The Heir

  The Heir

  Nana Malone

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Saffron

  Chapter 2

  Lachlan

  Chapter 3

  Saffron

  Chapter 4

  Saffron

  Chapter 5

  Lachlan

  Chapter 6

  Saffron

  Chapter 7

  Saffron

  Chapter 8

  Saffron

  Chapter 9

  Saffron

  Chapter 10

  Saffron

  Chapter 11

  Lachlan

  Also from Nana Malone

  Nana Malone Reading List

  About Nana Malone

  Chapter One

  Saffron

  I ducked a wild swing and then kicked my foot out, hitting my target center mass.

  Next to me on the training mats, my best mate and teammate for this exercise, Tabatha Smith, panted happily as she clotheslined her sparring partner.

  When he went down like a sack of potatoes, hacking, coughing, and clutching his throat, she grinned at me.

  I couldn't help but laugh. Unfortunately, in the second that I took my eyes off my target, I caught a fist straight to the sternum.

  People always said that they got the wind knocked out of them, but this was a whole other kind of thing. Not only was the wind knocked out of me, my sparring partner was six-foot-five, 250 pounds. And he had not pulled his punch.

  I got my soul and my sass knocked out of me.

  I had, of course, been trained on what to do when you had no air and you still had to fight for your life.

  I whipped my leg out and caught him behind the knee, pitching him forward. He fell down, and I quickly rolled on top of him as I took a large breath. Then I delivered a hammer fist right to the center of his chest, making him cough.

  Somewhere in the distance a whistle blew, and I immediately sprang up to my feet, making a point to pretend like I wasn't breathing hard. But dear God, I didn't think I'd ever breathe deeply again.

  Tabatha smirked at me. "You know you're going to get docked for control, right?"

  I glowered at the trainee still laying on his back and smirked. "It was worth it." I leaned over him, smiling softly. "Trainee, control, remember?"

  He grumbled from where he lay, still coughing. "Sorry."

  He nodded, as if accepting the reprimand. But in his eyes I could see the challenge, the desire to put me back in my place, and I knew he’d be a problem as an op who needed to follow orders in the field. Not that he couldn't be an op, but teamwork was going to be an issue for him.

  The trainees were given their marks for the day, and they all shuffled and filed out toward the locker rooms. Tabatha threw her arm over my shoulder. "Okay, now that work is done for the day, please, can we go celebrate your damn birthday?"

  I wrinkled my nose. "My birthday isn’t until tomorrow."

  "Oh, come on. You know I'm off for three days straight. If we don't celebrate until tomorrow, I'll have wasted a night of freedom. And if we celebrate tonight, you and I can still get out of here and go to the city for the weekend."

  "You know full well I can't go anywhere."

  She frowned. "Sir Gabe won't let you out of the tower, huh?"

  I groaned. Gabriel Webb was our commander. He was also my adopted brother and in charge of my schedule. Basically, he was in charge of me because of how things had landed over the last two years.

  "Come on, it's your birthday. Even Gabe can't keep you from that."

  He could. He would, too.

  "It doesn't matter how mad he is, okay? I just don't want to do anything wild or crazy." Despite being so close, Tabatha and I were exact opposites. She loved the energy of a loud, bustling club. I did not. I always felt out of place. Like it was too loud. Too hard to see.

  She sighed and planted her hands on my shoulders. Tabs was several inches shorter than me, but she was built. Completely stacked in all the areas I was not. Tabatha had curves that basically screamed, Look at me. Watch me.

  I was more gently curved. Athletic. Tall. Not quite willowy, but never would my curves say, Va-va-va-voom.

  Tabs just laughed. "Come on. You have to have a birthday celebration. It's important to celebrate these things even if you're sad."

  Just the mention of it made my nose tingle. "I know. It's important.” After all, hadn't the therapist said the same thing? She’d said it was time to start living my life again.

  Easier said than done, but I had to try.

