by R. G. Angel
“Yes, I did,” I replied as she took the key tentatively. The only thing that I had added this week was a tracker under the car, which I could use to disable the car at distance and one that would automatically disable should she try to exit Stonewood. “It even has custom plates.” Again, something I did when I’d mistakenly cared for who I thought she was.
She circled the car and her face softened as she took in the plates. It was so stupid. In retrospect I now wished I’d changed that before giving it to her. My state of mind was different now. The feelings were gone.
Are they? The taunting voice was back. Fuck you! “I’ve got a lot of obligations and I won't be able to take you to and from school every day and I'd rather you didn't spend too much time plotting.”
She ignored my last comment as she was frozen to the spot looking at the license plate – ‘ANG3L5’ surrounded by wings. I’d done that as a gesture before she'd betrayed me.
She looked up at me, her hand on her mouth, her eyes expressing a tenderness I hated, hated because I didn't know if it was fake or not and also because it still managed to get through to me in seconds when I thought I’d repaired my impenetrable emotional armor. She looked at me like that and those feelings slipped through again, like a sword through a gap in chainmail.
“You remembered…” she whispered as if it meant something.
She took a couple of steps toward me and took me by surprise when she kissed my cheek and hugged me.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
No, it wouldn't work I couldn’t cope with her attention. I hated how my heart reacted to her despite everything. I needed her to stay away. I needed her to want to stay away. I needed her to hate me too and if she cared even a little, I needed her to keep it to herself. I was not strong enough to resist. I needed her to do it for me.
“You like it enough to give me a blowjob?”
She jerked back, looking at me with uncertainty. “What?” Her voice trembled.
I jerked my head toward the car. “I took care of your need; you should take care of mine,” I added with a smirk, resting my hand on her shoulder and pressing down, not hard enough to make her bend, but enough to show her I meant business.
I tried to keep my poker face at the surprise I felt seeing her sink to her knees in front of me on the hard concrete floor.
“Is that what you want? To see me beaten and broken on my knees? Giving you favors just because you order it, because you buy them?”
She looked angry. The fire was there, but there was also disappointment and sadness – something that I didn't expect from someone as calculating as she was. Was it all an act too?
She kept her eyes on me as I reached for my belt, the sound of the metal buckle echoing ominously in the eerily quiet room. I couldn’t cave, not now, and my body was responding only too well to her position on her knees, my dick so hard that it had passed the point of being uncomfortable to just plain painful. I needed her to back away before I did – or maybe you don’t!! The part of my brain that was controlled by my libido shouted in frustration. What if I made her please me? She couldn’t mind that much, could she? She’d given up her virginity without a second thought on a powerplay – why would a blowjob matter? Was it even her first one? My jaw tightened, my teeth almost shattering in my mouth at the idea of her on her knees for that dark-haired idiot, Ben Deluca. He was too addicted to her for it to be a simple crush – or was it? This woman was addictive. She had me tangled before I’d even kissed her. She was not a good addiction though. In retrospect no addictions were good. They were all destructive on different levels and she was the type to annihilate everything you were.
I liked seeing her like that, on her knees, powerless. I could almost feel her silky hair tightly wrapped around my fist, but the problem was that I didn’t want her to surrender by force. I wanted it to be her choice. I wanted her to surrender her power to me willingly and I didn’t want her helpless for anyone else... Ever... Just me… Only me.
“Have you done this before?” I asked, my voice as cold as could be, hiding the treacherous tremor of desire the anticipation caused. “I wouldn't want to waste a hard-on on your inexperience like I did taking your virginity,” I added mockingly.
Pain flashed in her eyes, pain that affected me in ways I refused to acknowledge, but then it was replaced by anger, her grey eyes turning to steel. Ah, finally the reaction I wanted, the one I was rooting for. Her hate, her anger I could deal with, even thrive on. The pretend affection, the fake care… I had no time for that.
