by Sarah Tork
And he isn’t a ‘misunderstood guy’, he knew exactly what he was doing.
There was a knock on the door.
“Hello,” an unfamiliar voice called from the other side. “We’re coming in!”
The door opened, and three men in power-suits walk in. Their expressions were worrisome as they eyed the state of the room.
The living room was a mess with couches out of their planned positions, pillows thrown everywhere, broken figurine pieces everywhere, and blood is sprinkled across the flooring.
The bill was going to be high.
“Mr. Barns, is everything okay?” One of the suits asks as soon as they see his bruised and bloody face.
“We’ve received multiple calls for a loud disturbance,” another man stated as he eyed the room.
“Everything is fine,” Xander told them calmly. “There was just a little misunderstanding. All is alright now.”
Misunderstanding?
How does trying to make everyone out for a fool just so you can get your kicks on with blonde bitch a misunderstanding? My eyes narrowed at Xander’s explanation.
And Demetria? Try explaining that!
Xander walked over to the three that were clearly in charge and began whispering. They nodded their heads and quickly vacate the room. Much to my shock.
“What? Where are they going?” I asked, as they leave without another word. “How did you do that? Really! How did you?”
A knowing smile broke across Xander’s face as he turned back to face me. “Because, like I said, I get what I want. And you and I have some business that we need to take care of first.”
Oh really? He thinks he’s a big man now.
“First of all, stop staring at me like that,” I snapped at him. “And don’t you worry, I haven’t forgotten, and would have gladly fixed this whole thing with you way before all this shit—that you caused—happened.”
I searched the room for my thong, looking at the coffee table where I had put it last. It’s not there. It must have fallen down during the fight, so I walk around the couches.
“You’re not going to give it to me fresh? That wasn’t part of our deal.” He walked toward me, now, in just his black boxers, having taken off his robe. Despite his face being bruised, his body was perfect. I tried not to gape, not wanting to give him any ideas about where we were never going to go; that ship sailed when I found out who he really was.
Panty-fetish boys were not my thing!
“I came to do that, but you were busy fucking Irina! What was I supposed to do, interrupt you guys? Erm, excuse me? Uh, Xander, I know you’re busy drilling this bitch, but can you just take a five-second breather, and come out here so I can take off my panties for you like a stripper would?’”
“Honestly, yes,” Xander said back calmly.
“You can go fuck yourself; that would have never happened. Not even if I owed you a billion dollars. There’s no way I would ever walk in on you doing the nasty with that skank ass!” I snapped at him.
“How I love it when you use that tone on me,” he whispered lustfully. My eyes rolled as I looked away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was annoying me again. I got down on my knees to search underneath the couch.
“Oh, hello. I like where this going.” Xander smirked.
“Dare to dream, pervert boy.” My hand creeped underneath and stopped when it felt fabric and plastic. The plastic bag must have fallen underneath with the thong while the boys were fighting all over the living room. I grabbed both and pulled them out.
“Found it, thank God,” I stated in relief. “Now, I’m done.”
“You’re not done,” Xander said as I get back up. “Far from it, actually.”
“Go fuck yourself. I’m as done as done can be,” I told him sternly. “Especially with the likes of you!”
There’s a knock on the door.
What now? I looked back at him. “What now? Is there someone else out there that you’ve screwed and now they want revenge? Tell me right now, because I’m going to need the energy that I’ve been holding out on reserve so I can snap at your ass!”
Xander looked away as if he’s innocent. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He walked over to the door and opened it.
“Yeah, I bet you don’t!” I snapped at him, as a beautiful, tall brunette walks inside.
“Melania!” Xander said in relief. “It’s about time you showed up!”
Melania giggled as she hugged Xander. He pressed his lips to her neck and whispered something; her face turned crimson as she bit her lip.
Obviously dirty.
“Go to the bedroom; I’ll be right there,” Xander told her. She nodded and walked to the bedroom while swaying her hips and paying no attention to me.
