Richard's Reign (Book 6): Enthrall Novella #3 (Enthrall Sessions) Read online

  Trixie’s scream of pleasure made Dominic flinch. “Here, please.”

  They came to a stop, both breathless and wearing contented smiles.

  “You’re so merciful,” I mouthed to Dominic. “I’d planned on another hour.”

  He waved to them. “Time to be bathed and fed.” Dominic opened the door and gestured towards the hallway.

  Harris cantered out with Trixie bobbing up and down on his back, her face full of happiness, her arms wrapped around his neck.

  The door closed behind them.

  I pulled out my phone and went to text Cameron, ready to tell him what a complete bastard he was for ignoring my calls.

  His number lit up my phone and I punched the screen. “Heard you’re bailing on my party?”

  “I’m sorry.” Cameron sounded tired.

  “I left you a message at your office to call me. Thought you’d lost your phone.”

  “I’m in New York.”

  The news jolted me and I sat up. “Manhattan?”

  “Yes.”

  This was unlike him. We usually knew each other’s moves. I buried my unease. “I wanted to give you the heads up about your Cole Teas shares. Though I’m assuming your dad might have mentioned it by now.”

  “Richard.”

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Hostile takeover. Hasn’t hit the press.”

  A wave of nausea hit me. “Fuck.”

  The line went quiet.

  I now felt like a selfish ass for hating him for going radio silent. “Talk to me,” I coaxed, unnerved at being this far away.

  “I’m here to salvage.”

  “How’s your dad?”

  “Not good.”

  I tried to find the right words to comfort him, but all I could say was, “You don’t have too much invested in Cole shares compared to the other stock, so you’re solid financially.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I manage your shares.” I sounded like an asshole. “Can I do anything?”

  “You’ve always loved sharks, Richard. I never asked why?”

  Typical Cameron, following an intuitive lead which at face value always seemed so disassociated with the subject. His brilliant mind a million leaps ahead of the rest of us.

  “You did ask me once, during a session,” I said.

  “That’s right.”

  “I told you to fuck off and stop asking me questions.”

  “I remember.”

  “Hadn’t talked for weeks. You cracked me open like a nut. Used a psychological sledgehammer on me. Now you can’t get me to shut up.” I gave a sigh. “Sharks keep the ecosystem in balance.”

  “You’re searching for balance.”

  “I suppose we all are. You know me. If it’s frightening I have to find out why. Sharks are not unlike humans in that if you show you’re not intimidated they’ll leave you alone. Stare them off. Bully them back and they relent.” The madness of it made me laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You were feared at Harvard. You intimidated everyone with your intellect. The girls were too scared to approach you and the men weren’t quite sure how to take you.”

  “I was friendly.”

  “Your quick wit could decimate an ego,” I told him. “When we first met, I was immediately intrigued.”

  “Are you saying I’m like a shark?”

  “You’re misunderstood.”

  “You always got me.”

  “Same here,” I said. “Want me to fly out there?”

  “I’ve got this, Richard. This feels like self-fulfilling prophecy.”

  “Get your shark fin on.”

  He always led me to the clues of the subconscious and my own revelation found me in this mist of my thoughts: there was only one way Andrea could overcome her fear.

  And she’d entrusted me to be her guide through this valley.

  Cameron, too, was entering uncharted territory but if anyone could rise above the fray, thrive under this kind of pressure, he could. But he’d have to be willing to surrender first and Cameron was always in control. Always.

  “Prepare to freefall,” I whispered.

  He let out a slow, steady breath.

  “Cameron,” I kept my voice low, “sharks can see in the dark.”

  Having comforted him, or hoping I had, I sat back and stared at the screen.

  More emails were flooding into his inbox, strangers reaching out to the club’s director. Most of them would never get to see the inside of this place.

  Knowing Cameron was going through such pain made my gut tighten. He has Mia with him, I reassured myself, though now more than ever their love would be tested.

  My thoughts drifted to my current client, our next session imminent. This particular subject required a firm handling. Andrea Buckingham needed a submersion unlike any other.

  I lifted the phone and waited for Professor Isaac Loftin to pick up.

  He answered, using his usual intense tone.

  “I’m going to pay you a visit,” I told him. “I’m bringing a friend. Prepare the cage.”

  CHAPTER 15

  SAN ONOFRE HAD no idea it was winter; the morning sun beat down on us in a blast of heat, the breeze welcoming at seven in the morning.

  I loved having Andrea all to myself. We sat on the end of the pier and ate Bagels and Lox from the picnic she’d prepared and sipped our coffee we’d bought along the way.

  To any witnesses we were two lovers lost in thought, merely enjoying each other’s company. It was easy to just be with her.

  We’d known each other just over a week now, yet it felt like we’d always been friends. As though she had always been waiting for me; Andrea had become a bright prelude to the rest of my life.

  Within the hour we’d made our way along the pier and found our tethered speed boat.

  The Monterey swept us fast over the water and we soon left the wharf behind us.

  With a thrust of the engine, I opened the throttle and it carried us out farther onto the sprawling blue ocean. We settled into this exhilarating rhythm. Andrea could escape completely out here, both of us leaving our troubles on land.

