Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 332

Martin sighed for the hundredth time as he looked at the man standing by the window with his back to him.

Gideon had been standing there for hours, ever since he came back from the cafeteria.

Marun couldn't tell what his young master was thinking.

About Miss Hewitt, probably,

"Young Master, it's not good for you to be on your feet for so long, Doctors prescribed bed rest. Could you come back to bed, or at least take a seat, please?

Martin, I need you to do something for me."

Yes, Young Master."

'One, arrange for my discharge from the hospital. Two, set up a meeting with Liam Cane.'

Martin shook his head adamantly. 'Young Master, you're not supposed to leave the hospital for at least another week. I can't do that.' Are you defying a direct order?' Gideon didn't look back

No, Young Master, but I don't think the doctors will allow you to leave. They're responsible for your recovery, and they said-*

I don't care what they said. I'm telling you, not asking you, to arrange for my discharge. It's a simple task. Can you do it or not?"

"Yes, Young Master. Martin hung his head.

And call Liam Cane, I want a meeting ASAP."

Free Bonus Time is

is Running Quel Claim

Let's Work Together To Take Down McCarthy

Martin did what he was bold.

Gideon was already there when Liam arrived.

ut they The meeting was arranged at the same restaurant

met the last time.

He strolled into the private room and invited himself to sit down. I'm surprised you want to meet again so soon. Are you picking up the tab this time? Martin closed the door and came to stand behind Gideon.

Liam flipped through the menu and tossed it onto the table. The food here sucks. I don't want to waste too much time here. Can you get straight to the point?" 'You and Sean Santoro are business partners, right?" Gideon said.

'You called me here for Santoro?"

Gideon winced when he reached for the glass of water on the table.

Martin hurried forward to help him out.

*So you acknowledge you and Santoro are partners?"

'In business only. We're not friends, if that's what you're asking. Why do you want to know?"

'Do you know what he did three days ago?"

Gideon continued before Liam could answer, 'He hired a group of mercenaries and kidnapped Kira, using her as bait to lure Austyn out.

Liam's body went rigid,

How did Gideon Imow about this?

Gideon sensed the question in his eyes. 'You wanna know how I lasew about this?'

"How?"

Gideon pointed to his chest. 'I got this gunshot wound thanks to Santoro."

Liam caught on immediately. "So you're here to seek revenge. Then I'm sorry, your trip's wasted. Santoro's missing. I've been looking for him, but the bastard's gone to ground.' Gideon shook his head. 'I'm not here to seek revenge, not from you."

"Then what do you want from me?

"After the kidnapping, I asked my men to look into Santoro, to see what kind of beef he had with Austyn. Guess what I found?"

"What?" Liam drummed a finger on the table.

'I found out you are Santoro's business partner, and I found out that you, Liam Cane, have a different last name.' Gideon passed

'You're really Liam McCarthy, younger brother to Austyn McCarthy.'

It was a secret known only to a few.

Liam's mother gave birth to him while Henry was still married to someone else, which made Liam an illegitimate child.

He was only brought to live with the McCarthys when he was ten

Henry didn't publicise Liam's existence, but those in his inner circle knew about the second son.

Liam didn't flinch.

Nor did he bother to deny it. 'You're right. I'm a McCarthy."

"Which makes me curious, Gideon said. 'Why are you plotting against your

our own family?"

"That's none of your business. Liam leaned back in his chair. "Now can you get to the point? Why did you want to see me?"

"Defore I tell you that, I want to make sure there's no love lost between you and Austyn McCarthy.'

"There isn't. I'm more than happy to see him destroyed."

'Well, in that case, I have a proposal

'You want to take down Austyn?'

"Yes. We can help each other.'

Liam narrowed his eyes. "I know why I'

I'm doing this. Why are you?"

'Like you said, that's none of your business. Just know that we have a common goal.'

Liam pondered the proposal.

Gideon had the resources of the entire Garner family at his disposal.

Working with him could work to Liam's advantage

"Okay. What's the catch?

"I help you take down Austyn, and I get Kira."

'Yes.' There was a steely glint in Gideon's eyes. 'I want Kira."

Kira was in tears.

It started off as a feel-good popcorn movie, with an action hero blasting his way through danger to save the women he loved.

But the ending was a jaw-dropper.

The hero died.

His fiancée died.

His girlfriend died.

His ex-girlfriend died.

Kira's eyes were all red and puffy when the credits started rolling

Austyn shook his head.

That was a long one and a half hours.

Next time, he was picking t

the movie.

'It's just a movie,' he said. "There's nothing to cry about.'

'How can you be so heartless? Kira sobbed. "He died. The woman he loved forgot about him. How can you not cry after watching such a tear-jerker?

Austyn spread out both hands.

The more he said, the more worked up she became.

Women were indeed sentimental.

The theatre had only two exits.

Both were crowded with people making their way out.

Kira was pushed along by the throng.

Austyn gripped her hand, pulled her into his arms and used his body to shield her from the jostling crowd.

Kira's heart started pounding again.

He said he didn't know how to behave on a date, yet he was acting like

His arms were so strong, his shoulders so broad,

Kira felt safe and sheltered.

like a model boyfriend.

Work Together To Take Down McCarthy

The horde of people no longer unnerved her.

Austyn let her lean on him as he made his way out of the theatre.

Kira torgot all about the dashing protagonist.

Who needed a movie hero when she had a real one next to her?

She was still beaming after they left the mall.

Austyn had to ask, 'What are you smiling at?"

