by Stone, Piper
“I’m not certain why you feel you have to prove anything to me if they’re so legit,” I said harshly.
I could almost feel his heated breath, a man riled by my daring accusations.
“My work is important to me, Stephanie.”
“Sounds like a man who is married to his business.” While I wasn’t attempting to be nasty, I heard the edgy tone in my voice.
“That’s why I’m so successful.” Issuing a deep exhale, he moved behind me, lifting my glass from my hand and filling it.
Even the lingering scent of his cologne wafting in the light evening breeze was far too stimulating. A single bead of wine slipped from the bottle itself, falling to my cheek. Christian gingerly swiped the tip of his pinky through the liquid, bringing it to his mouth.
I held my breath, watching as my legs quivered from the seductive action.
“You see, my lovely wife, we honored our parents, our family responsibilities. The truth that we both must face is that our devotion could mean our demise.” He chuckled, planting the bottle on the table with a hard thud.
“If you’re trying to scare me, take a number. Been down this road before.”
“Not trying to scare you. Just giving you the truth. Haven’t you already told me that you refuse to tolerate lies?” Christian was goading me. Damn him.
“You’re right. My fantastic birthday party was a nightmare, the vultures waiting with bated breath until Father McGivney unsealed the Box. Curiously enough, only some of the illustrious guests were elated, members of the Council in shock.”
Christian slowly turned his head and I could easily tell the news fascinated him. “If you think this entire arrangement wasn’t orchestrated, you’re dead wrong, sweetheart. Everything the sect does is for a reason.”
“Maybe you’re right but how much more power can our families obtain?” He didn’t seem to have an answer to my off the cuff question. “I was disgusted so I left the house with my father screaming and my mother crying her eyes out. I think your father was attacking Father McGivney. I don’t actually think they heard me when I said point blank that I wasn’t going to marry you, that there was no amount of threats or coercing that would matter.” It was my turn to laugh bitterly.
“But here we are,” he said as he walked toward the water.
“Here we are. I was most surprised that my father wanted no part of what he called a sick and twisted event. The coupling of the two most powerful families would certainly mean a reign of power unlike anything the United States has seen. What’s not to like?”
“I’m certain he has his reasons,” Christian said quietly.
“Yes, including his hatred of you. I think that increased the slight level of respect I have for him.” I tossed my head from side to side, still laughing. “But as they always do, things change for the good of the community. After my father calmed down and after several meetings with the other members of the Council, he was suddenly on board with the marriage, encouraging before becoming condescending. Those same Council members also called me several times, explaining how important this was for the community.”
He shifted his gaze back in my direction. “Fuck. They threatened you. Those fucking. Bastards. Assholes. I will find a way one day...”
While he didn’t finish his train of thought, the words he’d said had been comforting, hell, almost loving. “You know how they are. They never outwardly threaten but by that point, I felt I had no choice. You see, out of the blue my boss called. My job was being eliminated sadly, no chance for me to stay on with the firm. Then my rent-controlled apartment was suddenly subject to an increase that I couldn’t afford, especially with just being laid off from my job. I was being boxed in with no choices.”
I could feel the anger surrounding Christian in an aura that was entirely different than I’d seen or felt before. The difference? He was protective. Of me. Of our relationship. Of the forced decision we’d made. He clenched his fist, the other holding the glass shaking from the violent rage.
“You had no choice in this,” he spewed, venom laced in every syllable.
“No, but neither did you.”
“I have millions of dollars. I could have simply said no and been completely happy with my decision.”
“They would have found a way to hurt you, somehow ruining your business and your reputation. You know that,” I half whispered. I suspected that they already had. His stocks had plummeted less than a week before, providing additional fodder for every newspaper and television station on the east coast.
“They. You make our lovely community leaders sound like gang members.”
“That’s exactly what I think they are. You’ve likely heard the same stories that I heard since I could remember. Violence. Death.”
“I have no doubt what they’re capable of.” He snickered after saying the words.
I nodded, fully understanding why. “Do you have any idea why the Council members were so shocked?”
“I don’t know and honestly, I don’t care.”
“You should care, Christian. I think our contract agreement is some last ditch effort to keep hold of whatever power this... cult has over hundreds of people. My guess is there are dirty little secrets with players we’ve never met. I also believe that there’s something major that’s going to happen. I’m not certain what, but you can almost feel it in the air.” I knew what I was saying likely sounded ridiculous, but I’d had certain suspicions for years, one of the reasons I’d kept away from my parents’ house except on very special occasions.
He exhaled slowly. “You are probably right. Perhaps it’s time to change the playing field.”
“Meaning what?”
Christian hovered over the water and I had the distinct feeling he was going to jump in. “As you’ve said before, I am not a man who will follow anyone else’s rules. That isn’t going to start now.” He polished off the wine in one large gulp, tipping his head toward the sky as if cursing the very gods.
“What do you really think is going on?”
“Pure evil.”
