A storm of loud applause fills the venue. Jimmy looks up, gives me one of his irresistible smiles, and winks at me. Holy shit. Everyone’s clapping, cheering, and whistling, but he’s staring at me! I clap my hands as hard as I can, totally exhilarated.
They play three more songs until the curtain finally falls and the concert is officially over. I can’t wait to kiss him again, hug him, and thank him for the wonderful song he dedicated me.
“Such an amazing concert, right?”
“Wonderful,” snaps Alex. “Petra?” He holds my arms, forcing me to cool down and return to planet Earth. “Look at me.” But I don’t want to. Will he really give me the most embarrassing talk ever? I nevertheless obey. “I know you’re all excited about my brother… but…” He lets out a breath. “Don’t do anything you might regret, alright?”
I roll my eyes. Why does he have to ruin everything? “What is your problem with your brother?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t get it.”
“The way he talked about you was…” He tries to find the most suitable words, but they don’t come.
“Did he talk to you about me? What did he say?”
“He was very inappropriate,” he replies instantly.
“What ‘inappropriate’ means to you might be a compliment to me.”
“Petra, I don’t think he cares about you, but rather about what you are.”
I furrow my brows in total confusion. “Could you be a bit more specific?”
But Alex sighs again. “I’m sorry. I’m… I'm terrible at this.” He lowers his gaze, clearly embarrassed, and remains speechless. At that moment, and for the very first time, I can sense his vulnerability.
“Well, then, don’t talk. It’s alright. I appreciate your concern. But I’m not a child anymore. I’m turning eighteen this year,” I remind him. “But I get it—you haven’t seen me for ten years and now you can’t realize I’ve grown up.”
“I do realize you’ve grown up, Petra. But you’re still young, too young.” He lets out a breath, his face serious, thinking something through. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Dear Lord. “I will. Was it Dad who told you to give me this talk?”
“No. Your dad has no idea about your French kisses by the lake with Jimmy.”
But Alex does? “Wow. So he told you about it?”
“He told me everything about it.”
I gasp instantly in horror. “Please don’t tell Dad! If he finds out—”
“I’m not worried about Roy. I’m worried about you, Petra. You barely know him. And I don’t think Jimmy has good intentions toward you.”
“I see...” I pretend I care. “Thanks for the talk.” And I give him a friendly clap on his arm. “Let’s go. Jimmy said to meet him in the lobby of the Four Seasons.”
As we sit in the lobby area just beyond the opulent marble stairs, we realize Jimmy and his crew are nowhere to be seen.
Alex notices how I’m becoming impatient, checking my iPhone every two minutes, looking around, shaking my legs unsteadily.
“He’ll arrive drunk,” he announces bluntly.
“Why are you so tough on him? Maybe he went to pick up some friends.” Or at least that’s what I hope.
“I know him, that’s all.” He pauses. “Look, if we lose each other at the party, give me a call, and I’ll find you.” And what if I don’t want to be found? “I know the suite. I brought him here once for his birthday.” There’s a beat of silence. “And don’t leave without me,” he snaps, so sternly that I swallow hard.
“What about you? What if you find some gorgeous supermodel?”
His face softens with a suppressed laugh. “I’m taking care of you tonight. I won’t leave the party with anyone but you.”
I can’t help but smile and decide to satisfy my usual curiosity. “You know, for a second I thought Jimmy was your son…”
“Really? C’mon, he’s twenty-two.”
Well, why not? Could’ve been. “Yeah, I mean, before you introduced me to him.” He shakes his head in amusement but doesn’t open up further. “Do you have kids?” I finally ask.
“Me? Of course not,” he utters immediately, almost in outrage.
“How can you be so sure?” I insist. “After all, accidents do happen.”
“Um, because…” I feel him hesitate. A shy smile settles on his lips, but he breaks eye contact and stares down at the marble floor. And just like when we were in the private box, I know this type of talk makes him uncomfortable.
“Alex.” His eyes meet mine again for a moment. “I’m not a kid anymore, it’s alright,” I remind him once more, just before giggling like one.