She stood up, shoving me back. She was no match for me physically, but the force of her anger made me stumble.
“You can suck your own dick and choke on it, Caleb Astor!” she shouted, throwing the keys at me. “It will be a cold day in Hell before I willingly sink on my knees in front of you again, and if you ever try to force your way into my mouth,” she snarled, snapping her pearly white teeth, “I’ll bite it right off.”
I felt that snap, right down to my now-fully-erect cock. I really was a sick bastard, getting aroused by her anger even more than her softness.
“We’ll see,” I replied with a cocky smile, burying my hands in my pockets with my belt still undone.
She threw me a look full of venom, “Who broke you?” She asked and walked away without a look back.
“So many things, so many people, Esmeralda… You included,” I whispered after she was long gone.
Chapter 6 - Esme
When I woke up on Monday, I was excited to go to school to see Tay and Archie, as well as to start the investigation, but I was also dreading being alone in a car with Caleb.
I couldn't believe the horrible things he’d said to me on Saturday. His mood swings were giving me whiplash; it was like he didn’t know himself how he was supposed to feel. It was like he was trying to make me hate him again. Well if so, he was on the right path. I had avoided him like the plague since the incident in the garage, although I hadn't had to try too hard as his car had been gone most of the day on Sunday. He had probably been getting the blowjob I hadn’t given him.
As I got ready, I started rethinking my decision of not asking Archie to pick me up. He was already so worried about me; I didn’t want to add to his burden. I would tell him the truth, that life here wasn’t great, but I couldn’t drive him and Caleb more against each other; that wouldn’t be right.
I prepared myself for a few more minutes, building up the courage to face my devil of a fiancé. I didn't want him to see how much his low opinion of me and my role in his life, had hurt me. I was also angry at myself for expecting anything different. He was the worthy heir of all the hateful fathers.
My eyes wandered in the mirror until they connected with the small blue box on my bed. I'd found it in front of my door this morning with a simple card. ‘Your engagement ring; wear it proudly. C’. I sneered at the note. Even in one sentence he could taunt me.
I sighed and slipped the ostentatiously gigantic ring I’d hated from day one onto my finger. I suspected he knew how much I hated it and made me wear it as a punishment.
I walked downstairs to find Benjamin expecting me.
“Breakfast is served,” he announced, gesturing me toward the salon.
I preceded him and was surprised to find a table set for one. I turned around, throwing a questioning look at him.
“Mr. Astor left early this morning; he had business to attend to.”
What kind of business would an eighteen-year-old high school senior have to attend to? In my world not much, but in this one? Who the hell knew?
I nodded. “It’s fine. I’ll call Archie for a ride.”
Benjamin shook his head and reached in his suit pocket. “There is no need Miss. Mr. Astor said to take your car,” he added, setting the key to the Bugatti on the table.
I looked down at the large gaudy fob as if it was a scorpion ready to strike. Why was he giving in after what had unfolded on Saturday? Was it his way of apologizing? I doubted it. His way to
make a point that I owed him? More likely.
I had half a mind to throw the key in a hole somewhere as a major ‘fuck you’, but on the other hand, what other chance would I ever have to drive a car like that? Plus, it would stick it to Aleksandra, the she-devil, who had probably spent all of yesterday providing the services I’d refused.
Don’t be dumb, I chastised myself. I didn’t need to pile more issues onto my plate. I had a murder to solve. I could deal with whatever else later.
“Is there a problem, madam?” Benjamin asked, cutting into my thoughts.
I shook my head. “No, Benjamin. Nothing.” I grabbed a crispy croissant. “I’ll go now. Thank you for everything.”
“It’s my pleasure, Miss. Truly.”
I smiled at him and walked to the garage. I let my hand stroke the bodywork of the car before sitting on the beautiful black leather seats. I sat there for a few minutes just reeling over the luxury of this car, from the comfortable seat to the wooden dashboard full of electronics. I'd driven Luke’s old truck many times, but this was on a whole new level. I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror and despite the determination in my eyes, there was sadness there too – a sadness that had never been there before I’d left my poor life, a sadness that now seemed to be a permanent feature, a part of me.
