Cunning by Aleatha Romig
“So when you were home, you were seeing him?”
“Bryce, I was going to tell you. Things between Lennox and I picked up again recently. It’s really none of your business.”
“None of my business? I get five minutes with you, the woman I planned to marry and he gets…” Bryce’s eyes opened wide. “…don’t tell me you’re sleeping with him.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why did you fly out here? You now have about three minutes.”
Anger returned to his tone. “Alton told you to be in his office in five minutes, and it took you twenty. For Demetri you suddenly remember how to keep time.”
I stood. “You’re upset. I accept that I should’ve told you sooner. I, however, never agreed to date you or to be the woman you planned to marry. I agreed to stay in touch. We’re in touch. Do you or don’t you have information about my mother?”
Bryce stood. “He’s dangerous. Why do you think he has that henchman with him, watching you? Demetri is dangerous. Even if you don’t want to be with me, you need to get away from him.”
“Goodbye, Bryce. I’ll call my mother to learn whatever it is you won’t tell me. Have a nice flight back to Savannah.” I turned to walk away, when Bryce blocked my path.
His crimson cheeks and flaring nostrils moved directly in my line of vision, blocking out the world and making him the center. His words seethed with emotion. “You’ve been dating Lennox Demetri for two months, and your roommate is attacked. Don’t you see the connection?”
“No, I don’t.”
“For God’s sake, he killed his wife. He’s involved in things of which you can’t even comprehend—things a woman like you should never know. You need to come with me, now.”
It was my turn to step back. “You’re lying.”
“Do you know? Has he told you?”
I shook my head. “No, I know he was married and now he’s not.”
“Jesus, Alexandria, have you even Googled him? The feds have been trying to catch him and his father at one of their many illegal operations for years. You said you want to be an attorney. You want to help the innocent. You balked at helping me with that slut’s false accusations, and you’re in bed with a murderer. What law firm is going to hire you when you have a past with a criminal?”
“Miss Collins?” Isaac called, reminding me of my time limit.
“I don’t believe you,” I said in barely a whisper.
“It’s true. Come home. Go to Savannah Law, and get away from him now, before it’s too late. Before God-knows-what happens to you. Montague can keep you safe. If you’re afraid of him, tell Alton.”
Nox wasn’t the one who’d scared me, not really. The idea of going to Alton for help of any kind was ludicrous. “Goodbye, Bryce.”
He reached again for my arm and almost simultaneously Isaac appeared at my side.
“Miss, are you all right?”
Bryce released his grip and lifted his hand, palm forward in the common sign of surrender. “Think about it,” he said. “Think about what I said.”
Isaac and I turned to leave as Bryce’s accusations bounced through my mind.
He continued to speak. “I’m staying here for a few days. You have my number. I can help.”
I didn’t respond as my feet hurried toward the doors and my pulse quickened.
“Alexandria?”
I spun around but continued to walk backward. “Alex. My name is Alex.”
“Alex, Adelaide is ill. She wants you home.”
My feet once again stopped.
Do I believe him?
As I pondered, Isaac tapped my shoulder. I didn’t say another word as I turned, and the open entrance filled my view. On the driveway beyond the panes of glass sat the large black SUV. With the sky dark and the windows tinted, I couldn’t see into the backseat, but that didn’t stop me from feeling the icy blue stare.
Could it be the stare of a murderer?
“Isaac?” I asked just before he opened the back door.
“Yes?”
“I don’t know where we’re staying, but please ask the driver to go to my apartment first.”
“Ma’am, we’ll discuss it with Mr. Demetri.”
I’m back at Montague Manor.
My knees weakened when Isaac opened the door. The expression before me caused my breath to stutter.
“Get in,” Nox commanded. “You need to explain.”
A cold chill peppered my skin. My palms moistened as conversely my mouth dried. I tried to swallow. With my upper lip tucked between my teeth, I slid into the seat, settled against the soft leather, and fastened my seatbelt. I wanted to tell Nox so much, and then again, I didn’t want to say a word.
His anger created static electricity that crackled around us. I knew when I agreed to speak to Bryce, I’d gone against Nox’s wishes. He didn’t need to say it. At the same time, Bryce’s accusations bombarded my thoughts. Why would he accuse Nox of illegal dealings? More than that, why would he accuse him of murder? Why hadn’t I researched Nox? What did I really know about the man beside me?
Silence settled around us as the Suburban moved forward. The atmosphere intensified, and sparks ignited as I waited for him to speak.
When it became too much, we both did.
I said, “I want to go to my apartment first.”
He spat, “How in the hell do you know that scum?”
Both came simultaneously as we turned toward one another.
Nox’s finger covered my lips, silencing my request as well as my answer.
“No,” he replied matter-of-factly. “We’re going to the hotel.”
“But—”
My eyes flew to the rearview mirror, catching Isaac’s gaze. With an almost imperceptible nod of his head, he told me that we wouldn’t be going to my apartment, at least not tonight.
Nox’s finger applied more pressure, encouraging my gaze to return to his. “The next sentence out of your mouth will be the answer to my question. I guarantee you don’t want me to repeat it.” He paused. “Nod if you understand.”
