by Lannah Smith
Then he sighed and said, "If I'm going to be honest, then yes. I did."
I tried not to let it show that his admission hurt. But he knew. He kissed my cheek and I looked at him.
"Can you tell me when?"
He shook his head slightly. "It's more like a why, honey. You fucked Leon. And I know you chose him because I won't be able to do something about it.”
It was true. I did it to hit him hard where it hurts the most. And he wouldn’t be able to make it stop. Leon was his friend, a friend who was going through some pretty deep shit. He wouldn’t be able to hurt Leon.
“That was the worst thing you've ever done,” he went on and I focused on him, “and if you really want to make up with me for that I suggest you come in my arms and show me how much you're sorry."
A wolfish grin was on his face.
I sighed.
But I knew he was truly honest. I could never forget the ripple of pain in his face every time I disappeared off with Leon. And I even did it with Leon in his house.
"Well?" he lifted his brow. "Aren't you going to make it up to me now?"
I gave him a look. "You're right."
"About what?"
"That we should move on from the past."
He sighed. "I didn't say completely."
Try as I might, I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. "You're impossible, Christopher. We have to get out of here sometime today. And I’m hungry."
When I sobered, he was staring at me with the gentlest of expressions, smiling.
"What?" I asked warily.
"It's the first time I made you laugh."
My lips parted in surprise. “Really?”
His eyes crinkled in delight. “Yeah. I love it.”
Damn it. I had so much making up to do.
Climbing unto his lap, I let him watch while I whipped the hoodie off my body and saw the desire ignite in the depths of his beautiful brown eyes.
I was going to reward him.
Like he had rewarded me my freedom.
I lowered myself on top of him and heard him groan.
I was going to love him.
Like he had loved me all this time.
Chapter 56
April had fallen asleep again and staring at her, Christopher thought she was the most appealing woman in the world. He had tired her out but not as much as she had tired him last night. He thought he was insatiable but fuck, she had a lot of passion for a tiny woman like her and he’d like to think it had been all reserved for him.
Feeling parched, Christopher slowly disentangled himself from April and pulled on his sweatpants. He trudged to the door, opening it to find Klay outside. Klay had been about to knock.
Putting his hand down, Klay said, “Alec wanted me to check up on you.”
He grinned and closed the door behind him. “Merry Christmas, Klay.”
Klay snorted. “It definitely was merry for you, wasn’t it, sir?”
Shaking his head, he went to the kitchen and retrieved two bottles of water from the fridge. Twisting one of the caps open, he drained the bottle completely.
Then he put it down on the counter and asked Klay, “Any news?”
“We got them.”
His eyes narrowed on Klay. “And where are they?”
“You know where, sir.”
A dark smile touched his lips. “Good. I’ll take care of them when we return. Make sure they’re locked tight and secure.”
Klay nodded. “Already done.”
Christopher picked up the other bottle and turned to return to the study. It was time to wake April up so that she could open her presents.
“No woman should have gone what April Locke did.”
He paused.
“Everyone, including me, had thought of convincing you to give up on her because she was the daughter of the enemy and because we thought she was a cruel woman. But as you have our loyalty, sir, she also has ours now.”
“Let me guess,” Christopher turned to pin him an annoyed look, “You heard.”
A huge grin came on Klay’s face. “We all did. We were at the basement.”
fucking hell.
“You should have seen Chet’s face. That guy never had a girlfriend before. He asked to be taken off duty but since he’s the only person who could man the surveillance room, Alec made him stay while all of us went outside.”
“We weren’t that loud,” Christopher denied with an amused grin.
Klay tilted his head to the side. “You weren’t. She, however…” he didn’t continue and shrugged. “We’re all just glad she’s screaming about something else entirely now.”
Christopher knew what he was saying.
Since April had arrived in this house, she had done nothing but get angry and scream. It had taken him time but Christopher finally understood.
She felt safe with him since then. She acted the opposite, but she wasn’t afraid of him at all.
All her life, she had always acted in a restrained, careful and cautious manner. She had learned control and taught herself how to hide her emotions from an unfeeling father and from everyone around her. And it was what she only knew to do. Though the years with Grant had given her freedom, he doubted she could act like a normal person even then. From what Christopher had learned, Dan was her only companion and most of the time, she was left to fend for herself in that cabin. And still, she lived in constant fear that her father would appear on her doorstep at any moment and take her back home with him.
