DIRTY ALPHAS: The Alpha Bad Boy Collection

by Franca Storm

  The first day I’d woken up alone and back in my own house had been an entire write off though.

  Thoughts of Dan had been consuming me. The house and everything around me had seemed so empty all of a sudden. I’d lived alone here with no contact from the outside word—aside from emails to my publisher—and I’d been content. Hell, I’d been relieved that I was finally living on my own terms, without interference or fear of being forced into things. I’d sacrificed so much to get to this point, turning my back on everything just to find some semblance of peace. I’d left the city, my friends, my parents, and the guy I was seeing, quite suddenly. I had snapped, unable to take it any longer. My issue had been getting worse. It’d gone from crowd fear, to social anxiety and all the way up the scale to full-on anthrophobia. I’d had no choice. I’d had to run.

  I can barely bring myself to think about what I would have done if I hadn’t. I’ll never tell anyone about the awful thoughts that had consumed me, thoughts of ending it. Not just passing thoughts either. No, I’d really thought about it.

  Everything had been closing in around me. It’s hard to explain to others how completely trapped I’d felt. The entire world is built around people interacting with other people. Our entire existence is just that: social interaction in one form or another. Be it dealing with your boss and colleagues at your daily job, getting on public transportation where you’re surrounded by people, socializing with friends, dating, getting groceries, clothes shopping, going to the bank and running every day errands.

  For someone like me who can’t bear to be around people at all, it’s suffocating. I was drowning in fear, trapped in a world that I couldn’t bear to be a part of. I’d envied everyone else, pleaded with the Gods that I could be like them. Because they’d never understand what it’s like to be unable to walk down the fucking street without your heart pounding in your chest, your entire body shaking and sweating. They will never know what it’s like to be trapped in your fear. Back in the city, it was everywhere I turned. All those close to me became nothing but threats, threats that tried to force me out into the public. I had to cut them off.

  The only one I didn’t feel guilty about was my ex-boyfriend, Bryan.

  We’d started dating when my issues had been more in the social anxiety stage, before they had escalated to what they are now. Before all the medication had failed me. I’d even stopped going to see my counselor, because, guess what? To get there I had to walk through the crowded city streets. Talk about a catch-22 situation. Those idiots. They’re treating people like me for God’s sake. They should understand better than most that it would be a near impossible task for someone like me to go to that location right in the goddamn city center. That shit really pisses me off. It’s like holding an AA meeting inside a fucking bar. Ridiculous.

  As I’d got worse, so had Bryan. He’d become more and more frustrated when I’d refused to go out. Looking back on it, there were some red flags to begin with. After all, we’d met in a bar that my friends had dragged me to. Some persistent asshole had been hitting on me and wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d freaked out into a goddamn panic. It wasn’t necessarily the guy’s fault. It was just the entire social situation—the packed bar. His unwanted attention had just pushed me over the edge. That’s when I’d met Bryan. He’d punched the guy out. Shit, I should have realized then that he had clear aggressive tendencies. It wasn’t until he’d actually attacked me that awful night when I’d told him I was leaving the city that I’d really realized the extent of it. Strange, considering I’d told him things were over several times prior to that day. I’d even stopped having sex with him, hoping that would finally drive him away. But even after months of not getting any, he still wouldn’t leave. He was obsessed. He said some nasty shit to me that day, made several threats about us having unfinished business. But it was nothing compared to the physical shit he’d done. Shoving me into that glass coffee table had put me in hospital—one of the worst places for me to be with my issue. People everywhere, so much noise, doctors and nurses touching me. My worst nightmare. I’d discharged myself right after they’d stitched me up. I hadn’t told anyone about it. Not my parents and not my friends. To this day, no one knows except me, Bryan and the cops who arrested him that night. I didn’t even press charges for fear of having to walk into a busy police station.

  I’d pushed it out of my mind until the other day when Dan had asked me about my scars. Thankfully, he’d dropped it quickly after he’d seen how uncomfortable I was.

