Forbidden Desires

Chapter 56 Lauren Prescott

Lauren pov:

“ Being a Professional is not a label you give yourself - it's a description you hope others will apply to you.” – David Maister.

As Lauren arrived at her office, she reflected on how her client, Aiden Baldwin, had called her last night, demanding that she get him two bodyguards. She didn't take kindly to being called at a late hour when she was home with her husband and kids. However, she knew Aiden on a personal level, and there were many secrets that his mother had confided in her. Before her  passing, she had begged Lauren to take care of her sons.

As she went through the lists of security and bodyguard companies that her secretary had put together, she had three meetings scheduled. She already knew who she wanted to watch out for Aiden and be his security. There was a past detective and an ex-Marine. They both had their separate businesses, but she wanted to make sure they understood the job requirements.

Picking up the phone, I called my secretary to get me a coffee. It was going to be a long day as I continued going through the paperwork. I reflected back on 10 years ago when I was a young lawyer, just about to start my own company. It was designed to cater to the rich and provide security for women who grew up in strict cultural backgrounds. It aimed to give women who wanted to leave a way and means to do so.

Having grown up in such a society where my parents were chosen for each other, my father being a cheating bastard with four illegitimate children, and my mother having to stay for me and my brother, I knew I couldn't stay in that environment. I made it a point of duty to convince my father that I should go overseas to study. I told him I would come back and join society at nineteen and get married. After much begging, he finally said yes. That's when I started saving, knowing deep down that I wasn't going back, but I needed a way out.

Susanna was my best friend and the love of my life. We used to meet by the river to kiss and make love. If anyone in our society found out, we would be banned, maybe even stoned to death. I begged her to come with me, but she couldn't. Instead, she ended up marrying Edman Baldwin, a good man from one of society's most prominent families. Sue said he treated her well. Since I couldn't convince her to leave with me, I left her.

Even though Edman treated her well, Susanna always felt that he was hiding something, like a second life or even another child. So, once I opened my trust foundation...

She invested all she had, and I did well with her money. She became even richer than her husband, and he had no clue. She left it all to her sons. As I came back to myself, I heard a knock on my office door. "Come in, guys. You are both welcome," I said. "I am Lauren Prescott. So, gentlemen, I am happy you both accepted my meeting on such short notice. I have a client who is 24 years old. He's from a strict upscale society and he requires two bodyguards. It's a full-time job, even though you can add other persons to the team. They have to be reliable, and my client must be protected."

"We definitely understand and are up for the challenge," John Rose, ex-marine.

Jeff Peterson, a past detective and private investigator, "Okay, great. Can we start today?"

"I would love it if you could accompany me to the Sommerville Hotel. That's where he's staying," Lauren requested.

"Okay, sure. Let's go," I responded. I got ready and left my office. I drove separately, and we all arrived at the hotel.

"Aiden Baldwin, let him know Lauren Prescott is here," the receptionist made the call.

As I heard the phone ringing, I opened my eyes and felt messed up. "Hello, Mr. Baldwin. Mrs. Prescott is here to see you," the receptionist said.

"Send her up. She has guests with her. That's fine. Thank you," I replied, hanging up the phone. I got up, rushed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, put on shorts and a shirt, and just in time, combed my hair. I opened the door. "Come in," I greeted. "Hi, Lauren. Nice seeing you, Aiden."

"I have, as you requested, your own security team. This is Jeff Peterson, a past detective, and John Rose, an ex-Marine," she introduced.

"Come in," I said as I shook their hands. "Can I offer you anything to drink?" They all declined.

"Well, it's simple. I require a team I can trust. There are times when partying can get out of hand, and I just want to know I am safe," I explained.

"Understandable, boss. Welcome. I look forward to working with you guys," Jeff responded.

"Can we have the room? There is something I need to discuss with Mr. Baldwin," Lauren requested.

"No, they are my team. They can stay," I insisted.

"So, I have a portfolio with the new house and the changes I am making. It should be ready by Friday," Lauren informed.

"Okay, Aiden stated. "I will check out of here on Saturday."

"Okay, so that concludes our business for today. Look out for a message from me," Lauren said.

"Okay, Lauren. Sure, will do," I replied. She could see I wasn't doing well. "Thanks for coming. Can you guys start today?"

"Of course. I have a few errands I have to run. I need to go by Northside University. He wanted to pop up and visit Raine or just get a feel for who she was as a person. She intrigued me.

"Things are looking up. I have security again," I thought to myself. My head felt like something hit it. If I learned anything from Zion, I knew I needed a strong aspirin. "John and Jeff, can you please  wait outside. I need a favor. Can you pick up my other car from this car mart?" I asked Jeff, handing him a paper with the address and telephone number."I will let them know you're coming, John. Let's go. I want to get to the university," I said.

"No problem, sir," John replied. He closed my room door, and we all headed out.

As Aiden sat outside Northside University, he stared at her, Raine Samantha Aubrey, 21 years old. He felt like a stalker, but something about her intrigued him. So when Reynolds dropped her off, he had asked for her information just to keep an eye on her. She was running across the lawn, seeming to be late for her class.

"Let's go, John. Permission to speak freely, sir?" John said.

"Certainly, you can. Who is she? You seem to really like her. We drove almost two hours. Why not say hello to her?" John replied.

"I will when I'm ready. Like now, it's just lust and desire. I'm going after her, and she has a life. I can't just pop up and fuck that up, even if I do find her attractive," Aiden explained.

"I understand, sir. Shall we take our leave now?" John asked.

"Sure, back to the hotel."

"Yes, of course, John. What was happening? He knew he didn't love her, but there was this desire she had awakened in him. He didn't feel that with Cara. He had both women, but Raine is the one he can't get out of his head..."