A Shade of Innocence (The Illuminati Book 1)

by Jane West

  Only minutes after I'd entered the house and locked the door behind me, I heard Sara slamming the car door and wheels peeling out.

  I carried myself to bed and climbed in under the covers. I snatched a pillow, burying my face, and cried.

  After thirty minutes passed, the doorbell rang. With dread, I carried myself downstairs, half-expecting Sara.

  When I opened the door, a dark silhouette in a trench coat, khaki colored, with a lopsided grin that spelled trouble, stared back at me.

  Aidan Bane!

  My brows collided. “What are you doing here?”

  He lifted up several Piggly Wiggly bags, held in the grasp of his fingers. “Did you forget something?” His blues bounced with amusement.

  “You still haven't answered my question.”

  “Pardon me for the intrusion, but I believe I am your dinner guest this evening.” His dark brow perked, waving the grocery bags. “I presume these sacks are for tonight.” He stood, devilishly handsome, shoulders ripped, straining against the fabric of his coat.

  “I didn't invite you,” I snapped a little more than I'd intended.

  I could see the humor in his eyes as they gleamed, staring a hole through me. He was laughing at my indifference toward him.

  “Must I beg?”

  I bit my bottom lip, breaking my smile. “I'm not cooking.”

  “Then I shall.” His firm mouth curled, taunting me.

  I blew out a long sigh, flipping a strand of hair from my face as I stepped aside. “Straight to the back!” I leaned on the doorknob, frowning. Though secretly, I kicked myself for the sudden flurry of delight.

  I followed Aidan as he took only a few strides to the kitchen. My steps were a bit slower as I stalled, admiring his tailored fit jeans. Or for a better term, the way he was poured into them. The jeans framed the outline of his thighs and the solid shape of his buttocks. I bit down on my bottom lip, thinking if that strut of his could be bottled and sold to the mass market, there'd be a lot of smiling housewives.

  First shrugging off his coat, and tossing it over a chair, Bane frowned at the broken windowpane in the door. “What happened there,” he nodded.

  I shrugged, “Umm, pancakes and Sara.”

  He eyed me and then at the window and then back to me, with a slight frown. “I'll get someone out here tomorrow to fix it.”

  “No. I'll get it repaired.” I didn't know how. I didn't have a penny to my name.

  “Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it.” His eyes softened.

  “Okay.” I shrugged.

  Bane turned his attention to our dinner. He first washed his hands and then started emptying the bags and laying the items on the kitchen counter to see what was on the menu for the night. He grabbed the frying pan from the box and set it on top of the gas stove. He then popped out a couple of T-bone steaks shelved with butcher paper.

  Next, he foiled a couple of potatoes, tossing them in the oven and turned it on high. Moving right along, he emptied a bag of salad in a large bowl. Next, he threw in a few sprinkles of white cheese, adding croutons and tossing the cold dish to a blend. Then he set the dish in the fridge.

  I watched from the table, impressed that a rich boy knew his way around the kitchen.

  Of course, his other attributes were just as impressive. For a boy who towered over most, shoulders broad and threatening, he was light on his feet, moving with ease like a cat, fluidly and gracefully. His lean muscles flexing underneath his white shirt shot tingles to my toes.

  My mind kept drifting to the last time we were together, the singe of his kisses. I almost wished that he'd pause dinner and usher me to the bedroom before I changed my mind. I snorted to myself. What a weak person I'd become, crumbling in his presence. I felt alive when I was with him, and yet, I didn't feel like I belonged to myself either.

  Then Gina rummaged through my mind. Did I honestly want to know if he was dating another girl? I shook my head. If I believed for one minute this dude liked me more than mere amusement, I was fooling myself. I should end this now, tell him to leave. Though, there was that landlord thingy. That might make things complicated.

  My eyes drifted to his hands, and I wondered…

  All of a sudden, Bane spun around on his heels with two plates full to the brim. My eyes quickly bounced off his fitted jeans and darted to his face. My checks quickly heated. I swore that I'd die of shame if he caught me checking him out.

