Page 48 of Beautiful Beast

“I’m fascinated by the prospects of 3D printing for the medical field and want to expand Townsend Enterprises. We have a fantastic executive team who can keep the current ships sailing while I build a new fleet.”

“You’re an enigma,” I say. “You’re this jacked, tattooed, badass, gun-slinging… desk jockey.”

Adam chuckles. “I don’t like being put in a box. I like using my body and there’s a lot of strategy that goes into war. But I also really want to make a difference in a way that my position allows. And demands.” He pauses and scrutinizes me as though deciding if he wants to continue.

I snuggle into him, amazed that someone with a body made of hard muscle can be so comfortable to lie on. “You can tell me. You can trust me.”

“Pharmaceuticals. I know they have poor public perception and a lot of people don’t trust them. But I want to change the way drug protocols are developed and not have researchers limited by funding constraints and special interest groups. So many diseases are interconnected. You solve one, and you make progress in others. Take ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.”

“I don’t think drug companies are in the business of finding cures,” I say carefully. “They won’t make money if they fix people.”

“I understand people have to die. There’s a circle of life. But I don’t believe people have to suffer so terribly in the end. That’s the thing, Belle. I’ll stay rich even if I throw billions at a passion project. I don’t care if this arm of my company makes me money.”

I always wondered if rich people ever reached a point where they felt like they had enough. The richest people in the world have more money than they could ever hope to spend in twelve lifetimes, but most of them don’t seem to be slowing down.

Adam pulls me closer and plants a kiss on the top of my head. “I just want to… I want to help people. I can’t stand rich people without a conscience. I have an obligation to do something. And this is where I can make a difference. My brain solves puzzles no matter what they are. I can make traction here, I know it.”

“Shit, I think I just fell in love with you,” I mutter into his neck, only half-kidding. “I can’t wait to see what you and that big brain are going to do for the world. But… You’ve literally killed people. And now you want to be Superman.”

“I’d make a better Batman. But I didn’t kill good men, Belle. I killed cartel bosses, human traffickers, terrorists, and insurgents. That was war. This is life. There’s a huge difference between the two.”

I nod slowly as I process his words, trying to understand a world I’ve only read about in books and seen glorified in Hollywood blockbusters.

“It’s just so foreign to me. You’re a good man, but also a stone-cold killer.”

He chuckles. “I’m hardly a hit man, princess. As much as I may want to, I promise that I won’t kill anyone outside of war, no matter how annoying they are.” He hesitates. “Can you do me a favor when I’m gone?”

“Anything.”

I wonder if the conversation is getting too heavy and he wants to turn it around. Maybe he’ll ask me to send him naked pictures or something.

And I mean… I would, especially if I got some in return.

“Can you… swing by here every day and water the roses? I have a powder that goes in the vase to extend their life. A new delivery comes every ten days so they stay fresh.”

“You’re going to keep getting the roses while you’re away?”

“Yes. I have other plants, too. You can be my house sitter.”

I don’t know the story behind the roses. Some walls are really high, but I’ll eventually scale them. All I know is that the flowers are important to Adam, so they’re important to me.

“Can I be your house sitter and booty call?”

“Hard bargain.”

“I’ll take care of all the plants,” I promise. “I’m so excited to have a garden on the terrace this summer. I’ve never had a place with outdoor space, and it’s such a luxury.”

“You can use my space if you prefer so you have more room. But Belle, just do me one big favor okay?” He waits until I look up and meet his gaze before continuing.

I cup his jaw so he knows that I’m listening.

“No matter what, don’t let the roses die.”

Chapter 11

Adam

Thistripwasamistake.