With Christopher, she could speak what was on her mind, even scream it. Still, it would take time for her to let go of all restraint. With fear came caution. Until she realized herself that she felt safe with him, until she realized that he wanted her to have a safe haven, a place to live without being afraid, she would never be able to be free of her shackles. And it was up to him to prove to her all that.
It was up to him to remind her she was safe.
April was awake when Christopher returned to the study. She had found her clothes and changed into them. He smiled at her and her face softened.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, handing her the bottle of water.
“How long were you up?”
Christopher kissed her head and turned to find his shirt. “Just a few minutes ago. I didn’t think you’d wake soon so I went out to get some water.”
“I was afraid… I woke up and I was alone…”
He looked at her. Her eyes were on the bottle on her lap.
Sitting next to her, he gathered her stiff body close. “I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll wake you up. Only if you promise not to slap me if I do because damn, you can really slap hard, honey.”
A small smile formed on her face. “Don’t piss me off again.”
“I probably will since I’m an idiot but I hope you can be lenient to me since you know how much I love you.”
She suddenly pushed him away and gave him a glare.
“Then why were you so cold to me these past few days?” she demanded.
He shrugged. “I was afraid,” he answered.
“Afraid of what?”
“I was losing…” he blew out a breath. “You were so damn stubborn and I thought I was going to lose in the end. I was trying to get used to not being around you. It fucking hurt doing that.”
“Not as much as it hurt me,” she muttered with a frown and he looked at her incredulously since she had been doing most of the ignoring for the past days and years. “Don’t do that again.”
He grinned and pulled her closer to kiss her. “I won’t, honey. Never again.”
She smiled against his lips. Then she pushed him away, muttering about they’d be stuck here in the study for the rest of the day if she didn’t. Not that Christopher would have minded.
“Wait,” she blinked as a realization came over her, “You don’t have a…” she hesitated. “You don’t have a wife hidden somewhere right?”
He looked at her blankly.
Then he shook his
head. "Oh, geez. I have to praise myself for coming this far..."
"It could happen,” she insisted. “Well? Do you or don’t you?"
He chuckled and stood up. “I don’t,” he announced, pulling her up. “And if you’re hungry, you better get that sweet ass out of the door or else we’ll be staying here all day.”
“We can’t stay here all day,” she muttered. “What would your men think?”
Christopher didn’t dare tell her about what Klay told him.
"I see you had a lot of fun last night." Alec’s face was devoid of any emotion, making him even more unnerving when he said those words. “And this morning too.”
I had to lean against Christopher, feeling my strength desert me.
Good God.
Since when had Alec been standing outside the study?
Christopher grinned. "Well, someone couldn't get enough of me. It's no wonder I'm exhausted."
I turned to scowl at him. "I wonder who that could be?"
He laughed and kissed my hair. Then he went over to Alec to hug him.
"Merry Christmas, Alec.”
Alec stared at me over Christopher’s shoulder. "And I see you're Christmas wish came true."
My eyes narrowed on him in response. But I didn’t say anything because I was too embarrassed to. He probably heard us. Oh, God, everyone in the house probably heard us.
"So are you together now?" Alec asked Christopher when the latter released him.
"Yes—."
"No," I snapped.
They both looked at me.
Alec raised a brow. "Right,” he drawled.
Oh, I could smack him.
Christopher shook his head. "What do you want to do first, honey? Do you want to eat breakfast first or open your presents?"
"I want to take a shower," was my instant answer.
They both stared at me.
"Yeah, I'd take one too if I were you," Alec replied in a sympathetic voice. "A really long one."
I wasn't one to blush but I think I just did.
It didn't help that Christopher said, "I think I'm good."
"Good God, just take a fucking shower," Alec grumbled, turning away with disgust.
"Want to get in together?" Christopher had the gall to ask.
I gave him an ice-cold glare. I was seriously rethinking this relationship.
Then I went up the stairs alone.
And took a really long shower.
When I returned downstairs, Christopher had already showered and dressed in fresh clothes. The presents under the Christmas tree that had kept triggering my curiosity for the past days were calling me but with all the willpower I could muster, I tried not to show I was interested.
I didn’t fool Christopher or Alec.
