Sweetened Suffering (Sweet Treats Book 2)

by Charity B.

“What? What happened with Sasha?”

  “Ask her yourself, I’m done with this conversation.”

  He grabs my arm. “Tankene før hjertet. Mind before heart, Son. Please, think about what you’re doing. There will be other girls.”

  I pull my arm free and go inside. I haven’t had much respect for my father for a long time and now I think I lost the rest of it.

  Tuesday, June 23rd

  It’s not even seven and it’s already so hot out that Sasha and Tavin barely let Timothy walk in the door before they drag him off to go swimming. It’s days like this when I dread wearing a suit. I drape my jacket over my arm because I’m sure as hell not putting it on until I have to.

  Splashing and laughing greets me as I slide open the patio door.

  “Marco!” Timothy’s eyes are squeezed shut and his giant arms are outstretched, while the girls try to throw him off by splashing and quickly swimming away.

  “Polo!” They yell together as he lunges for Sasha.

  I hold my hands up in a T. “Hey, guys, time out. I’m leaving for work.”

  Tavin doggy paddles to climb up the ladder and jogs over to me. Her lips are wet and her hair is dripping onto my shirt as she kisses me goodbye.

  From that moment on, my day is packed.

  I have a meeting as soon as I get into the office and a ton of paperwork that needs my signature. After my lunch meeting with a contractor to discuss some options for Vulture Sports, I’ll need to focus my attention on a few financial issues.

  It’s almost three by the time I finally get back to the office. I barely step off the elevator when Jacob, my new assistant, comes rushing over to me. He’s a dorky little dude with glasses way too big for his face, and so far, he’s the best assistant I’ve ever had.

  “Hi, Jacob.” I take the files from his hands and he seems nervous. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m sorry, I somehow missed that you had a meeting this afternoon. I never put it on your schedule and now he’s waiting in your office. I apologize, sir.”

  “It’s fine, Jacob. I know who it is. Hold all my calls and if you need anything, go to Silas until I’m done.”

  He nods and pushes up his glasses. “Of course, Mr. Sørensen.”

  We’re considering a twenty-one and over Vulture location above a popular bar in Copetown, I just wasn’t expecting the owner, Mr. Keller, until next week. Smoothing out my suit, I push open my office door and prepare to apologize for the delay.

  The words never make their way from my lips because the man in my office is not Mr. Keller, and seeing him in the flesh makes my throat feel blocked with cotton. He sits behind my desk smiling as though we’re old friends. A five second fantasy of grabbing the ice pick from the bar and stabbing him between the eyes jumps across my mind, when he stands to his feet.

  “Hello, Alexander. Thank you for seeing me.” Like I had a damn choice. Holding his hand out to the chair in front of my desk, he says, “Please.” As if this is his fucking office. He wants it to piss me off, and while it absolutely does, I’m sure as hell not playing these games. I remain silent and standing as he sits back down and asks, “Do you know who I am?”

  I focus on pushing all my weight through my feet to stay grounded, so I don’t do something I’ll regret. It feels as if I have lava burning through my vocal chords, so I’m relieved at the strength in my voice when I answer him.

  “I know exactly who you are, Mr. James.”

  “Call me Logan. Formalities are a bit farcical at this point, don’t you think?” I say nothing as I cross my arms. “Now, I’m sure Bjørn taught you that it isn’t polite to touch someone’s things without asking.”

  I REFUSE TO GIVE HIS patronizing tone the satisfaction of any more than a scoff, as the facade of his friendliness slips away. Though his voice remains calm, I swear his hazel eyes brighten when he leans forward and clasps his hands on my desk.

  “Where the fuck is my Lotus?”

  My throat is as scratchy as sandpaper when I swallow, to make sure my words come out clear. “There’s not a chance in hell I’m letting you anywhere near her again, you sick motherfucker.”

