One Love: The "One" Series, #3

By K.A. Berg and T.E. Black

Sebastian –

Devin warned me what would happen if we kept sneaking around together, but I was sure I could control it.  

I was being selfish when it came to her. I wanted her and that was it. My mind was set and I was on the path to winning her heart, until everything blew up in our faces. 

I caused pain to the one woman I promised to protect, and now I have to figure out how to make it all right. 

There's nothing worse than seeing the look of fear on her face as the seriousness of our reality falls down on her instead of me. One thing no one counted on, though, was just far I'd go to save her. I'd walk through fire to keep Devin from living out her worst nightmare. 

Devin – 

I've never felt so many emotions for one person before in my life. Love. Anger. Sadness. Jealousy. It's all there. It's a constant up and down when it comes to Sebastian and me. He's confident he can fix it all, while I'm still trying to get over my own fears.  

Except those fear become reality in the most terrifying way.  

We've been through things most people only read about. 

All we want to do is love each other, but someone else has other, more gruesome, plans for us. 

This is book three of three.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BergBooksLLC
• Release date: Mar 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386625315

Book preview

Sebastian

This is the last thing I foresaw happening. The look of heartache on Devin’s face isn’t supposed to be there, should not be there. Not because of this. That fucking picture should’ve never been taken, let alone released in some trash mag.

Devin. Her name slips from my lips as if she’s the only one sitting in this office with me right now.

She looks up, meeting my eyes, as her skin turns pale then green. I don’t feel well, Sebastian. I think I’m going to be sick.

Moving toward her, I sit next to her blocking out the fact my sister is in the room with us and focus only on Devin as she sits with her head in her hands, mumbling under her breath.

I don’t know what to say. This was her concern, her worst nightmare. I promised her this wouldn’t happen.

It doesn't matter that the only people who know that picture is of us are Devin, me, and the person who took it. Her—our—privacy has been violated in the worst way.

It’s okay, princess, I whisper before glancing at Madison, who is busy talking on the phone to who I assume is my father. It’s not as bad as it seems. You can’t even see your face in the picture.

Devin’s head snaps up, and she all but growls. It doesn’t fucking matter, Sebastian. It is me in that picture, and whoever took it knows exactly who I am. I’m going to be ruined—my career, my name, my reputation—all ruined because of a fucking photo of me bent over your desk.

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and my heart breaks with the weight of her pain.

At the end of the day, this is all my fault.

I dragged her into this mess, into the path of whoever is trying to take me down, and now they’re fucking with my girl.

This picture has nothing to do with her, but everything to do with me.

I painted the target on her back.

I’m not going to let anyone find out that is you, I tell her softly, holding her gaze.

You can’t make that promise, Sebastian. It’s not your choice. Her voice is shaky. You don’t know what that person is going to do next. God, how did this even happen? No one was in your office with us. I don’t understand how they got that photo.

Listen, as bad as this is, it’s now clear this is someone who works in the office with us. It has to be, and that gives us something to go off at least. I’m telling you, princess, I’m going to fix this. I won’t let anything happen to you or all you’ve worked for. Trust me, just this one time. Okay?

I wait anxiously for Devin to nod... smile... do anything so I know she believes in me, but she doesn’t move. She sits in a daze while her body shivers and those small tears hang in the corners of her eyes. I feel fucking helpless. This is a Devin I’ve never seen. The last thing I ever wanted was to break her spirit, but I feel as if this picture being put out there for anyone to see, on top of the pictures delivered to her last week, have done just that—broke her.

Okay. Madison breaks the silence and focuses on me. She looks pissed. I don’t know how to handle this situation right now. Madison is about to rip me a new one while Devin is trying to hold it together here. I don’t need her to hear all the shit Madison is about to say. I talked to Dad, and he’s angry, but he’ll get over it.

She crosses her arms over her chest, huffing. He gets this isn’t your fault and you’ve been keeping things low profile, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. How the hell does this keep happening? Do you like the thrill of getting caught or something? Why do you and your random whores have to do it in public where this person can take photos of you? How do you not see them? Can’t you please just find a nice girl who doesn’t like to be banged in public places?

Here she goes. This is what I didn’t want Devin to hear. Madison, it’s not like that—

Devin stiffens beside me then cuts me off midsentence, standing from her seat, demanding attention.

Madison, she begins with a pleading voice, it’s not what you’re thinking.

My sister uncrosses her arms and tilts her head in Devin’s direction, almost as if she’s confused. Huh?

