Black Platinum (In the Shadows Book 6) Read online

  Black Platinum (Book 6)

  In the Shadows

  P. T. Michelle

  Limitless Ink Press

  Contents

  Black Platinum (Book 6)

  Summary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Reddest Black

  Other Books by P.T. Michelle

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Black Platinum (Book 6)

  In the Shadows

  Everyone has a perfect someone…

  Black Platinum - Copyright 2017 by P.T. Michelle

  All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook cannot be re-sold or given away to others. No parts of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  To stay informed when the next P.T. Michelle book will be released, join P.T. Michelle’s free newsletter: bit.ly/11tqAQN

  ISBN: 978-1-939672-31-5

  Summary

  You are cordially invited…

  When wedding plans go awry and tragedy hits, Sebastian and Talia race against time to uncover the culprit who dared to strike out at the Blakes.

  While wading through murky family waters to discover the truth, Mister Black and Little Red’s relationship deepens and simmers to new levels.

  Author’s Note: BLACK PLATINUM can be read as a standalone story, but for the richest reading experience you can always start with the first book, MISTER BLACK, to see how Sebastian and Talia’s epic love story began.

  IN THE SHADOWS SERIES:

  AVAILABLE NOW…

  Mister Black (1) (Sebastian & Talia part 1, novella)

  Scarlett Red (2) (Sebastian & Talia part 2, novel)

  Blackest Red (3) (Sebastian & Talia part 3, novel)

  Gold Shimmer (4) (Cass & Calder part 1, novel)

  Steel Rush (5) (Cass & Calder part 2, novel)

  Black Platinum (6) (Sebastian & Talia) - novel - May 2, 2017

  COMING UP...

  Reddest Black (7) (Sebastian & Talia) - novel - October 2017(less)

  Chapter 1

  Sebastian

  Whoever said marriage is boring has never been married to Talia. I roll my head from one shoulder to the other to relieve my frustration before I push open BLACK Security’s main door. At least work should keep me sane over the next couple of days.

  “Good morning, Bash,” Calder calls out with a wide grin as he pours himself a cup of coffee.

  “Maybe yours was,” I grate, while mentally reminding myself to pay Cass back for convincing Talia that we should “officially” marry in a church so friends and family can celebrate. Since when did celibacy become part of this re-marry package deal? Fuck that. Just because it was only Talia, me, and a judge the first time around doesn’t negate the promises we made, “’til death do us part” included. When Calder’s eyes alight with knowing amusement over the top of his mug, I snap, “And tell your fiancé she’s officially on my shit list,” before I slam my office door.

  Talia can claim being traditional and call it “bad luck to see each other until the wedding” all she wants, but that just means my bed is fucking empty. One night without her and I’m ready to bust someone’s balls or punch a wall this morning, whichever comes first.

  To add insult to injury, my loving wife refused to tell me where she’s staying for the next couple of nights until the wedding. She agreed to let BLACK Security’s best guy shadow her, but then made me promise that I wouldn’t try to find out from Theo where she went. Needless to say the tight-lipped bastard definitely won’t be getting a bonus this year.

  Unbuttoning my suit jacket, I settle in my chair and turn on my laptop. I thrum my fingers impatiently on the mahogany desk, pissed at how long it’s taking to boot up. Apparently even going for a five-mile run before dawn did nothing to ease the tension building inside me.

  I swivel toward the window and pull out my phone, punching out a text to Talia.

  That bed must’ve seemed massive last night.

  I totally starfished it!

  She sounds entirely too content.

  Tell me where you’re staying and I’ll come keep you warm tonight.

  Nice try. I stayed toasty all night long.

  Grumbling my annoyance, I shoot back a reply.

  You know you missed falling asleep completely worn out.

  Who says I wasn’t completely worn out?

  I clench my jaw until it feels like my teeth are going to crack.

  Don’t push me, Little Red.

  But isn’t that what I do best, Mister Black?

  I picture her tilting her head and tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear, a sexy, challenging smile on her kissable lips and shake my head.

  Every damn day, sweetheart.

  I love you, too. Just two more nights and I’m all yours.

  You’re already all mine. No religious ritual can seal that deal better than you calling my name over and over until you beg me to stop.

  Such arrogance!

  Do you need a reminder why I’m your Rainbow Master? I’m going to enjoy painting that sweet ass a gorgeous shade of crimson.

  Gah…go to work!

  All it took was some early morning banter to stave off the edginess riding me, but at least now I can concentrate. Smirking, I tuck my phone away and pull up BLACK Security’s updated list of case files on my laptop before buzzing Calder’s phone. “Get your ass in here so we can discuss the week.”

  A few seconds later, my cousin and business partner opens the door, eyebrow hiked. “Are you done biting my head off?”

  “Are you still alive?”

  With a deep chuckle he slides into the leather chair in front of my desk and takes a sip of his coffee. “It’s just two more days, Bash. Chill.”

