He continued his conversation, never losing focus as his hands became slightly aggressive. I struggled to stifle my cry when he inserted his fingers inside me. His thumb circled my clit with expert rotation, making me desperate for more. He pushed my legs farther apart, pulling me higher onto his lap. I felt his erection immediately. The voice in the back of my head questioned if he would demand sex while the two guards were in the front seats. There were times I didn’t know what to expect from him, when his face gave nothing away. He was a master manipulator, and I knew his game quite well. It was something I’d learned after being with him for so many years. He would wine and dine you, get you comfortable and trusting him, only to unexpectedly strike you later.
His breath tickled my ear as he brought me near my peak, only to leave me desperately waiting, unsatisfied. He pulled his hand away, bringing his fingers to his mouth. I quivered as he sucked them slowly. I tried to calm my breathing as he put my dress back in place. The act left me confused. I could tell his conversation was ending by the tone of his voice—frustration mixed with a rewarding satisfaction. His voice was everything but friendly when he ended the call.
“I guess that will have to do for now,” he said.
I sucked in a breath when I felt his arms wrap around my midsection. He nuzzled my neck, and I automatically leaned into him. I noticed we were getting close to home. The private gate of our suburban mansion opened, letting the SUV inside.
“I sometimes forget how beautiful my wife is,” he continued, nipping my ear. The sensation was only making the abandonment of my orgasm worse. “I also forget how clever she can be.”
I waited for him to continue. The long pause that followed unnerved me, and I instantly tensed when I felt his hands gently wrap around my throat. I would’ve taken it as a form of foreplay, but when I tried to relax, his grip tightened. I realized then that he knew something. When I tried to speak, he shushed me. The guards stared straight ahead, not once interfering. They knew better. I was on my own at the mercy of my beloved husband. It felt like a decade before he spoke another word. I tried to hide my discomfort, but it was pointless. He knew he’d already made me nervous by the intense beating of my heart.
“Is there something wrong, Mia?” he asked.
He removed his hands from around my throat, gently massaging my shoulders. A stranger would have taken it as a kind gesture, but I knew better. This was a test. A test I needed to pass. I couldn’t afford to fail.
“Or maybe there’s something you might like to share with me?”
I took my time before I answered. I felt his breath on the back of my neck. He continued massaging my shoulders, the act anything but kind. It was his way of letting me know who was in control. His hands were only mere inches away from my neck. He would just have to move them up a bit and squeeze. The guards would do nothing. The only person they served was him. They wouldn’t hesitate to protect me from a stranger, but not the man who signed their checks. That would be unwise.
I tried to remember a time when Alek had physically hurt me, but I couldn’t. He wasn’t that type of man. He sometimes shared bits and pieces of his childhood during those rare times when we lay in bed and actually had a conversation. The parts that were memorable and some that weren’t. The times that stood out the most were the stories he shared with me about his mother. The way his father used to strike her without a second thought, daring her to question his motives. How she covered for him when an accusation was made by a concerned family member, the evidence of the act strongly displayed on her slender face.
Avery shared pieces, too—more so than Alek. She filled me in on how he felt like he could never protect their mother. How he felt weak as he watched in the shadows from the other side of the room. She explained it was what made him strive to be the man he was. His power gave him strength, something he didn’t have when he was younger. However, he didn’t realize that need could also turn you into a monster. I noticed how it haunted him constantly. The thought of his power slipping through his fingers, leaving him weak again.
I chose my next words carefully, still unsure if he had reached his breaking point. The point where he would abandon reason and possibly turn into his father.
“I should’ve consulted you before going out. It was just a couple of drinks with friends. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.” I covered his hands with my own. “I just get restless cooped up in the house. We haven’t gone out in a long time. Even dinner is a stretch for you.”
His hands paused on my shoulders. I waited for him to place them back around my neck, but he didn’t. Instead, I heard him release a calming breath. His arms once again circled my midsection. His teeth nibbled my ear.
“I need you to play the role you promised me, Mia. Being my wife is something other women envy. You should be grateful that you don’t have to work. The organizations and fundraisers should keep you occupied.”
I decided to let it go. I would never get my point across. He would never understand. I had shared my distress, yet all he could do was lecture me on how privileged I was.
“You’re right,” I replied.
I leaned against his chest. The idea of him actually losing control and hurting me traveled to the back of my mind. I was careful with my next sentence.
“Avery mentioned seeing you in the club tonight after I left.” The lie slipped out easily.
“Yes, I do recall seeing my sister tonight—on the prowl, I believe.” The disgust in his voice was evident. The mention of her caused him discomfort.
“Can I ask what the visit was about. A new business venture maybe?” I asked cautiously, trying to get more information.
The SUV pulled to a stop after making its way around our circular driveway. The soft light displayed through the numerous windows gave you thoughts of warmth and comfort. Not the coldness I felt every time I walked through the massive wooden doors.
