The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

“You look stunning tonight, my wife.” I strolled my gaze at her from head to toe. She picked the black glittery floor-length gown and put on a set of diamond jewelry to complete the look. Her makeup wasn’t overdone, just the way I liked it. The hairstylist just enhanced the natural wave of her hair.

“You’ve said that three times already.” She smiled at me, the kind when she was amused. “You’re not bad yourself, husband. And I have something for you.”

“You don’t have to give me anything.”

“I want to, sweetheart.” She picked up something from the drawer and pulled out the box. “It just took me a while to find it.”

“What’s this?” I knew it was a watch box. When I opened it, it looked vintage. “A vintage watch.”

“Close to antique. I know you can afford to buy the most expensive watch in the world, but this one is different. Special.”

I carefully picked it up. “Everything is always special if it comes from you, Vanderford.”

“Check out the bottom.”

I did as she told me. There was an initial. “T. B. 1927.”

She picked up an old photo from the drawer and showed it to me. “I was nosy.” She laughed. “I was checking your old family photo. I mean, old, old, centuries old. T. B. was your great-great, I don’t know how many great, he was your great grandfather.” She then pointed out at the old’s man’s wrist. “I asked your father if he has this watch. He told me the story behind it and was sold to start a confectionery business. When he tried to buy it back from the person he sold it to, he left abroad. I found this in the U. K.”

“You tracked to get this?” I asked in awe. “T. B. Thomas Braddson?”

“Senior. With someone’s help, yeah.” She looked proud. “I asked someone to check for the authenticity. It’s legit, a 96-year-old watch. Ninety-seven, to be precise.”

“And it’s still working.”

“I couldn’t find its original strap, but this is old too.”

I smiled as I put it on. “It looks perfect, baby. Thank you.” I cupped her face. “You remind me how precious time is, and I’m making every moment precious for us. I love you, Vanderford.” I lightly kissed her on her lips. I didn’t want to smudge her lipstick. “This is the most precious gift I’ve ever received.”

“Not me?” She wrinkled her nose.

“From a human. From God, it’s you, London Hester Marguerite Vanderford-Braddson-Cade.”

My request to add Braddson to my name was approved. London proudly took it as her married name. Her introduction as a married woman brought a lot of congratulations and speculations until I ended it with my social media post.

“That’s a lot.”

I checked my watch again. “Papa is gonna die in jealousy.”

She laughed. “Tell him it’s worth 1B.”

“It’s priceless. Sorry, Pa.”

***

We made it to the event. The air show and test earlier in the morning were a huge success. After posing before the photographers, we went inside the venue full of government and military officials, representatives from the private sector, business industries, and important guests.

I instantly found Moses. I raised my hand to acknowledge him. Dad was also in another group of women.

“You might look like your Papa when you reach his age.” London had her hand hooked around my arm as some guests greeted us.

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” We walked toward Moses.

“He’s handsome, Cade. And I didn’t choose for your looks?”

“What then? The size? My charm?”

“Your over-inflated ego.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “All of the above it is.”

“Pa.” We did a hug. “Congratulations.”

“Son, this is our work-the Hover employees, including you. You look lovely tonight, London” He turned to my wife.

“You look handsome, Papa.”

“Meet my son, Striker Braddson-Cade,” he introduced me to the most powerful man in the room or the entire country.

“It’s an honor, sir.” I shook his hand firmly, starstruck.

“I heard you served.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you for your service, son.”

“I’m honored, sir.” I nodded.

He went to shake my wife’s hand. “Mrs. Cade. Your man is a hero.”

“He is, sir. Thank you.”

After that short introduction, we went to Dad.

“I just shook his hand,” I told Dad.

“It’s meeting your own hero kind of feeling, huh?”

“Yeah.” I chuckled.

“Don’t wash your hand for a week,” London joked.

I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “If it’s your come, I won’t.”

She covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled.

“Mr. Cade?” Someone called me from behind.

I turned around. “Which one? My dad or me?”

“You, Mr. Cade. I’m a reporter from News Net. I got an exclusive pass for this event. May I ask you a few questions?” She was young and hungry for a break, I understood.

“It depends. If it’s personal, then no. I enjoy my privacy very much.”

“I only want your opinion about the successfully recently launched STRIKER. I believe it is named after you?”

“So, this is your second question.”

She smiled. “Fine, sir.”

“You should ask my father.”

“Mr. Braddson.”

“Yes.”

“I already did. But I also want your opinion since you will be the future chairman-”

“Whoa. Hold on a minute. I am not. Where did that come from?”

“As I said, Mr. Cade, I already interviewed your father.”

“What are your questions?”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Based on online forums and tweets, some are not fond of your father’s business, particularly the STRIKER. What do you say about this?”