  My fingers pause over the keyboard. “I wouldn’t be so glib. You’re going to be in my shoes soon enough.”

  “Cass isn’t traditional at all,” Calder says, snorting.

  I meet his stare with a bold one. “I’ll bet you a thousand bucks Cass is more traditional than you think.”

  Calder’s gaze narrows. “I think I know my fiancé far better than you.”

  “Are you taking the bet or not?”

  “Hell yeah. I like easy money, but let’s make this interesting,” he says, setting his cup down on the edge of my desk. “If I win, I get your office.”

  “What’s wrong with your office?”

  He gestures to the window behind me. “Yours has a better view.”

  I grunt and shake my head. “It’s a moot point. You’re going to lose. When I win, the next time Cass has an idea that involves taking my wife away from me for even one night, you’ll nip that shit in the bud. Got it?”

  Calder grins and leans back, folding his arms. “You’re on.”

  “If Cass so much
as utters the word ‘traditional’ in relation to any aspect of your wedding, you’ve lost the bet,” I say just as he picks his mug back up.

  “Hey, that’s too fucking broad.”

  “And that’s why I’m CEO.” I flash a ruthless smile and hit the enter button. “Grab your copy from the printer and let’s discuss upcoming team assignments.”

  Calder and I spend the next two hours reading over new contracts, determining if we have enough staff to cover the clients’ needs or if a personnel expansion is necessary.

  While debating the finer points of personality meshing verses skill level, a phone call from my father stops me mid-sentence. Adam Blake rarely calls. Definitely not during work hours. What does my father want? I pick up my phone. “Is everything okay with Mina and Josi?”

  “Your sister and her daughter are fine, Sebastian. I’m calling about another matter. Why did you give my bodyguard an assignment without my authorization? Just because I asked you to come work for Blake Industries doesn’t give you rights to my employees.”

  “BLACK Security keeps me busy enough. What are you talking about? I didn’t assign Den to any detail—”

  I flick a gaze Calder’s way just to confirm and he quickly shakes his head, his brow furrowed.

  “Den said it was a BLACK Security assignment, son.”

  “Hold on…” Still annoyed by my father’s accusation, I stand and open my door, ready to call out to the cubicle bullpen and clear up the misunderstanding when my gaze lands on Theo sitting at his desk, one-punching his meaty fingers on his keyboard. “I’ll call you back.”

  “Don’t you dare hang up on me—”

  Clicking off, I stalk toward Theo and yank the headphones off his head. “What the ever-loving-fuck are you doing here, Connelly?”

  His thick light brown eyebrows pull together as he slowly folds muscular arms against his barrel chest. “Whoever you’re pissed at, don’t drag me into it.”

  “I’m looking at him!” I bellow. “You’re supposed to be watching Talia.”

  “Your memory is apparently going.” Theo’s new buzz cut shifts forward with his frown. “You’re the one who told that British fellow to send me home.”

  “What exactly did Den say to you?”

  “He said, ‘Mr. Blake asked me to take over Talia’s guard duty. Head back to the office.’”

  That sneaky sonofabitch. I take a steadying breath and grit out, “Den works for my father, Theo.”

  “But he said, ‘Mr. Blake…’” Theo trails off, his face going pale. “Well, shit!”

  When he starts to stand, I put my hand on his shoulder and hand him his headphones back. “No, I’ll deal with this personally. In the future, unless the order comes directly from me, ignore the hell out of it. Are we clear?”

  “Understood.” Theo rubs his hand against the back of his neck and sighs. “I’m sorry, Bash. But with Den’s military intelligence skills and massive size, at least you know Talia’s more than covered.”

  “The point is, she should never need someone like Den backing her up,” I growl before pivoting for the door.

  “You want me with you?” Calder calls after me just as I pull the main door open, my phone to my ear.

  Of course my wife’s phone goes straight to voicemail. I glance his way. “I need you to coordinate here. Have Elijah ping Talia’s phone and Den’s too, then send me the info.”

  When Talia’s voicemail beeps as I’m getting into my car, I slam the door and speak calmly into my phone, “All bets are off, Little Red. You don’t get to smoke-and-mirror your husband with traditional wedding ritual BS, then expect him not to come after you. Whatever assignment you felt you needed Den for, can’t be safe.”

  Calder calls as I pull into Tribune’s parking lot. Even though I called Talia’s assistant, I don’t feel any better when I see my wife’s car sitting in the lot. I hit the speaker button and my cousin’s voice fills my car. “Both Talia’s and Den’s cell phones must be turned off. We can’t get a signal for either one.”

  “Talia’s assistant says she’s out on an assignment. I’m here at the Tribune. I’ll find out what the deal is.”

  Before I hang up, Calder says, “I called Cass to see if she knew where Talia might be. She didn’t have a clue—”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Shut up and just listen. After I explained what was going on, Cass asked me to remind you that storming into Talia’s boss’s office is probably the worst thing you could do two days before your wedding—”

  “We’re already married,” I grit out, annoyed.