I study Devin as small beads of sweat trickle from her forehead and her arms break out in goose bumps. Fuck. She’s going to tell Madison the truth.

Dev— She holds her hand out, stopping me midsentence again, and I oblige.

Madison, it’s me.

My sister looks at Devin again, still with the same confused look. What are you talking about?

The picture, she says, covering her face with her hands for a moment. The whore in the photo is me.

So many emotions collide with each other as Devin admits the truth to my sister.

Happiness erupts in my chest over the fact she’s willing to admit she’s involved with me. Immense guilt weighs on my shoulders for bringing her into this situation. A carnal hunger and the deep-seated need to take her home and fuck her fears away climbs up my spine, while remorse for the embarrassment and judgement she may receive because of this keeps me rooted to my spot.

Madison stands in front of Devin with her mouth hanging open in shock.

Madison, I step in to defend Devin, it’s not her fault. You know better than anyone what a persistent bastard I can be.

Hold on, you two. She looks between us. So, you’re telling me that’s Devin in the picture?

Yes, we say in unison.

A small laugh slips from her lips, and I stare at her as if she’s lost her fucking mind. You have to be kidding me.

Unfortunately, we’re not, Devin says, looking down at the floor. I’m really sorry if I let you down, Madison. I’m also sorry if I let your father and this company down. Believe me, I didn’t mean for this to happen. It just— Her voice trails off before she looks back to my sister. —did. I should have been smarter than to give someone an opportunity to find out.

Holy shit, Madison mumbles. What were you two thinking?

My voice gets harsh as I become more and more angry with the way my sister is acting. It isn’t as if she’s Ms. Perfect and has all the room in the world to judge people. Madison, enough. You’re being ridiculous.

Look, I don’t want to cause trouble between the two of you. I’ll go pack my things and show myself out. Truly, Madison, I’m sorry. Devin heads for the door.

Devin, get back here, Madison calls out.

I glare at my sister for acting like such a bitch. She has no idea how fragile Devin is at the moment. She’s the strongest woman I know, except when it comes to fucking up her career; then she’s made of glass.

Do you think I’m mad? Madison asks as she stands in front of her.

You have the right to be.

Devin, I’m a little annoyed that you two broke company policy and we now have another shitstorm to wade through, but I’m not mad.

I’m pretty sure my and Devin’s faces both contort with confusion.

You’re not? Devin asks, her tone hopeful. Again, Madison, I am so sorry. I understand there might be consequences, and I’m willing to accept them to the fullest extent.

There is no way my sister is going to punish her without my approval.

I am the only one who punishes my princess.

Devin, Madison says, laughing softly, there will be no consequences. If anything, I’m relieved the woman in the picture is you.

The tension and anxiety melt away from Devin’s stiff posture.

I do however wish you guys didn’t have a picture taken at all. Why would you do it in a public place where people could see you? I know you’re smarter than that, Devin.

It suddenly dawns on me that Madison didn’t really look at the photo well. I can’t blame her; I wouldn’t want to look at a picture of her and some dude getting it on.

It wasn’t in a public place, I cut in. That picture was taken from inside my office, Madison.

She stares at me wide eyed. Are you serious?

Yes, completely serious. Whoever took that picture was inside my office before we arrived or had a camera set up. We didn’t see anyone, obviously, or we wouldn’t have been having sex, which, to me, means it’s most likely the same person who sent Devin the other pictures. It’s the same person following me around town snapping these compromising shots of me. The same person trying to sabotage me, except now they’re involving Devin. This is way more than someone just trying to a make quick buck off me.

Jesus, Madison groans. What the hell did you do to this person to make them hate you so much, Sebastian? They’re not only making your life miserable, they’re making all our lives miserable.

I wish I knew, I admit, feeling defeated.

Well, we’re going to figure it out. I’m going to call Veronica and have her get here as soon as she possibly can. We can’t sit around on this anymore. Something needs to be done about whoever the hell this is. They’re getting out of hand, and quite frankly, I’m sick of them causing trouble all the damn time.

Madison is right.

Whoever this fucker is needs to be stopped.

I can’t deal with it anymore.

It was tolerable before Devin was involved.

But now, this needs to stop.

I won’t let anyone hurt my princess.

Sebastian

H ello, darling, Veronica coos as she enters Madison’s office an hour later. Did you miss me?

Not really. Seeing her means I have more shit hitting the fan in my life. I cringe as she wraps her arms around my midsection, ignoring the concept of personal space, again. Hi, Veronica.

