by T Gephart
“It wasn’t a sex game. I’m avoiding the press and the attention, obviously because of who he is makes that difficult. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Taylah and I were just having a girl’s night. Why am I even explaining this to you? Why do you care? Wait. Did you know who I was the whole time?” My mind clicked wildly over our initial interaction. He fucking played me? He knew the whole time? Why?
“Lexi, do you think anything happens between these walls that I don’t know about? Of course I knew it was you. I was however, checking my calendar wondering if it was Halloween when I saw your attire. Not that I disapproved.” His eyes followed the curves of my body like he was remembering the scant layers of clothing that barely covered me.
“Don’t do that. Don’t look at me like that.” I immediately became defensive. Despite my corporate attire, his gaze felt too personal, it unnerved me.
“Do you think that is the type of man I am Lexi? Someone who would take a woman against her will? You think that I don’t have options?” I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or amused by my accusation.
“If you think rape is about sex and not about power, then I’ve overestimated your intelligence.” Arsehole. I really didn’t think now was the time to tell me he didn’t have any trouble getting a date.
“I know what happened to you. I know it all. Why do you think you are here? If you think that you are standing in this room, with me, by pure coincidence then it is your intelligence that should be called into question.” He didn’t shout. Despite the force of his words, he had kept his voice modulated.
The gravity of his words floored me. I was here not by chance. I’m not sure what he was hoping to accomplish by pointing this out to me, but it angered me. I was no one’s puppet and there was only one member of the Cassius family I trusted, and he was not the one sitting rather arrogantly in front of me.
“Are you done now? With your bullshit Master of the Universe rhetoric? I don’t know why I am here, but it has nothing to do with my intelligence and everything to do with your shady fucking family. So enlighten me.” I felt my resolve strengthen within. I wasn’t going to allow Nick or anyone else to make me feel afraid, not anymore, never again.
A broad smile spread across his face as he let out a large, boisterous laugh. His whole face animated as he relaxed, little crinkles appeared at the corner of his eyes. He was beautiful, just like Riccardo.
“Master of the Universe? I like that. You know I never understood it before, what my brother saw in you. Sure you are beautiful, but there are lots of beautiful women. What made you so special? Now I know.” He nodded approvingly.
“Know what? I am still in the dark here. Are you going to continue to talk in freaking haiku or should I just leave now?” I was wondering whether this was just for his enjoyment or whether he actually had something to say.
There was a muted knock at the door. I assumed it had been louder, but the door itself had absorbed the sound. It was surprisingly quiet inside this room. Sound proof I imagined. Fitting for a control freak.
He ignored the door, making no effort to answer it or find out the reason behind the disturbance. Whoever it was would have to wait. He leaned further forward in his chair as he focused on me.
“Just because I was not present in Ric’s life it didn’t mean I didn’t know everything. When you shared his bed, when you broke his heart and when you returned to Rome. I know it all and I know it, because he told me. You are standing here because my younger brother, who I would give my life for, asked me to look out for you.” He paused as he gently stroked his chin. “When he learned about what that animal did to you, he begged me to intercede. You see my dealings haven’t always been so honourable.”
“No shit,” I mused sarcastically. “FYI you’re not helping perpetuating the stereotype. So are you in the mob? Using the club as a front isn’t original though, perhaps you should have tried sanitation. Maybe a little bakery selling Cannoli?”
He laughed again. “That mouth of yours get you into much trouble? If I was in the mob, do you think making derogatory jokes about my heritage would be smart? Aren’t you afraid Lexi?” He tilted his head to the side, amused.
“No, I’m not afraid. I’ve already been through hell; there is nothing you could do that would be worse. Besides I’ve watched enough of The Sopranos to know if you were going to kidnap or kill me you would have done so by now.” Fuck. What is wrong with me? Filter Lexi…. You need to learn to goddamn filter.
“You are right about one thing, I don’t want to hurt you.” He raised from his seat.
“Then what? What can you possibly want from me? I don’t need anyone else watching out for me. My dance card is pretty much full.” While I now had further information on Nick’s identity I was no wiser as to why I was having this conversation.
“Ah, yes. The husband. He seems very protective of you, but can he give you what I can?”
“He gives me whatever I need,” I clipped. One thing I would not allow to be called into question was whether or not Alex was meeting his obligations toward me.
“You need more,” he confidently retorted.
“How do you know what I need? You don’t even know me? You only know of me. That’s not the same, and while I adored your younger brother you are nothing like him.”
“Lexi you are more than welcome to continue to berate me, and I even understand your hostility toward my family, albeit misplaced in this instance, but will you please do so sitting down?” He once again pointed to the unoccupied chair opposite him. “Please, sit.”
With a rather large and dramatic exhale I lowered myself into the soft leather chair. In honesty, it was nice to be off my feet, not that I would allow Nick the satisfaction of knowing that.
“Much better. Now where were we? That’s right you were angrily telling me how I didn’t know you. Continue.” His arm moved in front of his body, his palm faced up as he goaded me on. His lips twisted tightly as he suppressed the smile. I hated him.