“Okay. Fine,” he spits out. I wait patiently for the rest of his answer, my eyes pinned on him. “I always use condoms.”
“Really? Like, always always?”
“Yes, always always,” he repeats. “I’ve never done it without using one.”
“Wow. What about with Amanda?”
“Damn, you’re so curious. Dear Lord.” He glances around, probably impatient for Jimmy to step in and save him. Not a good excuse, Mr. Van Dieren. I keep staring despite his loud sigh. “Even with Amanda,” he mutters.
“Any reason in particular?” I know at this point I’m being super pushy, but I can’t help it—curiosity is my nickname!
He doesn’t reply, but my eyes are glued to his mouth, waiting for his next words. He presses his lips together, finally looking me in the eye, and knowing there’s no escape, he says, “I just don’t trust women when it comes to birth control, little Petra.”
I hear loud laughter breaking out in the hotel. I follow it with my eyes and see Jimmy and his musicians surrounded by a horde of girls. They flurry in our direction with hearty giggles, swaying and singing with half-empty whiskey bottles in their hands.
To say the least, I’m not pleased. “Have you been drinking already?”
“Just a bit backstage with my boys. Let’s go celebrate!” Everyone cheers, excited to go upstairs. He smooches my lips quickly, but long enough for me to catch a blast of Jack Daniel’s. Alex rolls his eyes, looking away. “Bro! How are you?” greets Jimmy. “Can’t believe you came! So, did you enjoy my songs?”
“Very much.”
“You lie so badly! They are too cheap for you, huh? You know, Petra, my bro thinks he’s some sort of aristocratic playboy.” He bursts into laughter, but no one else does. “Alex, the aristocratic playboy.” I shake my head. Jimmy’s just embarrassing himself right in the middle of the lobby.
“C’mon, let’s go.” I grab his hand and drag him into the elevator. We go to the Fifty-First floor. Once we arrive in front of his suite, he taps his keycard on the reader and opens the door into a gigantic living room. The atmosphere is dark and playful, with way too many people already inside, from friends and acquaintances to models and crew members. Everyone’s already partying, drinking and dancing to the DJ. They raise their glasses and cheer at the sight of him. Jimmy does some quick dance moves and dives into the crowd for a cheering, kissing, and hugging crusade.
I’m frightened. I hate this kind of party more than anything else. But I take a deep breath and step in. Oh! I see at terrace in the distance. “Let’s go outside!” And I drag Alex with me.
The party is a raging success. Everyone seems to be having fun. Alex and I are standing on the terrace, enjoying the fresh breeze, the softer music, and talking to three gorgeous blonde models, or wait… maybe that’s just Alex. Indeed, I feel totally left out. I decide to look around for Jimmy, but he’s neither on the terrace, nor in the living room.
Suddenly, I receive a text message: Are you free?
It’s from him. Finally!
Yep, where are you? I reply.
You’ll see a waiter standing in front of my room. Tell him your name, and he’ll let you in.
I leave the living room, walk down the hallway, and see a young man in a white suit with a bow tie standing in front of a door. Must be him.
He nods and lets me in.
The bedroom is empty. I don’t see anyone. But I do hear water falling from the en suite bathroom. Is he in the shower? I don’t want to disturb him.
“Hey, how are you? I’m sorry, I really needed a shower.” Jimmy walks into the room with a white towel wrapped around his hips.
I cover my eyes immediately and turn around. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know… Please take your time.”
“Do you mind if I wear only boxers?”
What? I gasp instantly. I’ve never seen anyone in boxers! Even James had only taken his shirt off. “Would you mind wearing some jeans too?” I dare to ask.
“Alright, then…”
I can hear him walking toward the closet. I sit on the edge of his bed and wait.
“You can look now.” I dare to do so and see he’s at least half dressed. His body’s dry and fit, but strangely, not enough for my taste. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve always had a penchant for athletic and lean guys. “I’m sorry, it’s just I… I’m not used to seeing guys in boxers…”
He sits beside me. “No worries.”
