Sighing heavily, she says, “You can’t come with me, Alex.”
Growling, I open my mouth to protest, but she halts my progress with a hand.
“It’s not that I don’t want you there. But, you can’t go in there dressed like that.” She waves a hand in my direction.
“You wound me with your lack of faith, Ms. Parker,” I say in mock indignation, placing a hand over my heart.
“I’m serious, Alex. I’m heading into the devil’s lair as you so eloquently put it and I cannot have you by my side dressed in cargo pants.” She blows out an irritated huff of air and places her hands on her hips.
With a gentle tug, I drag her toward the SUV. “What are you doing?” she hisses.
“Fixing your problem.”
“What?”
“I said fixing your problem.”
Reaching the SUV, I drop her hand, unlocking the door and reaching into the back for the garment bag. In several swift motions, my pants are on the ground pooling at my feet as I retrieve the slacks from the bag. A small gasp echoes from behind me. Turning my body, I face her fully, my cock swelling under her attention. Kylee’s hands are balled up into tiny fists at her sides as if she’s fighting the urge to run them all over my body.
Quirking an eyebrow in her direction, I can barely keep the smirk off of my face as I say, “Don’t blame me, babe. You could have had all this.” I pause, motioning to my half-naked body. “But you wanted to walk through the gates of hell instead.”
Her gasp permeates the air as I turn around, pulling items from the bag and dressing. Smiling to myself, I begin to mentally prepare, my mind going to war, prepping for the inevitable shit storm that’s about to come.
CASTING A FLEETING LOOK AT Alex, I absorb every ounce of him. In jeans and a t-shirt, he’s a devilishly handsome man. But put him in a single-breasted Armani suit with a crimson dress shirt and solid black tie and you may as well put me in an early grave. Damn the man is sexy. My body comes alive, tingling with unfulfilled pleasure.
Crossing my legs, I submerge myself further into the silky leather of the Escalade. Alex reaches for the dial on the air conditioner and adjusts the temperature. My eyes are immediately drawn to the expanse of his arm, watching the muscles in his bicep and forearm bunch and flex under his graceful movement. Fire ignites deep in my belly, spreading rapidly as I stare unabashedly. My mind begins to wander, drawing up mental images as I picture him using those same arms to hold me against the wall while he drives his cock into me repeatedly. Licking my dry lips, I mentally shake away the images and allow my eyes to travel to the dark window in front of me.
Staring at the darkened sky, I allow my mind to fill with the questions that have been plaguing me all evening. Why was Alex in such a rush to get away from my mother’s house? It’s not like he was parked where anyone could see him. And what was with the sudden need to change vehicles? What is so important about this one? I mean, it is much nicer with the leather and darker windows, but it’s completely devoid of anything personal.
Or maybe that’s the reason he wanted to change them in the first place. Something just doesn’t feel right about the situation. It’s almost as if he’s holding something back. Biting the inside of my cheek, I contemplate what it is he might be hiding. Nothing profound immediately jumps out at me, but that nagging voice returns, telling me that everything isn’t always quite as it seems.
Unease settles heavily in my sub-conscience and stays with me for the duration of the ride back to my mother’s home. The moment we round the corner, all of my unease regarding Alex vanishes, a new worry taking its place. Tiny nodules take root forming in my belly, each one expanding, growing larger as the seconds dramatically tick by on the clock. Alex’s hand clasps mine, forcing my gaze away from the window. He squeezes gently and gives me an encouraging smile.
With one last squeeze, he releases my hand, placing it back on the wheel. Alex clears his throat, his voice serious as he says, “From here on out, if anyone asks you who I am, my name is Alexander Devereux. If you’re questioned on what I do for a living, your only response is to be that I am a business consultant. You are to provide nothing more than that. If at any time someone pushes for more information, tell them you do not concern yourself with such details and they can ask me. But let’s be clear about one thing, Kylee. Alexander Grant no longer exists. Do you understand?” I nod, speechless at his proclamation.
