Pierced

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Chapter Eighteen

Lucian

Hitting the intercom button, I ask,"Cindy, is Aidan in yet?" I shuffle some papers on my desk, trying to make a dent in the work that seems to never end. Since Lia has come into my life, I haven't been working the usual eighteen-hour days, and it's showing. Perhaps Cindy is right; I need to start delegating more work, which is why I'm looking for my right hand.

"No, Luc, he's not back yet?"

Surprised, I ask Cindy to come into my office, which she does immediately, shutting the door behind her. "What's going on? He always comes back on Sunday." I can tell by the worried expression on her face that she's puzzled, as well. Aidan is damn near anal about his routine; deviations just don't happen, especially when it interferes with his job.

"I have no idea. He emailed me earlier to let me know he wasn't back in town yet. He just told me to pass that along but didn't offer any explanations. I forwarded his email to you." I take a moment to check my mail and read the forward from Cindy.

Cindy is right; his email gives no explanations as to his whereabouts, but I know he's been to see Cassie and I worry it's fucking with his head more than usual. I give Cindy a reassuring smile, ready to end her nervous hovering. She is damned efficient, but she worries about Aidan, Sam, and myself too much. She sniffs out problems like a bloodhound. I'm surprised she's never caught onto my coke addiction. Maybe she knows, but I doubt it; she would have kicked my ass first and staged an intervention next. Apparently, Sam does keep some pillow secrets, probably not to protect me so much as to protect himself. He'd be the second one she'd take apart, since he handles my supply and demand.

"I'm sure he just got a late start home. I'll give him a call." Since she's still giving me a nervous look, I decide to give her a mission. Hell, anything to get her out of my office for a while. "Could you go to Madeline's office and see when the quarterly numbers are going to be ready? I'll need those soon to prepare for my meeting tomorrow." I hide a smile as she immediately snaps into bulldog mode. Poor Madeline; Cindy will be on her all afternoon now, and I really don't even need the damn numbers. I stay on top of the finances for my company daily; I don't like surprises where money is concerned.

I click an open line on the telephone and punch in Aidan's number.It rings four times before going to voice mail. I try texting him next, getting no immediate reply. Aidan never falls off the grid, and he damn sure wouldn't on a workday. Fuck. Now, I'm right there with Cindy. Something is going on; I can feel it in my bones. I try to push it aside while I return calls from the previous day.

At lunchtime, I decide to have a sandwich at my desk and check in with Lia. I'm not sure if she's in class or not, so I settle for texting her.

Lucian: Hey, baby.

Lia: Hey, yourself. I was just thinking about you. :)

Lucian: All dirty thoughts, I hope.

Lia: Behave. I have to sit in a boring classroom. I can't be thinking of that...

Lucian: Why not? I'm sitting in a  boring office thinking of nothing but that...

Lia: You can show me tonight.

My cock stirs to attention at her teasing words. I hadn't been thinking of sex before our verbal wordplay, but thoughts of fucking her have now moved to the forefront of my mind. I want to continue this teasing conversation, but I don't relish having to jack off in my bathroom after lunch, and that's where it's headed. Practicing a little self-preservation, I change the subject grudgingly.

Lucian: So...you made arrangements for Sam to pick you up this afternoon, right?

I grin, knowing Sam's not far away. I had him stay close to the school today just in case Lia needs him for something.