Forbidden Love

by Watson, S. R.

  “Jordan is right Shiv. You don’t need to sit here and witness my brother here with someone else,” Bailey pleads.

  “Why not? We aren’t together so he’s free to do whatever the fuck he wants. And so can I.” That gives me an idea. Turnabout is fair play. I immediately start looking around our area until my eyes land on my target down below. I walk right past Grayson and his eyes enlarge when he sees me, but I keep going.

  “Wait up,” Jordan calls. “Where are you going?”

  “I see the guys we met earlier when we first came in. I think I’m ready for that dance now.” Mitch, Ayden, and I forget the name of the last guy we hung out the first hour we were here. They moved on when they figured out that we weren’t interesting in finding hook ups. Ayden was pretty hot. His muscled physique could almost give Grayson a run for his money. Key word being almost, but he’ll be perfect for tonight. Grayson want to fuck me out of his system? Well that can work for me too. It wouldn’t be the first time I allowed myself to be under one man to get over another.

  “Shiv. I know what you’re doing and he will know it too. You don’t have to stoop to his level,” Jordan says.

  “I’m not going to let him ruin my night. Now please go back upstairs. I’ll be up there in a bit.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” she says before walking away. I saunter up to Ayden and he winks at me.

  “Hey gorgeous,” he greets. He pulls me into his embrace and I let him. “Can I get you something to drink?” This is just too easy.

  “Hmmm, sure,” I purr. I extricate my inner sex kitten. “What about your friends?”

  “They’ll be fine.” He walks with me to the bar with his hand just above my ass. He gets the bartender’s attention.

  “What will it be? Siobhan right?” he asks. His dimples are mesmerizing.

  “Yes. And I’ll have three shots of Don Julio.”

  “You’re not fucking around,” he laughs. “You heard the lady,” he tells the bartender.

  “Nope,” I say simply. I need to restore that don’t-give-a-shit-about-nothing feeling I had earlier. He orders Glendfiddich 21, neat. He watches in fascination as I knock back all three shots. I excuse myself to go to the ladies room and I’m afraid that he will be gone when I finally get back. The damn line was ridiculous. I’ve probably been gone for at least twenty minutes. Much to my surprise, he is leaning against the bar sipping on his whiskey when I get back.

  “I thought you might have fallen in,” he teases. “Come on, let’s dance.” I feel a little wobbly on my feet now that Don has joined the party, but I let him lead the way.

  Calvin Harris’s “Blame” blares from the club’s speakers and I can feel the alcohol begin to relax me again. I look up to where I know Grayson is seated and I see him actually standing and looking over the rail at me. What the fuck? I’ll give you something to watch, you hurtful bastard. I pull Ayden into me and begin to grind on him. This guy needs no invitation; he grabs my ass and grinds into me harder. The beat picks up and I’m lost in the music. Ayden’s hands are everywhere and I don’t care. He begins to suck on my neck and I angle my head to give him better access.

  “Damn, you smell so good baby. And this ass is incredible,” he says as he give it a squeeze. I can feel my dress inching up, but I can’t find it within me to stop him. Before my ass is exposed though, I’m being ripped from his arms. My body slams into pure hardness. When I look up, I’m looking into the coldness of Grayson’s eyes. He looks beyond pissed. He has no right. I’m no longer his.

  “Let go of me Grayson,” I spit, jerking away from him. “I’m going to take Ayden home and fuck you out of my system like you’re doing with the twit upstairs.” I already forgot her name.

  “You heard the lady. Let her go,” Ayden says while walking up to Grayson.

  “You might want to back the fuck up. Whatever you thought, it’s not happening. Can’t you see she’s drunk or do you not fucking care?” Grayson growls.

  “Stop it Grayson. You threw me away and this sexy ass man has no problem picking up your leftovers.”

  “It’s not happening babe. I know you’re hurting, but I’m not letting you go through with something you’ll regret tomorrow when you’re sober.” He tightens his grip on me and it pisses me off.

  “Fuck you. Go find your date. You have no say over what I do or in this case who I fuck. We’re over remember?” I squirm, but he doesn’t let me free. “Get the fuck out of here or you will regret it. And that by that, I mean, leave the club,” he snarls at Ayden.