  He stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. “What? Did I forget something?” He stood holding each plate in his hand, brows arched.

  Yeah, my virginity. Do not breathe that out loud. I warned myself inwardly. “Nope looks swell.” I faked a smile.

  We settled down to eat in the kitchen. The table was as tight as Bane's car. His broad shoulders and height swallowed up the nook. The small table wasn't big enough for two people. Our plates clinked together, and his knees kept brushing mine.

  I found myself liking the coziness.

  It was surprising to me that he didn't seem bothered by our lack of utensils. Short of supplies, we shared the one steak knife. Although there wasn't much sharing. He did all the work, cutting mine up for me and even fed me my first bit. I had to say, it was very sweet and I found myself liking it more than I should.

  I had to admit, the boy didn't disappoint. The steak was delicious.

  Then I thought about Sara. Her hurtful words chapped my butt worse than a dog dragging his ass across a rug. I decided to kick off the night with… “I hear you're dating Gina?” I bit down on a bite of steak a little too hard.

  For a split instant, Bane's eyes mirrored surprise. He recovered quickly as he replied, “Rumors circle this small town rather hastily.” He flashed his tawny dimples. “I think they are a waste of precious breath if you ask me.”

  “I'm not sure you can call it wasteful when you get it straight from the source.”

  A moment of unease had passed before Aidan spoke. “Love, what can I say? I do have to keep up appearances.” He smiled, taking a huge bite of steak.

  I hated his cavalier tone and the fact that he wasn't admitting nor denying. I looked out the window to compose myself, though it didn't do much good. Nighttime had fallen, and I couldn't see anything passed my reflection. A sour, lemony face stared back at me. “My mother came to visit a while ago.” I dropped my gaze to my plate and stabbed a piece of meat. “She was trying to make me more presentable. She bought a dress for the occasion. My mother thinks I'm too plain for a boy like you.” I laid my fork down and lifted my gaze to his. “I want to know why you're here. Clearly, I'm not your type.”

  He followed my lead by laying his fork gently on his plate, and then politely he patted his mouth with his napkin, putting the white linen to the side and rested his hands in his lap. When our gaze latched, his deep blues were far too piercing. “Sara doesn't see you through my eyes,” he almost whispered.

  Confusion plagued my mind. I couldn't be sure, if he was teasing me or if he was serious. I responded as any logical female… “Huh?”

  “Why do you do this to yourself?”

  “Do what to myself?”

  “Your mother… is she always so abrupt with you?”

  “Abrupt?”

  “Yes. I think you don't give yourself enough credit. Most girls in your position would've taken up drugs and prostitution.”

  “Like Gina,” I snapped.

  “Gina serves a purpose,” he replied with dark irony.

  “Purpose, like how,” I pushed.

  “Must you insist on the answer to that?” The ire in his voice hummed in the air.

  I shook my head, annoyed with his eschewal, “Why Gina, of all people? There are a hundred other girls to date other than her!”

  “Why do you think I'm seeing Gina?”

  “Even Sara knows.” I shrugged. “If you are, you are. Just own it.” I hated myself for acting like a jealous girlfriend, but I couldn't stop myself.

  “I'm not seeing Gina. She asked for a ride home. I
was at Mother Blues playing pool with my cousin. Gina had been drinking. She and her friend, Sally, got into a tiff. Sally left her ass stranded without a ride. I simply gave the girl a ride home.”

  “Aren't you the gallant one?” I suddenly wasn't hungry any longer. The air became thick and guilt riddled my mind. I'd ruined the night with my petty jealousy. If he hadn't strayed before, I was certain he would now.

  His fingers strummed the table. A tense moment of quiet had drifted between us before he responded, “I remember Gina's comment concerning your father.” He paused. His blues were intense, striking my heart, “She behaved maliciously.”

  My chin dipped down as I bit back the urge to cry. “I recall that day. Under the tall oak, you called me miserable.”

  A sardonic smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “Love, you are mistaken. It was later that day during the ride to your home is when I made that comment.”