With my nod, his finger released my lips.
“I’ve known Bryce all of my life. Our mothers are friends.”
Mothers. Was mine really ill?
“You’ve known Edward Spencer your entire life? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I got the distinct impression that he thinks of you as more than a friend.”
My head moved slowly from side to side. “You’re not wrong.”
“Is the feeling or was it ever mutual?”
“No,” I replied honestly. Even in high school I didn’t feel the way he did.
“There’s more to it,” he surmised. “More that you’re not saying.”
“I’ve answered your questions honestly. Will you answer mine?”
With the light of the passing cars, I watched as the muscles along his handsome face strained and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“This agreement that we have,” he began, “puts me in control.” His pale gaze turned to me. “Complete control.”
With each phrase his words slowed; on the contrary, each one hastened my heartbeat.
“Yes, Nox.” It was the response he told me to say.
“Even without the agreement, what was the one thing I demanded in Del Mar?”
“Honesty.”
He reached for my hand. “I also told you I’d give it. I will. However, I’ll decide what you need to know. If you ask me a question that I’m not ready or able to answer, I won’t. I won’t lie to you, and never lie to me. The difference between the two of us is that you don’t have a choice in what questions you’ll answer. The choice you have is what you just exercised tonight.”
“What did I do?”
“You answered honestly, but withheld information.”
He was right.
I looked down at our hands, mine in his. The swirling fury from seconds earlier had dissipated. Nox’s touch was warm and gentle. Could the man who held my hand have hurt his wife? Killed her? My heart wanted to s
The entire scene at the hospital seemed unreal. I couldn’t fathom that he and Bryce knew one another or why they disliked each other. Nevertheless, whatever the reason for Nox’s concern, my answers had given him the reassurance he needed, and for that I was relieved.
“So,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts. “If you understand that the questions you ask will only be answered at my discretion, go on.”
My gaze moved from Nox to the men in the front seat. This wasn’t the time to ask about his wife or even his business practices. No matter what Lennox Demetri did or had done, Isaac was loyal to him. Supposedly, I was under Isaac’s protection, but if I were a risk, even if it meant I had knowledge, I had no doubt where Isaac’s loyalty would lie.
“How do you and Bry—Edward know one another?”
“Business.”
“Business?”
Nox lifted my knuckles to his lips. “Princess, that’s my honest answer. For now it will have to do.”
“And I got the feeling you don’t care for one another.”
“Was that a question?”
“No.” I sighed. “I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to talk or think about him.” The lights of San Francisco came into view. “Why did we come back to the city? Why not stay in Palo Alto?”
“Since I’m in California, I’m going to meet with a few people tomorrow. Isaac will stay with you and get you to and from the hospital. If you want to go to your apartment tomorrow, during the day, fine. He’ll go with you.” Nox laid his head back. His entire body relaxed against the seat. “It’s been a long day. I’m ready to get to the hotel.”
He was right again. It had been a long day, especially with the time difference. It was after midnight in New York.
“Thank you.”
He leaned closer and kissed my cheek. “For what, princess?”
“For being here.” My lips curled to a smile. “For delaying all those people’s flight, for worrying about Chelsea, and for not being mad.”
He smirked. “Oh, I was mad… more than once, but I think you know that.”
“Well, you’re not showing it.”
“Not yet.”
My tummy somersaulted with his threat. That was all it was, I told myself. Besides what could he possibly have planned?
He didn’t bring anything with him. Deloris supposedly did all the shopping for us.
It wasn’t like he’d ask her to buy satin bindings, would he?
Then I remembered the candles in Del Mar. Nox hadn’t been the one to light them or the one to draw the bath. It was her.
Shit!
My nipples hardened beneath my sundress at the realization. He would. Nox would ask her to buy whatever he wanted.
I COULDN’T HELP but stare as Charli dropped her purse, slipped out of her sandals, and walked to the table. Lifting the silver dome from the tray, she asked, “I thought we said we weren’t hungry?”
“Deloris obviously decided otherwise.”
Her tired grin enticed me, pulling me toward her like a magnet. Watching her walk away with Edward Spencer affected me more than I would admit. The way he looked at her and at me, rubbed me the wrong way. I couldn’t stand there another minute. I had to get out of the hospital. If I didn’t, I would have done or said something.
I didn’t like Edward Spencer, even without his connection to Charli. He was involved with Senator Higgins with the House Ways and Means committee, but that wasn’t all. We’d crossed paths before. His techniques were slimy and backhanded. The idea of him near Charli made my blood boil. That was why I left Isaac to watch over her. If he’d so much as brushed his shoulder against her, I would have had the motherfucker on the floor.
Her brevity in answering my questions calmed me. The way she met my eyes and willingly sat beside me in the SUV told me more about her than her words ever could. Alexandria Collins may acquiesce to my demands, but she was stronger than most, with a spine of steel and bigger balls than most of the people I crossed in business, more than Edward Spencer certainly. I demanded the truth, but I wouldn’t have known what that was. However, as her golden eyes met mine, and her breathing calmed, I believed her. I would, until she gave me reason not to.