Hello, I’m here too, bitch!
I turned back to Xander, who had his usual Xander-twinkle back in his eyes.
“Well, it looks like you have company. When did you arrange that? I doubt Irina would have been okay with a threesome, seeing how she reacted to Demetria and me,” I accused.
“Melania was an afterthought when Irina was about to leave. I couldn’t just let the night go to waste, especially with the present I’ve been waiting for all day. And knowing how up and down you are, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to play,” Xander explained.
I cringed. “How ‘up and down’ I’ve been? I’ve never given you any indication that I’d be willing to play in that shit you like!”
Xander eyed the thong and blue plastic bag containing his real present… well, my revenge actually.
His went serious. “I’m waiting; are you going to give me what you owe, or do I have to come and get it from you?”
It was a conundrum. Now that he had company, I wasn’t sire if I wanted to subject her to the grossness that was in this bag. But then again, she did walk past me, totally ignoring me like I was nothing. So I say, fuck that bitch; she deserved a nice wake-up call for agreeing to hang out with Xander.
I held the thong out to him. “There you go. Take it; it’s all yours.”
Xander took the thong out of my hands but eyed the blue bag curiously. “What’s in there?”
I looked at the blue bag and then looked back at him. “It’s another present I have for you, you know, to say thank you. But now I’m thinking you don’t really deserve it.”
His eyes widened. “Another present?”
I nodded. “I don’t know if I want to give it to you now.”
“What is it?” Xander asked.
“Something I know you’ll love,” I told him. “Something you’ll have a lot of fun playing with.”
Something in his eyes changes, determination maybe. “I want it. It was for me from the beginning, so you should give it to me.”
“I don’t know; you’ve been very bad. I’m not sure you deserve it,” I told him as if he were a five year old.
This guy was fucked in the head, seriously.
“Give me! Give me!” he begged. “It’s mine.”
“Oh alright.” Pretending to concede, I held the bag to him. He snatched it out of my hands. “Alright, I’m going now.”
“Alright,” Xander said, staring at the bag, transfixed with what possibly could be inside, considering I told him it was something he’d love.
A small lie?
A half-truth.
Sweet revenge that I’d relish in. I walked to the front door but stopped before opening it. I turned back him still eyeing the bag as if it was gold. “Remember this: if you want to have even more fun, get your new plaything to open it first. It’ll make things more…exciting!”
His eyes snap up and narrow.
“Goodbye, Xander,” I told him, opening the door. He didn’t say “bye” back as I left; instead, I heard him run to the bedroom. “Baby, tonight is going to be the craziest night you’ll ever have.”
I waited in the hallway for a few seconds before hearing a disgusted scream, “Ewww!”
&nb
sp; I laughed and ran for the elevators, pushing the button. Luckily, the doors opened and I got in quickly. I pushed the button for the ground level, and then repeatedly hit the one to close the doors. I heard a room door open and footsteps running out.
“Marisa!” Xander roared.
He made it to the elevator as the doors closed. I blew him a kiss and waved goodbye, “Bye, darling!”
I burst into laughter that felt so justified, my stomach began to hurt.
Oh, so this is what it feels like. Sweet revenge, I though happily as I reached the ground floor. I quickly checked my reflection, making sure I looked okay. There wasn’t a hair out of place; whatever product Gustavo used for my hair, it really was magical. The doors opened and I walked out feeling happy and content for the first time since the trip started yesterday.
The party was over.
I have dealt with Mother, Gwen, and Ben.
I repaid Xander the debt I owed him for the makeover.
I was home-free and it felt great. I was free to do what I wished, however I wanted. It’s liberating knowing that from here on out, I had nothing holding me back.
I walked as fast as I could through the beautiful front lobby without seeming suspicious. “Goodbye forever, Mr. Barns. It’d been a fucked up twenty-four hours.” I said quietly as the doorman opened the exit doors for me. “Thank you.”