  “Whatever! You still said it.” My patience teetered on the edge.

  There was a faint glint of humor in his eyes. “Look, we didn't have the most pleasant beginning.” He gathered to his feet and made his way to me. I glanced up into his face as he kneeled before me, gently taking my chin into his palm. His eyes stopped on the edge of my jaw.

  His tone abruptly dripped into anger. “You're bruised and marked.” His arctic glare forced me to look away. “Who did this to you?”

  I jerked my face away. “It's nothing.” I tried to pull myself to my feet, but Bane rested his hands on my waist, keeping me seated.

  “Did Sam do this?”

  I caught a spark of rage in his eyes.

  I shrugged. “No.”

  Bane leaned back on his haunches. His blues darkened as he realized, “Sara!” His lips tightened.

  Swiftly, he gathered to his feet, dragging me with him as he gripped my upper arm. “Go pack your things! You're coming to my place. I'll have Jeffery come for the rest of your things tomorrow.”

  “Why do I have to go with you?”

  “I'm not leaving you here alone.” He growled.

  “It's okay! I'm used to Sara.” I tried not to make such a big deal out of it. “My mom is bi-polar.” I pushed his hands away. “If she were on her meds, she would've never touched me.”

  He half twisted his shoulder from me, raking his fingers through his coal hair, sighing with frustration. He turned back to me. His fingers gently grazed my cheek. “Look at me.”

  At first, I resisted, I couldn't bear looking at his pity. After a moment, I slowly lifted my gaze to him. “I can't stay with you,” I whispered, pushing down the knot in my throat. “If my mother blew up over me riding in a car with you, what will she do if I move in with you?”

  “She won't bother you, I promise. I'll have a Fort Knox of protection.”

  Bane was only offering out of pity. “I appreciate your kindness, but Sara is my mom, and I have to deal with her myself.”

  His blues became harsh. “How well is that working for you,” he growled, stalking over to the fridge and opening it. His eyes combed over the selves. Only a few items stared back at him, a piece of pie and a covered bowl of gumbo, courtesy of Ms. Noel. Bane spun on his heels, turning his blaze at me. “This isn't living!” he shouted. Then he bolted to the cabinetry and started opening one door after another. “Your cupboards are empty! How are you surviving?” He turned his heated gaze back at me.

  Swooned with pain, anger, embarrassment and simply realizing he was right, tears filled my eyes. “What do you expect me to do?” I wiped the tears from my face with the back of my hand. “I'm not rich like you!”

  The inflexibility in Bane's blue eyes stole my breath. I flinched as he roughly swung me into his arms. “I know things have been difficult for you, but I had no idea it was this bad.” His heated breath taunted my cheeks.

  By the glint in his eyes, I knew he was judging me as though I was a stray dog, homeless and pitiful. I didn't want him to look at me like that. I wanted him to see me as his equal, but that was a far-fetched pipedream. How could he ever see me other than trailer trash? I was nothing, had nothing! Even the clothes I wore were rags compared to his.

  I jerked from his embrace. “I manage. I always have,” I bit out sharply, trembling.

  He slung his arm out, pointing to the empty cabinets. “This is not managing!”

  “Look!” My eyes caught his storm-riddled blues. “Sara is my problem.”

  “She's not any longer. I'm taking you home with me!”

  “Aidan, I don't need you saving me!” My heart pounded my chest. “I plan on looking for a job tomorrow. I can take care of myself.”

  “Starving is not taking care of yourself?”

  He was right. This wasn't living, worrying about bills and food. “I can't stay at your place. Sara works for your parents.” I drew my arms around my waist.

  “Come again?” His dark brows shot up.

  “Didn't your parents tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Sara said your parents hired her to watch over you, a guardian. I assumed she was telling the truth. She was driving one of your cars.”

  “Princess, my parents and I are estranged and have been for some time. I have staff that provides my needs.” His words had a ring of truth. “As for any car of Sara's, it is not one of mine. I assure you.”

  “I don't understand. Sara has to be working for you. Where would she get the money to buy all this food and drive a Ferrari?”

