The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 111: Uncle

​"You’re right," Julian said, the words feeling bitter in his throat. "I don’t know what the fuck is going on. But I’m going to find out."

​He looked at the folder again.

He needed to talk to Lyvana. To know exactly what she saw in him that the rest of them missed. And how exactly it is she even knows Andrew Thorne, in the first place? Could it be related to what she was hiding from him.

​He gave a slight wave of his hand.

"Have him picked up at once."

​Marco bowed his head slightly and walked out.

​Left alone, Julian didn’t sit. He couldn’t.

What was Lyvana’s connection to Andrew Thorne. Why was his uncle sponsoring a ghost. And what is Arthur Reed’s connection to all this.

The questions kept running through his mind as he made his way back to Lyvana’s suite...

She was still asleep so he quietly removed his robe and slipped into bed beside her. She shifted slightly as he placed his arm around her.

Then turned to the ceiling.

....

"Carter has just kidnapped his daughter," Stephan was saying into his phone. "He’s panicking. I think Mr Blackwood must have threatened him. If she stays there, she’s useless to us. We need her in the middle of the chaos, not locked in a basement."

​"So, what do we do?" the voice on the other end asked.

​"We pressure her father to release her."

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Stephan exhaled slowly, already thinking ahead.

"I’ll find a way," he said. "Give me a little time, I will call you back."

Stephan paced the apartment.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

Carter wasn’t the type to fold easily, especially if Blackwood was involved.

He stopped suddenly.

"What do I do?" he muttered to himself.

The answer came quickly. His second daughter was the key.

Stephan’s lips curved slightly.

"Use a fish to catch a fish."

Stephan walked to the window, staring out at the city below.

"Alright," he said softly. "Let’s see how far you’re willing to go Carter."

He pulled out his phone and dialed another number.

....

The morning light was soft as it moved through the suite. Lyvana stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The first thing she saw was Julian. He was leaning on one elbow, watching her with a smile.

He leaned down and gave her a soft, playful kiss on her nose.

​"Good morning," he whispered. His voice was deep and husky from sleep. "I was starting to think you were going to sleep through the whole morning."

​Lyvana smiled back. She stretched her arms and pulled him a little closer.

​"How long have you been awake?" she asked.

​"Your snoring woke me up," he teased.

​Lyvana giggled and gave him a playful shove. "I do not snore."

​"You do," he laughed, pulling her back into his chest. "But it’s my favorite sound in the world now."

​She rolled her eyes. "You’re ridiculous."

She turned to get out of bed but Julian caught her waist and pulled her back against the pillows.

​"Where do you think you’re going?" he asked grinning.

​"To work. I can’t be late. Emily is coming in this morning for her final wedding gown fitting, and if it isn’t perfect, she’ll have a meltdown."

Julian didn’t let go. Instead, he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"The gown can wait ten minutes. The world won’t end if the bride is a little anxious."

​"The world won’t, but my fashion house might not survive," Lyvana teased, though she didn’t fight his grip very hard.

He grumbled playfully. "Tell Emily that her designer is currently being held hostage by a very desperate man."

​"Desperate for what?"

"I can think of a few things," he murmured, pinning her gently against the mattress. freewёbnoνel.com

​"Julian." Lyvana was giggling. "I really am going to be late."

​"Then we’d better not waste any more time talking," he whispered.

Just then his phone rang.

He pulled back, irritated. He grabbed the phone, checked the screen, and his jaw tightened.

"Alright. You go to work. I will pick you up at midday. My mother is expecting us for lunch."

​Lyvana wanted to ask who had called, but the words stayed in her throat. She watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him.

She didn’t waste any time. She grabbed a cup of coffee and started getting ready. But she couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in her chest, that something was wrong.

​Julian stepped into his penthouse and closed the door. He dialed the number, that had been calling him.

​"Uncle," he said as soon as the person picked up. "What a surprise."

​"Ah, nephew," the voice on the other end sounded cold. "I almost thought you were avoiding me."

"Why would you think that?"

​"Because you didn’t answer the first three times I called," his uncle replied. There was a pause. "I assume the girl is out of the room?"

​Julian gripped the phone a little tighter. "You really don’t want to do this with me uncle. Trust me."

"Do what?"

​"The game you’re trying to play."

​"The same game your father played with me," his uncle snapped.

​Julian’s jaw tightened. "What the hell are you talking about?"

​"I was supposed to be the King of the Underworld. Not you."

"You’re a fucking joker, Uncle."

"We shall see, boy."

​"Who the fuck is Andrew Thorne?" Julian waited, listening for a break in the man’s breathing. And sure enough there it was. He was nervous.

​"You’ll find out soon enough."

​"What would you say if I told you he’s already in my custody?"

​"You wouldn’t hurt an innocent man," his uncle replied smoothly.

​"Innocent? The man is taking money from you, to maintain his dentity theft. That doesn’t sound innocent."

​"He thinks he is taking money from his late father’s investments," his uncle corrected. "He knows nothing."

"You expect me to believe that bullshit? Now why are you calling me. Or you realized your little project is fucking missing?"

"You’d be wasting your time with him. He knows nothing."

"That’s for me to find out." He ended the call before his uncle could get another word in.

Julian glared at the dark screen of his phone, his chest heaving. He had to go see his uncle and get some answers.