  Acting as if he didn’t hear me, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a clear bag of white powder, sprinkling it across my desk. Is this asshole serious? He straightens the line with one of my business cards and he speaks as if he’s never been more bored.

  “While your gumption may be a positive trait in most situations, I assure you this is not one of them.” He leans forward and after one quick inhale, the powder is gone. Retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket, he rubs his nose and returns the drugs to his jacket. “I’m not a snake you want to poke, and my relationship with your father will not take you much further.”

  “You stole my sister’s sobriety.” Remorse is nowhere to be seen in his smug face. “You’re welcome to do your worst. I’ll never hand her over to a rapist and a pedophile.”

  For the first time, he bristles. His lip lifts into a snarl as the veins in his neck pulsate with silent fury. “I will get my toy back, Alexander. I’ve burned down bigger cities for less.”

  Everyone in my life that he could hurt, Sasha, Cara Jo, my mother…I can’t protect them all. He speaks of Tavin as if she’s his merchandise and the words slide out of my lips before I can process the thought.

  “What if I pay for her?”

  His eyebrows raise as his lips lift into a smirk. “You want to make a purchase? Now that’s something else entirely.”

  “How much?”

  He straightens his suit sleeves as well as himself, while he contemplates his answer. “You were in possession of Sweet Girl for a month, then of course the additional two weeks she spent with your little look a-like. The time, loss, and effort that has gone into the multiple missed playdates and my search for the product…Then of course there’s the matter of the base financial value…” He does the math in his head and I’m in awe at how he can talk about her this way. “I’ve known your father a long time, and therefore I’m feeling quite generous. Let’s just say an even six.”

  I don’t have a clue if I’m able to hide the fact that my heart drops. This is going to be a huge financial hit. Of course it’s not a question of being worth it, but damn.

  “Done. I’ll have it in your account by the end of the week.”

  He buttons his suit jacket as he stands. “I’ll have a contract sent over by five this evening.”

  What’s the point of a contract? I’m pretty sure that shit won’t hold up in court. His nonchalance at this whole situation repulses me.

  “Answer me one question. Six million is worth that, don’t you think?” He tilts his head in curiosity as he nods at me to continue. “How could you do it? She was just a little girl, she was so young. How could you do those things to her?”

  A slow, big smile stretches across his entire face as he chuckles, “You think she’s tight now?” There’s no possibility of covering up my horror as he laughs and walks to the door to leave. “Enjoy your new plaything, Alexander.”

  That’s it? Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but that went exactly six million times easier than I assumed it would.

  “So that’s the end of it? She’s free?”

  Once again, his body stiffens as his eyes flash. “That’s entirely up to you.”

  He waits for my response, so I nod at him and four seconds later I’m alone. As he shuts the door, my body collapses into the chair he wanted me to sit in.

  I can’t believe it’s really over.

  As the day goes on, I get more excited about the Logan threat being eliminated. My chest loosens and I feel more relaxed than I have in weeks. I float through the afternoon and Silas even comments on my mood when he meets me at the elevator.

  “Are you stoned or something? You seem really happy for someone who’s supposed to be going through some kind of personal crisis.”

  Smiling at the receptionist, I walk toward the back hall for our board meeting. “Actually, there was an interesting
development today that changed things drastically.”

  “Does any of this have to do with Sasha? She keeps skirting around why she’s staying with you. This can’t all be because of the pimp guy.”

  “She must have her reasons for not telling you, Silas.”

  He steps in front of me. “Come on. We’ve been best friends for almost twenty years. I’ve always been here for you guys, don’t you think I deserve to know what’s going on with you two?”

  “Look, Sasha and I are finally getting our relationship back and I really don’t want to piss her off, so let’s just say she and Drew are having issues and leave it at that for now, alright?”

  He huffs as I pull open the glass doors of the board room and he follows me inside.

  The meeting runs long because Jefferson doesn’t ever know when to shut up, and I still have some things to wrap up before I can head home. I open my e-mails, deleting what is unnecessary, when I see one with an attachment sent by Logan.