  He doesn’t need to know. It’s all in the past. Another life.

  Of course, it had affected my behavior towards Dan at first. It was why I’d resisted him, why I’d asked him to leave when we’d had lunch out on the patio a few weeks ago. I’d figured he’d never understand and I didn’t want him to have to. I don’t want to burden other people with my shit.

  I’d been wrong about that though. About him. Dan had made it clear that he liked the whole package and that he had no intention of trying to fix me. And he’d pointed out how similar his situation was to mine. Although, he isn’t anthrophobic, he enjoys the quiet. He knows what it’s like to live in the shadows, just like me. Different reasoning, but there is an understanding there all the same. I’ve never had that before.

  This thing between Dan and me is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

  When I’m with him I feel so…free…carefree, really. There’s no pressure, no forcing of my issue. I can just be me. He just seems to get it. To get me. The two days I spent at his place were the most fun I’ve had in years.

  The only thing I’m worried about and trying not to think about now is how attached I’m getting to him already. It’s more than sex and I can no longer deny that, as much as I’d like to, because it would be a hell of a lot easier that way. No one would be at risk then. At risk of getting hurt.

  I keep reminding myself that Dan isn’t a relationship guy. Hell, I’m not a relationship gal either. But I’m starting to feel things now. Crazy, really, because we’ve only known each other for a few weeks. It’s there, though and no amount of pretending it isn’t will make it any less true.

  I’d resigned myself to the fact that I would spend my life alone. And I didn’t mind. I’m not afraid of my own company like some people. There’s a big difference between being alone and feeling lonely. I’ve never felt lonely when I’ve been alone. Just peace and relief.

  But then Dan came along.

  For the first time ever there is possibility.

  He lives a lot like I do. In the shadows. Because of his money and who he is, he’s used to hiding too. It’s the first time I’ve met someone like that. And as much as I’m trying not to think about it too much for the sake of my own self-preservation, there really is hope there that we could be together and make it work.

  There’s possibility.

  Being alone forever might not be my fate after all.

  I’m jolted from my thoughts at the sudden sound of an abrasive thud coming from upstairs.

  I hurry from my office and bolt up the stairs to the second floor. I stop at the landing and listen.

  That’s when I hear the torrential downpour that I know is taking place outside. It sounds too close. I glance up at the attic hatch above my head.

  Shit. It’s coming from there. Inside the damn house. Oh, shit! The roof!

  Chapter 13

  ~Daniel~

  It’s pissing down as I pull up to Em’s place. It was a bitch getting up here in the Audi. I should have brought the RAM instead. The dirt roads were slippery and the car’s been splashed with a shit load of mud in the hellish drive up here. What was I thinking? The storm’s been going on all day long. I wasn’t thinking. That’s the problem. When I’d finally finished up at work, I’d been unable to think of anything, but getting to her as soon as possible.

  I’ve been looking forward to this night all week. Friday couldn’t come fast enough. And she’d invited me, which I know is a huge deal for her. She must be r
eally comfortable with me now to invite me over for dinner. I fucking love that.

  I’m about to get out of the car when something catches my eye.

  The roof.

  It’s pitch black outside. It’s a result of the storm and the fact that it’s seven in the evening in the middle of autumn. I can make out something flapping about violently in the gale-force wind on the right side of the house. What is it? I peer closer, straining to see. A tarp? What the fuck?

  A shrill scream cuts through the thunderous sound of the storm.

  I’m out of the car in a flash, stalking towards the side of the house. The rain drenches me in seconds, soaking through my dress pants and white shirt. Thankfully, my leather jacket offers me some protection. It would be offering me a hell of a lot more if I’d had the good sense to zip up the damn thing.

