CHAPTER 3

Jace Beecham°

I walked into the room, holding my glass of whiskey in one hand, and my other hand gripping my phone tightly. Only one thing was on my mind. One damn thing that had managed to keep me awake for hours non-stop.

Damn, Lillian!

I gritted my teeth in anger, feeling the blood pump up my veins. I didn't understand how she had the guts to keep a yearning child from her father. And God, that girl would forever hunt me.

She looked so pretty in the picture, so beautiful. She looked as fragile as her mother but she was my carbon copy. Not even Melan looked like me that much. And he was also my carbon copy.

I downed the content of my glass into my mouth and sniffed. I placed the glass on the table, albeit slamming it. I was only lucky that the glass didn't shatter. That would have my men rushing in instantly.

“Boss, ” a soft call came from the door. I turned as I wiped at my mouth with the sleeves of my shirt. It was just morning so I was yet to dress up for work. I had just put on some shirts, still a little sweaty from the gym work I had done earlier. When I turned toward the door, Jacob and Alexander were standing there waiting on my order.

Those two could as well be called my best friends. Or the close thing I had to a best friend. They worked for me and had been loyal for a couple of years since I'd had them. They saved me from a lot of trouble a lot of times. They were more than my bodyguards, I knew that much.

“Come in, ” I waved them in as I walked to my seat. I settled down on the comforting sofa, keeping my eyes on them.

“I have everything you asked for.” Alex started as he stood in front of me with Jacobs beside him. Those two always protected me so harshly. I was glad I had trained them properly.

“Hit me, ” I told him, suddenly finding the boxed wristwatch I had ordered a few days ago interesting.

“Lilliana Rollins. She is 27 and graduated from college a few years back. Business major. Has a fashion store called Olive Stores. Lives a very private life. It was hard digging into her.” He said briefly. I knew if there were any important details I needed to know, he would not hesitate to feed me with them.

“I'm quite suspicious of her background. Research made me know that her parents are late and the only person she adores is her daughter, Olive. She looks kind of suspicious to live such a life. That woman I saw...” he trailed off to leave the word hanging in the air.

I understood what he wanted to say but couldn't say. Lilliana had an air of dangerous aura surrounding her. She looked so fragile, so skinny and pretty. She looked so innocent but I knew behind that wall was a very dangerous woman. I had not particularly seen it in her but if she could keep my daughter away from me for five years, then she was nothing but danger.

I had seen it that night when we had sex. I just couldn't place my hands on why I felt drawn to her.

“Boss, if you would listen to me, I suggest you don't take in that child. What if this is all false? For all we know, it might be another dirty scheme sent your way. Her gentility gave her away.” Jacobs added and I took in his words.

“The young girl I saw in the picture looks too true to be false. She looks just like me. She has my blood running in her veins. And Lilliana, I remember her too much for me to forget about her.” I raised my head and met his gaze, fiddling with my phone. “It was just one night but I can never forget that face.” I finished.

Even if I did, the sight of her lush hair had me snapping back to that moment. That moment when my fingers ran through the fineness and uniqueness, kneading her tiny waist and her damn sexy body. It has haunted me every day till now.

“So, what are you saying boss? What are you going to do?” Alex asked, watching me expectantly. They were going to follow whatever I say anyway.

“Put a call through to her for me. Let me talk to her.” I ordered as I handed Jacob my phone. He quickly got to it, and soon, I could hear the call beeped and dialed.

A few seconds later, it went through. Her voice sounded groggy and eluded with sleep when she spoke. It was just the right amount of sexiness to have a man breaking his rules.

“Good morning, Jace.” Her smooth, velvety voice came through the speakers.

“Lilliana, ” I jutted my jaw like I would have if she was here right now at the moment, my gaze stern.

“I want to see my daughter. I want her here with me with her older siblings.” I said without mincing words, hitting the nail on the head.

“Step siblings, ” she corrected. “I can let you have her. I can send her over to live with you. Only that, I wouldn't.” She deadpanned and I frowned.

Alex made a sound while Jacob groaned like they suspected that she would say this.

“You wouldn't? What does that mean Lilliana? Why did you come to me in the first place?” I demanded, my voice firm and orderly.

“I do want my daughter to meet her father, Jace. But I can't just accept for her to come live with you just like that. She has become a part of me in the last few years. You think I will just let her go?” she scoffed like it was amusing that I thought so. “I can't let my daughter go, Jace. I can never let her go. Not until I know that she is safe at least.” She concluded.

“What the hell do you mean? This is her father whom you have kept away from her for five fucking years, Lilly! What do you mean by "she wouldn't be safe here?” I was getting pretty upset now.

She exhaled and I glanced up at the guys. “Listen, Jace. I'm not fighting with you. I don't even have the willpower to—” I scoffed. Yeah, right. She didn't have the willpower.

“—All I'm trying to say is that I can't endanger her life just like that by making her come live with you. Did you see your men? They don't like me. They were very aggressive with me. What if they hurt my daughter? And who else do I know is in that house that would pose a threat to her life?” She replied, calmly.

Well, if she put it that way, she had a point. It would be uncanny of her to just let go of her daughter.

“My men pose no threat and neither does my home. I'm sorry they were aggressive with you but they were just looking out for me. Lilliana, she is not just your daughter but mine too.” I growled at her.

“I'm not disputing that fact, ” she breathed. “Look, I don't want you thinking that I'm after your money or whatever but I won't let my daughter go just like that. Never. You can come to see her if you want.” I imagined her shrugging those delicate shoulders of hers.

“Lilliana, ” I called after a brief silence.

“I'm all hears, Jace.” She replied, quietly.

“If you have a problem with the safety of your child then come over here. Move in with us till you are sure that you can let her stay with me whenever she wants. It wouldn't disrupt your personal life. I'm engaged.” I told her, meeting Jacob's eyes.

“My men will keep you both safe. It would be dangerous for you out there if anyone were to find out about this anyway.” I added it because it was the truth.

For a few seconds more, she didn't say anything. Only the sounds of her breath filled the air.

“Do I have time to think about this and weigh my options?” She demanded.

“Only for twenty-four hours,” I grunted.

“Okay, I will get back to you.” She added quickly and the line went dead.

I sighed as I leaned into the sofa, looking ahead at my men who were watching me. She was going to call. She would get back to me.

“Are you not signing yourself up for a death warrant boss?” Alex asked, solemnly.

“How so?” I raised a brow at him even though I had an idea of what he was talking about.

“Lady Roseanne and Janelle?” Jacobs supplied and I pretended to think.

“When we get to that bridge, we will cross it,” I said in a tone of finality even as I felt the storm brewing ahead. “Now, go get ready. We leave for the office in thirty minutes.” I ordered as I rose from the sofa. They got the cue and clamped their mouths shut.

“Okay, boss.” They bowed and I watched them walk out of the room.