“I’m afraid we don’t have a choice,” Anders says gravelly. “But you must bide your time, Master Booth. I promise you; I will help you get your revenge. I cared deeply for your parents, and I’m here for whatever you need – including putting that monster behind bars.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders that have sagged with defeat.
“You need to stay strong, Master Booth,” he insists. “There will come a time when you’ll have your revenge, but that time isn’t now. Just be patient.”
Just then, we pull up in front of the Manor. Anders helps me get out of the car without saying another word, seemingly understanding I need some time to think things over.
We get out on the driveway, and my whole body stiffens when I see who’s waiting for us.
Lily Anna’s body slams against mine, and she holds me close, as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear if she lets go. She looks up with me with adoring eyes, and I struggle with my own feelings as she watches me closely. How the fuck am I supposed to pretend nothing’s wrong? How can I keep this a secret from her?
“It’s good to see you,” she tells me timidly. “Daddy was worried, you’re late.”
I glance behind her shoulder, and my body stiffens even more when I see her father standing behind her. I don’t want to deal with Oakes right now, but it seems I don’t have a choice.
“Dexter.” He claps me on the shoulder, giving me an inquisitive look.
Worry floods me. Is he checking to see if I’m suspicious about the reason my parents are gone? He must be trying to cover his tracks. The fact that he can look in my face, knowing what he fucking did to my family, fucking hurts. I want to blow his brains out. I want his shirt dripping with his own blood when I put a bullet in his chest.
Bide your time. Be patient.
Anders’ words ring true in my mind, and I take a deep breath before giving Oakes a smile he doesn’t deserve. This seems to calm him down, and he offers me his condolences, which I greet with a curt nod.
“I know this is unorthodox, but I’ll allow Lily Anna to spend the night with you tonight,” he tells me. “I’ll take one of the guest bedrooms, if that’s alright with you.”
I want to shout at him, tell him it’s far from alright, but I’m tongue tied. Luckily, Anders steps in, masterfully guiding Oakes into the house and leaving me behind with Lily Anna.
“They’ve already fixed so much,” she tells me softly. “The roof has been fixed, and they’re starting to repaint the whole house. And they’ve sealed off the room… Like you requested.”
“Good,” I mutter, pulling her closer against me. “Are you going to sleep in my bed tonight?”
“I think Daddy will allow it,” she says with a wicked grin. “Just for tonight. But you have to promise to behave.”
“I’ll be the perfect gentleman,” I grin at her, forgetting about what happened for a single moment about what’s happened. “I’m more worried about you behaving, Lily Anna.”
“Why?” she smirks. “I’m always so well-behaved.”
I laugh out loud, but the sound reminds me of what happened, and I go quiet, thoughtful, wondering whether I’ll ever be able to laugh freely again.
We walk into the house where Emilian Oakes has already retreated to a guest bedroom, leaving us to do as we please. I am grateful to him for allowing me this time with Lily Anna, though I have no intention of having mercy on him just because he’s her father.
I spend most of the afternoon sitting in my father’s favorite leather armchair, gazing out at the gardens – the only thing that remains unchanged.
Lily Anna is sitting by me, my fingers absent-mindedly treading through her hair, wrapping strands around them. It’s almost time for bed, but I’m reluctant. Anders appears, suggesting we head upstairs, and I get up without saying a single word. Lily Anna holds my hand and we ascend the stairs.
My bedroom is too damaged from the smoke, so we’re given one of the guest bedrooms in the east wing. I’m about to tell Lily Anna to go change into her PJs in the adjoining bathroom, but when I turn around, she’s already stripped down.
My eyes drink in her body hungrily. She’s beautiful – starting to grow curves, her skin lightly tan and porcelain-like. But it’s covered in bruises, just like the first time I saw her.
She climbs into bed next to me after I strip down to my boxers, laying her head on my chest.
“I can feel your heart,” she whispers as I touch my fingers to her hair. “It makes me feel calmer.”
“Lily Anna,” I speak up softly. “Who’s giving you these bruises?”
Instantly, she clams up, attempting to pull away from me, but I don’t let her. I hold her body against mine, and she refuses to meet my gaze no matter how hard I stare her down.
“Is it your father?” I manage to ask without bursting a coronary.
She remains stubbornly quiet.
“He does other things too,” she finally speaks up, her voice barely above a whisper. “He touches me.”
“What?” I jump out of the bed, grabbing a shirt. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“Dexter, don’t!” she cries out desperately. “If he finds out you know, he’s going to kill you. And then… and then I’ll never get away.”
“Get away?” I repeat, stopping mid-buttoning up.
“Away from him,” she whispers shakily. “I’ll never get away if we don’t get married.”
I know she’s right, but it doesn’t make this any easier, and I let her know as much, snarling, “So I’m supposed to just fucking stand back and allow him to fucking hurt you?”
“You don’t have a choice,” she admits. “Neither of us does. Only a couple more years though, Dex, and then we can finally be together. Please, promise me you won’t do anything until we’re married.”
“I…” I think back to what Anders told me.
How the fuck am I supposed to promise that, knowing what I know? But she’s the love of my life. I can’t let her down now – too much is at stake.