“Answer me, Kylee. This is important. I said, do you understand?”
“Yes, Alex, I understand,” I answer robotically even though everything inside of me is screaming “No! I don’t understand.”
“Good.” He nods toward the gate rapidly approaching.
“It’s time.”
“I’m still calling you Alex. I don’t care what you say. I will introduce you as Alexander, but I won’t call you that,” I say defiantly.
A small smile plays around the edges of his lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, love.” He winks, his eyes shining with love. I beam a brilliant smile in return, delighted when he sucks in a breath.
Peering at Alex thoughtfully, I say, “You do realize, that when we pass through those gates, I’m in charge, right? You don’t get to wear the pants in this relationship any longer.”
“Oh how wrong you are, my dear,” he says with a knowing smile.
Blowing out an irked breath, I retort, “Listen here, bud. Just because you’ve been Mr. Sexy-And-In-Charge, calling all the shots for so long doesn’t mean you’re going to march in here and take over because I’ve got news for you. That is not how things work here. I’m in charge of this shit-fest; it’s my family, my drama, and my show. I will handle things my way, whether you like it or not. Now you’re either doing it with me or getting the hell out of the vehicle.” Finished with my tirade, I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
Alex rolls to a stop in front of the gate, a smirk plastered on his handsome face as he leans closer. His violet eyes heat with passion as they take a slow, sensual perusal of my body. When his eyes reach mine, his tongue darts out, wetting his lips. Gasping, I follow the path his tongue takes as it retreats back into his mouth.
Grinning wider, he replies, “You know, you really are sexy when you get pissed off.” Pausing, his eyes take another slow perusal of my body. When he finally speaks, his voice is darker, rumbling with desire.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head, princess. I know my place. Just make sure you know yours. You may run the show in front of everyone else. But behind closed doors, when it’s just the two of us, you better remember who’s actually calling the shots, especially when I have your sexy little ass tied to the bed.”
Winking, he sits back as the gate opens, a large and imposing man stomping his way toward the Escalade. All of the moisture in my mouth evaporates. Alex’s words finally penetrate the lust-induced haze he always creates. Flabbergasted, I stare, watching him as he rolls the window down and patiently waits for the guard to approach. The guard’s angry scowl lessens minutely when his eyes meet my inquisitive gaze in the passenger seat.
“Ms. Parker,” he greets with a nod, ignoring Alex altogether.
“Well, who else did you think it would be?” I snap, already irritated with his pejorative behavior toward Alex.
His face remains stoic, no emotion registering at the abruptness in my tone. Using the same apathetic tone, he replies, “We’ve been expecting you. We were unaware you would be bringing a guest.” His gaze trails to Alex, disdain coloring his features.
“Well, now you’re aware. So what’s the holdup?” My voice strains as I strive to hold onto the calm and collected demeanor I’ve perfected my entire life. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Alex’s smile, which only seems to add fuel to the already raging fire.
“We need to search the vehicle, ma’am,” the guard answers curtly.
“You what!” I bellow, my voice carrying through the confines of the SUV. Alex winces while the guard takes a step back, t
hrowing his hands up in a placating gesture. Heat floods my face, coloring my cheeks and neck as blood rushes to the surface.
“It’s routine. We have to check every vehicle that comes through.” The guard’s attempt to use a soothing tone further stokes the embers of the raging fire within me.
“Do you know who I am?” I ask, glaring at the man still holding his hands up in a placating gesture. His pose immediately incites the urge to rush forward and throat punch the bastard.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies.
“And you thought I would what? Smuggle in a pack of rabid dogs? I pause, leaning over Alex. Hitting the guard with a hard glare, Alex momentarily distracts me when he begins thumbing my nipple through the silk of my blouse. Stupid, insufferable man. Swinging my glare in his direction, I watch as his eyes light up with mischief, the corners of his lips twitching with the beginnings of a smile.