I smile timidly at him in a failed attempt to cover the palpable tension. Jimmy starts to caress my jawline, tucks some hair behind my ear, and kisses my lips before laying me down, his body slightly inclined on mine. My pulse pounds nervously faster and faster with every kiss. He nibbles my bottom lip, then my chin, going further down to my neck, smooching it hurriedly between panting breaths. His hands slide under my T-shirt, trying briefly to take it off, but he probably senses that I’m uncomfortable and stops.
“Do you want some?” he asks, reaching for a tray with white powder lines from the nightstand.
Why does everyone do cocaine? God! “No, thank you.” I smile, shaking my head.
Despite the shower, he still looks quite unsteady, maybe half drunk. He takes a rolled up dollar bill and sniffs a line. “You should. It’s great to relax. Not even a tiny bit? Just to try.”
I decline again.
Jimmy puts the tray on the nightstand and then reaches again for me, devouring my mouth. Hungry for more, he discreetly pulls my skirt up, and I feel his fingers fondling my inner thigh. I shiver at his touch and I instinctively stop him from getting closer to my crotch. “I’m sorry, I’m—”
“I know,” he cuts me off with a sly smile. “You’ve never done it, right?”
I frown at the question. Is it written on my face or what? “And how do you know that?” I ask, confused.
“I felt it,” he replies plainly.
I narrow my eyes, Alex’s voice suddenly resonating in my mind. I don’t think he cares about you, but rather about what you are. Did he mean a virgin? Jimmy’s about to reach my lips, but I’ve got more to say. “Is this the reason why you brought me here?”
“Well…what would it be for, then?” He mocks bluntly, sniggering at my face.
Disgusted by his attitude, I slap him. “You’re really a fucking bastard! Alex was right.” I try to stand up, but his body weight is on top of me. "Get off!”
He grabs me by the neck, holding me down. “Who do you think you are, bitch? I deserve to take this pussy. I dedicated a fucking song to you!”
“Get away from me,” I scream, my arms pushing him back.
“Shhh!” He covers my mouth with his palm. “Scream once more, and you’ll see. Now…” he starts to unfasten his belt and unzip his jeans, pushing them down.
I gasp, seeing his boner behind his boxers. I’m frightened, my heartbeat keeps thundering. I glance around for my iPhone—it’s inside my purse on the other side of the bed, although not too far from my reach.
“Time to take what is mine.”
I try to move my hand to discreetly reach it, but he grabs my wrists and devours my mouth violently so I can’t scream any further. Fuck! I’ve got to call Alex. I bite Jimmy’s tongue so hard that he releases me instantly.
“Alex!” I scream as loud as I can. But the music is loud, too loud.
“Such a bitch! You fucking bit my tongue!” He slaps me back.
I yell in pain but manage to grab my iPhone.
“Put the phone down!”
I press the call button, but he throws the phone on the floor and pulls me back to the center of the bed. As I try to move, he lays his entire body on top of me—it’s getting hard to even breathe! He pinches my lips. “Now you shut the fuck up. Are we clear?”
He slips the other hand down between my thighs. I feel his sweaty fingers reaching my panties. I scream again, with tears of rage rolling down my face and my legs trembling. He kisses my mouth so viciously that I feel like I’m suffocating. I want to throw up in disgust, but he inserts his repugnant tongue in my mouth to lick mine. Then I start sobbing. Tired of having my arms flailing around him, he holds my skinny wrists tight behind the pillow with one single hand. I’m paralyzed by his torso; my entire body quivers. I close my eyes, shaking my head repeatedly in an attempt to free his repulsive mouth from mine. But the more I try to fight, the more I feel him crushing my chest, his tongue wriggling inside my mouth and his arousal growing. Oh God. I just want to die at this precise moment, instead of having to feel his disgusting fingers near my crotch, pressing into me.
I hear glass break against something.
His fingers stop, his entire body becomes motionless—Jimmy falls over me, unconscious. I’m able to make out Alex standing behind him, pulling his brother’s body away from me.
