jay this way, however,” she points a finger at his face, “it's a good look on you.”

“
What?” Jay questions.

“
Smiling. You're pretty handsome when you do.”

Color flushes his cheeks.

“Omigod, is Jay Lincoln blushing?” Arianna teases, earning a scowl from him.

“
Whatever,” is his only argument. “Is there a reason you're here?”

“
God, Jay, nobody knows how to do asshole quite like you.” She puts her attention on me, “I'm done for the day. Do you want to come back to my place? We can hang out until Jay's done?”

“
Yes!” I shout with excitement, wiggling out of his arms.

Jay looks back and forth between us, eyes wide with fright at the idea of us spending time alone together.

What's wrong with me that I love to see him squirm?

“
You can't leave the building,” Jay orders, letting us both know.

“
I know the rules, Jay. Chill out,” Arianna sharply responds.

Jay scrubs his scars, “I'm warning you, A. Don't fuck me over.”

“Gee, thanks,” she mutters, taking offense. She grabs my hand and yanks me out the door. “Let's hurry before your domineering boyfriend acts even more like a prick than usual.”

In the waiting area I find Charlie sitting on a leather chair with Hattie standing between his legs, disinfecting his wounds. His eyes are wandering all over her face.

“I'm taking Lily to the studio,” Arianna informs Charlie.

Charlie ignores her or maybe he didn't hear, I'm not sure which.

“Charlie,” she snaps, getting his attention. “I need you to take me home.”

Charlie stands, thanking Hattie, who blushes. The three of us travel to the gold elevator.

As we descend, Arianna explains that she can't ride to any level without a guard, seeming almost embarrassed by it.

“
Thanks for sticking up for me,” Arianna quietly speaks, taking Charlie's hand in hers. “He looked a hell of a lot worse than you do.”

His lips curve to the side, confidently displaying that this is information he already knew.

We arrive on the level Jay lives. He hadn't mentioned Arianna was living here too. I was wondering how I was going to her place if we weren't allowed to leave the bank. 

Charlie has to lead us all the way to the apartment door, which is closer to the elevator than Jay's. He has his hand scanned before we can. Arianna explains that she also can't enter or leave an area without a guard or she pays the consequences.

I don't ask what those are. I know it can't be anything good.

Arianna thanks Charlie once we're inside. He lifts his chin and leaves.

The studio looks identical to Jay's. It's a little freaky.

“
Are you hungry? I thought I would make us lunch?” Arianna offers.

“
Sure. Thanks.”

She signals to a bar stool, “Sit. I'll get it started. And don't even think about offering to help, I'm trying to learn how all this works,” she waves her arms around at the kitchen.

“You and Charlie seem close...” I pry, hopping up on a stool.

“
Oh, we are. He's incredible. He looks out for me, probably the only person in my life who ever has. It's a shame he's gay.”

“
What? Really?” Not that he has to fit a stereotype or anything, but this completely surprises me.

“
I was shocked too. At one point I wondered if he was lying, but one day he came home early at the exact moment I had gotten out of the shower and was walking to the dresser. His eyes barely glanced at me, and not in an uncomfortable, quickly look away thing, but an actual I-could-care-less-that-a-naked-woman-is-standing-in-front-of-me way.”