  Bill of Sale

  This bill of sale is made and effective June 23, 2015

  BETWEEN: Logan James (the “Seller”)

  841 E. Blankenfort Ln.

  Shadoebox City, California 95474

  AND: Alexander Sørensen (the “Buyer”)

  286 E. Wharton Rd.

  Shadoebox City, California 95475

  The Seller hereby sells and transfers possession of the following product in their present condition and location to the Buyer.

  (1) Sweet Girl – Tavin Winters

  Ethnicity: Caucasian

  Hair color: Brown

  Age: 23 years old

  Virginal: No

  Use: Slight to moderate

  Damage: Mild to moderate wear and tear

  In payment of the sum $6,000,000.00 the sufficiency of which acknowledged, the undersigned (the Seller) Logan James hereby sells and transfers to (the Buyer) Alexander Sørensen the described property above.

  The Seller warrants that he has good title to said product, with full authority to sell and transfer.

  The Buyer acknowledges examining the product and buying it “as is” at the Buyer’s risk and agrees not to make any claims against the Seller based on alleged express or implied representations.

  This bill of Sale is executed in duplicate on 6/23/15 signed and delivered to the Buyer.

  BUYER

  ____________________________

  Authorized Signature

  ____________________________

  Print Name and Title

  SELLER

  Logan James

  Authorized Signature

  Logan James Rissa Corp. CEO

  Seeing my name on this ‘Bill of Sale’ makes me nauseous. ‘Slight to moderate’ use? He’s fucking insane.

  I do what I have to do and sign the pointless contract before sending it back to him. The guilt over the fact that I just paid money for a person is tangled with the relief that he’s agreeing to leave her alone.

  I swear my heart is beating at double its normal speed, by the time I pull into my garage. This is huge. That’s why I don’t understand why there’s trepidation still lurking in the back of my mind. I tell myself it’s only nerves because this is nothing short of incredible.

  The amazing smells that greet me as I walk into the kitchen have me licking my lips. Timothy is reading a Dean Koontz novel and Sasha’s sketching at the island, yet Tavin is nowhere to be seen.

  “Welcome home, Mr. Sørensen,” Timothy says, as he closes the book and smiles.

  “It’s weird for you to call me that in my home. Please, call me Alex.”

  He nods at me as Sasha’s pencil keeps swiping at the page, when she answers the question I don’t even have to ask.

  “She’s upstairs changing out of her swimsuit, and showering.” She adds a few final lines before closing her sketch book. “I’m actually gonna do the same.” She playfully punches Timothy in the arm. “Later, Flounder.”

  I slip off my jacket and pull down a glass with a questioning grin. “Flounder?”

  He rolls his eyes and smirks. “She’s making fun of my name. She says ‘Flounder’ fits me better than ‘Shark’.”

  “She always thought she was hilarious.” He chuckles as I ask, “Hey, would you and Todd like to come out with us tonight? I would like to meet him.”

  He stands and scoots the bar stool beneath the bar. “We would enjoy that. Let me talk to him and I’ll let you know.”

  “Great. If you guys decide you can make it, meet us at The Necco Room sometime after eight.”

  He pulls his keys out of his jeans pocket and holds out his hand for a shake. “Maybe we’ll see you later then.”

  He lets himself out as I pour my drink and wait for her.

  I’m polishing off my second glass when I hear her coming down the stairs. She jumps off the last step with Blind Mag in tow and her face brightens into her beautiful smile when she sees me.

  She breaks into a run and my tongue suddenly swells up. How do I tell her, that after all this time, she never has to be scared of Logan James again? My lips begin moving before my mind gets around to processing it.

  “You’re free of him, Lille.”

  She freezes in her path so abruptly, Blind Mag runs past her. She looks as if speaking is agonizing as she whispers, “What?”

  Why is this so hard to say? I should be telling her in an excited rush. “He let you go.”

