The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

I was exhausted.

I hadn’t had a good sleep after my birthday.

Despite Moses taking care of the expenses, I was hands-on in wedding preparation, even if I hired people to make it possible in three days. I still wanted to see for myself that it would come out exactly how I wanted- London’s dream wedding. And it exceeded my expectations.

Then I woke up, and London was already sleeping in bed, curled into a ball on her side. I was supposed to rest while waiting for her to finish in the bathroom. Then I just fell asleep. The worse thing I’d ever done for her.

I took a quick shower and wore my PJ bottom. When I came back, London was still in the same position. I covered her with the duvet and wrapped her in my arms. She didn’t even stir.

This wasn’t exactly what our first night together would look like, but she was beside me, and we both needed to recharge. What mattered most was that we were together.

Hours later, I woke up in an empty bed. It was unusual. I usually woke up before London and watched her sleeping for a few moments before I got up from bed.

After using the bathroom, I went out and expected to see my wife, but she was neither in the living room nor the kitchen.

“Where’s my wife?” I asked Reed since he was the only one around.

“You’re asking me your wife?” He chucked. When I didn’t answer, he said, “I thought she was still with you.”

My brows knitted in confusion. “No. I woke up alone, and I thought she was here.”

Reed took one last sip of his coffee and stood up. I followed him to the living, to the back door. “London?”

“I’ll check the front.” I passed through the pathways to the front. I still saw nothing. London was maybe angry, but she wouldn’t risk running away alone, considering I was still working on capturing the last man responsible for her kidnapping.

“She’s not there,” Reed told me, dialing her number. He waited until the call had just ended. “She’s not picking up.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I’ll call her on my phone.” I went inside the house to get my phone. I checked her things. They were still here.

“Cade, did she answer?”

“Vanderford must have woken up early, got bored, and gone out.” I dialed her number. I just wished she had left me a note or something. The call ended. “She’s not picking up.”

When I started to get worried, I took a deep breath. She was probably wandering around the area, but I couldn’t help but think of something I would rather not go there.

I redialed her number as we went outside the house. “She’s still not picking up,” I said harshly.

“Calm down, Cade. Did you two get into an argument?”

“She was angry at me last night.”

“On your first night?” His tone made me more anxious and mad.

“Are you trying to make me feel horrible? Because right now, I am. She could be in danger.”

“Let me check her location.”

“Did you put a tracker on her?”

He looked at me as if I had just turned a mad bull. “No, but I could track her phone. And she hadn’t pushed her panic button. So she must be just looking for gift shops.”

“Sir Striker, do you need anything.” Then the caretaker came.

“Did you see my wife?”

“No, sir. I just came by to check if you need anything.” She looked around. “But my bike is missing.”

“You’re bike?”

“Yes, sir. It was here when I left last night.”

We shared a look with Reed.

“She’s somewhere in Kylian,” Reed announced.

“Thank you, Ada.” I rushed inside to change my clothes.

When I came back, Reed was already in the SUV. “She hates SUVs. We’ll use the sedan.”

“Yeah. I completely forget.”

He drove us to the road. This city never ceased to amaze me. It was small but so lush with fresh air.

“Why was she angry with you?”

I glared at him.

“Look, personal matters between you are not my business. You know the drill. My job is her safety. She never wandered around, even in a new place, without telling me.”

“You mean to say I failed her as a husband.” I snorted.

“No. She probably went for a coffee.”

I thought for a moment. “I think I know where she’s going. And this place is safe. I can guarantee you. She’s at Teoni.”

“What’s that?”

“Coffee shop.” I redialed her number-this time, she picked up. I felt relief, even though her voice was harsh. She was really pissed at me. I couldn’t blame her.

“I have to change. I have to hang up now.”

“Why did you say that?” Reed asked me, confused.

“I wanna make sure she can’t go far in the bike. She sounds like she doesn’t wanna talk to me.” I clenched my jaw hard as I shook my head. “Linus. Jesus Christ. She feels abandoned. And I should have been there for her.”

“Where do you think you are if not with her? Give yourself some credit, Cade. You’ve been a good partner and will be a good husband. Go easy on yourself.”

“I’m going to tell her. And I hate keeping secrets from the people I love.”

“Glad to hear that.” A smile curved up his lips.

“You can park here.” As soon as the car stopped, I jumped out and crossed the street.

I quickly found Teoni at the counter when I entered the coffee shop. What I liked about her place was that it reminded me of home. That was why I always came back when I was in Burkhese.