  I see a ladder lying on the ground. The torrential rain is pounding down on it mercilessly. The force of the strong wind has me digging my heels into the sodden grass just to stand my ground. Shit, it’s really bad out here. It’s way worse than it is back in town. It’s pretty clear from the way the ladder is lying there in the middle of the grass that it’s fallen down. And then it occurs to me: is she up there?

  “Em!” I bellow over the sound of the storm. “Em! You up there?”

  A second later, the top of her head comes into view and she peers over the side of the roof.

  “I’m stuck!” she calls down to me. “The ladder!”

  She doesn’t need to say more. My hands are on the ladder in a second, forcing it into position. I climb quickly, not caring that the rungs are slippery as fuck. All I can think about is getting to her ASAP. Nothing else matters.

  I reach the top and peer across the roof. There are several tarps half-tied down, half loose and flapping violently in the wind.

  “Come here!” I call to her, holding out my hand.

  She shakes her head. “I need to tie these down!”

  “No, babe! Down! Now! It’s too dangerous in this weather!”

  “Dan!”

  “Now, Em!” I growl harshly. Fuck. What does it take?

  That gets her moving and she crawls towards me. I help her down on the ladder. When we reach the bottom, I grab her hand and pull her around to the front of the house. The door is ajar and we hurry inside, out of the storm.

  I kick the door shut behind me and tell her, “First rule of going up on a roof: don’t kick the ladder down.”

  “Shut up. I didn’t kick it down. The wind pushed it over.”

  I laugh. “Sure. You forget that I’ve witnessed your clumsiness firsthand, babe.”

  Her eyes narrow. Aww, she’s so cute when she’s pissed off. I can’t help it. I like messing with her.

  She looks down at her drenched jeans and hoodie and then back at me. “Come,” she says. “We’re gonna get sick if we stand around here much longer like this.”

  I follow her upstairs into her bedroom. She ducks into the ensuite bathroom and returns with two bath towels. She tosses one to me.

  “Why were you up there in this weather?” I ask her. Well it’s more of a demand than a simple question.

  She blows out a frustrated breath as she peels off her drenched hoodie and tosses it on the floor. “The roof…part of it caved in today. Water was pouring into the attic, so I tried to put some tarps up.”

  “What? Why didn’t you call me?”

  She seems stunned by my question. “Why would I? It’s not your problem. You don’t live here.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  She looks at me curiously.

  I toss the towel on the floor and stalk over to her. “You are my problem.” What? “No, I mean…you’re not my problem. You’re my concern.”

  “I am?”

  “What?”

  “I thought we were just fucking. You know? Casual?”

  “Well, we’re not!”

  Shit, what did I just say? What the hell just came flying out of my mouth?

  She just stares at me for a while, not sure what the hell to do with my outburst. It’s clear that she didn’t see it coming. Hell, neither did I.

  She looks at me, unsure and says, “Okay, so we’re—”

  “You’re my girlfriend!” I snap. “You got that? You’re mine, Em. Mine. Is that clear enough for you?”

  A huge grin spreads over her face and she blushes, actually blushes. “Clear,” she says, shyly.

  Shit, I just fucking claimed her. You’re mine.

  I just stand, staring down at her for a moment as the realization of what I just blurted out hits me. But, to my shock, it’s not painful or unnerving. I’ve spent all this time thinking it would be, that taking anything further than sex with a woman would shake me to my fucking core. There’s nothing, none of that. As I look at her and see the infectious grin on her face, all I feel is excitement.

  This feels good. Right.

  I pull her into me.

  “Argh,” she exclaims, pulling away hastily. “You’re soaked,” she says, wiping her face.

  “You’re looking like a drowned rat yourself, babe.”

  She grabs my hand. “I’m so sorry, Dan. You’re soaked, because of me.”

  I can’t stand that anxious look on her face. “Wasn’t your fault. It’s all on the storm.”

  That look disappears as she smiles up at me. That smile of hers can seriously light up a goddamn room. She has no idea. I watch her gaze rake over me and she licks her bottom lip. Flashing me that devilish smirk of hers, she says, “We should take a shower.”

