“I’ll go out for dinner then.”
“You’ll what?” I caught myself shouting.
“Damien, I need to go out, be seen. I can’t better my career by sitting in some disgusting condo cracking crab. I thought you knew that.” She shook her head and looked out the car window.
“Alana, we’re not here to work. We’re here so you can meet my family, and we can look for our own place. It won’t hurt you not to be seen out clubbing or dining for a few days.”
“But—”
“I don’t want to hear anymore.”
And I didn’t.
Brittney was watching a movie when we walked in. She immediately put it on pause and rushed over to hug me.
“How’s my CEO?” I kidded her as she broke free.
“Great, now that I’m off for four days.” She turned to Alana. “Hi Alana. Dad showing you around?” Smart girl. Brittney said nothing about her hair or lip job.
“Yes.”
“What you got there?” she asked, pointing to the Styrofoam cooler.
“Dungeness.”
“Yum.”
“Britt?” Alana interjected. “I think I’m staying in your bedroom. Do you need anything out of there? I’d really like to lie down for a while. All that fresh air’s given me a headache.”
“Sure. Let me grab a few things.”
I watched my daughter roll her eyes at me as she headed down the hall. Britt had obviously talked with her sister.
“Headache, huh?” Headache, my ass.
“Yes. It just came on. I’ll be fine in a while. I’ll take something and lie down for a bit.”
“Yeah, you do that. By then, dinner will be ready.”
“I told you. I’m not cracking those disgusting crabs.”
“Then, I guess you’ll be going hungry.”
“No, I’ll go out.”
“Alana—”
“It’s all yours, Alana. I left some Advil on the nightstand for your headache.” Britt yelled from down the hall.
“Excuse me. I’m going to get a bottle of water and lie down.”
I said nothing. Instead, I turned away from her. Otherwise, I might not be responsible for what came out of my mouth, and I didn’t want my daughter subjected to it.
Kids though, especially mine, pick up on everything, and since their mother left, we don’t hide anything from each other.
“You okay, Dad?”
“Me? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“Uh, I don’t know. It might just be the drop in temperature when Alana opened her mouth. Oh, and what’s with her lips and hair?”
“I have no idea, Britt.”
“You wanna talk?”
“No, not here. It’s what she thinks we’re doing anyway. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.”
“How about we go for a sail? Just a short one. Maybe by the time we get back Alana will be feeling better.”
“Yeah, come on. That sounds like just what I need. Let me tell Alana we’re leaving.”
“I’ll get ready and grab some munchies and drinks.”
I nodded and headed down the hall. The door was closed, so I tried to open it. Locked. What the hell? I tapped on it softly. No response.
“Alana, I know you’re awake. Britt and I are going sailing so you’ll have some quiet.”
No response. I turned and went into the kitchen. Britt was packing up a canvas bag. I dug through a drawer for a piece of paper and black marker.
“What’s that for?” my smarter-than-the-average-kid asked.
“Just letting Alana know where we’ve gone in case she gets up before we get back.”
“Oh, okay.”
I wrote everything out and with thumbtack in hand I posted it on the wall directly across from the bedroom. No way would she be able to miss that. Then, I changed my shoes, grabbed a cap, and headed back to where Britt stood patiently waiting.
“Come on, let’s go sailing,” I said.
****
We worked in relative silence preparing the boat. Hooking the sails up, doing a checklist. The three of us had been doing this long enough we had an established pattern of who did what. If one wasn’t there, the other two took up the slack.
I sat and watched Britt navigate us out of the marina and into the sound. It was hard to believe this was the same person standing in front of me. It seemed like just yesterday she’d been a little girl as she helped me steer the boat.
I nodded to her when we got out far enough and pressed the automatic winch, letting the sails go smoothly up. They furled in the slight breeze. It wasn’t perfect sailing weather, but perhaps we could get in an hour or so.
“I’m going to say something, Dad. Just listen to me until I’m through.”
“Okay, deal.”
“Court and I don’t think you’re as happy with Alana as you were the last time we saw you together. Something’s different. Her, for one. She’s changed her looks, and seems much more aloof than before. If you’re having second thoughts, no one will say a thing. But do it now. Before you get married.”
“Right now, all I want to do is get through tomorrow, and then she and I will talk.”
“That’s what I’m saying. If you don’t want to go through with this wedding, no one’s going to say a thing tomorrow. We’ll just have an excuse for having a party. Why wait until after to talk to her if you’re that miserable.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Britt. My gut is telling me to back off. Even her own brother saw through her.”
“Is that what started you having second thoughts?”
“Yeah, that and when she tried to put off coming out here. Until we started this family stuff and letting them know of our intentions, she was another person. Now, I hardly know her.”
“Have you talked to Uncle Daniel about her again?”
“No, but it might not be a bad idea, considering.”
“Considering what?”
“What she looks like, the changes. She even thinks she has to have a wedding planner. Why, if it’s only going to be family?”
“Another detail to go over with her.”
“Exactly.”
The wind picked up, and our conversation was forgotten for more nautical ones.
When we arrived back at the condo, it was dark. I hadn’t realized we’d been gone that long. But then, I never kept track of time when I was sailing. I flipped on the hall light as we shut the door.