  Tabs gave me a soft smile. “No one said you have to become a socialite. I’m just saying a night of dancing with your bestie might make you smile a little.”

  My parents' death two years ago had scarred me in ways that I would never recover from, but letting my big brother lock me away for my own safety wasn’t the answer. "Okay, we’ll go out, but nothing crazy, all right?"

  Tabatha clapped her hands in glee and jumped up and down. “Yes! Bust out the leather pants because we are doing this birthday right!”

  “You are way too excited for this,” I grumbled.

  Tabs gyrated all around me, and I couldn’t help but giggle. “If those are your dance moves, I worry about your sanity.”

  “You worry about your own moves. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even find you someone to shag.”

  “Nope. Some random sweaty bloke in a bar?” Just the idea made me shudder. “No thanks. Besides, I’m not dating right now.”

  “We’re going to have so much fun. There’s a new bar in Mayfair. We’re going to go to and let the rich billionaire playboys and sons of the aristocracy buy us stupidly expensive drinks. And then, we're going to head down to South London. I know of a few clubs down there, and one of them is owned by Jamal Winston. He's that Jamaican DJ I was telling you about. He is wicked. I cannot wait."

  I snorted. "Tabs, why do I have a feeling that I'm going to need to carry a weapon tonight?"

  "When are you ever without a weapon?"

  I frowned at that. "Well, that's just good safety. And you should always carry one too."

  She shrugged. "I do. But the point is, I feel like you have six whereas I have two."

  I blinked rapidly. "Well, you never know when you're going to need a spare."

  She lifted her brows while still managing to roll her eyes at me.

  I huffed, "All right, fine, I recognized how that sounded when I said it."

  "I get it. You are warrior goddess supreme. I adore you. And I don't know how to say this, but you need some dick. All work and no play is very bad for both of us. But especially for you. Time for The Heir to get the cobwebs out.”

  I loathed my call sign. It was just an ever-present reminder that my parents weren’t here.

  I shook my head. "Tabs."

  I glanced around, hoping none of the other trainers were around, only to realize that we were alone. Gabe hadn't even stayed to get my opinion on the trainees, which meant I would have to go to him. Was that a power play?

  Before my parents died, we’d been thick as thieves. But the moment they were gone, he’d changed. He’d become cold, distant, exacting. He’d also gotten a little wild about my safety.

  Tabs snorted, the little sound bringing me out of my reverie. "I love how we're both looking for him but for completely different reasons."

  I rolled my eyes. "Please Tabs, I beg you, do not tell me all the dirty things you want to do to my brother."

  "He’s a pain in the arse, but he’s a hot pain in the arse."

  I shuddered. "That's gross. He's just Gabe."

  She gave me a wicked grin and waggled her eyebrows. "Yes, he is Gabe. Those broad shoulders... I've watched him train. Shirtless, all sweaty, six-pack abs. That man is fine. How you don't see
it, is beyond me."

  I wasn't blind. I knew Gabe was a looker. I just also had a front row seat to all his flaws. But he was the only person in the world I fully trusted, and that was saying a lot. I loved Tabs to pieces, but sometimes I didn't trust her decisions or the risks she took. I’d trust Gabe with my life, though I resented the fact that he wouldn't let me out in the field.

  "Look, I already agreed to go out with you tonight, so there's no reason to gross me out."

  She giggled. "All right, fine, I will keep my lecherous thoughts to myself, but that man is scorching hot."

  "So gross."

  "He's so fit. But it’s not like he would ever look at me that way. Every time he does, he’s irritated about it."

  I frowned at that. Tabs was stunning. If she had insecurities, what hope was there for us mere mortals? And if Gabe ever did date, hell if he ever left his office, Tabs would be good for him. She was just the sunshine he needed. Not to mention she was great in the field, amazing at hand-to-hand, and distracting for her opponent at the very least. But rumor was, when she'd been a trainee, she had turned down a senior member of the Oversight, some lecherous old fart who'd thought she needed to test out her honey ops training.