Ignoring his wandering fingers, I turn my ire back to the guard. Remaining stoic, he gazes at me warily. “What, no answer? Hmmm? Still feeling a little uneasy?” I halt, taking a deep breath, gauging his reaction. The man stands rigidly poised as if I might actually have all of the things I said hidden in the folds of my skirt.
My voice is barely recognizable when I speak. Coldness drips, radiating from each word. “Let me guess, you’re thinking maybe I’m bringing in a drug lord or a hit man to take everyone out?” A menacing laugh erupts from somewhere deep inside of me, billowing into the night air. The guard’s pupils blow wide as he stares in astonishment.
A treacherous smile sweeps across my face, causing the guard to draw in a sharp breath. “Let me be perfectly clear. I don’t need anyone to do my dirty work for me. I’m quite capable of handling it myself.”
The guard’s hands curl into fists, falling to his sides. His shoulders become rigid when his eyes finally meet mine. Still holding my gaze, his eyes peer deeply into mine as if looking for any visible sign of imminent danger. Arching an eyebrow, I watch as he swallows nervously several times.
Heaving an irritated sigh, I declare, “Do your search, but it extends to the exterior of my vehicle only. Is that clear?”
The guard opens his mouth to protest, then changes his mind. Closing it, he nods his agreement. “Yes, ma’am,” he replies, gesturing us forward to the small guard shack a few feet inside of the gate.
Alex pulls the SUV forward, stopping just outside of the guard station. The guards make quick work of the inspection, and I soon find myself being led up the steps of the house my mother calls home. The door opens as we reach the top step and another guard steps out to greet me.
“Ms. Parker.”
“Take me to her,” I say, wanting to avoid a repeat of what happened outside.
He nods in response, opening the door wider for us to enter. Stepping into the atrium, my irises grow wide in surprise. The luxury and grandeur in this home are more than I’ve seen in my entire life. Decadent marble tiles blanket the floor in the three-story atrium. The majestic double staircase is brought to life with wrought iron railings, full of lavishly intricate details. Floor to ceiling windows line the back wall and overlook the mountain range in the distance.
Inhaling a deep breath, I look up and notice the guard and Alex patiently waiting. Shit. I’d stopped to gawk, and I’m only in the entryway. The guard discreetly clears his throat to gain my attention.
Motioning toward the staircase, he says, “It’s this way.” Nodding, I follow, mentally berating myself for getting distracted. We come to a stop at a room just off the staircase. A guard is stationed just outside the door with several others posted down the long the hall. The guard inclines his head toward the door, indicating the room my mother is currently occupying.
“Thank you,” I supply, turning to face the door.
Alex’s warm hand on my back is soothing as he leans in to whisper, “Do you want me to come with you? Or would you rather I stand guard at the door?”
“Come with me,” I murmur, unsure if he heard the words that I was barely able to speak.
“I’ll be there with you silently waiting if you should need anything.” His breath on my ear and the warmth of his hand on my back disappears as he takes a step back. Inhaling a deep breath, I brace myself for what’s to come as I knock loudly on the door. A small, weakened voice calls out from the other side of the aperture.
“Enter.”
With one last breath, I shove the door open, my anger now driving my actions. The expansive master bedroom before me could be defined as a small house rather than a bedroom. My eyes immediately find the lavish king size bed and zoom to the tiny woman slumped over the immense pillows. A smug sense of satisfaction fills me as I walk closer, taking in her haggard appearance. The door clicks, closing behind me, and I glance over my shoulder to see Alex standing off to the side, his arms crossed loosely in front of him. To an outsider looking in he might appear relaxed, calm, cool, and collected.
But not me, I know this man inside and out. And I can see the rigid set of his jaw, the stiffness he carries in his spine. The tense set of his shoulders and the tightness around his eyes. Alex catches me glancing his way and tosses me a wink, nodding in the devil’s direction. Fighting the urge to groan, I scowl and stomp petulantly to the bed.
“1Ttal,” she rasps.
“Who else would it be?” I snip, my anger getting the better of me. She laughs a horrible, wheezing sound that grates on the ears.