I shook my head, then sent a quick text to Taylor telling her I was on my way and to wait for me at our usual place. I was actually pleased to see my friend again. I missed her and her sunny attitude. If anyone could get me out of the gloom it was her.
The drive to school was a dream and if it had been up to me, I would have driven it forever.
Taylor was waiting for me by the steps as I parked the car, her usual grin on her face, and even though she couldn’t see me through the tinted glass, I found myself grinning back.
“Damn girl, the psycho husband is generous,” she teased, walking toward me as I climbed out of the car.
“Psycho fiancé please,” I teased back. I looked around the lot, but Caleb’s car was not here. Archie’s Maserati was though.
“Archie is here?” I asked, already taking my phone out of my bag.
She rolled her eyes, hooking her arm with mine. “Yeah, he and Antoine are busy with King matters that nobody cares about – School Council and stuff.”
“Seems fascinating,” I replied with a small smile.
“I missed you.” She squeezed my arm, all humor now gone.
“I missed you too.”
“I need to tell you some stuff.” She grimaced. “We couldn’t really discuss this on the phone. I did something and–”
“Ah, the pauper princess is back from her trip to Paris. How did the attempt to make you a bit less trashy work out?”
I rolled my eyes at the aggravating voice of the girl who was quickly becoming my nemesis. I adjusted my hold on the leather strap of my bag and smoothed my face before turning around.
“Aleksandra. It was perfect. Thank you for asking.”
“Don’t worry, I kept your fiancé occupied while you were gone.”
I smiled. Caleb might have slept with her while I'd been away, but this was confirmation that he hadn’t gone to her yesterday and somehow it made me feel better.
She frowned, visibly displeased by my reaction. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she asked, “Why are you smiling, freak?”
“Because you were not good enough company.” I pointed to the Bugatti. “He missed me so much, he bought me this car after he asked me to move in with him.” I shrugged. “Maybe I should thank you.”
Aleksandra reddened with anger, her nostrils flaring as her two lapdogs did their best not to laugh at her.
I sighed. Turning around, I grabbed Taylor’s arm again. “So, where were we?” I asked, resuming our walk into the school.
Taylor threw me a side look, full of approval. “Damn girl, that was amazing. I think you’ll be just fine here.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “I have bigger things to deal with.”
She nodded, her face somber. “The reason for your return.”
I was scared to tell her everything, but not because I didn't trust her. After everything she had done for me, all the risks she had taken, I trusted her with my life, but if my mom’s murderer was still around here somewhere, I was terrified to put Taylor in harm’s way. However, at the same time, I knew she would try to find out what the issue was and put herself at more risk.
There was safety in numbers and all that.
“Yes, I need to explain it to you, but I’m not sure now is the time and place,” I added as the corridors started to slowly fill with students and I met my brother’s eyes as he and Antoine exited a room.
Archie looked so serious, his face tight. It made him look so much older. He might have been the prince of a dynasty, but the worry on his shoulders was so far beyond his years, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it as most of it was involuntarily my fault.
Taylor turned around to follow my eyes and Antoine smiled brightly. Seriously how could a man be that pretty?
“Ah, ma Belle! I missed you,” he beamed.
I was about to tell him off, ask him to tone down on the flirting. I didn’t need to anger Caleb any more than he already was.
But before I even had a chance to say anything, Antoine wrapped a possessive arm around Taylor’s waist, pulled her against him, and placed a tender kiss on her button nose.
She smiled back at him, her cheeks tinted pink.
My mouth hung open with surprise.
“Ah, I guess she didn’t tell you either,” Archie stated, his lips pursed tight, a deep scowl of disapproval on his face.