Pinned to the wall in front of me was a note from Alana. I pulled it down. Britt, having seen it, said nothing. She took the bag back into the kitchen to unpack.
Damien,
My head is better. I’ve gone out for dinner. After, I thought I’d check out that club. I’ll be back in time to go to the party. Love you bunches.
Alana xxx
Fine. Let her go do what she wants. If she thinks she’s showing me she can assert control, fine.
I walked into the kitchen in search of a beer. Britt was pulling out the crabs wrapped in newspaper.
“And?”
I handed her the note. She shook her head. “Let me guess, the club in Bellevue that’s gotten itself famous because of all the out-of-town celebrities that show up.”
“That’s the one.”
“Well, more crab for you, me, and Court. She texted. She’s on her way.”
“Good. An evening with my daughters. Perfect.”
****
I was awakened by the sound of one very drunk Alana pounding on the front door. I rushed to it.
“Keep it down, Alana. The girls are asleep.”
“Shhhh.” She giggled. Her stilettos were in one hand. Hell, she could barely walk.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” I led her down the hall, toward Britt’s bedroom.
“I want to sleep in your bed, Dame.”
Shaking my head and against my better judgment, I led her into my room, shutting the door behind us. Surely, she’d pass out as soon as her head hit the pillow. No such luck. She stripped
off her clothes, letting them fall on the floor and climbed up on the bed.
Alana was a lush when she got drunk like this. She was also sexy as all get out. I knew she was horny as hell as she rubbed herself up against me.
I covered her mouth with mine. I didn’t have to wait for her to kiss me back. She tasted like liquor and cigarettes. The second, I could live without, and I would overlook it for now. Alana and I had a chemistry between us. We clicked.
I moved my hand down to her thigh and slid my palm between her legs. She was a bundle of hot sex.
She threw her head back when I touched her. I found what I was after and began, skimming back and forth with my fingers. Her breathing increased. I covered her mouth again and inserted two fingers. She was wet. Too wet, it felt like. No, she wouldn’t do that to me. Forgetting that nasty thought, I stroked her, matching the pace with my tongue. I had her on the edge of an orgasm as she rode my hand.
I muffled her cries with my mouth and slowed the pace down. So far, so good.
“My turn, Alana.”
She bathed in the afterglow of her pleasure. She sighed and got to her knees. As she touched my cock, I thrust into her hand. Pulling me closer, she gripped my shaft and stroked. My eyes closed, I felt the softness of her tongue as she slid it over the tip. God, she knew how to do me.
Then, it came back to me. She’d been with someone tonight. Only a fool wouldn’t know.
I pushed her off me. “You need to go sleep in Britt’s room.”
“What? Why? I thought you liked this? We were just getting started, baby.” She was good, but it wasn’t going to work. Not tonight.
I jumped out of bed and grabbed her clothes. I took her by the hand, leading her to the room across the hall. I had to get a grip. I had to figure out what was going on with her. And I needed to do it now.
Chapter Four
We arrived at Amadeus and Zara’s home around two in the afternoon. Alana, having been hung over, refused to get up any earlier than she absolutely had to. I sent the girls on ahead. Courtney was bringing this Jake fellow, and I didn’t want them anywhere around if Alana got nasty.
I grabbed a beer and took it down the hall to the bathroom where she was getting ready. “Here, drink this. It might make you feel better.”
She nodded and continued with what she was doing. Instead of leaving, I stood at the doorway and watched.
“So was the club as nice as they claim?”
“Yes, we really need to go. It’s very New Yorkish.”
“How’d you get there?”
“I took a cab. I found a restaurant over there that was highly rated and had dinner first.”
“Good. Glad you had a nice time.”
I watched as she took a long swallow off the beer before I asked my next question. “So, how’d you get home? Cab again?”
She nodded her head.
Liar. I’d already checked with the security desk downstairs. They had her logged in as coming in at three in morning, brought by a dude that matched Tony to a “t.” But I’d save that little bit of ammunition in case I needed it later. “Well, hurry up. We need to get going.”
The ferry ride, along with the car ride, was pretty quiet. I had to insist she go up top and get some air.
As we walked up to Amadeus’s front door, I leaned down. “Try to act like you’re having a good time.”
We were greeted by almost all the adults. Amadeus, I noted, was down on the beach refereeing a game.
Elizabeth, Amadeus and Zara’s daughter, came running over to me when she realized I’d arrived. I picked her up and squeezed her, making her giggle uncontrollably. She eyed Alana with caution.
“Hello, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stared at her. Kids…yeah, they know.
“Elizabeth,” Zara exclaimed, “let Uncle Damien introduce Alana to everyone. Then you can pester him.” She took the toddler from me, who was still studying Alana with keen interest.
“Everyone outside on the deck?”
“Yes. Except for the kids, and that includes Amadeus.”
I showed Alana through the house. As we went outside, I introduced her to everyone. She was gracious enough. Cool, but nice. I went over to the bar to get us both a beer. Alana was already deep in conversation with Peter.