  And while the Oversight member couldn't sack her exactly, he could make it so she never got to go on any serious ops. Gabe was in the middle of that. I knew it was a source of frustration and a sore spot for her, so I didn't say anything.

  "Tabs, what do you always tell me about what we put out into the universe?"

  She shook her head stubbornly. "You’re right. Time to put out the let’s-get-laid energy.”

  The thing was, I could see it… Tabs and Gabe as a couple. But I knew Gabe was by the book. He would never, ever cross that line with her, not when there was a no-fraternization rule in place. As long as she was an operative under his command, he would never touch her. So maybe it was better that her secret attraction for him stayed that way.

  Once we were in the locker room, Tabs grabbed her bag and turned to me. "Don't bother getting in the shower, we're going to go straight to yours."

  "Why? I can just shower and change here."

  She shook her head. "You are not putting on the usual costume. Black leggings, black shirt, burgundy leather jacket. That's not an outfit. You have clothes. You're wearing them."

  I frowned at my bag. "What's wrong with my outfits?"

  "They're fine. You know, for the daytime. But we're out to catch some dick, so you are going to get a little bit out of your comfort zone."

  I frowned at that. "Why on earth does that worry me?"

  "Because you and I both know you're hot. And for once, you're not going to think about what the safe thing to do is, what the right thing to do is. We're going to have a little fun because it's your birthday and you fucking deserve it. Now shake a leg. We are going out tonight."

  She had a good point. It was my birthday. I deserved to celebrate.

  And definitely get laid.

  Chapter Two

  Lachlan

  I honestly should have ignored the pounding at my door two hours ago. That would have saved me from the thrumming, incessant dance beat I was presently being subjected to.

  But my mate Felix had always known how to coax me out. He’d been Charlie’s best mate. When my brother died, he’d made me his unofficial little brother.

  It didn’t matter how many times I tried to remind him I did not need looking after. It wasn’t like he ever listened. Felix was a mountain, basically the size of an ape. And he didn't just sit on your shoulder. He liked to latch himself onto your whole back.

  He shoved a glass at me. “Drink up, mate.”

  I glowered at the scotch. He had a point. I’d been in a mood for the past week, ever since the last board meeting. I’d taken one of Charlie’s subsidiaries and sold it off. The company had been bleeding money, so I’d sold it off and used the funds for a nonprofit charity in his name. I may or may not have celebrated my coup with a certain Hollywood starlet… by naked kite surfing. My father had been less than pleased.

  He’d put me on ice for daring to make decisions without his explicit approval, and now I was being punished. He hadn’t exactly stripped me of my title, but he’d assigned me to publicity duty for King Media, a job that didn’t matter. All because I’d dared to think for myself.

  He knew I hated publicity duty, being trotted out like a prized pony. That’s what made the job the perfect punishment. The real question was how long I’d be forced to endure it.

  "Drink up, young Padawan. You might even have some fun."

  "Felix, give it a rest. I'm not in the mood, mate. Besides, I'm supposed to be laying low, remember? New face of King Media and all that shit."

  “Fair enough. But you don’t actually want to be the PR lackey, do you? Fuck, mate, live a little.”

  You didn’t have to follow him out tonight.

  Except Felix was that mate. The one who, no matter what happened, if he called you went, because when you needed him, he was there for you. So I’d come, even though it was against my better judgment.

  “Couldn’t you have picked somewhere more low-key though?” I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a boisterous club.

  He shrugged. "You sound like Alyssa. She begged off. Said I was partying too much for her."

  I blinked in surprise. Alyssa was his girlfriend of three years. She might not like to party, but she was indulgent when Felix did. Which was often. Whenever there was an adventure, Alyssa was with us. I was convinced that she tempered more of his wilder instincts. "Oh, so you were bored and called me?"