  “I don't know what she has told you, but I can assure you that she does not work for me and never has.”

  “You said yourself that you had my expenses covered.”

  His brows drew in a puzzling frown. “What does that have to do with Sara?”

  “I assumed you were deducting the cost from her paycheck.”

  “Princess, I've been paying your rent and utilities since you moved in this house.” His jaw tightened. “It was a prior arrangement with our families.”

  I stepped back, my eyes bright with shock. “What?”

  “Look!” Bane's lips tightened. He stepped forward. Resting is hands on my shoulders. “I see Sara hasn't told you about the arrangement.”

  “What arrangement?”

  “Stevie—” He stopped in midsentence.

  “Oh, my God!” I saw it in his eyes. “What has my mother done,” I screamed at him.

  “Look,” he paused, “I'm sorry to break this to you.” Behind his eyes, I saw undeniable regret.

  “Explain what?”

  He stepped closer, but I backed into the table. I didn't want him touching me.

  “Can you calm down and have a seat? We need to talk.” He gestured with his palm to one of the chairs.

  I ignored his offer, my feet stayed planted to the floor. There was no need to explain. I already knew. “My mother sold me to you,” I barely whispered as the tears welled. Before he could answer, I exploded, “Leave my house at once!”

  Bane stood there speechless, staring back at me. His face pinched. I must've disgusted him. He started to reach for me, but then he retracted, dropping his hand to his side. His throat bobbed, swallowing. I assumed he was holding back his distaste for me.

  Without a word, he spun on his heels and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

  Doused with rage, pain and my heart ripping in two, with one sweep, I knocked the dishes off the table sending them flying across the floor. Food splattered down the walls as I stood there with tears running down my cheeks. Always angry, always crying, when would I ever catch a break? I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand. I couldn't stay in this house another second. I rushed for my keys and darted to the garage.

  Wayward Woes

  Minutes later, I was in my car heading full speed down the dark back roads, putting the house and my thoughts of Bane behind me.

  I was utterly mortified. How could my own mother betray me? It was unfathomable. Sold to the highest bidder… Bane! What Sara had done was no different than sex trafficking.
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  Nothing made sense. Why the nice guy then? I mean, why all the trouble, acting like a gentleman? He'd paid for services already. I didn't understand. That night he stayed over, he could've had his way, but he didn't.

  Sara was right. I wasn't pretty enough for him and I'd never be good enough for him either! I hated my freakin' weakness! I wished I didn't care about him but I did and I didn't know how to stop.

  Just curious, I wondered how much was my worth? Suddenly the picture of that expensive car that Sara rolled up in and all those groceries popped into my head. I can't believe anyone would pay that much money for a one-night stand.

  Pfff, pleaseeee!

  I drove to Mother Blues. I needed a distraction or alcohol. Since I was too young to buy the stuff, apart from being penniless and the fact that I hated it, I decided pool would be the safer alternative. The worst thing that could happen was me getting hit in the head with a pool ball, right?

  I spotted Jen's car and parked in a spot next to her car.

  Jen always managed to make me laugh and right now, I needed a heavy dose of giggles.

  When I passed through the glass doors, I noted the place was packed. I scan the area to make sure I didn't catch one dark head that stood out among the others. After a quick glimpse, my lungs eased. Good! No sign of Bane.

  I spotted Jen sitting in the far back corner by the last pool table. She and Sam seemed to be in a heavy conversation. That's new! I never thought I'd see that. Jen hated Sam.

  I made my way over to her, “Hey, girl!” I forced a smile.

  “Hey! Long time no see, homey!” Jen jumped up and hugged me. I hugged her back.

  “I know. Sorry!” I shrugged. My eyes fell on Sam's face. “Hi Sam,” I spoke with less excitement.

  “Hello, Chickadee!” He leaned over and hugged me. “Why the long face?” He grabbed up his pool stick.

  I shrugged. “I don't know. It's Sunday?” A weak excuse but still an excuse.

  “I know something that will lift your spirits.” Sam carried a grin that stretched from ear to ear.