“This isn’t a game Nick. This might be funny for you, but this is my life and I don’t want or need you in it.”
He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a file. I watched as he placed it in front of me. The cover gave no clue as to what it contained.
“What is it?”
“It’s you.”
“Please stop with the riddles, they really aren’t endearing, and I already have a headache.”
“When you left Rome, Riccardo contacted me and asked me to look into you. Ensure that you were happy, well treated. He is far more sentimental than I, but I humored him as from what I ascertained you didn’t take advantage of him.”
“I didn’t. So he asked you to spy on me?”
“Before you get all excited again, let me explain. I was merely going to investigate that you were cared for, as per his instructions. During the course of this investigation I met your lovely neighbour Ms. Nixon, and it seemed serendipitous that my club required a revamp and she was a designer. It would also help orchestrate a meeting with you, which I felt was necessary.”
“You hired Taylah to decorate your club so you could meet me?” I glared at him incredulously.
“Lexi, I’m a businessman. I wouldn’t hire anyone if they weren’t skilled. As you saw last night, the new direction is very profitable for me. Taylah was more than qualified. Your connection was just an extra incentive.”
“Well I’m pleased it all worked out for you. Although you could have just picked up a phone and called me, you know, like normal people do.”
“You really do talk too much. I haven’t finished. It was during the course of these investigations that you were hurt. Naturally Riccardo’s concern was escalated.” He paused, but his eyes did not waver from his intent glare. “The man who hurt you, I can make him go away. I can end it Lexi. You can move on with your life.” He sat back into his chair, relaxed like he had casually mentioned a chance of showers later in the day rather than the subject matter we were actually discussing.
>
“You aren’t suggesting…?” My throat dried instantly. Was he actually talking about murder? Sure I had imagined the death of the man who was intent on causing mine, but thinking it and doing it were two very different things. And why would a total stranger get involved? Stick his neck out for me?
“You know exactly what I’m suggesting. Consider it a belated wedding gift,” he added casually. I guess toasters or coffee machines weren’t in his repertoire of gifts. I doubt I would have included this particular item on our wedding registry even if we had made it to Barney’s before our quickie wedding.
“Why? You don’t even know me. Why would you do this?”
“Because my brother loved you. Because he still cares for you, and he understands your need to end this.”
My face paled. I really didn’t need to be fending off unrequited love right now to add to my whole other issues.
“Riccardo is not still in love with you,” he assured. “But, he asked this of me, and it is something I can do. And one less low life is still one less low life so I see no issue with this task.” He waved his hand casually indicating his lack of concern.
“I don’t know what’s crazier right now, that Riccardo would even ask this of you, or you being so flippant about ending another man’s life?” Just saying it out loud felt ridiculous.
“You and I both know the most this animal will get is seven years. Can you live with that?” His gaze intensified.
“I don’t know, but what I do know is I don’t outsource. My problems require my solutions. I also know what kind of price tag a favour like that would attract. I am not going to be indebted to a Cassius, especially not you. ” I stood firm, my hands on my hips.
“There would be no debt as I already explained, it would be a gift. But, suit yourself, you know where to find me if you change your mind. The offer stands.” He closed the coveted folder, which he admitted held information about me and placed it under his arm. “Now if you excuse me, I have another matter that requires my attention. Hopefully it won’t be as exasperating as you. You can show yourself out.”
He turned and strode fluidly to the other side of the room and pressed on the wall. Another recessed door emerged. He paused before stepping through the doorway. “Riccardo was right, you are extraordinary.”
Then he was gone. The door closed behind him, and I was left standing in his office alone. What just happened? He left leaving more questions than he did answers. Was Taylah in on it? No, I loved Tay dearly, but she wouldn’t have been able to keep his identity a secret. I became increasingly aware that I was still standing inside Nick’s office behind a locked door—the original one, not the one Nick pulled a disappearing act from—I walked over to it, hoping it didn’t have some over-complicated locking system that I wouldn’t be able to operate. The thought of calling DarNell to break me out of here made me want to dry heave. What a lovely conversation that would be.
Resolved—as I had mentioned I was not a fan of outsourcing solutions—I moved my hands over the smooth surface, and I found a slight indentation where the door handle would be and pressed. Almost magically the door opened before it was violently wrenched open by Alex.
“Alex, what are you doing here?” He flew into the room with a furious looking DarNell close behind.
“Sorry Ma’am, they called looking for you while I was driving around waiting. They demanded your location. I tried knocking earlier, but no one responded. I’m sorry.” A sheepish Steve, my polite and unsuspecting driver, apologised as he stood at the doorway.
“Lexi. Are you OK? Did he hurt you?” Alex grabbed me pulling me in closer for inspection, his eyes wild with emotion.
“I’m fine, calm down. He didn’t touch me.” I tried in vain to reassure Alex that I was unharmed. “Steve, it’s OK, really, I’m sorry you got dragged into this.”
D moved around the room inspecting what little was on offer. There was nothing of course and from the interaction I had just had with Nick, I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone in this room if it could reveal anything about him.