When he merely set his glass on the table and walked around me, headed for the house, I sat up in my seat, shaking my head. “I thought we were going to talk.”
When he didn’t stop or bother acknowledging me, I took long strides in his direction, snagging his arm. His expression as he whirled around was as if expecting confrontation.
And not from me.
“What is going on with you, Christian? You’re hot and cold, cruel and kind. As you said, you had the money and likely the power to walk away from all of this. If you don’t want me, then why did you force me to go through with this entire fucking day?” I didn’t need to have anything but the shadow of the moon to illuminate another moment of anger swirling all around him. I could smell it on him.
“I never said I didn’t want you. Never.”
I had no idea what to say to the words, ones filled with angst and remorse. “That’s right. You made me a promise.” I couldn’t stand looking at him any longer.
“Yeah, I did.”
I heard the remorse in his tone, could hear his heavy breathing. We both remained quiet for a few minutes until I couldn’t take the silence any longer.
“Are you all right?” I asked, still uncertain why I cared.
“I’m fine and we have our entire lives to talk, Stephanie. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I have some business appointments in the morning. Then we leave for the yacht.”
“A yacht? Are you simply trying to keep your status with the Joneses, Christian? You don’t like to swim. You don’t own a swimsuit yet you’re taking me on a freaking yacht?” He did what he usually did when pushed.
He clammed up.
“Jesus Christ. You’re just... frustrating as hell.” I challenged him. “Why are you playing games with me? Why? Do you get your sick jollies that way?”
“As you pointed out, there is likely more to this than what we’ve been allowed to learn. This is no game, Stephanie. The
re are people out there ready to take down both our families, the entire sect for that matter. If you think some arranged marriage is going to stop them, you’re dead wrong. This fake marriage is big for our little community. What do you think all the men and women our parents have cheated or bought out, influenced or threatened think about this new change in power?” He chuckled, shaking his head.
“Jesus.”
“You’re intelligent and savvy, Stephanie. Don’t play the fool. We are merely pawns in a vicious game that is likely to get us both killed.”
I stood shaking out of anger, the venom in his voice yanking away any concept of care I might have felt for him. “Fine, Christian. Stay an angry man with no care for anything or anyone. We don’t have to be friends or even lovers. I’ll perform just like a seal, but obeying you is something else entirely.” I turned my back on him, wanting nothing more than to rip out his throat.
I closed my eyes and the sound of his shoes thumping against the deck made me laugh.
Another dismissal.
Another end to a conversation he wasn’t willing to delve into.
Another secret.
Damn him.
Chapter Six
Christian
Jesus Christ.
The girl was going to push every button. I hadn’t been ready to toss out the fact that we would need to be careful, to watch our backs constantly. I’d seen the newspapers, had heard from my various employees that there were ugly rumors increasing on the streets. This wasn’t just about attempts to take over my corporation, but also to break certain confidences, destroying alliances that had been built over several decades.
A byproduct of the decisions mandated by the Council. The fact that the members were surprised at our coupling was curious. Maybe their decision hadn’t been followed. I would have to be very careful with my corporation, at least if I wanted to keep it viable.
I knew secrets of dozens of prominent men, families that had been in power since the Revolutionary War. If any of those dirty little secrets came to light, they could be destroyed. I’d never played one of the cards, had never been required to.
My father had. That had almost gotten him killed more than once.
However, I would need to play at least one hand in order to put the word out that I wasn’t to be fucked with.
With unsubstantiated fears within our community as well as my family’s outside enemies, security would become an issue.
Stephanie had spouted off as if she were a selection made at a grocery store, as if she were nothing but an object. Perhaps that’s really what she’d been taught to expect out of men. I groaned as I walked into the house, watching her in the darkness. I’d had every intention of attempting to act like a husband, sharing a quiet moment by the pool of a house I honestly couldn’t stand. I’d been forced to leverage a favor with a colleague, forcing another family from the purchase of their dream home.
Yeah, I was still a bastard no matter in what capacity.
At least I’d lined their pockets with twice the deposit money. That should have softened the blow. Somehow, I doubted that it had. No husband wanted to tell his wife that another man had bested him, all because of my level of power.
Her thoughts on the sect were the same as mine, although she’d obviously spent a significant amount of time on delving into the darkness of the mysteries surrounding the father and his power. However, I had to agree. I would make one last visit to my own father in the morning, laying a certain amount of groundwork as well as determining what he knew. If what Stephanie had insinuated about the surprise was true, perhaps my father knew more than he’d told me.
He’d simply tossed the contract in my face, rolling his eyes when he’d stated with no emotion that I was required to do this. My father didn’t give a shit about me, but his insistence meant he felt challenged.
I remained in the darkness, skulking like a predator, a hunter analyzing every action of his prey. Up until this point, that’s what I’d allowed myself to believe. Then I’d been unable to control my urges, fucking her like some tramp all to satiate my desire. I walked toward the bar, preferring the aging scotch versus a lousy bottle of cabernet. After pouring a hefty amount, I moved back into the shadows, curious as to what she would do.