I brought my hand up, smoothing the deep line between his eyebrows. I understood now why his tone had been cold and dismissive when I’d mentioned Taylor. This was a story worth listening to for sure!
“Maybe we should take this somewhere else,” Antoine suggested, already pulling Taylor into an empty classroom.
I threw Taylor a cautious look. I didn't know Antoine well, and even though I knew his secret, I couldn’t count on his loyalty.
Archie looked around before closing the classroom door. Leaning his back against it, he crossed his arms on his chest in a wannabe cool, devil-may-care position, but the furrow of his brow and the thickness of his jaw were clear indicators of how much he hated seeing them together.
“He knows everything,” Taylor started as soon as I turned toward her again. “Well most of it. I had no choice, Esme. You’ve–”
I raised my hand to stop her. “I trust your judgment, Tay. If you told Antoine, you had your reasons, and he won’t say anything, will he?”
Antoine flashed me his usual flirty smile. “You know it, sweetheart.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “We’ve discussed this. Please don’t lay the flirting on so thick.”
Antoine had the decency to look sheepish. “It’s hard to switch off.” He leaned in and gave Taylor a kiss on the forehead, and it was genuine affection, plain as day. I could see it was clear for Archie too from the taut lines on his face. Seeing Taylor and Antoine together hurt him and I hated that, but I knew she had her reasons and she would tell me soon.
“Antoine caught a conversation between his father and yours a few weeks ago. Your father believed I helped you escape and wanted Antoine’s father to give him the tech to listen to any phone conversations happening within my house, the phone being registered or not.”
“We can do that?” I asked in awe. Technology was both helpful and terrifying.
Antoine nodded. “There is so much more than what you think. Not all is known to the public, but my father is working with your country's military and…” He winced.
I didn’t need him to continue to know it wasn’t pretty.
“Your father's com company depends a lot on mine,” Antoine continued. “My father is at the top of technology and your father keeps a lot of his market share by selling phones built with our tech.”
“This is why
you said you and I were supposed to be matched.” I remembered his words from the introduction party.
“Oh, I see, you tried to get Esmeralda and because you didn’t, you settled for Taylor?” Archie snorted. “You deserve better than to be the second choice, Oppenheimer.”
She glared at Archie, but I could see the pain under the anger. He’d hurt her badly and I knew neither of them would open up to me about it. Her because the recollection would cause her obvious pain and him because of his shame at whatever had happened. “Yes, I deserve a lot, Archibald, a lot more than some people gave me. This is why I cut loose ends.”
“Anyway,” I cut in. I needed to redirect the conversation before we had a full-blown drama in an empty classroom. The four of us in a room were bound to be suspicious and I wasn’t sure how long we had before Caleb found us. I also couldn't help but feel guilty for plotting behind his back, engaging his friends in it. He was bound to be beyond furious when - if, he ever found out.
I explained everything to them by giving the quickest summary in history - the journal, the note, the reason behind my return, and my desire for justice.
Archie sighed, leaving his position. “I will give Antoine the list of people so he can look into their backgrounds.”
“You can do that?”
Antoine smirked. “With my dad’s system? There isn’t much I can’t do.”
I nodded. “Impressive.”
Antoine chuckled. “Ah! That’s exactly what Tay said last night.”
Archie growled as Taylor swatted Antoine in the stomach, making him gasp.
“Careful, babe. I’m fragile,” Antoine said.
“And you’re an ass!” She glared at him. “Cut the crap.”
I rolled my eyes. No, we couldn’t afford a battle of testosterone now, not with this much at stake. “We need to hurry; the bell will go soon.”
Archie sighed. Reaching into his pocket, he extended a folded piece of paper to Antoine. “This is our list for you to look into.” He turned to me. “I added your librarian, even if it is a long shot.”
Antoine whistled, looking at the list. “Damn, that’s not just anyone on this list!” He looked up at us, his eyes widening with surprise. “The Astors?” I nodded. “Your father?” I nodded again. “Sheriff Whiteman?”