Looking over her shoulder, I watch as Devin stares daggers into the back of her head. I shimmy out of her hold without being obvious and move toward Devin, who’s still sitting on the sofa.

Madison starts the conversation. We have a major problem, Veronica.

Veronica nods before glancing at me and batting her lashes. Oh, isn’t there always a problem when it comes to my favorite CEO?

God. She is the definition of inappropriate. I wonder if this is part of her process of finding out information for people. Does she just smother them with a coy voice, unwanted touching, and pure annoyance until they tell her what she wants to know?

It’s insanity. I don’t get how she can walk around as if there’s no sense of urgency here when she knows what I’m going through.

I swear, if she wasn’t my best way out of this mess, I’d fire her ass and hire someone with a little more respect. Photos are Veronica’s area of expertise, despite her not doing much for us over the last few months. Once her ass gets moving, she’s like a dog with a bone. Too bad the good bones had to come at Devin’s expense.

Last year, when the CEO of Thompson Publishing had photos of him released in less than ideal positions with a transvestite dominatrix in a sex club, she not only found out it was his partner leaking them to tank their stock to try to get him to sell his shares cheap, but she provided the proof he needed to sue the partner in some civil case. The year before that she was able to uncover the person selling photos of the senator from Connecticut eating out at a place that wasn’t his wife. Blackmail photos tend to be Veronica’s specialty. Although this didn’t start out as blatant blackmail, pictures were involved. Hence my need for Veronica.

It’s been proven that she can be trying at best, and I know Devin despises her, but as I told her, she’s the best there is, even if on a personal level she’s terrible.

We’re paying you to alleviate these issues, Veronica, I chime in with a bit of hostility to my voice.

Sebastian, darling, if there’s anything I can find out from the photo, I will. I’m working on it. Typically, in these situations my clients have some big secret they don’t want exposed. Is that the case here? Your playboy ways haven’t exactly been classified information, so I don’t know what you want me to do without a suspect or motive.

Fuck. She can be such a bitch sometimes. I mean, what does she want from me? I can’t give her information I don’t have.

That’s what she’s for.

Veronica, Sebastian and Madison are doing the best they can to help you figure this all out, Devin says, moving to her feet and squaring her shoulders. Now, I’m here to help as well.

Veronica looks Devin up and down before pursing her lips and crossing her arms over her chest. Devin Elizabeth Miller. Born September 16, 1989 to parents Dale and Marilyn Miller. You have an older brother, Mark Miller, who is currently serving the New York Police Department as a patrol officer. You are originally from New Jersey, but over your career have spent many years traveling all over the United States. Your parents still reside in New Jersey.

We stare at Veronica, more confused than ever. I told you, we’ve looked into every employee at this company, including Ms. Miller.

Anger radiates through me as Veronica uses Devin’s profile against her, as if it’s an accusation. Quite frankly, it’s none of her business to go spewing things she’s learned about Devin’s life. That’s enough, Veronica. The person isn’t Devin.

Veronica looks toward me, cocking a brow. How can you be so sure?

Well, for starters, I didn’t even live here when all this started, Devin snaps, her disdain for Veronica oozing from every pore of her body. Second, because I’m the one in the picture that’s currently out in public for everyone to see.

Devin grabs the newspaper off the coffee table and holds it up for Veronica.

Veronica’s face morphs into a myriad of emotions as she looks at the photo. It volleys between shock, jealousy, and even a little bit of anger before she puts her personal face back on. Well, pardon me then. That was unnecessary of me, Devin. I do apologize.

Devin glares at her with gritted teeth and accepts the fake apology. It’s fine.

Veronica finally realizes there’s a reason we called, asking her to get her ass here as quick as possible and do her job. What else can you tell me about the photo? Obviously, I know the woman is Ms. Miller, but what about anything else?

I scrub my hands down my face in frustration. We were in my office, presumably alone. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Veronica, whoever is selling these images has to have access to our company. How else would they have been able to get that image? Madison adds.

Veronica looks between the two of us. There are a number of different ways, but without much to go on, I don’t have that answer for you.

What can we do to figure it out? I ask. They had to be in my office. There’s no camera feed or anything for them to tap in to. None of this makes sense.

"There’s no camera that you’re aware of. We need to have the office checked for recording devices. In the meantime, I’ll have my people start by seeing who accessed the building the day this photo was taken. Since I presume you can tell me when it