  She pressed her hand down on the top of her hat to prevent it from flying off, and peered over her big sunglasses. “This is fun! What a great idea.”

  I beamed at her.

  Ocean spray covered us and she let out a laugh. “I haven’t been on this kind of adventure in forever.”

  “We’re going somewhere very special, Andrea.”

  She squealed with happiness - the thrilling view of the vast blue ocean before us, waves lapping.

  After twenty minutes of navigating by way of the GPS the Score Settled appeared on the horizon, a sixty-foot catamaran looming in sight.

  With a thrust I directed us closer and closed the gap.

  After carefully aligning alongside her I killed the engine and the water buffered us flush against the catamaran.

  “We’re changing boats?” she asked.

  “For a while,” I said. “Visiting old friends.”

  We threw a wave above us to the three smiling crew members who leaned over to greet us. After securing our boat to theirs, I assisted Andrea up the rear steps and we boarded.

  Introductions were made and she shook hands with our skipper, Isaac Loftin, professor of oceanography and his coworker, Todd Mayweather. Their research assistant was twenty-two year old Rachel McNeil. Their sun-kissed smiling faces proved they were right where they wanted to be. As expected, they were unfazed by having a celebrity aboard and went out of their way to make Andrea feel welcome.

  “It’s been too long,” said Isaac, patting my back.

  “I agree,” I said. “Work’s gotten in the way. I’ve missed this. How have you been, Isaac?”

  “Never better. You?”

  “Just wonderful,” I said. “I’m excited to be here.”

  He turned to Andrea. “We have a great new satellite tracking system installed thanks to this man.”
r />   “You’d have gotten funding for it eventually,” I said.

  “Grants take too long to get approved,” he said. “Wanna take a look?”

  “We’d love to.” I led Andrea to the bridge, and we stepped down into the high-tech control room. We peered out onto the front deck through the sweeping wide window and admired the new dashboard with its state-of-the-art sonar system along with the satellite tracking hardware. All housed in luxury wood trim.

  “Are we going scuba diving?” asked Andrea.

  “We are.”

  Her face lit up. “Are there dolphins?”

  “Sometimes.”

  She glanced at the console. “Can you see them on the radar?”

  “Yes, if they’re around.”

  “What’s that?” She neared the sonar and pressed a fingertip to the screen following the blip.

  Isaac appeared in the doorway. “Suits are prepped and tanks checked.”

  “Thank you, Isaac,” I said. “We’ll go get changed.”

  With Andrea’s hand in mine, I led her off the bridge and we descended into the lower deck.

  I opened the door and gestured for Andrea to go first. She gasped when she realized she was standing on a clear glass floor. Beneath our feet was a full view of the ocean’s underwater flora, fauna, and reefs. The reflection threw a shimmering light over her face as she dared to move in farther, her dark hair glinting with highlights.

  Her expression was pure delight. “I’m scared to walk on it.”

  “It’s extremely sturdy.” I arched a brow. “Obviously.”

  To our left was an entire wall of glass, ocean life swimming by.

  “I’d be happy to just stay in here,” she said.

  “Then you’ll miss all the fun.” I closed the door. “Take off your clothes.”

  She placed her tongue between her teeth and bit it playfully.

  “Later,” I said.

  We undressed and Andrea was wearing her bikini just as I’d told her too. We took our time shimmying in to our diving suites. I helped her zip hers up.

  Andrea lifted one of the two Neptune Space G masks and examined the sleek design. “This is nice. Looks high-tech.”

  “It is.”

  The full face mask looked more like something a fighter pilot might wear, with its streamlined visor and molded silicon rubber to fit snuggly over the face.

  I took it from her and turned it over to show her. “See this? We can talk to each other while we’re down there and communicate with Isaac, too.”

  “I love that!”

  I drew closer to her. “I suppose now’s the right time to ask.”

  “Ask what?”

  “Are you menstruating?”

  She flashed a smile. “Oh no, is this some kind of kinky activity?”

  “You mean fucking under water?”

  She blushed. “Yes.”

  “No.”

  “Why would you ask me—” Her eyes dropped to the glass floor. “No, I’m not. Richard? Tell me there aren’t sharks down there.”

  “Welcome aboard the UCLA official shark research lab. Here they track, tag, and monitor the great white shark.”

  She glanced down at her wetsuit.

  “We’ll be in a cage, Andrea.”

  “Hell no.”

  “That blip you saw. Her name’s Pearl. She’s only twelve feet.”

  “Pearl?” Andrea stared down and her eyes swept the water.

  “All we have to do is sit tight, chum, and wait.”

  She swallowed hard. “You want me to get in a cage?”

  “Actually, it’s glass. Better view.”

  “Don’t need a great view.” She looked pale. “Won’t it be hard to tell…?”

  “Yes, it will seem as though we’re right in front of her.”

  “Sounds dangerous.”

  “No more than crossing the street.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go have some fun.”

  With a firm grip on Andrea’s arm, I led her up to the bow where Isaac and Todd were waiting for us. Isaac helped Andrea with her mask and secured her oxygen tank to her back, and slid the weights into her belt. Todd helped me with mine.