  “Who do the fuck you think you are asswipe?” Ayden challenges. His other two friends see the altercation and surround Grayson. Holy Shit. This is not good. Out of nowhere, four muscled guys in suits surround Ayden’s friends. Jordan and the girls are here too as well as his date.

  “You really want to do this?” he asks Ayden. “My bodyguards are ready and willing to take care of your friends while I smash your fucking face in myself.” Grayson cracks his knuckles and Ayden swallows the lump in his throat.

  “Fuck you man. I don’t have time for this shit. Come on guys, let’s go.” Ayden turns and leaves without giving me a second glance. I can’t believe Grayson just cock blocked me. And where in the hell did he get bodyguards?

  He looks at Jordan. “Take her home now please.”

  “Fuck you. I’m right here,” I spit. I watch as his date grab his hand. The gesture stings and I can’t keep the tears from falling.

  “Meredith, head on back up and I’ll be there in a second,” he says. She kisses him on the cheek and walks away. She is so beautiful. “Who is driving you all home tonight?” he asks Bailey.

  “We came here in my Range Rover,” she confesses. He shakes his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Take my driver. Stanley can come back for me and Meredith.”

  “Fine,” she agrees. I’ll be damned if I have any part of that limo.

  “After you sabotage my hook up you expect me to use your limo to go home knowing that you probably fucked Meredith in that same limo on the way here?” Unbelievable. “Fuck you Grayson,” I tell him for what seems like the millionth time tonight. It looks like a flash of hurt crosses his face, but I know it can’t be. He is the one causing all of this. He broke up with me and he’s the one here with another woman. He probably already got his rocks off earlier this week with Vanessa. A leopard never changes its spots. I stomp away from the group—concentrating on not falling in these heels. I rather walk or call a cab. I don’t get two feet away from Grayson before he is picking me up and hauling me outside. “I’m not getting in your fucking limo Grayson. I don’t want to smell the sex you’ve been having,” I yell.

  “Siobhan, please stop. I need you to go home baby. I need to know that you’re safe.” He takes a deep breath. “I haven’t fucked Meredith and I don’t plan on it. Please just go and I’ll call and talk with you tomorrow when you’re sober. My stomach heaves and I know in this moment that Don and Patron are coming back up. Grayson senses it too. I have nowhere to run. The limo is idling in the front of the club. I’m going to hurl in front of everyone. Grayson is quick to act. He grabs the ice bucket from inside the limo and quickly empties the ice on the pavement. He hands it to me and not a moment too soon. I barf into the bucket while he holds my hair. He picks me up and places me in the limo so everyone is not witness to my upchuck fest. He signals for the girls and they pile in the limo with me. When I have nothing left to bring up, he lays me on his lap and wipes my face with a wet towel. He uses one hand to call someone. I’m guessing it is one of his bodyguards because he tells him to see Meredith home. He gives Stanley instructions to pull off. He drops the girls home first before bringing Jordan and I home.

  Grayson removes my heels and exits the limo with me in his arms. I lay my head against his chest and try to memorize the smell of him. I must pass out because I have no recollection past this point.

  “Wake up drunky,” Jordan taunts. She pulls the comforter off me and I groan. I reac
h for the comforter, but this small movement sends an agonizing pain to my head. Last night’s events is on replay. I groan again at the ass I made of myself.

  “Where is Grayson?” I mumble. My mouth feels like I’ve been sucking on cotton.

  “He left last night. He didn’t stay. He tucked you in and then he left.” She takes a deep breath. “Shiv, I think Grayson broke up with you for your sake.”

  “What are you saying Jordan? Are you taking his side? Did you not see the model skank he brought with him to the club last night?” Ow my head hurts.

  “Of course not, but you didn’t see him last night. I saw the hurt in his eyes at the thought you were going to hook up with someone else. And then when he put you to bed, he kissed your forehead before leaving. He is clearly hurting too. I won’t pretend to know all the answers, but there is more to this than he is letting on. I really do think all of this is an illusion to get you to stay away long enough for you to graduate.” She could be right. But why go out on dates and at a club that he know that we frequently go to? I need answers. I know I should leave well enough alone, but he’s the one that said communication is key this go around. If what Jordan is saying is true, I need to know. We can be adult about this rather than destroying each other to prove a point.