  Fuck me. I love her sexual appetite. There’s nothing I want more right now than to have her wet, naked body against mine. Images of bending her over, holding her hands flush against the shower wall as I take her hard from behind flash in my mind. But I know I can’t right now.

  It hurts my dick to say it, but I manage. “You go take a shower. I need to make a call and sort this shit out.”

  “No, Dan. I’ve got it. I don’t need you to—”

  I hold up my hand in a gesture of silence, cutting her off. “I know you don’t need me to. But I’m going to. Besides, I’m in a position to get things done a lot faster than you can.”

  “Fine,” she reluctantly concedes. “You’re calling Jason at Harlson Construction?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do they do payment plans?”

  Like I’m gonna let her pay a dime for this. “I’m sure they do.”

  “Okay, good,” she says, casually. But I see right through her. She’s really worried about the cost.

  “Go shower, before you catch a chill,” I tell her.

  “What about you?”

  I wave my hand dismissively. “I’ll be fine. The jacket took the brunt of it and kept me dry,” I lie.

  I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but I fix her with a hard glare and she gets the message.

  I smile to myself as I watch her hurry into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. A second later, I hear the shower running.

  Good girl. My girl. Shit, my fucking girlfriend.

  Chapter 14

  ~Daniel~

  J blows into the house, water dripping from him onto the hardwood floor.

  When he first arrived I was outside helping him tie the tarps down on the roof. He’s been out there for a while now assessing the damage while I headed back into the house to check on Em. She’s upstairs right now getting dressed. Unlike me, he came prepared for the weather, wearing a waterproof hooded jacket and matching pants.

  “Wipe your boots on the damn mat or take them off,” I scold him.

  He rolls his eyes, but wipes his feet anyway before walking into the living room where I’m standing, my arms folded across my drenched shirt. He laughs as he takes in the sight of me.

  “You look like shit.”

  “Better me than her.”

  He grins. “I take it from that comment that you’re no longer in denial then.”

  “I’m not,” I say, unable to hold back
the stupid smile now plastered on my face. I’m like a damned school boy who’s just hooked up with his first crush.

  “I’m glad, man. She’s a cute little thing. She’ll be good for you.”

  “Yeah,” is all I can say, his words affecting me more than I’m comfortable with. I’m not gonna get fucking emotional about it. J would never let me live it down. “So, the roof? What’s the verdict?”

  He wipes the big-ass grin off his face and shifts into business mode, the way he always gets when he’s talking shop. “I’m not gonna lie. It’s bad. The entire thing needs to be replaced. As you saw when we went up into the attic, the water damage is severe and needs to be dealt with ASAP as well. It’s a big job.”

  “How long?”

  “After you get me the permit, I’ll have my boys start right away. A week, maybe two.”

  “Will the tarps hold until then?”

  “Yeah, but she probably shouldn’t be here while we’re working. It will be noisy as hell. And she works from home, right? An author?”

  My eyes narrow. “You checked out my girlfriend?”

  “Girlfriend, huh?” he says, folding his arms across his chest and eyeing me like I just grew two heads. “Yeah, I checked her out. After Isabella, I figured it was my duty to watch your back.”

  Before I can say another word and give him shit for bringing up that bitch’s name, I hear Em’s footsteps on the stairs. Great. She must have heard that. Her eyes meet mine and I see the curiosity there. Yeah, she heard.

  Thankfully, she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she makes her way down the stairs and nervously crosses the room to J. I’m shocked when she holds out her hand to him. It’s shaking and everything and I hear the waver in her voice as she tells him, “I really appreciate you coming out in this crappy weather.”

  He smiles at her and takes her hand gently, shaking it quickly, before pulling back. “Wow, you have a strong grip. Impressive,” he tells her. “The tarps are up, so that’ll stop the house from sustaining any further damage.”