  After a minute of breathing through the mask again it felt natural and I admired the 360 degree view of the wide visor. I moved slower now, the weights strapped around my waist compromising my movement, the slight restriction of the suit.

  Within ten minutes we were good to go.

  “Checking the comms,” I said. “Andrea, how’s that for you?”

  “I can hear you,” she said, peering through her visor.

  Isaac turned toward the bridge where he received a thumbs up from Rachel who was screening the sonar. “Comms loud and clear for us, too,” he said.

  Andrea froze. “Richard, I can’t.”

  I signaled for Rachel to turn off the sound so we could talk in private.

  Taking Andrea’s hands in mine I stared into her eyes. “Fear is nothing more than an illusion. It doesn’t exist.”

  “What I’m feeling is real.”

  “Thoughts are not reality.”

  She mulled over my words. “How can this possibly help me?”

  “The answer lies down there.” I pointed to the water. “It’s waiting for you.”

  “What if that shark kills me?”

  “Face her and you can face anything.”

  She grazed her teeth over her lower lip. “I don’t see the connection.”

  “Because you’re blinded by fear.”

  “Fuck you for doing this. Fuck you for not warning me.”

  “You wouldn’t have come.”

  “It doesn’t seem right.”

  “This is what it means to be alive.”

  “I should never have asked you to help me. You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  “I’ve swum with sharks so many times I’ve lost count. I know them well.”

  “I’m not insured for stuff like this.”

  “Take a breath.”

  She gave an unconvincing nod.

  “You knew I could help you,” I said. “Trust it. Trust me.”

  “Okay.” She shook her head.

  I signaled to Rachel to turn the comms back on. “I’ll go first.”

  “She’s a beauty,” said Isaac. “You’re one lucky lady.”

  “You are all completely mad,” she said.

  The top of the glass cage bobbed above the surface. I sat on the edge of the boat and tugged on my fins.

  Andrea sat beside me and tugged on hers. “I’m not going in.”

  “I know.” I beamed at her.

  “Can sharks tell if you’re scared?”

  “No.” I threw a glance at Isaac.

  We both knew that should we cower down there, turn our backs on Pearl, or appear distressed, the shark would know. She’d evolved to detect animals in distress.

  “I can do this.”Andrea’s breathy voice echoed in my earpiece.

  “Yes, you can” I said. “Ready?”

  She gave a nod.

  I swung my legs over the edge, placed my hands on both sides of the cage and lowered myself down into it. The water was warm and welcoming and those weights felt lighter now, an easy swell around me. Turning, I raised my hands to Andrea and she gave a final nod of consent as she too used the glass side for leverage.

  She lowered into my arms, her gaze catching the two large black floatation devices, the buoys needed to keep us afloat.

  From above, Isaac worked the hydraulics and we were jolted out.

  “We’ll check our equipment and then we’ll continue,” I told Andrea.

  “Sounds good.” She gripped my forearm.

  Beneath the surface we stared into each other’s eyes, both of us testing whether or not our masks were leak proof and our oxygen tanks were delivering the right amount of air.

  “You’ve done this before,” I said. “You’re a natural.”

  “Yes, but
that was on vacation. Haven’t dived in years.”

  “No ascending with your lungs full,” I warned.

  “I remember.”

  “So we’re good to go?”

  “We’re good to go,” she said.

  “Going down,” Isaac’s confident voice streamed in.

  We descended slowly, staring at each other, doing a cautious final check to make sure there were no leaks in our masks. Buffered by the water, we could hear the sound of our own breathing.

  Isaac’s voice came across, reassuring us that all checks up there were in order.

  “Breathe normally,” I said.

  “This is normal,” she said. “I always breathe like this when I’m shark bait.”

  I chuckled. “This will be easier than facing those sharks back in Hollywood.”

  “I want to believe you.” She gripped me. “Promise me this cage is built to withstand an attack? Perhaps I should have asked that before getting in?”

  “It’s solid.”

  “What if I pee?” Andrea burst out laughing. “Will the shark go for me?”

  “The safest place is underwater. As long as we don’t look like wounded seals.” I gave her a sideways glance. She didn’t need to know that sharks would be curious once they caught sight of us.

  A passing visual sweep revealed only a couple of yellowtail’s gliding by. Isaac would see Pearl first on the sonar, but we’d already decided not to tell Andrea when she was approaching, wanting to give her the chance to view the shark in the distance swimming majestically toward us.

  We heard a splash above and the water became tinged red with blood. A dead fish head bobbed around.

  “Chum,” I said. “We’re hailing our beauty.”

  “How is this meant to help me?” whispered Andrea.

  I turned her around to face the front of the glass and then slid in front of her, protecting her body with mine. She wrapped her arms around my chest and hugged me.

  The water was calm, relaxing, and it felt easy to leave the world behind. The only sound was that of our breathing, the sensation of Andrea tight and trembling against my back.

  “Do you come here often?” She giggled.

  “As much as I can.”

  Isaac’s voice sounded clear in my earpiece. “Your man here funds the boat, Andrea.”

  “It’s one of the many charities our company oversees,” I said.