“Civilians have their right to share their opinion. I am a civilian, too. STRIKER is built not to destroy human lives. It is built to protect our people, military, and this country. I’m not giving any more opinion about it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cade. You served in the military, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Do you think STRIKER will serve its purpose?”

“Yes. It is built for it.”

“Is it necessary?”

“Fighter jets had been there for centuries. The only difference is this one is more advanced-”

“You mean, it detects and kills instantly.” She was intrusive.

I breathed deeply. “Here’s what I wanna say. Post it or cut it. I don’t care. There would be no offense and defense if there were no bad guys. No more people are dying out there, leaving their families behind, fighting for a good cause, and no more family losing their loved ones. And everyone wishes for world peace. Even if my father shuts down the Hover Defense, someone will still start like this one. Other countries do the same because it’s for defense and economic stability, or their country will stumble. Do you have any other questions?”

“That’s all, sir. Thank you for your time.”

I just nodded.

When she left, my wife wrapped her arm around my waist. “Good answer.”

“Stupid questions.”

She chuckled and snatched two champagne. “Let’s have a drink.”

“To world peace.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

“Is that your cousin?” London elbowed me as she noticed Lake walking in our direction. Lake was a tall, good-looking man, always wearing a confident smile on his face. He reminded me of Terzo.

“The one and only.”

He stopped before us, greeting London, “You look beautiful tonight, my cousin’s wife.”

“And you look like a rock star, Lake.”

“Don’t,” I warned my wife. Lake just chuckled.

“By the way, how reliable the firm is?” his question caught my attention.

“Why? What do you need?”

“This remains between us three. I need Linden’s expertise.” His feature turned serious as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Are you in trouble?” London asked him.

“I’m not sure.”

“What specific expertise are we talking about here, Lake?”

“I bumped into an old acquaintance, and she has a son.”

I shared a look with London. I thought I knew where this conversation was going.

“Linden doesn’t do PI jobs, but I’ll ask a favor and have him contact you. When do you want him to start?”

“Even right now.”

***

I got up early, but the bed was empty, and I couldn’t find my wife. I went to the study and found her there.

“Morning, sweetheart.” She didn’t look behind her, but she knew it was me.

“Morning. You woke up early.”

“Sit next to me.” She patted the space to her right.

“You okay?” I went to her.

“Better than okay.” She was still wearing the robe and began untying it.

“What are you doing?” I licked my lips in anticipation.

“You’re gonna make it up for last night.” She opened the robe, spread her legs, and she was not wearing anything inside.

“Fuck me,” I muttered under my breath as I strolled my gaze from her face to her breast down to her pussy.

“No. You fuck me.” She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. Her lids got hooded.

“You don’t have to ask me twice.” I began stripping my clothes off and threw them over my shoulder.

“Good because we haven’t done on this couch.”

“Touch yourself.” I went to the couch with my cock in my palm, stroking it. I was already hard the moment she spread her legs for me.

I sat next to her and angled my head so that I could kiss her. She dragged her hand between her thighs and parted her lips for me. I smashed my mouth against her and kissed her hard. Our tongues fought for dominance. My hand on her tit, pinching that little hard nub. Then I slipped my tongue in, and she tasted orange juice, which she hated.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I instantly got the cue. I sat straight and opened my thighs so that she could straddle me. She grabbed my cock and positioned it into her opening. Without warning, she sat on me, and it bottomed her.

A scream tore out from her throat.

“Fuck.” I felt my cock buried deep, her ass hitting my balls. I grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard, pure savage, and I began rocking my hips into her. And she was bouncing into my cock, her tits jiggling.

I released her head. My hands went to her ass to hold and grip it steady. With each hard thrust, I groaned into her mouth. Each time I hit her clit, she shuddered.

It was hard fucking, but she enjoyed it a lot.

My fingers might imprint on her ass cheeks for days. She didn’t give a damn, though. She only cared about how felt good it was. She broke the kiss and threw her head back.

“So good.” She looked hot, drowned in her ecstasy.

We fucked until sweat glistened our skins until we were panting. Her orgasm was closed. I could feel her-her wetness dripping down the inside of my thigh, and she was rolling her hips, searching for her own pleasure.

“Come for me, baby.” I leaned closer and sucked the skin on her shoulder. “Don’t wait for me.”

“Yes.” Her body spasmed and shook as she came around me. Her head went to the crook of my neck, and she bit me on the shoulder as she lost control.

I sucked a sharp breath and groaned against the pain. The sting of her bite ignited my own impending orgasm.

I lifted her ass and fucked her faster and harder. My skin slapped against hers.

My senses scrambled.

I could hardly gather my thoughts. My world narrowed to a pinpoint of absolute euphoria. Until I broke, losing myself in the primal pleasure.

“Fuck!”