A cool gust of wind enveloped me as soon as I hit the sidewalk. I opened my clutch and pulled out my phone, checking the time. I’d received no emails. And it’s just after eleven-thirty.
Time had gone by fast in there. Now that I was free, I had to decide what my next move was going to be. I had a coffee date with Dad tomorrow, which should be chill and relaxed since it’ll be just the two of us. I decided to return to my room at the inn and call it a night. I walked to the curb, eyeing the busy road (Saturday night in downtown Ottawa is really busy) for a taxi.
Eek, another taxi. The cost for a taxi was going to put a small dent in my savings again. Tomorrow, I’d just walk to my childhood home; and Dad could give me a ride back to the train station.
Which was free.
I was eyeing an available taxi when a sleek black SUV rolled to the curb, stopping right in front of me. The window slid down, and I couldn’t help but look since it stopped right in front of me. Sitting on the other end of the backseat was a brooding, bruised, and ripped-shirted Liam.
“Get in,” he ordered.
Oh my God! I stared back at him as his deep-blue eyes penetrated my brown ones.
What am I going to do?
“Why?” I croaked back. “I don’t even know you; I can’t get into a car with someone I don’t know.”
“Get in the car!” he ordered brashly. “You know who I am.”
“No, I don’t; I just know you’re Xander’s brother, and that you’re very angry right now,” I explained to him, holding onto the open window frame. “So as you can see, I don’t know you that well, or at all; and from what I do know, you’re not too happy at this time.”
“Get in the car,” he demanded once again. “I’ve got a matter that needs discussing with you.”
“What matter? I paid my debt to your brother. I don’t owe you anything,” I hissed at him, careful not to raise my voice and attract passersbys. “I’m not going with you, so stop bothering me. I’m leaving!”
I turned around to leave, but the two security guards that had handled Irina corral me back around. One pulled me to the side as the other opened the door, motioning for me to get it.
“Please, Miss, just get in and it’ll all be over with shortly,” one of the guards requested nicely.
Well, he did ask me nicely. I faced Liam. “I’m just getting inside; I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Liam nodded and I entered his car. The guard shuts the door, and the window rolled up, making me nervous right away.
“What’s going on?” I asked, a little scared. I peeked through the corner of my eye at Liam. The car locked went down and I looked up in worry. “What’s going on?”
The driver, who I couldn’t see because a shield was up to separate us, pulled the car out into traffic. “I thought we agreed that we were going to stay put?”
I look at Liam in a panic. “You lied to me.”
Liam faced me. “You’re going to tell me what is going on with you and my brother, right now.”
My eyes widened. “And if I don’t?”
Something about his demeanour changed. “Trust me, you don’t want to find out.”
CHAPTER 22
“Tell me, now,” Liam growled. He probably used this tone with other people; you know, fake–ass, weak people who’d succumbed at the first hint of hearing his annoyance. Especially from a man like Liam, who’s obviously used to being in charge. There’s just a little problem; I wasn’t one of those types of people anymore.
Or at least I hope I wasn’t. But if I was, that’s changing. Right here, right now!
Liam, watch out; you’ve just awakened an angry tiger!
“What do you mean you want to know what’s going?” I was irritated out of my mind. “Okay, you got me! Alright,” I settled on the denial aspect to this deranged situation and tried the playful approach. “You made your point… now pull over.”
“The car will not pull over; not until I have some answers,” Liam stated.
Like a fucking man in charge. I think not! Perhaps it’s best that I tell him that, no, it’s not going to be like he thinks it is!
I pounded my hands frantically behind the passenger seat. “Don’t you dare drive away; I forbid you. This is illegal…I have rights!”
Strong fingers clasped my hands and put a strict stop to the pounding. “Stop shouting; contain yourself!” Liam growled. “You will tell me right now. What are you and my brother up to?”
