Page 41 of Submission

“When did Megan leave that house?”

“Things are a little tricky here. From what I found out from their neighbors, Megan had a boyfriend who was murdered during a break-in at their house. After the police closed the case, she left. She’s never been back since.”

“Did the police find the killer?”

“They suspected a local gang in the area, but nothing was ever proven. One of their neighbors said that Megan left in the middle of the night with just a bag and no money. This neighbor had been living next to their house for years, and, according to her, she guessed that they were abusing her. When she saw Megan sneaking out, instead of informing her parents, she gave her some cash and bought her a bus ticket to LA.”

“Get me the name of that neighbor,” I murmur.

Some good deeds need to be repaid.

“Yep, I have it in my notes.”

“I’m not sure what the devil’s spawn is up to, but make sure Rachel doesn’t get anywhere near Megan again. Either give her a security team, or you watch after her. Parker can be my security detail. I don’t need both of you, and I don’t want Megan going anywhere alone. Also, get me the case file of that break-in at the house. Something seems off. If they hated her so much, why would they allow her to bring a boyfriend over?”

“I’ll arrange that,” comes a lazy voice from the couch as Vaughn stretches and then huddles deeper into his blanket. “Write down the details and leave them on the table.”

Well, at least he’s good for something,I muse.

When Lars leaves, Vaughn sits up, the blanket wrapped around him. “You’re really serious about Megan, aren’t you?”

“Mind your own business.”

“You are my business.” He drags the blanket on the floor as he comes to sit at the kitchen’s island counter. “I’ve just never seen you like this around any woman.”

I don’t respond and he continues talking. “Is this going to be a long-term thing?”

I shrug. “We’ll see.”

“You can be vague as much as you like, but you’re obsessed with this girl. You never go out of your way for anybody else like this. Not even us.”

“That’s a lie.”

“You think so?” Vaughn scoffs before pouring himself a cup of coffee and adding, “You are well on your way to falling in love with this girl if you aren’t already.”

My eyes narrow at him. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

I realize I’ve already professed my feelings for Megan in a moment of weakness or perhaps a moment of strength, but there’s no need for everyone to know my truth.

“Then what is it?” He pokes at me with his words, lifting his brows. “She’s just going to be a fuck buddy for a few months, and then you both find somebody else?”

“Stop talking, Vaughn, or I’ll rip your tongue out,” I warn him as he almost spits a mouth full of coffee out laughing at me.

“It’s too early in the morning for this sort of violence,” Christian comes sauntering out of the guest bedroom, his voice sleepy. “Can’t you both keep it down?”

“I told Hunter that he’s falling in love with Megan, and he threw a temper tantrum.”

Christian sits down next to him as I contemplate the mechanics of actually ripping out Vaughn’s tongue.

“He’s not wrong.” Christian grabs the jug of water on the counter. “You’re crazy about her.”

“Both of you, get out of my house,” I growl, taking my cup of coffee and retreating into my bedroom to change. “The Four Seasons has rooms available.”

As I close the door of my bedroom behind me, my eyes go to the framed sketch on the wall.

I’m falling in love with Megan.

Hell, who am I kidding?

---