bad habit, but she just didn't have the heart to take it out of his mouth tonight. If she was going to pick up and drag him away from everything he had known in his young years, he was going to need all the comfort he could get. She ought to know.
Chapter Five
Markus
It was close to midnight by the time Markus Lambert exited the elevator, stepping into the dimly lit foyer of his best friend's loft. An eerie calm filled the space, putting him on edge. He'd tried to call Brianna's cell phone in the cab on the way from the airport, but the call went straight to voicemail. He told himself she'd probably forgotten to charge her phone, but the knowledge that Jake Davenport was gunning for the love of his life was never far from his thoughts.
He beelined it to the guest room they normally slept in when at the loft, hoping to discover a sleeping Brianna. Finding the room dark and empty, he dumped his overnight bag and briefcase before checking the master suite, hoping he'd find Brianna and Tiffany holed-up there. The empty bed he found instead ratcheted up his anxiety.
Where the hell are they? If they left the loft, they aren't going to sit down for a week when I get my paddle on them.
Walking faster, he rushed back out to the great room and past the dark kitchen, towards the other end of the loft. He went to the movie theater first, hoping to find the girls in the middle of a romantic comedy, but finding an empty room instead.
He was almost jogging by the time he turned towards the far end of the loft, trying to keep his fear in check. When the faint sounds of rock music made it to his ears, he let out a relieved sigh. They were in the gym.
Lukus's loft was mammoth, taking up the top two floors of the city-block building. Since the property wasn't in the greatest neighborhood, Lukus had gotten a good deal on the deserted building which now housed his two businesses, an entire floor of guest BDSM suites he rented out to Punishment Pit members, and his personal home.
Markus next passed through the large home gym, which sported free weights and a dozen workout machines. Not only did Lukus use the space to exercise, the entire staff of Titan Security was encouraged to work out regularly to stay in shape for their job. With the wall of windows facing the Chicago skyline, stocked beverage refrigerator, locker room and several big-screen TVs, the space rivaled the city's top-end gyms.
The music was getting louder. He could now make out the heavy beat of Metallica pounding from the sound system at the far end of the loft. The sight that met him as he cracked open the swinging doors to the two-story gym brought relief. He held back entering to enjoy the view for a few minutes.
A good-natured game of two-on-two basketball was underway. Markus grinned as he realized that, technically, it was a two-on-one game, considering the negligible help his lovely wife was providing her best friend. Brianna looked miserable as she watched Tiffany steal the basketball from her brother Aiden and break away towards the basket, making an easy layup. Rachel's cheer from the sideline drew Markus's attention, and he couldn't help but grin at the pregnant woman's risqué cheerleader outfit, complete with pom-poms and ponytails.
"I thought you'd have lost your touch by now, Tiff. You've been out of school for five years and you can still whip my ass on the court."
Markus wished Lukus had told him Aiden would be there. Having a Chicago police officer keeping tabs on the girls was a great idea.
"God-damn, I hate being beaten by a girl." The shorter, stocky man in the room leaned over with his hands on his knees as he gasped to catch his breath. It looked like Tiffany had been giving the men a workout.
Markus recognized the second man as Aiden's best friend and partner in the CPD, Josh. Tiffany had beaten Markus on the court more times than he could count, so he empathized with Josh's feelings.
Pushing the door open, Markus entered the gym. The second his wife saw him, she dropped the ball she'd been holding, taking off in a full-out run towards him. She didn't even slow down as she approached, launching herself into his arms with such velocity they almost crashed to the floor. Bri lifted her legs up