I moved close. The scent of her perfume lingered in the air as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. “You’re not hungry?” I asked as my gaze left her beautiful face to scan the array of crackers and different types of cheese—the perfect late-night snack.
Charli reached for a slice of what I assumed to be provolone and shrugged. “I didn’t think I was, but with it here, I am. Dinner on the plane was a long time ago.”
Before she could eat the cheese, I covered her lips with mine. Fever burned through me as she melted against my chest. One hand moved to her neck as the other held tight to her ass. She couldn’t break away if she wanted, but by the way our tongues wrestled, getting away wasn’t in her plans.
When we came up for air, I said what I usually don’t. I confessed my feelings. “Watching you walk away with him pissed me off.”
“I know.” Her eyes fluttered downward as if she were suddenly interested in the cheese she was holding. “I knew you didn’t want me to.”
“But you did it anyway?”
Charli sighed. “Bryce is… part of the way I was raised.” She looked up as shadows I didn’t understand swirled within the gold. “He called earlier today… or yesterday. I don’t know what time it is.” She scoffed.
“What?”
Shaking her head, she said, “Nothing. It’s just something he said about my ability to tell time. Anyway, he called and told me he was flying out here to see me.”
My gaze narrowed. “Out here? You told him you were coming, and you didn’t tell me?”
“No. I hadn’t spoken to him since the last time I was in our hometown. I hadn’t even told him yet that I’d moved to New York. He thought I was still here.”
I released her waist and picked up the bottle of wine and read the label. Deloris was good. She’d selected a red blend from the Bordeaux region of France. “Go on.”
Charli peered at the bottle. “Deloris knows you well, doesn’t she?”
“Probably better than anyone. After you tell me more about Edward, tell me about your meeting with her this morning.”
Charli huffed as she sat at the table and placed the cheese on a small cracker. “From now on, would you please warn me if I’m expected to meet with someone? I’d like to be dressed and maybe not reek of sex.”
I poured our wine and laughed. “I wouldn’t consider it reeking. You smelled fantastic. So good, as a matter of fact, that I want more of that lovely fragrance very soon.”
She shook her head as her cheeks blushed. “The meeting was fine. I got the impression she’s incredibly devoted to you and your company… Demetri Enterprises?”
“Yes, that’s the name of it. I’m loyal to her too. She’s one of the few people who’s earned that.”
“Is that how it works?”
We were sitting, eating, and talking, and damn, if it didn’t feel natural. Other than Deloris, I rarely just sat and talked. It was always about business or with a goal in mind. This was different, relaxing and yet stimulating. “How what works?” I asked.
“Your loyalty and devotion. They have to be earned?”
I hadn’t thought about it, but yes. “Either earned or lost. What about you? Do you just give them blindly?”
“No. I guess you’re right. I’ve been burnt, and well, I think they do need to be earned. I’m sorry I took off today. I wasn’t thinking about Deloris or you or Isaac. I was thinking about Chelsea.”
“Don’t do it again.”
Her chin lowered. “I’ll try not to. I can’t say I never will.” Only her eyes looked back up, veiled by her long lashes. “You said you want honesty. That’s honest.”
“You’re avoiding the first part of this conversation.”
“I’m not,” she said with her most innocent expression. ?
“Why did he want to see you?”
She shrugged. “He and I dated in high school. He wants to date again. He thought we were.”
What the fuck?
“You went to Infidelity even though you were in a relationship?”
“We’re not. He wants to say we are. That’s why as weird as tonight was, it was good that it happened. He now knows that I’m with you.”
I leaned back and removed my tie. “I’m sure that made him happy.”
Her cheeks rose as they blossomed with a hint of pink. “No, it didn’t. I’m not sure which of you was more upset.”
My lips quirked as I ran the length of my tie across my palm. “I think you know the answer to that question.”
Charli’s stare concentrated on the tie as she inhaled. Her chest moved, showcasing her hardened nipples as they tented the front of her dress. “I’ve apologized for leaving,” she said mounting her own defense, “and I can’t control what other people do or where they are. It’s not fair for you to blame me because someone else showed up at the hospital.”
I stood and walked behind her. Brushing her gorgeous hair away from her shoulder, I lowered my lips to her neck. As I began to speak and tickle her skin with my breath, she gasped, making my cock twitch. I wanted her more than I should, more than I could admit. My words became breathy. “I’ve mentioned before that life isn’t fair.” Goosebumps materialized as I gently nipped the sensitive skin. “And I’m not going to punish you because he showed up.” More kisses and taunting. “I’m going to punish you because you knowingly went against my wishes by walking away from me to go to him.”
“Nox…” She drew out my name, making it several syllables long as she tilted her head to the side.
“You also put yourself in danger.”
She stiffened.
Did she agree? Did she know how important it was to keep her security detail with her? I caressed her breasts, knowing why I could see her nipples. There was no bra under her dress. A new question monopolized my thoughts.
Is she wearing panties?
“Your security isn’t debatable.”