DarNell tensed as he circled the room. “Are you OK Lexi?” I guessed he was satisfied there was no useful information that could be gathered from his recon and turned his attention back to me.
“Yes, Yes. I’m fine.” I pulled myself from Alex’s arms and turned around slowly. “See all in one piece, nothing happened. Everyone needs to chill out.”
“Where is he?” A low growl travelled from Alex’s throat. I had never seen him this mad.
“Hey can you step out and give us a few minutes?” I looked over at DarNell. I really didn’t want to have this conversation with an audience.
“Alex, you good?” DarNell looked over at Alex who didn’t move his eyes from me as he nodded silently. “I’ll be right outside. Leave the door open.” DarNell joined Steve out in the hall pulling the door with him leaving it slightly ajar.
Alex remained in the center of the room. While he stood completely still, his whole body seemed tense, like a tightly coiled snake ready to strike.
“Please calm down Alex.” I moved closer and ran my hands over his chest, “You are freaking me out.”
“What did he want?” Alex didn’t respond to my touch, his tone matching the coolness of the room.
“Are you mad at me?” I steadied my hands, feeling the pounding of his heartbeat through the thin fabric of his t-shirt.
He dipped his chin so he could look me in the eyes. “Tell me. What. Did. He. Want?”
“Why are you acting like this? I am fine. He didn’t even shake my hand. Why are you trying to make me feel like I did something wrong?” I gritted my teeth as I pushed against his firm chest. Despite my valiant attempt it did nothing to move him from his spot. Now I was pissed off.
“How am I supposed to react?” he spat out. “What? I’m supposed to be OK with some guy taking my wife into a locked back room? Tell me. Tell me how I am supposed to be OK with not knowing his intentions or not being able to get to her if she’s in trouble. Not to mention you didn’t tell anyone where you were going. Tell me how in your mind it is going to get any other reaction than the one you are getting ’cause I have to tell you Lexi, I am fucking seething right now.” His hands fisted at his side.
Despite our close proximity he didn’t reach out for me. He made no attempt to hold me. I knew he was a jumble of emotions right now and seeing him like this was killing me.
“Alex, I love you. I love you so much, but you can’t keep doing this. You have to know I will be OK. You are so angry right now, and I don’t know if it’s at the situation or me. We were making progress. God, Alex you made love to me this morning and now you won’t even touch me.”
“Why won’t you tell me what he wanted? Who is he?” His voice softened as he gently shook his head. “Lexi, please don’t keep secrets from me.”
“Nick is Riccardo’s brother. He said he was looking out for me and that I had a big mouth.” I didn’t think now was the time to reveal the rest of our conversation, especially not with DarNell and Steve looming at the door.
“He doesn’t need to look out for you, I am looking out for you.”
“I don’t need anyone looking out for me. I am not a fucking child!”
“When are you going to understand that having someone to look out for you doesn’t mean you are weak? Lexi I thought we went through this with Dr. Hart,” he grunted impatiently.
“Probably around the same time that you understand that I’m not going to fall apart and lose the moody bullshit,” I shot back indignantly. I didn’t mean to snap but I did. It was like beating my head up against the wall. I wasn’t going to change, neither was Alex. Gahh. Why was this so fucking difficult?
“Nick was right about your mouth.” He relaxed slightly. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be amusing or merely making a point.
“Don’t start agreeing with the man now.” After everything Alex had said, he was now siding with his purported nemesis over my propensity to talk a lot? T
hat was me, uniting unlikely associations over a mutual appreciation, or lack thereof, for my smart mouth.
“Just ’cause I agree with him doesn’t mean I like him. He’s whose brother?” For the first time since he had entered the room, his voice wasn’t hostile.
“Riccardo. Though I had never met Nick before last night.” In fact I had only met two of his three brothers, and briefly at that. There was no reason for extended conversation. I was not the kind of girl you took home to mamma anyways, especially not back then.
“Riccardo? The threesome guy from Rome?” His brows knitted as he fished for clarification.
“Yes, Yes. Are you constantly going to bring up the whole threesome thing? Gee for a rock star you are easily impressed. Surely your escapades have been more exciting than mine.”
A slow smile spread across his lips. He was still angry, but at least now he didn’t seem so completely-out-of-control-furious. I moved close again, daring to touch him.
“So now you are more reasonable, explain to me why you were so desperate to get a hold of me that you needed to bust in here like the five-0 on a drug bust in Compton?”
“The five-0?” He laughed. “Your down time watching reality television has really affected your vocab. Matt had been trying to get ahold of you. He needed approval for something. Anyway, he tried to call you and when you didn’t answer your phone, he’d assumed you had left for the day and made your way to James and Hannah’s. He imagined you weren’t able to hear your phone over the noise of the band so he called the house.”
The scenario was quickly taking shape in my head. Where neither Matt nor Alex knew of my whereabouts it would lead them to start panicking. It was not what I had intended. Honestly, I didn’t think I was gone that long.
“So I called Monique and asked if she had seen you, wondering if perhaps you and Chris had other business to discuss. It was then she informed me that you had left two hours ago with a driver she had arranged to an undisclosed location. D is still livid at your diversionary tactics.”