  “Do you still want to be?”

  Exhaling harshly, I lean my head back against the leather seat and close my eyes. Talia worked hard to regain the Tribune’s respect after some bad information put her investigative story and reputation at risk in the past. This was her second time working for the newspaper and the last thing I’d ever want to do is jeopardize a career she worked so hard to get back on track. When I asked her to marry me, I promised I would protect her, but that I wouldn’t smother her. I want her to be happy, for her career to flourish. Fuck, this is harder than I thought it would be. “Fine. I won’t go into the building.”

  “Also, I thought you should know that Elijah’s daily news scan just caught the Blake name in a special on-line edition this morning. It’s your engagement announcement. I know you wouldn’t send an announcement out there—”

  “Hell no!” I cut him off and quickly pull the article up on my phone. I scan the picture of Talia and me, irritation rising. “This has Isabel’s fingerprints all over it. She’ll do anything for more Blake family limelight, despite the fact she can’t stand me.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t put this past your stepmother. Get ready for a write up in tomorrow’s paper and to be hounded by the paparazzi at the rehearsal. I’m sure Talia will touch base later. She knows sending Theo here would alert you. Are you coming back to the office?”

  Of course she knows. I narrow my gaze on my wife’s car. There’s only so much patience she can expect from someone with my protective nature. “I’ll be in later.”

  Chapter 2

  Talia

  “Who is that?” Nathan says as he pulls his car up behind Den’s in front of a house on the Lower East Side.

  I take in Den’s impeccable suit stretched across folded arms as he casually leans against his BMW in eighty-degree June heat. He’s as unruffled as if it’s a cool sixty. With broad shoulders and towering height, he’s so impressively intimidating that he’d drawn a few young guys onto their front porch, but no one had apparently dared to approach the six-foot-five stranger hanging out in front of their house. Den didn’t hesitate once I called and told him I needed someone to back me up while visiting a sketchy neighborhood. He instantly asked if he could drive me, but I told him I’d meet him here instead.

  I nod toward Den. “He’s the associate I mentioned would meet us.”

  Nathan cuts the engine and runs his hand nervously through his short dirty-blond curls. “He certainly leaves an impression. I guess your husband was too busy to fill in.”

  I ignore my ex’s dig about Sebastian and address his first comment. “See, I told you that you didn’t need to come,” I murmur, then grin my appreciation at Den as he opens the car door before I get a chance to. “Thank you, Den. I appreciate you meeting us here.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Miss Tal—”

  “Just Talia,” I say, reminding him I don’t stand on formality. Closing my door, I gesture to Nathan emerging from the other side of his car. “Den, this is a work colleague, Nathan.”

  “You’re British?” Nathan doesn’t bother to hide his surprise as he closes his door and beeps his key fob.

  “I’m Kenyan and Irish, but I was raised in London.”

  “He’s also ex-MI6, so mind your manners.” I wave my finger at Nathan in a mock-stern tone.

  As we approach the house, a thinner guy, about five-nine in height, with spiked dark hair and
equally dark eyes, separates from the group. Tucking his hands into his baggy jeans’ pockets, he says, “Are you Talia Murphy?”

  I nod and gesture to Nathan and Den. “These are my colleagues, Nathan and Den. And you are?”

  “I’m Paulo.” The guy eyes Den warily. “You said there would be two of you when you set this up. Banks doesn’t like surprises. Only two can meet with him for the interview.”

  Den steps forward. “I go where she goes.”

  “That’s fine.” I quickly wave toward Nathan. “Nathan can wait out here.”

  Nathan glances at the digital camera he carried from the car. “But I’m here to take pictures.”

  I lift the camera from his hand. “I can take the shots. Banks is giving an exclusive interview. We need to play by his rules.”

  Paulo nods his approval and opens the door to lead the way into the house.

  “As you wish, Mrs. Blake,” Nathan says.

  Lately, Nathan has started using my new last name whenever he’s annoyed with me. Just as I clench my teeth to keep from snapping at him, Paulo stops walking and turns around, suspicion in his eyes. “Blake? I thought you said your name was Murphy?”

  “Murphy is my maiden and professional name on my Tribune articles. Blake is my married name.”

  “Blake?” A booming voice interrupts just as a bald bull-of-a-man walks up, the wood floor shaking with his heavy-footed approach. He sweeps a calculating gaze over Den’s attire, then rubs his dark goatee. “With that suit and BMW…as in the Blakes?”

  The last thing I expected was to drag Sebastian’s family into this interview. “Yes, those Blakes.” Putting my hand out, I step forward. “Talia Murphy. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Banks.”

  “Banks, no ‘mister,’” he corrects. Ignoring my hand, he folds his arms over his thick chest and equally thick middle. The scar slicing across half his face stands out as his brown eyes give me a guarded once over. “Which Blake are you hitched to?”