After our pleasantries, I realized London had been watching me all this time. I joined her at the table. She was still so mad at me. That glare alone could slice me in half. And that left me no choice.

“My dad was working with your dad to set us up.”

“What? That’s impossible. Tate would never do that.”

“Really? Why’d you say that?”

“Why would he help my father tie his only son into this ridiculous marriage?”

“Ridiculous?” I was offended. I clenched my jaw hard until I could bear the pain in my chest.

She closed her eyes for a moment. “You know what I mean. At first, yes.”

“It’s still common in many wealthy people to strengthen their business connections, to keep the business running, but in my case, I’m not rich. Not even close. They make sure-”

“I don’t wanna hear about it. Why did Tate do that?”

“Dad owed your father money.” I looked around. “Can we talk somewhere else?”

“What’s wrong if we talk here?”

“I wanna talk in some place with fewer people.”

“We’ll just talk.”

“Yes, baby. Why do you sound like you don’t trust me anymore? Are you scared of me?” I held her hand.

“No.”

“I’m sorry, okay? I don’t want to drag you into this. If possible, I want to solve the issues without you knowing.”

“Why? Why would you do that alone?”

“I don’t wanna see you worried, in pain, crying, and you look like you’ve been crying. And it hurts to see you like this?”

“I wanna know everything, Striker.”

“You never called me by my name.” Again, it hurt.

“I just want you to listen to me. I may be younger than you, but I can handle things. I don’t want any more shocking news. I’m not that brat girl anymore.”

“I know.” I squeezed her hand. “You’re the strongest and most capable woman I’ve ever met, Vanderford.”

When my coffee arrived, I rose from the chair. “Can we go now?”

“Sure.”

I took the plate of her uneaten cinnamon roll and brought it to the counter. “Teoni, can you prepare us a picnic basket?”

“Sure. I know exactly what I’m going to put in it.” She looked at my wife before she came to me. “Is she really taken?”

“She’s off-limits, Teoni. Sorry.” I chuckled as I handed her my card. “We’ll be waiting outside.”

“You don’t share?” I knew she was messing with me.

“Never. Get another woman.”

I held London’s hand as we walked out of the shop. We crossed the street where there were some gift shops.

“I was here, but I didn’t have their currency.”

“They accept cards, baby.”

“I know.”

“They also accept crypto. Capria is technologically advanced as well.” We entered a flower shop first. This was not exactly how I brought her flowers, but she was easy to please. If there was one thing I loved about London, small and thoughtful things made her smile more than an extravagance.

“Peonies, tulips, and roses, please? All in white.”

“Are those for me?” she asked in almost a whisper.

“For my wife, baby.”

“Am I your mistress?” The sales lady just heard her and looked at us.

“We’re married, ma’am,” I told her.

“I’m not judging, sir. Wait. I know you. You’re Teoni’s friend.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good to see you again, sir.” She was about to wrap the flowers when London pointed at the paper.

“I like it in the paper, please?”

“Sure, dear.” She did it with ease and gave it to London.

“Thanks.” Her smile was bright, as if she had just received the most precious gift. After I paid for the flowers, we went to the souvenir shop.

She bought some bracelets and insisted on paying for them. In the bookstore, I paid for a history book she chose.

“I’ll take the bike. You two can use the car,” Reed suggested.

“I wanna ride the bike,” London expressed.

“Just follow us,” I told Reed. “Did you get the basket?”

“Yes.”

London looked at me and back to the bike. “This can’t take us wherever you wanna go.”

“It will.” I pointed at the couple riding a bike.

“Fine.”

“Hey, lovebirds. Use mine.”

“Yes! I’ll return it, promise.” London went to hug Teoni. “Thanks so much.”

“You’re welcome. If you’re done with him, come and find me.”

I shook my head in amusement.

London and I rode on different bikes. We finally hit the road. I wanted her to join me on the bike, but I also wanted her to have fun. And I was planning to take her to the scarp.

“Just take it slow, Vanderford.”

“You worry too much, Cade. I rode a bike since I was three.” The more I told her to take it slow, the more she did the opposite. Judging by her grin, she was planning on something.

Good thing this part of the road had fewer vehicles passing, and she listened when I told her to wear a helmet.

“Baby, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”

“Jeez. You only live once. Have fun, Cade!” She lifted her hands as we headed toward the slope.

I blew a breath. My heart beat so hard. I was worried she would fall and get hurt.

Reed slowed down as he followed us from behind. He lowered the window and shook his head. “For God’s sake. You’re more like a father to her than a husband. You’re on your honeymoon, dumbass. Let her have some fun.”

“Get fucking lost!”