“I promise,” I mutter, and she throws her hands around my shoulders.
“Thank you, Dexter,” she whispers in my ear.
My inner demons settle inside my head, but I have a feeling the mere sight of Emilian fucking Oakes will get them going again.
Fifteen
Pandora
“Daughter,” my father barks at me when we get home that day. “A quick word.”
I’m instantly nervous, and Brazen races up the stairs, probably relieved father doesn’t want a word with him, too. I’m left alone with my father and my heart pounding in my chest.
“What is it?”
“I’ve decided to throw you a birthday party.”
“I thought I was grounded. And my birthday’s already over.”
“Do you want it or not?”
“I…” I hesitate. “I guess, yes.”
“Try to be a little more enthusiastic about it.”
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, looking at the ground.
“It’s tonight,” father informs me. “Everyone will be here. There’s a dress and shoes waiting for you in your room, and Bryony said you can borrow her hair stylist and makeup… person. Be ready to greet the guests at seven p.m.”
“Yes, Father,” I say, quickly making my way up the stairs and away from him when I remember something else and turn around, calling out to him. “Father?”
“Yes?”
“Is there a special reason for this party?”
He smirks at me, and I know he’s got something up his sleeve.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he says cryptically, making my heart beat faster as I nod, heading to my room.
* * *
The dress I’m wearing for the party is made of beautiful scarlet sequins. Bryony’s team worked magic on me, and I know I look good, though I still have no idea why I had to get so glammed up – and why my birthday is suddenly important to father, who couldn’t care less on the actual day of.
The party is boring and uneventful. Everyone is here – all the Firstborns and Secondborns, including their parents. It’s a good chance to meet everyone but I’m too preoccupied with the thought of Dexter. So far, he’s been a no-show, though I wouldn’t be surprised to find out father hasn’t invited him at all. He’s still pissed at him for what he did to me.
Now, father begins to clink a fork against a champagne flute, and everyone gathers in the grand hall, looking at him up on the stairs expectantly.
“My dear guests,” father begins in his booming, deep voice. “As you know, my daughter… Pandora… has celebrated a birthday this past week. I’m delighted to announce some amazing news – and a small change of plans.”
His words are enough to send shivers down my spine. I’m fucking nervous.
“Unfortunately, my daughter’s engagement with Dexter Booth has come to an end,” father goes on, prompting some whispers from the guests, though I’m sure most of them knew already. “But I’m pleased to announce a new engagement – a bond between the Oakes family… and the Brantleys. Come up here, Easton.”
My mouth is agape as my friend from school walks up to my father with a confident smile.
“And now you, my daughter.” Father extends his hand to me in a show of fatherly love, but his gaze tells me everything – I have to obey him or fucking else.
I join the two men on the stairs, nervously fidgeting with my dress.
I’m helpless as Easton pushes a brand-new ring up on my finger, the diamond not as big as Dexter’s, but still impressive in size. The ring feels alien on my hand, and I toy with it nervously. How the hell is Dexter going to take this? He’s going to fucking kill me.
“Looking beautiful as ever.” Easton leans in, leaving a fleeting kiss against my cheek.
It shocks me that I hesitate before pulling away. The boy has put a spell on me, and he looks especially charming today in a custom-cut suit with diamond cufflinks.
Father drones on about the engagement while I try to come to terms with what he’s saying.
“Isn’t this crazy?” I mutter against Easton’s hear as we stand next to my father who is still whining on and on about our engagement. “I can’t believe he’s making us do this.”
“Well… it wasn’t just his idea,” Easton winks at me.
“What do you mean?”
“I told my parents I was interested in you,” he shrugs. “They were more than eager to put in a good word with your father. This is a union that could be beneficial for everyone.”
“Oh, is it?” I tease him. “And that’s all there is to it?”
“Well,” he grins. “I thought you could use someone to protect you from Dexter. And you’re not so bad to look at it.”
It’s not even a compliment yet it’s making me blush. God, everyone’s been so insulting to me here in Eden Falls even the smallest of niceties gets me going these days.
“So let’s hear it for the happy couple!” my father finishes with a flourish just as a figure appears on the doorstep.
My father’s eyes narrow and he puts the microphone down, advancing on the familiar boy standing in the door frame.
“What the hell are you doing here?” my father hisses at him.
“I came to see if you were actually going to go through with this… moment of madness,” Dexter grinds out, giving me a long look that makes my chest, neck and arms flush with embarrassment.
It’s like he thinks this is my fault. Like I’m the one who’s supposed to convince my father he should let me marry Dexter instead. Why on earth would I want to marry my bully? Easton is the better choice. The safer choice.
Still, the intensity of Dex’s gaze makes me avert my eyes, and I feel the shame of it all burning me from deep within.
“Let me handle this,” Easton speaks up from behind me, gently touching my waist before advancing before my father and crossing his path before he’s reached Dex. “What are you doing here, Booth?”
“Getting what’s fucking mine,” Dexter snarls in reply. “This doesn’t concern you, Brantley. We all know you’re just a fucking puppet. A way for this clown to prove he’s still in control.”