  Instead of the happiness I was expecting, her face reads only confusion. “That makes no sense. He wouldn’t ‘let me go’. That isn’t how Logan operates.”

  This is the part. This is the part I didn’t want to say, I just didn’t realize it until now.

  “I made a deal with him.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  “I, uh…I…paid him.”

  Her eyes are the first thing to break my heart; the way her body sways back as if the words physically touch her, is the second. She falls to her knees and places her hands on her thighs. When she looks up at me, it isn’t her looking into my eyes. Her body is hollow and Tavin is gone. The girl in front of me is a ghost.

  My voice sounds furious, when what I really am is horrified. “Tavin, get the fuck up.”

  “Yes, Alexander.” Her voice is monotone as she quickly stands to her feet.

  No, she can’t do this. She can’t see it this way, see me this way.

  I close the gap between us and pull her to my chest. I don’t know what to do, how to help her. I cup my hands around her face so she’s looking at me and smooth her hair back.

  “I bought time, not you. I can’t pretend to imagine how this feels for you. I didn’t know what else to do. I just wanted you to feel safe. Please…” I softly press my lips to hers, “Please know this was just a means to an end. You are and always will be my equal.” She stares at me as her mind is clearly processing all of this. “Say something.”

  “You’re my…owner.”

  “I am not. I’m not your owner and you most certainly are not my plaything. I am your friend, your lover, and you…” I press my forehead to hers, “You are my Lille.”

  “Can I leave?”

  It feels like a steel cannonball drops in my stomach. She’s leaving me over this? What the fuck else was I supposed to do?

  I stand straight without pulling away from her. “If that’s what you want, then yes.”

  She nods and softly smiles when she wraps her arms around my waist. “Okay.” Okay? What does that mean? “I believe you.” She whispers it against my chest as she squeezes me tighter. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

  “What doesn’t?”

  “That Logan just sold me to you, easy as that. That isn’t like him.” She shakes her head. “This doesn’t feel right.”

  “It only feels that way because you haven’t absorbed it yet. Give it a few days to sink in.”

  “I don’t know…I don’t trust him.”

  I pick her up and sit her on the island so we are closer to eye level. “You do
n’t have to trust him, I’m asking you to trust me. We can finally be together for real this time.”

  She still doesn’t seem completely convinced. “Okay, Lex.”

  I kiss her cute little nose. “After dinner, how would you like to go out?”

  That brightens her right up. “Okay!” She jumps off the counter and picks up Blind Mag. “I better go change.”

  She bounces up the steps, and I’d bet the Alfa, that she’s taking two at a time. She’s been sober for the last couple of days and I’m sure she’s more than ready to change that.

  Maybe allowing her to drink when she has her drug addictions isn’t the most intelligent choice on my part. However, if an alcohol buzz here and there is enough to keep her from looking for a high, then I’m all for it.

  Sasha comes down a moment later towel drying her hair. “Tavin said you guys are going out tonight?”

  “We have a lot to celebrate.”

  She raises her eyebrows. “Oh, do we, now? Two years sobriety was forcibly taken away from me by the guy who wants to kill your girlfriend, and let’s see…oh yeah, I got kicked out of my apartment and have to cancel my wedding. So sure, I totally see your point.”

  As important as keeping Tavin safe is, Sasha is also high on my list of priorities, and even though she’s handling this situation with grace, she has to be struggling.

  “I know, Sash. How are you holding up?”

  She exhales out of her nose. “Honestly, better than I expected and it’s easier without my old connections. I’m just so angry those two years are worthless now.”

  I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her to me. “They aren’t worthless, Sasha. I’m so fucking proud of you.” She smiles and hugs me back. “What about Drew? Are you okay with that?”

  She smiles the fake smile she used to use around our parent’s friends. “I have to be. And I think it’s true what they say about not knowing what you have until it’s gone. I’m not nearly as heartbroken as I should be.”