Of course. He’s a music icon. If he wasn’t, she’d be ignoring him too. I looked over at my mother, who was taking it all in. One thing about my mother--it takes her about two seconds to come up with her assessment of a person. She was rarely ever wrong.
Handing Alana the beer, I sat down next to her.
“How are you liking Seattle, Alana?” Mother asked.
My fiancé turned away from Peter. Her face, to me, showed she didn’t approve of the interruption. Oh boy. Strike one, Alana.
“Fine. It’s very different,” she replied, turning back to Peter. Peter, luckily, was being dragged away by one of Angus’s kids. He went willingly down the stairs and toward the beach.
“Granddad duty,” he said as he followed Destiny.
“Have fun. Tell that wimp of a brother we’ll be down shortly.”
Not to be left out, Angus chimed right in, “So, Alana, has Dame taken you sailing yet?”
“No, we haven’t been yet. He’s been showing me around.”
“Maybe we can talk Amadeus into taking us out later on his. She’s moored right over there.” He pointed to the mast bobbing up and down in the water.
She nodded, taking a drink of her beer. I could tell by the look on his face he knew what had transpired the day before. He was baiting her.
My mother was sitting back in her chair observing everything. Mother had always been overprotective where I was concerned. She had good reason, I suppose. I’d had a rough patch for a number of years, and she wasn’t about to let me go without not only her approval, but her concerns being voiced.
First, I’d had a stroke. I had been barely thirty when it had happened. It had taken years and years of rehab and hard work on my part before I was able to walk or carry on normally. I’d lost my band, and ultimately, my first marriage.
My first marriage was the other biggie. Mother had seen me left with two teenage girls and nothing else. The house, this house, would have been lost if it hadn’t been for my brother and Zara.
I’d talked with Alana on many occasions about what I’d gone through. She didn’t seem to fathom the severity of it all. Come to think of it, she didn’t really act like she cared.
Mother saw it differently—as a mother who’d nearly lost her oldest cub. And who would go to great lengths to see me unhurt by another woman.
She caught the sparkle of the engagement ring I’d given Alana and used it as her opening. “Oh, Damien gave you a ring. May I see it?” she asked sweetly.
Alana stuck her hand over in Mother’s direction. “We’re going to replace this when we get back to London,” she quietly lied. “Damien just wanted to give me something to wear while we were here.”
“I don’t know why you’d want to replace it, Alana. It’s really quite beautiful.”
Angus cleared his throat. “Hey, Dame, why don’t we let the ladies chat about wedding plans? Let’s go see what A’s got going on.”
Mother jumped on the idea, giving Alana no out. “Yes, go on, you two. Go have some fun. Alana and I will sit here and get to know each other.”
“Okay,” I replied, kissing Alana on the cheek. “Come on down when you two are finished. A’s got jet skis and a powerboat. All sorts of fun stuff.” I followed my younger brother down the stairs.
“Don’t do it, Dame,” he whispered when we were far enough from the house.
“Don’t do what?”
“Marry her. She’s not the one.”
“I know.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“I’m trying to get through today so I can sit her down and end it.” I’d made up my mind. The episode from last night had been the icing on the cake.
Angus and I got everyone
started in a volleyball game. All the kids wanted in. Peter even played. We were loud and obnoxious as usual. Loving every minute.
Alana appeared, without Mother, while we were taking a break. I decided to test her reactions. Maybe not a nice thing to do, but I wanted to see if I could push her. If she was going to act as though she enjoyed it.
I wrapped my arms around her and started nuzzling her neck. Quietly, she tried to push me away, but I didn’t budge. Finally, I let her break free, and she started down the beach near where Amadeus had gone. I followed after her.
“Alana. Wait.”
She kept on walking, never saying a single word. I moved faster. This was going to stop now.
I grabbed her by the elbow. “You didn’t complain last night when I had my fingers knuckle deep in your cunt, and you were coming all over my hand, did you? You went out and fucked another man then came home to me, wanting me to cover the evidence. Don’t lie to me either.”
The next thing I felt was her hand hard against my cheek. Didn’t see that coming. Didn’t care either. I watched as she stormed toward the house. I glanced over at Amadeus, who’d been standing close enough to hear the entire conversation as he was unlocking the boathouse that housed the jet skis. I shrugged my shoulders.
“You really think she was with someone else?”
“Yeah.”
“Now what, Dame?”
“It’s over. I’m not going to marry a woman who can’t be faithful when we’re engaged. God knows what she’d do if we married.”
“You want me to tell everyone?”
“No, let’s wait and see what Alana does first. I may have to break the sad news to her if that didn’t do it.”
“I’m sorry, man. I was really hoping she was the one.”
“Aw, come on, A, let’s be real here. I’m forty years old. She’s not yet thirty. She wants to become a huge star and party with the rich and famous. I’ve been down that road. All I want now is someone I can love and who loves me. Alana’s too in love with herself to love anyone else.”
“So, Daniel was right?”
“Yeah. One hundred percent. She’s a user. She’d dump my ass as soon as she got all she could out of me.”
“Come on, here come the kids. Let’s get them on these jet skis then we’ll find Angus and Peter.”
Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) Page 3