I was quickly repositioned on his lap, facing him. He softly gripped my chin, his cautious eyes studying me.
“I wasn’t aware you took such an interest in my business affairs, Mia, but to answer your question, no, I was there for a different matter.” He leaned his head back. “It’s nothing that concerns you.”
I sucked in a breath. It was clear his visit to Wesley’s office wasn’t a pleasant one. I had apparently questioned him about the wrong thing and made a note not to do it again. I could see the irritation begin to spread throughout his features.
“I was just trying to make conversation, Alek. It just surprised me you were even there. I didn’t take it for a place you would visit. I assumed it must have been business that brought you there.”
The door was suddenly opened. The recruit, Logan, waited patiently beside the door. I looked at my husband and quickly understood. Sleeping alone was something I had grown accustomed to.
“Which was why I was upset when informed my wife was there. I would’ve collected you sooner, but by the time I got around to it, you were nowhere in sight. My men said you’d vanished.”
I nodded, realizing Avery’s plan had worked perfectly. My next question was on the tip of my tongue. It came out without warning.
“Why didn’t you try and contact me if you knew I was there?” I asked, genuinely wondering why he hadn’t contacted me directly.
He cleared his throat. “I called you three times, Mia.”
I could sense the frustration from the creases that developed on his forehead. I was about to disagree, but reached for my phone instead. I went to my missed calls and sucked in a breath. My words were inaudible as I stared blankly at the evidence. He had called me three times. I quickly realized why he was quiet when I joined him in the vehicle. He thought I’d ignored him purposely.
“There were only two places I expected you to be.” He clenched his fist. “Luckily, for your sake, my first stop was the right one.”
I placed my hand on his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear my phone.”
He pulled me from his lap and helped me
out of the vehicle. The expression on his face was hard to read. Was saying sorry enough? Was I in the clear?
“I need you to be more selective about where you go.” His six-foot-two frame towered over me. “Maybe you should make new friends–ones who have husbands, too. I know my sister is the one who introduced us, but do you believe she has your best interest in mind?”
I looked at him and sighed. We had been down this road before. He didn’t like the idea of me hanging out with Avery. He felt she would only feed me lies about him. The truth was, I ran into Alek on accident. I had walked outside to catch some fresh air at an event Avery invited me to. I knew she was wealthy the moment we became roommates in college. I just didn’t know the extent of it. The day I met her parents, I understood. Her mother was remarried to a high-profile lawyer, and her brother was a high-profile judge. Her family was floating in money, and I immediately felt out of my element.
I never expected to meet him that night. He stood in the massive back yard of their mother’s home, talking to someone on the phone. Avery had mentioned her arrogant asshole of a brother, her exact words, wouldn’t be able to make it. She had claimed his absence was for the best, but I knew the moment I saw that mysterious man in a suit, a suit that cost more than my entire wardrobe, it was Alek. She was right. The arrogance rolled off of him in waves.
I had just turned back to walk inside the house when he called out. I had nowhere to hide, so I immediately stopped and slowly turned his way. I prayed he hadn’t sensed the fact I had been practically salivating over him moments earlier.
“I thought I was alone out here.” His words came out strong and powerful. His blue eyes crinkled on the ends when he smiled, showing a bit of his age. “Houston’s finest boring you to death already?”
Avery had mentioned her brother was older, but he wore it well. I found him equally attractive as the guys my age. In fact, the aura of his maturity had been a turn-on for me.
I had walked toward him with my nearly empty cocktail and shrugged. “Guilty as charged.” I quipped.
He met me in the middle, his hands caught my chin without permission, but I didn’t put up any restraint. The feel of his hands on my skin fueled my already burning desire.
He looked into my eyes and whispered, “Then I guess I should make sure to thank them later.”
That night clarified a few things for me. I became his and instantly knew he would never let me go. It became more evident in the months that followed. It would have thrilled some women until they fathomed the severity of it. Until they felt the weight of the invisible iron chains suddenly clasped around their wrist.
I looked at Alek with determination. I had given him everything he asked of me, including the unconditional devotion of being his wife. The one thing I would never budge on was the friendship I shared with Avery.
“She’s my best friend,” I defended, shaking my head in frustration. “And your little sister.”
I could see the coldness in his eyes. He couldn’t care less that they were related. I heard his phone ding and knew my time was up. The only reason he had picked me up was to deliver me to where I needed to be—inside the walls of my luxurious prison. He claimed my lips before climbing back inside the SUV, looking at me.
“Well, I guess you both should be more selective about where you go. If not, something will have to be done about it. I can’t have my wife running around recklessly,” he warned.
I held my tongue and walked inside the house. The wooden doors welcomed me back inside a house with no warmth. I watched through the window as the vehicle drove away. I should have been concerned about where my husband was going at such a late hour, but the only thought that roamed through my head was wondering what had him on edge. He wanted information from me, but it clearly had nothing to do with my affair.