Christopher pulled me to the tree and made me sit down in front of it. Then he began to heap the gifts into my lap before he sat beside me like a little kid, waiting for me with an excited and bright expression to open them. It was hard to reconcile the fact that he was a crime boss when he was acting like this.
His excitement was infectious, however.
“Are all of these…mine?” I asked softly, so just he heard.
“Yeah,” he smiled. “Now open them.”
And I did.
Soon, my lap and some of the floor around me were covered with beautiful objects, five mugs, two bags, a book series, three pairs of socks, a jewelry box, the latest smartphone, another book series, a laptop, a pair of gold earrings, a luxury bath melts collection and more books.
I had been trying not to think about the things I wanted but couldn't have.
I thought my life was all about the things I couldn't have. And some part of me had given up wanting anything.
But he'd given me everything.
"This is too much," I muttered, looking at everything. Then I turned my head to look at him. "You didn't have to."
He smiled. “I’m making up for all the years I couldn’t give you anything.”
“But I don’t have anything to give,” I muttered forlornly.
I knew, from the expression on his face, before he even spoke exactly what he was going to say.
“I’ll think of something,” he said before he gave me the look.
I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh. Alec was looking on and I knew he was still displeased with our change of plans.
“Are you planning to spoil me?” I lifted a brow.
He pushed off the floor and nodded. “Completely.”
"But we're still leaving right?" I worriedly asked him.
His expression turned to regret. "I'm sorry but we have to, honey."
"When? Today?"
"Tomorrow."
I frowned at him, "Why do I feel like you orchestrated last night because you knew this was going to happen?"
He chuckled. "Hell, no. I sent a text message to Alec while you were asleep."
"I bet he was happy," I glanced at Alec’s way. He was trying to ignore both of our whispers as he looked out the windows.
"He wasn't since he'd already prepared everything for our departure,” Christopher said. “But he'll get over it."
Somehow, I highly doubt that Alec will get over it easily. He liked order, after all.
Then Christopher kissed the top of my head and disappeared into the hall. When he came back, he said, "I have one more last gift for you."
I blew out a sigh. "Seriously, I know you're filthy rich but I don't—." I broke off, my eyes going wide, when I saw the new person who joined us in the room.
My hands flew to my mouth.
She was smiling widely.
I felt tears in my eyes.
Then she said, "Hello, April."
"Rita..." I could only mutter.
Then I instantly burst into tears.
Chapter 57
When the elevator beeped and came to a stop, the doors sliding apart to reveal Christopher’s penthouse home, I instantly knew that at that moment, I had passed the point of no return. A lot of things would have to change from then on.
Christopher put his hand on the small of my back and ushered me in. I did and found myself in a huge living space with sleek white sofas, hardwood floors, floor to ceiling windows, the decorations in dark hues. The place was a stunning bachelor pad. And I had never lived in such a place before nor this high above the ground.
“This is only temporary, honey,” Christopher had told me earlier in his private plane. “I actually already have a house prepared for you but I have better security in my penthouse. When things settle down, we’ll move there.”
Placing the cat gently down, I took in everything around me. Alec put my bags down on the carpet and I watched as the other men with us filed inside. I also knew, at that moment, that everything I’d learned about Christopher was true. That he had become so powerful. That he truly had a place in the underworld.
Christopher didn’t have a gentlemen army.
His men wore casual clothes, cursed a lot even in front of their boss, and were all quite mouthy like Alec. I already met Klay and Jaehyun. Then I met Chet who was their IT and surveillance guy and the rest of the men, Jonathan, Aldwin, Jac and Noel.
I found it surprising at first that Christopher let them get away with their rude behavior. I’d seen people incapacitated for even breathing the wrong way. But I realized that this was Christopher. He didn’t like formalities, didn’t adhere to rigid traditions and solemnity and didn’t like to be treated as such. He was friendly. He was warm. But I wasn’t naïve. I knew that someday, I’d see him in a terrible way doing terrible things, being who he was right now.
“It’s been a long journey, April,” Christopher said, coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Do you want to rest?”
I leaned against him, my throat tight. He didn’t even care that people were in the room with us. When he wanted to show affection, he did. He wasn’t afraid of being called soft. And I liked this side of him.
“If I rest, wha
t are you going to do?” I asked, turning in his arms.
I saw him glance at Alec. I stiffened.