“So you’ve come to spend some time with your dear old mother, eh?” A hopeful look crosses her face, causing me to snort.
“You can’t be serious.”
The incredulous laughter bursts forth once again. Quickly schooling her features, she beckons me forward to her side. With a shake of my head, I reply, “I’m quite fine where I am.”
“Please, Ttal. Humor me for a moment. I do not wish to argue.”
Frowning, I peer at her for a second. The weariness coloring her tone is something she’s never exhibited in the past. My eyes rove over her barely shifting form, taking in her colorless face and lethargic limbs. Before I’m fully aware that it’s happening, my feet spring into action, maneuvering me forward. In a matter of seconds, I’m standing next to the daunting bed, gaping down at my mother’s dwindling form. Her once striking face is now ashen and devoid of all color.
She respires heavily, her gaze shifting to hold mine for several moments before fixing on something in the distance. Using the time I have, I peruse her body, scrutinizing what I’m able to see. Her gaze is dazed, fixed on something far off, her pupils dilated as she takes shallow, ragged breaths, each inhalation sounding more labor intensive than the last. The radiant and polished glow her skin once held has been leached from her body and replaced with a sickly pallid gray color. A small moan passes across her lips as she shifts uncomfortably and grasps the comforter covering her frail body.
My eyes are automatically drawn to the tips of her fingers. Ever since I can remember, she’s always painted her fingernails a dark red. Now, all color has been removed, and her nail beds are completely white, all blood having left her outer extremities. Something inside of me twists as I wonder if she’s suffering the way my child must have. The wheeze and cough she spews brings my attention back to the present.
Lifting a small cloth to her mouth, she wipes away the blood tinting her lips. “Do you have something you need to tell me?” she asks in a ragged voice.
“Something I need to tell you?” I ask, confused.
She peers pointedly at the ring on my finger. I’d completely forgotten about it. Without any resistance, my mind conjures up the memory of Alex sliding it back onto my hand a few short hours ago, his demand still ringing fresh in my mind. “This ring is being put back where it belongs, and you will never remove it again. Do you understand me, Kylee?”
Suppressing a shiver, I glare at my mother, anger surging recklessly through my muscles. “What makes you think you deserve to know a damned thing about my life?”
Sighing dramatically
, she rolls her eyes. “Do not be that way, Ttal. I am your mother. And you do not have very much time left with me. Do you really wish to spend what is left of it being angry?”
Her words are like gasoline, dousing my already burning anger—a guilt trip. After everything she has done to me, she’s going to throw a guilt trip at me. She must be on some really good fucking drugs if she thinks for one damned second I’m about to make nice with her crazy ass. Hissing angrily, my tone is full of venom, rage, and everything I’ve bottled up since I was ten years old.
“You must be fucking high. I mean, did you really think I was going to waltz in here and we were going to have a tea party? Like I would just forget everything that happened? Hmm?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait impatiently for a response.
“No, I did not expect you to forget everything,” she breathes out heavily.
“Well, it’s a damn good thing,” I snap.
Raising an eyebrow in annoyance, she replies, “I hope you’re not here for an apology, Ttal, because that is not going to happen.” She stops temporarily, her eyes widening as a low, menacing growl discharges from the back of the room.
Beaming, I angle my head to the side, catching Alex’s eye. The moment our eyes lock, I blow him a little kiss and toss him a wink before turning around. My mother’s gaze lands on me, examining me with the precision of a skilled surgeon. Holding my chin high, I stand tall, unwilling to back down from her scrutiny. After a moment, she nods her approval.
Scoffing, I retort, “You know it’s too little too late for that shit, right?”
“Regardless, he is good for you. He will serve you well in this life.”
“I don’t need a fucking servant,” I snap angrily.
“It doesn’t matter what you need. It is what you will have. Things are done a certain way here. We all have a role to play, Ttal, yourself included.”
“I refuse to play your games. Don’t you think you’ve caused enough damage? Haven’t I lost enough already?”
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