  "I'm not bored. I have other mates. It's just you're my best mate. Besides, you haven't been out in a week."

  "Mate, I'm in no…" Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a woman. Tiny, with reddish-auburn hair that fell in a tumble of curls around her shoulders. Her mate was the exact opposite.

  She was tall, dark skinned, and had long braids that cascaded to her hips. Her curves were more subtle but still enough that her arse would fill my hands.

  But it was her face that had me completely tuning out Felix and the harsh music. Her neck was long and delicate, and she held it like a dancer. Her cheekbones looked like they were sculpted by a master. Her lips were almost too full for her face. Full enough to give me dirty fantasies in my mind of just what her mouth could do.

  But it was her eyes that really held me rooted. In the quick once-over she made of the crowd, her gaze told me so much. She was intelligent, assessing, and she’d seen too much despite being so young.

  I had no idea who she was but one glance, one look, and she’d already eviscerated any active brain cells.

  Naturally, instead of sensing the imminent danger to my soul, I wanted… more.

  Felix glanced around. “Mate, what the fuck are you looking at? Oh. I see. Damn, she’s well fit. Tits enough for two handfuls.”

  I frowned at him, ready to tell him to shut his mouth when I realized he was talking about the wrong girl. “No, not the short one. Her mate.”

  True to form, Felix laughed. “Mate, she looks too smart for you. Like she can detect bullshit from a mile away.”

  “Don’t give a fuck. She will be mine.”

  Chapter Three

  Saffron

  "Come on sweetheart, get your shots in. You're staying with me tonight, so no excuses," Tab roared over the noise.

  I rolled my eyes. "I'm not going to do shots."

  "Yes, you are. You need to loosen up."

  "I'm plenty loose,” I said stiffly. But I wasn’t. I knew I should try to relax and have some fun. It was my bloody birthday after all.

  Tabitha laughed. "Honey, you're clutching onto your phone like it's your lifeline out of hell. We don't get service in hell, babes."

  I had to laugh at that. "Okay, fine. I will relax." She was right. Having fun wouldn’t kill me.

  She handed me a shot. I didn't even bother asking what it was. It was my birthday. I could live a little.
>
  “Hottie hunt time!”

  "Tabs, I'm not hooking up with some random bloke."

  "Love, when was the last time you hooked up with any bloke, random or otherwise?"

  I tried not to think about my last disastrous attempt at any kind of hookup. I was starting to believe that I wasn’t really cut out for hooking up. I needed to know someone. I needed to actually like them as a person. Yes, I had had sex. But my last attempts had been awkward, and there was certainly no magic. No amazing orgasms. No orgasms at all for that matter. The guy had been fine. I just hadn't particularly enjoyed myself, and all I wanted to do was to get rid of him. But he was that kind of bloke who holds on tight afterward. And then he wanted to go a second round. I had to leave my own flat just to escape him.

  Luckily, that had been in uni, so Gabe hadn't had constant security on me. Maybe that was part of the reason I didn’t date. I was always expecting my brother to be somewhere around the corner ready to ruin my life. I tried to find the spirit of fun as we shoved our way through the club, and Tabs took my hand as soon as a song from Three Six Mafia came on. All I heard was a roar of women as everyone ran for the dance floor, making it a packed, sweaty, sex gyration.

  I normally didn’t like crowds or that closed-in feeling. But this was fine because there was dancing involved and I could close my eyes and be someone else.

  As Tabs and I danced and the songs switched easily from Three Six Mafia to Dua Lipa to Britney Spears and then to Sean Paul, I moved my body in time with the music, rocking my hips.

  I’d always loved to dance. I got it from my mother. When I was dancing, I could be anybody. I could hide. I could pretend.

  Or maybe you are showing your true self.

  Tabs and I had gathered a small audience as we worked through different dance styles. We took it from the 80’s to present, laughing our way through the silliness. The twerking and wining were the crowd favorites.