  Jordan mentions that Trevor is on the way to pick her up. She doesn’t know what he has planned because he says it’s a surprise. She rushes off to get ready, but says that we will discuss Grayson later. Pay attention to what his actions are telling you she suggested. His actions are telling me that he is all about having the next woman warm his bed. I manage to pad to my bathroom and take some Tylenol before showering. After I feel somewhat human again, I decide to pay Grayson a visit. I will make him talk to me. I don’t want him to take me back, but I do want honest answers. I heard Jordan leave with Trevor a few minutes ago so I can take her car. I have her spare on my key ring. I don’t plan on being gone long. I throw on a pair of jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers. I pull my hair in a messy bun. I grab my purse and keys and head out of the door.

  I arrive at Grayson’s place in just under thirty minutes. The gates open upon my arrival so I proceed up the drive. My heart plummets when I see Vanessa’s red Mercedes SL63 AMG. So much for him hurting, Jordan. He’s back to fucking Vanessa. I fucking hate him. I get out of the car with the intent on confronting them both. He needs to know that he has been caught in the act. Fucking bastard. After today, I will completely write him off. I will finish my three months, graduate, and get the hell out of Los Angeles. My eyes are wide open Jordan and I don’t like what I see. When I get up to his door, I still my nerves and prepare myself for this showdown. I lift my hand, but it is pulled behind my back. My other arm is pulled behind me as well. I try to scream, but my mouth is covered by another set of hands. What the fuck? Any hope that this is Grayson, dies a sordid death when I catch a glimpse of the man covering my mouth with a rag. He has on a black ski mask. I begin to gag on the vapors releasing from the rag. I struggle to free myself, but weakness begins to overcome me. My stalker has found me. I didn’t know there were two of them and now I’m going to die. This is my last lucid thought before blackness overcomes me.

  Vanessa stands in the middle of my living room looking scared shitless of my wrath. She knows I’m not fucking around. I asked her here to talk. The most recent pictures I’ve recently received are from the time I spent with Siobhan in San Francisco. I needed to question Vanessa in person to check her bullshit meter.

  “Grayson, I promise I didn’t leak the pictures to the dean. Although I think you can do better than Siobhan, I wouldn’t do that to you.” She backs up until her back is against the bar. I saunter over to her calculatingly slow until we are mere inches apart. She bows her head, but I lift her chin so that she is forced to look me in the eyes.

  “By better, are you talking about yourself Vanessa?” She gasps and murmurs unintelligibly.

  “What was that? Fuck it, I’ll throw you a bone here so you can save some dignity. You and me will never happen again. What we had was a fuck, but don’t confuse that with something it wasn’t.” Her lips begin to tremble. I fucking hate to see a woman cry. Sad thing is, this is the only way that she will see the reality of our past involvement. I know that she was hoping to have a crack at me when she came over since Siobhan and I are broken up, but she is sadly mistaken. I love Siobhan and I plan to make things right as soon as she graduates, but for now, my ruse is necessary for her benefit.

  “Aargh,” I growl. “This shouldn’t be a surprise to you. I never pretended that we were anything more than friends that occasionally fucked. You were well aware. Or have you forgotten?” She regains her composure and just like that she slips her mask of indifference back up.

  “You’re right Grayson. You were a nice fuck, but I’ve had better and I can do better.” Her jab at my ego is pointless. “You two deserve each other. I just wonder how in love she’ll be with you once she finds out the real truth about Celeste.” She smirks as that jab landed as intended.

  “Is that a threat?” My nostrils flare. My past with Celeste is the one thing that can fuck my whole world— jeopardize my future with Siobhan.

  “Nope. Not at all Grayson,” she smiles victoriously. “I’ll be going now.” I follow her to the door. I’m ready for her to get the hell out of here. She has managed to take my mind to a place I rather not visit and she knows it.

