Just My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires by Esther Pen novel Chapter 322

Chapter 322

BRANDON’S POV

I sat at the wide wooden desk in my new headquarters, resting my head in my hands. I had been in back–to- back meetings since seven in the morning, signing contracts and reviewing security reports until my lower back was throbbing with pain.

I had poured millions of dollars and every available resource into finding Gabriel’s hideout over the last few days, but he was like a shadow in the night. Every lead went cold, and every contact came up empty.

I knew in my gut that we could never have true peace until both Gabriel and Julian were dealt with for good. Now that Julian had teamed up with Gabriel, it was no longer a question of if they would strike, but when.

It was already late Friday evening. The sun had gone down over the city, and I was still buried under a mountain of paperwork when my phone buzzed against the glass desk.

I picked it up and saw Aria’s name on the screen.

“Aria,” I said, leaning back in my leather chair. “Sweetheart what’s wrong? Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine, Brandon,” Aria’s sweet voice came through the speaker. “I got held up late at my office, and Amelia kept saying she wanted to see you in action at your new headquarters. We are standing right in the main lobby downstairs.”

A genuine smile broke across my face for the first time all day, clearing away the dark fog in my head. “Come right up, baby,” I told her softly. “I will have Sophie bring you to my floor.”

I called my secretary, Sophie, on the intercom and told her to escort them up. Two minutes later, my office door swung open.

As soon as Amelia saw me, her face lit up. She dropped her small pink bag on the carpet and ran across the long room as fast as her legs could take her.

“Daddy,” Amelia cheered, jumping straight into my arms as I knelt on the floor.

I wrapped my arms around her tight, lifting her up onto my hip. She pressed a warm kiss onto my left cheek, then immediately turned and kissed my right cheek.

Aria walked in right behind her, wearing a soft cream coat, her dark eyes filled with warmth as she stepped up to us. I reached out with my free arm, pulled Aria close, and pressed a soft kiss onto her smooth forehead.

“How are my girls doing?” I asked softly, looking between them.

“We are doing good,” Aria smiled, wrapping her hand gently around my arm. She looked over at the huge stack of files piled on my desk. “What are you still working on this late?”

“I am trying to finish up the local setup,” I explained, carrying Amelia over to the sofa. “With everything that has been happening with Gabriel, I have not had the chance to officially launch our main commercial operations here since I moved the headquarters to your city.”

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Aria sat down beside me, rubbing my shoulder gently. “I understand, Brandon. But you need to take a break. Dominic told me on the phone that you have not eaten a single thing all day.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up a small finger to stop me.

“You need to take care of your health,” Aria insisted, her tone turning firm and caring. “I do not want you falling sick. Not now, not ever.”

“I am sorry, baby,” I said softly, holding her hand. “I just got caught up in the work.”

Amelia leaned over from my lap, resting her chin on my chest, and looked up at me with big, innocent eyes. “Daddy, my stomach is making noises. I am very hungry.”

I looked at Aria, and she gave me a subtle, knowing wink. I knew this was a coordinated trick between the two of them to force me out of the office, but I did not mind at all. In the end, my girls always won.

I stood up, holding Amelia in my arms, and walked over to the door where Sophie was waiting.

“Sophie,” I said, setting my phone in my pocket. “I am done for the night. I will be back first thing tomorrow morning to personally interview the new tactical recruits. Call Zane and tell him I want him to head down to the city tonight to help with the ground checks.”

“Yes, Boss,” Sophie replied politely, bowing her head slightly. “I will contact Mr. Zane right away.”

I took Aria’s hand, weaving my fingers firmly through hers, and we walked down the private hallway toward my personal elevator.

As the doors closed and we began to descend, I looked down at Amelia. “So, my little princess, where do you want to eat tonight?”

Amelia rested her head against my shoulder, looking up at me with a soft smile. “I do not care where we go, Daddy. I just want to eat anywhere as long as you and Mommy are both there with me.”

My heart felt full. I squeezed Aria’s hand, looking into her eyes. “Okay, sweetheart. Anywhere you want.”

When the elevator reached the basement parking level, Antonio was already standing by the rear door of our dark sedan, holding it open for us. We stepped inside the warm leather interior, and I looked up at Antonio in the mirror.

“Take us to my private restaurant on Fifth Street, Antonio,” I instructed.

“Yes, Boss,” Antonio replied, closing the door and getting into the driver’s seat.

Aria looked at me with a soft expression. “Is that the place with the private top floor?”

“Yes,” I nodded, resting my arm around her shoulders. “I cleared the entire top deck for us tonight.”

I made a silent choice right then not to bring up Gabriel, Julian, or any of our security problems. We had a rare moment of peace and quiet right now, and I wanted to enjoy every single second of it with my family. Ten minutes later, we arrived at the quiet, high–end establishment. The manager led us straight up the private

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stairs to a beautifully lit corner table overlooking the city lights below. We sat down, and the waiter took our orders right away.

As we ate, Amelia chattered endlessly about her day at school, telling me all about her finger painting class and the new boy, Jayden, who sat next to her during circle time.

“He shared his blue crayon with me today, Daddy,” Amelia said proudly, taking a small bite of her pasta.

“Did he now?” I asked, narrowing my eyes just a bit. “I think I am definitely taking you to school tomorrow morning so I can meet this young man myself.”

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