She was unnerving in several manners, comfortable in her skin while I wasn’t certain I owned a pair of swim trunks. I hated the water; the cold and dark abyss that held nothing but eerie shadows and swirling tides that threatened to devour you.
I fisted my mouth, pushing back the ugly memory, finally allowing myself to drink in her essence.
The scent of her perfume had remained covering a portion of my body, an indelible reminder of just how lovely and feminine Stephanie truly was. She was also a fighter, a woman who could stand on her own two feet. Maybe her resiliency surprised me most of all.
I’d known a few strong women while building my company, those with the chutzpah to argue with me over various decisions I’d made. Eventually, my ego hadn’t been able to tolerate their intelligence or their brassy attitudes. I exhaled, realizing what a stupid fool I’d been, arrogant as fuck.
I’d had my reasons, including the fact that certain entities that I’d learned to deal with early on didn’t take kindly to women being in charge in any capacity. The old boys’ network, some liked to call it. While some of the men I worked with honored and respected the women in their lives, pampering them as being the most precious factor in their success, others were truly brutal monsters.
I’d simply chosen to remain unattached in business and in pleasure.
The pang in my heart was unusual, causing a shortness of breath. I knew the anguish had nothing to do with signs of heart disease or any other malady.
I actually gave a damn about a woman who hated me. I always had, my infatuation with her starting even before the tragedy. I allowed another cold and emotionless laugh as I lifted my glass, toasting the woman who’d broken through several barriers. She was right to laugh at certain recent decisions. Why the hell had I chartered a yacht? The original reason had been to keep her far removed from reporters and anyone else attempting to dig into our life. Now I wasn’t so certain.
As I took a sip, I noticed she’d left her glass on the table and was standing over the water, staring down at the lightly swirling waves coming from the manmade waterfall. For a few seconds, I feared the worst, memories of the wretched tragedy skimming my mind.
Then she tugged the dress over her shoulders, pitching it onto the deck. She hadn’t donned another pair of panties and immediately my cock twitched at the thought. I inched even closer to the glass, standing like some sicko voyeur as she ran her hands down from her neck, brushing her fingers across her nipples then down to her tummy.
My God, I wanted nothing more than to bury my face in her sweet pussy, lick every drop of cream.
Stephanie bent her knees until she could swipe her foot into the water. As if satisfied at the level of warmth, she slipped into the water so gracefully, disappearing into the spray and steam.
I hadn’t realized I’d walked outside until seconds later, when I began searching for her. She’d yet to surface. My heartbeat increased, throwing me into a near panic. Fuck this. I hadn’t felt this kind of fear in years. I took long strides, pulling back into the shadows when she flew out of the water, tossing her arms into the air. I could feel the hint of joy that seemed all encompassing.
Simple pleasures, something I’d never indulged in.
I remained in the distance but unable to take my eyes off her as she swam a few laps, her arms gliding through the water as her strong legs kicked out. With the steam rising from the water, the entire scene was provocative, creating another wave of extreme hunger.
My chest rose and fell, my blood pressure rising. I could do nothing but stand like a fucking idiot watching her.
Hungering for her.
Needing her.
I fisted my hands, taking several deep breaths as she swam closer, treading wate
r when she moved to the edge. She tilted her head, studying me, her arms floating out to the side. Her voluptuous lips were pursed and the water trickling off her face was far too enticing.
“Why don’t you come in? The water’s warm.” Stephanie asked the question in a casual manner, much the same as the tone I’d used for the majority of our conversations. She was testing me.
I took several glances at the waterfall before scanning the perimeter, finally placing my drink glass on the table. Perhaps I’d made a mistake not requiring at least two of my men remain at the house overnight, but up to this point, no overt threats had been made. And in truth, I wanted to relax. I craved nothing more than to forget about the damn Box or business or anything else at this point.
She seemed to take my hesitation as refusal, her slender shoulders shrugging in the water. “Suit yourself. I’d protect you if that’s what you’re worried about.”
The words seemed so off kilter, but in truth cut through the tension. I eased the weapon from behind me, gently placing it on the table then rolling the shirt over my head.
The way she was staring at me only further fueled the fire burning deep within. She had a way about her, so unassuming yet dazzling in every manner that could easily cut a man to ribbons. My cock was aching to the point of intense pain, the desire rippling through me like a wildfire.
I finished undressing and walked to the edge, peering down.
Stephanie had myriad personalities, a mystery to be appreciated. While certain aspects were so damn strong, she was also very vulnerable in other ways. All my life I’d done nothing but protect myself. My interests. My businesses. My personal life.
My secrets.
Now there were two of us.
I was no hero. I wasn’t even a decent human being, but the simplicity of watching her floating in the water forced me to make a promise to myself.
Even though it was one I wouldn’t be able to voice to her.
I would protect her with my life.