  “Grayson, why is Jordan’s Mercedes behind mine?” I follow Vanessa’s eyes and sure enough, the car is blocking her in. I run past her toward the car. It has to be Siobhan. God, I can only imagine the thoughts running through her head to see Vanessa here. I know she thinks I’ve run back to her since this has been our tradition in the past. I get to the car, but it is empty. I look around, but I don’t see her. Vanessa leans across her car with her arms folded.

  “Siobhan,” I yell out. “Where are you baby?” There is no answer. I run into the house to grab my phone. I dial her number, but it only rings before going to voicemail. I call Bailey to get Jordan’s number. She tries to find out what is going on, but I tell her I can’t talk now.

  I dial the first few numbers for Jordan, before Vanessa bursts in the house yelling. “Grayson, I have Siobhan’s phone.” The current conflict between us is put aside. Although, she can be a bitch, I know that she really does care about me.

  “What? Where was it?” I snatch the phone out of her hand and see my missed calls.

  “It was in her purse in the car,” she says. We exchange worried glances. “How did she even get in the gate without being buzzed in?” That’s a great fucking question. How did I not know that she was here? I run to my office to check my security feed. The cameras display black fuzz.

  “Fuuucccckk!!!” I yell. I open my desk drawer and pull out the business card I have for Agent Morris from the FBI and hand it to Vanessa. “Call this number on the card and tell them I need agents here now. After that, call my father.”

  “You don’t want to make sure she’s not here on the grounds somewhere?” I point to my cameras. Someone cut the feed to the cameras Vanessa. I’m pretty sure they overrode the access to the gate too, allowing themselves, as well as Siobhan, to get in undetected.” I fall into my office chair. I can’t believe this is happening.

  “Do you think this has anything to do with the pictures and the leak to the dean that you were accusing me of.” Her eyes are wide. She is genuinely afraid.

  “Yes,” I say simply. “Please go make these calls for me. I need to see what I can find on these tapes before they cut the feed.”

  “Anything you need Grayson. We’ll find her.” She leaves and closes the door behind her.

  I slam my hands down on my desk. Fuck, I should have just told her. I started getting warnings of ‘I’m on to you’ in a manila envelope in my inbox at work. Then came the demands for a million dollars or they would share my dirty secret. The threats were vague in the beginning, but I contacted the FBI anyway and notified them of the attempted ext
ortion. I assumed it was someone who was sour over losing their company to ours during a hostile takeover. My father’s start of this company consisted of some illegal practices, but everything’s legit now and the past has been buried. I thought whatever this person thought they knew about our company couldn’t be proven. A detail was put on me and I continued on as usual. They were pretty much invisible until last night when I got into that altercation with that opportunistic fuck at the club.

  When pictures of Siobhan and I were leaked to the dean, I didn’t tie the two instances together. My suspicions were between Liam and Vanessa. Hence the reason I broke up with her and started being seen with another woman. I needed to make the break up seem real in case we were being watched. I couldn’t share that with her because her rebellious nature wouldn’t have gone along with it. I couldn’t risk her getting the deal I made with the dean revoked because she refused to stay away from me. It crushed me to see the hurt I caused her. I almost caved last night, but I had to stay strong. And now she’s gone. I had a detail put on her as a precaution, but there was no activity reported in relation to her so they backed off.

  Now that she is gone, I’ll bet anything the two threats are related. She is what they were calling my dirty little secret not my father’s old seedy dealings. They are going to use her now to get the millions they couldn’t get before. I’m prepared to pay every damn cent. God, I couldn’t live with myself if they hurt her. She’s my world. I can’t go through this shit again. I comb through the video footage, but there’s nothing. I put my head on my desk. I feel so fucking helpless. My father walks into my office with Vanessa close behind him.

  “The FBI is here son. They’re outside now scouring the property, looking for clues to Siobhan’s disappearance.” I look up at him and I don’t attempt to hide my watery eyes. “Stay strong son.”

  “That’s easier said than done. Right now the woman I love is in the custody of some sick fuck who has an ax to grind with me for business that we have done!” I pound the desk again, but I really want to put my fist through a wall.