Chapter Ten
Wesley
IF SOMEONE ASKED IF there was anything I would do differently in life, only one thought came to mind—her. The way she looked at me with fear in her eyes, knowing what was going to happen. She had crept through the back door that night. Her beautiful face was turned up into a smile until she noticed she wasn’t alone. The thin shield over my face was the only thing that prevented her from knowing my true identity, not that she would have even recognized me then. She didn’t look like a girl who would keep my type of company. She tried to back away, but it was too late. The damage had been done. I had already seen her.
***
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, trying to ignore the voice inside my head. The one that taunted me about my ignorance, reminding me it was all my fault. I sped down the road, music blasting through the speakers of my black Maserati Gran Turismo. I couldn’t help it. My mind began to wander. Was it just a coincidence Mia ended up at my club? If so, why was such an essential piece of information just coming out to her husband? It clearly gave a reason for Alek to question her loyalty. But was she capable of hiding such a big secret if she knew the truth? Could she marry a man who altered her life in such a negative way?
The whole ordeal was something I still couldn’t wrap my head around. It was something I wanted nothing to do with, but I was a man of reason. I understood what Alek meant when he clarified it was our problem. I knew without a doubt it had to be dealt with. The alternative wasn’t an option.
I pulled my car in front of the popular downtown hotel, nodding to the valet before walking inside. The meeting with my father was one I could’ve lived without. I still could see the arrogant look on his face when he summoned me, the nonchalant way he pointed out I had no choice. I had a feeling the visit would be similar to the rest—an unwelcome surprise.
I kept my head down to prevent anyone from recognizing me as I made my way through the elegant Victorian-style lobby. I thought I had succeeded with my dark aviator shades working in my favor, but my disguise was short-lived. The voice of a woman at the front desk quickly blew my cover.
“Good morning, Mr. Black.” Her voice was high pitched and loud. I could also sense her excitement. “Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”
I tried ignoring her, but she wouldn’t give up. Before I knew it, she was making her way toward me. I could hear the loud click of her heels crossing the marble floor. I paused before pressing the button to the elevator. She ran directly into me when I turned around. I steadied her as she lost her balance.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Black…” She quickly regained her composure. “I was told to inform you that your father is currently in a meeting.”
I looked at the middle-aged woman and shook my head. “What meeting? I spoke with him thirty minutes ago. He knew I was coming over.”
She nodded in understanding, tucking a loose strand of graying hair behind her ear. “Yes, I’m aware of that, but he was very clear that he doesn’t want to be interrupted.”
I considered arguing with her, or going into his office anyway, but it was clear something was wrong. I gave her a tired look.
“Did he happen to tell you how long this important meeting was going to last? Do I need to come back?”
She frowned. “No. He wanted me to make sure you stayed here.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. I was surprised she was even capable of it. “I think it’s about your brother, Mr. Black. The one who’s…” She looked around before continuing. “It’s two detectives.”
I tensed, the mention of my brother a reminder of why I was there. “Okay then. That’s all you had to say. I’ll be at the bar.”
I hesitated before walking into the bar. It was early, but not too early for it to be crawling with people—professional people. They wore suits and cocktail dresses, conversing at the bar with drinks in their hands, oblivious to the fact that it was barely noon. I took a relaxing breath while adjusting my suit, mentally preparing myself for the delayed meeting with my father. The instant I spotted an empty chair, I casually walked inside.
I slid into the vacant chair at the end of the crowded bar. A sizeable decorative pillar sepa
rated me from the rest of the crowd. I observed the area while I waited. The bar was almost the spitting image of how I remembered it, except for a few minor changes. The large Victorian-style chandeliers my mother had picked out, accompanied by the restored antique wood, still made an enormous statement. I understood why it had been so important to her. The ambiance transported you back in time.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
I tensed at the sound of the familiar voice. My uncle walked past me and behind the bar. The bartender gave him a slight nod, still tending to the other guests. I considered myself grateful I didn’t have to wait. Being discreet meant I wasn’t recognized, but it also meant I wasn’t put first like usual. I swallowed when he leaned forward against the bartop, his face inches away from mine, his eyes painfully similar to my late mother’s. He rested his large hand on my shoulder.
“There goes my hundred dollars,” he said, smiling.
He pulled his hand away after patting me aggressively on the shoulder. His Cajun accent remained strong even after being in Texas for over twenty years.
“I didn’t believe it when they claimed you were here.” He pulled a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “I argued there was no way in hell…” He paused. “However, an honest man always admits when he’s wrong, even when he hasn’t lost a bet in years. Who knew you would be the reason for that loss?”
He grabbed two glasses, then broke the seal on the bottle. I watched while he measured the drinks. Not too much or too little. Just enough to coat the bottom of the glass. He cautiously slid one toward me.
“So, are you going explain what was important enough to cause me to lose my hard-earned money?” He took a sip of his drink before continuing. “Or am I going to have to force it out of you?”
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