Seduced By His Devotion, Part Three: The Man Next Door

The Man Next Door Serial

Seduced By His Devotion, Part 3

Written by Emma Kincaid

***This is a 3-part romantic suspense serial ***

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please refer all pertinent questions to the publisher.

The Man Next Door Serial, Seduced By His Devotion, Part 3 © 2016 Emma Kincaid

Recap of The Man Next Door Serial Part #2

Astrid is a mess after James' death. She worries about her and Chase, but Hadrian steps in and helps by offering her one of the lavish suites at one of his hotels to stay in until she feels comfortable enough to return home with her son.

After James' death, Nathaniel acts suspicious. Hadrian worries he might have had something to do with killing James. Hadrian feels himself coming unhinged as James' death takes him back to the memory of the fatal night a jealous Montgomery shot Lilith to death. He thinks of how Nathaniel saved his life by shooting Montgomery to save him. He fears Nathaniel may have shot James because he viewed him as a threat to Hadrian being with Astrid.

Hadrian opens the door to his past—literally. He enters the spare room he uses as a shrine to Lilith. The room is full of Lilith's favourite things and lots of photos of her and Hadrian together during their happy times. Hadrian is very protective of the room and only he and Nathaniel know of its existence. Hadrian guards the room because it is where he goes to find solace by basking in his memories of Lilith. He has vowed not to speak of Lilith to Astrid.

After James' funeral, the detectives question both Hadrian and Astrid, but individually. When they re-question Astrid, she worries they may be about to pin James' murder on her. She calls a frantic meeting with Hadrian, telling him of her worries. Hadrian reassures her there is nothing to worry about. That is common place for them to question the spouse of the murdered person just to rule everything out. Astrid talks about how worried she is about Chase coping with his father's death and Hadrian tells her that now would be a good time to let him take Chase on the ride in his private jet he promised him. He tells Astrid that it'll be good for both of them. Astrid reluctantly agrees to go on the plane ride.

Hadrian sets up a secret therapy session with his neighbour, psychiatrist, Dr. Travis Roy. He feels like his world is reeling and he needs his mental stability back before he goes back into his dark place. He finds his first session with Dr. Roy so helpful that he sets up another session.

Hadrian, Astrid and Chase go for a ride on Hadrian's plane ride and Astrid is surprised to see Slade, Hadrian's friend, already on the plane when they arrive. Hadrian spends a few minutes talking to him and then goes and seats himself beside Astrid and Chase. Astrid notes that Hadrian seems a little troubled about something. The plane takes off and Astrid's fears get the better of her. Chase tells his mother not to worry, that it'll be okay. Hadrian holds her hand as they take off, telling her it's okay, that he's got her. Astrid takes comfort in his touch, although it doesn’t fully quell her fear of flying. Still, she is glad for the physical closeness between them. The subject of Hadrian's family comes up and Astrid questions him why he never talks about them. Hadrian is reluctant to talk about them and tells Astrid that blood is not always necessarily thicker than water. On the flight back home, after Chase falls asleep Hadrian and Astrid have a heart to heart and Astrid tells him how glad she is to be there with him. Hadrian kisses her and Astrid doesn't protest his kiss this time. She melts into him, wanting him and needing him more than before. She realizes at that moment she is in love with him.

During Hadrian's second session with Dr. Roy, he reveals that he's in love with the woman he's been talking to. Dr. Roy tells him he owes telling the woman about his past, that she deserves to know. Later on that evening he and Nathaniel talk. Hadrian has every intention of confronting Nathaniel about why his name is on the old bank account tied to Montgomery and asking him if he had anything to do with James' death. But before he can confront him about James, Nathaniel tells him he's been seeing someone - a man, and he's in love with him. This comes as no surprise to Hadrian who has always suspected Nathaniel was gay. He is happy that Nathaniel has found someone to love. Nathaniel tells him he's been spending a lot of time at the pub - Rebels & Daggers pub, same pub that the business card Hadrian found is from. Hadrian is relieved and figures that explains Nathaniel having the business card and that Nathaniel had nothing to do with James' murder. Hadrian then confesses to Nathaniel that he's in love too, with Astrid. The two men discuss how good it feels to finally allow love into their lives again. After this moment of closeness between them, Hadrian decides he doesn't want to rain on the parade by confronting Nate about the bank account.

Astrid gets a message from Nick. He says he hasn't heard from her in