“I’m going to pretend like you didn’t just use that tone with me! But for your benefit, I’ll play along anyways,” I informed him. “I don’t have to explain myself to you; I am a Canadian citizen; and I know my rights, asshole!’
Okay, maybe “asshole” wasn’t the right thing to call someone I didn’t know, judging by the way his nostrils flared and his deep-blue eyes widened. But then again, I wasn’t sorry. Champions never say they’re sorry, and I was a champion now. Never surrender; never give in. Stand my ground till the last moment; and if the ship sinks, then I’m going to go down with it.
Liam shook his clearly-exasperated head and leaned forward, pressing a button behind the driver’s seat. “Raymond, pull the car to the curb, please.”
“Finally,” I exhaled. The car pulled to the curb and as soon as I felt it stop, I pulled the handle, but it was still locked. “It’s not opening!”
“Tell me what’s going on between you and my brother. Once you do, I’ll let you out,” Liam said. I leaned back in my seat in a huff, blowing a long, deep breath out, hopefully showing how aggravated and violated I felt.
These Barns brothers! Who the hell do they think they are? I know what they are: psychopaths!
“It’s messed up,” I whispered. “I can’t explain it.”
“Why not? What’s really going on between the two of you that is so bad, you can’t discuss it?” Liam asked, sounding irritated.
“It’s nothing you need to be worried about,” I explained to him, hoping that would have been enough to simmer his curiosity. I snuck a peek through the corner of my eye, and he wasn’t revealing any ease at the information I’d handed out. He wanted more, which left me with no option. I had to lie. “Alright, I’ll tell you. It’s so embarrassing.”
“Go on,” Liam said.
“Xander lent me a hundred dollars yesterday on the train to Ottawa. I came over tonight to pay him back; I got the money from my parents,” I explained.
It’s sort of true; Xander did give me a hundred dollars.
“What?” Liam cringed, sounding unconvinced. “That makes no sense. All this trouble for a hundred dollars? I know my brother, and that is not wha
t really happened.”
“Oh yeah, I’m a liar now! Well, Mr. Smarty Pants, what do you think happened, since you seem to think you know everything?” I snapped. “Go on; lay it all out what you think happened!”
“I know that you’re lying. That tells me one thing: it’s not nothing,” Liam said, angrily. “What has my brother done this time; what has he got on you?”
My eyes widened in surprise. It seemed this was not the first time Xander had gotten himself into an unusual situation. “I was paying him back; I just walked in at a bad time. I’m not lying,” I say. It’s almost the truth. I am paying him back. “I don’t want to explain what happened between us back at the hotel because I’m embarrassed. I don’t like borrowing money from anyone. I have too much pride for that; it practically killed me taking his money yesterday. But I had no choice.”
“I see,” Liam murmured. After a brief pause, he leans forward and presses the driver’s button behind the front seat. “Raymond, unlock.”
The door-lock snapped back up; the sound was music to my ears; it represented my freedom from yet another mess I seemed to have dragged myself into.
Yeah. I do that, too. I attract trouble.
“Are we done here?” I asked, grabbing the door handle, but still staring at Liam, who slumps into his seat looking exhausted and defeated.
I’m the one who had to go through all that shit, first his brother, then him! I’m going to need therapy for six months just to get over tonight!
“Yes, you may leave,” Liam responded curtly, not sparing me a glance.
I exited the car, simmering on his farewell’s tone. As I turned to close the door, I thought he needed a little “tone” thrown back into his face.
“Thank you, sir! Don’t forget to take the Viagra next time; it’ll make for a better performance,” I yelled quickly, and then shut the door on his surprised face.
Bursting into a fit of laughter, struggling to run away on the pavement, my feet were barely moving with each step, making me cringe in pain.
The shoes are beautiful, suck it up!
A car pulled up to the curb right in front of me. It was the SUV. The passenger door opened and Liam stepped out, shaking his head looking amused and disgust. As his entire body got out of the car, his hand followed lastly, pulling out a sapphire blue clutch.