I can finally breathe again. My face grows red as I think about what could’ve happened.
But my attention shifts back to Alex, who sits beside me. Wow. His eyes are even more frightened and full of hatred than mine, his heartbeat even louder. “It’s alright, Petra. I’m here,” he murmurs.
A wave of emotion consumes me, and at the sound of his voice, I hug him instantly, sobbing against his chest. “Oh God,” I howl. “I feel so terrible.” He holds me firmly in his arms, kissing the top of my head while caressing the long strands of my hair to comfort me. “You were so right—”
“Shh… I’m here. It’s over.” He looks into my eyes and dries some tears with his thumbs. “It’s over,” he repeats in a whisper, holding my jaw. “Did he hurt you? Definitely on the right cheek, you are so red.”
“He slapped me,” I confess, looking down, ashamed.
“Hey.” He brings my chin up. “This bastard will never touch you again. We will report him to the police now.”
“No! Don’t go to the police. It’ll only bring trouble to all of us, and Dad will know about it.”
“Petra, have you seen what he did to you? This monster should never walk the streets ever again.”
“Don’t go to the police, please,” I insist. “It’s your brother. He was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. I’m sure he’ll regret it as soon as he wakes up.”
“That’s totally irrelevant. His behavior was absolutely inexcusable. We should report him.”
“I don’t want to. It won’t wash away what he did. No one needs to know about this. Dad will be so disappointed in both of us.” He frowns in confusion at my answer. “In me, because I went to his bedroom, and in you because... well... technically you allowed me to,” I explain.
He sighs loudly, but no one is up for any more debate. “We’ll discuss it later. Now, let’s go home.” He kisses my forehead softly one last time, holds me by the hand, and we finally leave.
I’ve never felt so scared and abused in my entire life. How did Jimmy have the guts to do something like that? Was it only because he was under alcohol and cocaine, as I said? Or was it a premeditated act? I shudder at the thought of him. I stare at my godfather instead. He’s driving, focused on the road, but visibly angry. I want to thank him, but his glare is so enraged, so full of fury. I wonder what he’s thinking.
“I’m truly sorry for his behavior, Petra.” He punches the steering wheel in anger. “Damn it! Such a fucking asshole. I can’t believe it.”
<
br /> “It’s alright… I’m fine now,” I reply, to cool him down. “Thank you for being there for me.”
He gives me a tender smile and lays his right hand on top of mine, while holding the steering wheel with the other.
His eyes are laser focused on the road, but his thumb starts caressing my fingers. I can’t help but smile at the feel of his touch. He brings my hand to his lips, yet his eyes remain forward, attentive and serious. I watch him placing subtle kisses on my knuckles. They are protective, appeasing, and warm. In fact, I realize he has never kissed me on the cheek, not even once, since we’ve only greeted each other verbally. I wonder why and, for an instant, how it would feel to rest my lips on his face.
He looks back at me.
“No one will ever hurt you again, Petra. I give you my word.”
The sound of his voice curls my lips into a pleasant smile. It feels so reassuring. And, strange or not, I have the feeling he truly means it.
“Dad gave me until one thirty a.m… Maybe we could go somewhere else before going straight home?”
“Petra, I promised your father I’d take you to the concert and the party. That’s it. No bars or clubs. Plus, with what happened, you need to rest.”
“I wasn’t thinking about any bar or club. Maybe we could go to your place for some tea? You told me you were renting a condo nearby, right?”
I hear only silence. His face reveals nothing as he glances at his watch. “Fine. I guess we have time for a quick tea and to put some soothing ointment on that cheek. But then, home.” I smile, victorious, despite his stern voice.
Chapter 8
Manhattan, June 2, 2019
Alexander Van Dieren
I hand her a cup while trying to prevent my rage and anger from consuming me. Yet, the urge to beat the hell out of my brother is all I can think about. Damn it. What a fucking bastard—he knew perfectly that Petra was my goddaughter and how much I cared about her. Before I can dwell further, I take a deep breath and sit in front of her. “Are you feeling better?”
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