“I’m no goddamn clown,” my father roars to life. “And I won’t allow you to make such statements in my home, Booth. There’s a reason you weren’t invited tonight. Now get the hell out.”
“You don’t want to do this,” Dex warns him. “You don’t want to start a war.”
My father hesitates, knowing my ex-fiancé is right. But Easton takes advantage of the lull in the conversation, approaching Dexter and shoving him back.
“I think you’ve overstayed your welcome here, Booth,” Easton tells him loud enough for the whole room to hear – not that he needs more attention on what’s happening, because everybody is already watching what’s going on.
“I don’t think you get to decide that,” Dex throws out, shoving him back. “And don’t you dare lay your filthy fucking paws on me. Do you even know who you’re dealing with?”
“A fucking momma’s boy who can’t get over his dead parents being gone?” Easton asks innocently.
I take a sharp intake of breath. I can’t believe he went that far. Now I’m genuinely afraid for him. Dexter’s going to turn him into fucking pulp.
“You did not just say that,” Dex says calmly. “Take it the fuck back.”
“Make me,” Easton laughs out loud. “Or better yet, just get fucking lost. Nobody wants you here.”
Dexter’s eyes go over Easton’s shoulder, connecting with mine. His gaze isn’t asking for me to do anything, just silently checking whether I agree with Easton’s statement. My stomach is tied into painful knots, and I stare back at Dex, I wonder what he sees in my eyes, because even I don’t know how I feel anymore.
“Fight me,” Dex suddenly says to Easton. “Fight me for her.”
“What?” Easton laughs nervously. “Fight you for… Pandora?”
“That’s right,” Dex snarls. “Unless you already know I’m going to beat your fucking ass. In which case the door’s right over there, kid.”
Easton hesitates, making Dex laugh out loud and taunt him even more. I’m nervous as fuck, and even my father seems worried, motioning to one of the security guards he’s hired for the party to keep an eye on things.
Suddenly, Easton steps forward and shoves Dexter hard, sending him flying into a waiter carrying a platter of champagne flutes. Glass shatters everywhere, one of the shards hitting Dex in the face and sending a red rivulet of blood running down his chiseled cheek.
“You’re going to fucking regret that,” Dexter tells Easton calmly, touching his fingertips to the dark red blood and flicking off the droplets of it.
Then, he’s on him. I watch him beat down on Easton and only moments later do I realize my voice is the one screaming for help. But Dexter doesn’t need any help – it’s Easton who’s in trouble, since he’s no match for the taller, stronger boy who’s beating on him now.
“Father, help him!” I cry out even though my heart is telling me to take care of Dex, not worry about Easton.
But I’m honestly worried if someone doesn’t break this up, Dexter’s going to fucking kill Easton Brantley.
It takes a group of three security guards to get Dexter off my new fiancé. By then, Dexter’s knuckles are bleeding and Easton has taken a bad beating, groaning at the ground as he clutches the side of his face.
I feel like I’m watching someone else’s life play out before my eyes. As Dexter is dragged off, I realize father will never let me be with him again.
Good riddance.
But no matter how many times I repeat those two little words to myself, I still don’t buy them.
I join Easton, using an ice pack one of the maids brought to me to ice his swollen cheek.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell him. “I don’t know what took over him. It was like he was possessed or something.”
“He’s always been like that,” Easton mutters. “Don’t worry, pr
incess. I’ll protect you from him from now on.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, though I don’t really feel thankful at all.
“Come with me,” Easton suggests, getting up with some help from one of the guards. “I want to show you something.”
He leads me out on the terrace while the rest of the party starts bustling again. Looks like we’ve managed not to make it boring after all.
Out on the terrace, Easton awaits me with the background of a starry sky behind him. He looks devastatingly handsome, but my stomach twists in knots, reverberating two single words through my body.
Not Dexter.
Not Dexter.
Not Dexter.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” I ask, if nothing else, then to shut up the voice in my head.
“See that car?” Easton points to a limo parked in the corner.
“Yeah?”
“I arranged for it to take us somewhere.”
“But what about…” I glance over my shoulder at the mingling guests and the inviting glow of the grand hall. “What about my birthday party?”
“You’ll have more,” he winks at me. “Trust me, you’ll like this. Come with me?”
“Okay, I suppose,” I mutter. “This won’t take too long, will it?”
“Only until tomorrow.” Easton grins at me devilishly.
“But my father will be livid…”
“Not the first nor the last time,” Easton winks. “So, are you in or out?”
I hesitate, my mind swimming with thoughts of Dexter. Finally, when I can’t handle it anymore, I whisper, “In.”
Sixteen
Dexter
1 year ago
“I just don’t want it to be true.”
Lily Anna hides her face in her hands as she starts to sob, big fat tears sliding down her blushed cheeks. I find myself thinking how beautiful she looks when she cries. How it makes my dick hard when tears spill down her face so desperately. Then, a feeling of guilt racks my body. Would I have thought this before I found out her father ruined my life? Would it make me throb to know she was in pain then?
A Hurt So Sweet Volume Two: A Dark High School Bully Romance Page 14