Kira's hands flew to her face. 'Am I smiling?"

"Yes, you're grinning like an idiot.'

Kira gave him a light punch on the arm. 'You're the idiot!"

Austyn gazed at her.

The smile on his face matched hers.

Kira felt her cheeks starting to heat up again.

She swallowed and looked away.

Austyn drew her in and kissed her on the lips. Kira was stunned.

He had been so reluctant to even hug her in the mall.

Now he was kissing her in full view of the shoppers.

Some had stopped to gawk

Kira want

wanted to pull back but Austyn refused to let go of her.

He only released her when she was getting light-headed from lack of oxygen.

Her face was beet red.

Kira grabbed his wrist and started running.

She Can Fight Her Own Battles

Kira didn't stop until they were both far from the rubbernecking crowd

Night had fallen

Austyn let her drag him to a bench on the square.

She was panting

'Why are you staring at me?'

'You look beautiful today,' he whispered.

Kira hoped the darkness hid her flushed cheeks. "Why d

eks. "Why did you kiss me just now? I thought you frowned on PDA

Austyn took her hand. 'I couldn't help it. Like I said, you are too beautiful. I couldn't resist."

Kira felt a tingle travel down her spine. 'Where did you learn how to talk like that?"

He said he didn't know much about dating, yet he was saying all the right things that would set a girl's heart all aflutter.

Her throat had gone dry.

Her heart was beating so fast that it was difficult to breathe.

But Kira didn't hate the feeling

She savoured it.

It was the feeling of being in love.

'Mom, look! She's such a slut! Kissing a man in public!'

Kira's good mood was ruined by a shrill voice behind her.

She recognised the owner of the voice.

Georgina Vaughn.

Kira turned around and saw three more people standing together with her half-sister.

Helen and two men.

They were standing away from the lamppost.

Kira couldn't make out their faces.

But the man who stood right next to Helen must be Michael Vaughn, Georgina's father.

The other man was holding hands with Georgina.

Either a boyfriend or a fiancé, then.

"Kira" Helen called out her name uncertainly, but

it her eyes were fixed on the man beside her daughter.

Kira and Austyn were standing in the shadows.

Georgina had followed them out when she spotted Kira kissing a man at the mall.

Kira heaved a long sigh.

It would have been an otherwise perfect date.

She knew her mother and half-sister would not leave her alone unless she went over and talked to them.

Austyn held her wrist. 'Do you need my help?"

She smiled up at him. 'No, I got this."

Just like she handled the shutterbug earlier.

Austyn stroked her hair. 'Go ahead. I'll wait for you.'

If she preferred to fight her own battles, he would let her, but he would be ready to help.

Kira braced herself and marched towards the quartet.

Georgina sneered. 'Hello, slut."

Georgina, watch your tongue!' Helen rebuked her in a low voice

Georgina pouted.

Mom had used the same word in private.

Why was she getting scolded for doing it too?

She stamped her feet and turned her face away

Harlan Knowles, standing beside her, gave her a placatory pat on the shoulder.

Her fiancé whispered, 'Don't be angry.'

Georgina wanted to complain to Harlan, but held back because Mom might scold her again.

Besides, she didn't want Harlan to think she was a shrew

Kira was just as surprised by Helen's reaction.

The insult from Georgina was expected, but Helen siding with her had been out of the blue.

What

was Helen up to?

Kira put her guard up..

The last meeting between her and Helen had ended on a sour note

Kira effectively disowned her mother, if that was possible.

Helen saw the scepticism in Kira's eyes.

Their last meeting got her thinking

Looking back, she realised Kira was right.

She had not treated her younger daughter fairly.

But it couldn't be helped.

Michael disliked the idea of her maintaining contact with her ex-husband's family.

Besides, Helen was busy fighting her own battles.

Her snobbish mother-in-law looked down on her and went out of her way to make things difficult for her.

She even introduced other women to Michael, hoping he would eventually realise that Helen was not marriage material and divorce her.

But her mother-in-law finally eased off on her after Helen gave birth to a son.

Helen had time to think about the daughter she'd neglected.

Maybe it was time to patch things up with Kira

Besides, or rather, more importantly, Kira seemed to be involved with a big shot now.

She denied it at the time, but Helen was convinced that Kira had a relationship with Austyn McCarthy, one of the richest -if not THE richest men in Stamford,

If Kira held a grudge, she might use Mr McCarthy's connections to make life miserable for Helen's family.

Hadn't she already done that?

Michael's company was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.

Helen shot another dirty look at Georgina, who picked the wrong time to antagonise her half-sister.

She pasted a smile on her face. 'Kira, how have y

you been?

Before Kira could say something snarky, she pointed to the figure standing in the shadows. 'Is that Mr McCarthy? Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Kira got the message.

Soths was why her mother was being extra nice to her.

She crossed her arms. 'You're mistaken. That's not Mr McCarthy."

Helen was unconvinced. 'Really? But he looks like Mr Mc-

'What do you want?' Kira cut her off.

She didn't want to talk about Austyn with her mother.

She didn't want Helen to have any contact whatsoever with Austyn.

Helen was miffed by the rebuff, but she held her anger in check.

Her battles with her mother-in-law had taught her how to be patient if nothing else.

'Kira, listen to me." She adopted a more conciliatory tone. 'If you're in a relationship with Mr McCarthy, you should keep your distance from other men. Two-timing will do you no good. Men of McCarthy's station prefer their women...clean. Her remark put Kira's back up immediately. "Two-timing? What are you talking about?"