by Ashley Jade
He smirks. “Everything you want and need is here Dev. I promise,” he says before he walks out the door.
I take a quick bath and search around for clothes.
Maria appears by my side seconds later. She takes my hand and leads me toward a closet.
My heart tugs when I'm reminded of Aaron and Nathaniel.
I make a mental note to give them a call soon.
I stand there unsure of what I should do.
Maria smiles as she hands me a sundress and a pair of wedges.
I briskly look at the size...and sure enough, the brand new tags indicate that it's for me.
After I finish getting dressed and eat breakfast. I make my way downstairs in search of Alex. I find him in what looks to be an office of some type.
He's wearing another suit that fits him perfectly and he's speaking in Spanish to someone on the phone.
It's strange to see him so grown up. It's strange to see him alive...period.
He's no longer that skinny teenager who makes my heart throb.
He's a man now. All 6'2 and what looks to be 200lbs of him.
I can't deny that my heart still flutters when I look at him.
Although...as soon as that happens, I'm instantly reminded of Tristan.
Where the hell is he right now?
As if sensing my thoughts Alex clears his throat and hangs up the phone.
He stares at me for a second too long before he gestures for me to come in.
“Sorry Dev...I just can't get over it.”
I laugh nervously. “Yeah, tell me about it.”
A strange yet familiar silence lies between us for a moment before he motions for me to sit down on the chair in front of him.
“So what are your questions?” he asks.
“Um...where do I begin? “Where is your father? What about the Cartel? Where's Tristan? How come you're not dead? How come I'm not dead? Why didn't Tristan tell me that you were alive?" I ask without stopping for air.
He sits up in his chair and takes a deep breath. “Well, for starters...my father is dead. Tristan killed him. He is no longer a threat to you now. You're safe from him."
I let out all the air I was holding. “You mean, I'm not in danger anymore?”
He gives me a smile that doesn't reach his eyes...which is unusual for him. But then again, I haven't seen him in the last 13 years.
“No you're not in danger anymore Dev.”
“What about my other questions?”
“Well, Tristan is off on business right now. That's why you're here Bonita. He asked that I take care of you while he's away.”
I roll my eyes.
Figures, just when I need him the most...he's off on another business trip.
“At least this time it's you watching me and not Moe. But I don't understand...why didn't he tell me that you were alive? Why wouldn't he tell me something so important?"
He shrugs and looks at me. “I don't know Dev. I can't answer that. Only he can. I imagine that it might have something to do with the nature of your relationship with him...and the nature of our past one."
It feels like all the air got sucked out of the room at that moment.
I look down and bite my lip. The previous feeling I had of betraying Alex hits me ten-fold again. Especially since he's sitting right in front of me.
“I'm so sorry Alex. I thought you were dead. I never meant to fall in love with Tristan. It just happened. I didn't know that he was your brother, and he didn't know that I was your...well.."
“The girl that I was hopelessly in love with,” he finishes for me.
I don't know which hurts worse. The despair in his eyes, or the fact that he used the term 'was'.
I shouldn't care. It shouldn't matter.
I'm in love with Tristan now.
There's no changing that fact. You can't un-ring the bell of true love. Especially when it comes from both sides.
However, I'm incredibly furious with Tristan for never telling me that Alex was alive in the first place. How could he do that to me?
There's no excuse for what he did and as soon as I see him, I have every intention of letting him have it.
“He should be calling you soon,” Alex says, breaking my thoughts.
“Oh. Okay. I mean, I don't have my cell phone on me though.”
He chuckles. “I don't know if you've noticed Bonita. But have a look around. This is a mansion.” He gives me a wink. “I'm sure there's a phone or two around."
I can't help but laugh. Until I'm reminded of the events 13 years ago...on our drive to Texas.
I remember that he mentioned something about a mansion then.
Fuck...I really don't want to get into this with him right now. Especially so soon after finding out that he's been alive this whole time.
I decide to politely excuse myself and walk back upstairs.
I despise the overwhelming anger that's taking over my heart at the moment.
I'm trying to keep all my emotions in check the best that I can.
Exactly how I trained myself for the last 13 years.
All I know is that if the dam decides to break...there's sure as hell gonna be a flood.
Chapter 20 (Tristan)
I've now spend 5 days straight being Alex's prisoner.
The nights are the longest, but I'm still hoping with everything in me that Dev's still alive and unharmed.
The door to the cellar opens and I expect to see the usual two men.
I'm disgusted when I lift my head and see the piece of shit himself staring right at me.
Well, as much as I can still see with one eye swollen shut.
“How are you holding up brother? Are you comfortable?” he mocks.
I grunt and spit at him.
“Not so fun being chained up like a wild animal is it? Imagine it for 13 years straight. You'll get used to it.”
“Fuck you. Where is she?”
“Funny that you should mention that actually. I need a favor.”
I glare at him. “I'm pretty sure you already cashed in that favor asshole. Now where is she?”
He chuckles. “She,” he air quotes. “Is currently resting upstairs in one of the bedrooms. I have to say, she's quite angry with you for not informing her that I was alive."
Fuck...that means that she still hasn't heard my voicemail.
“I've taken the liberty of telling her that it was because you were jealous. After that, she stormed upstairs and I haven't spoken to her since. That was about three days ago. I have Maria the maid tending to her every need though. She's being taken care of...for now."
I breathe a sigh of relief. It's the best feeling I've had since I've been back in this hell hole.
He takes a step toward me and pulls out a cellphone. “Now, the question is...what are you willing to do to keep it that way?”
Fuck, he knows my kryptonite...Dev.
“I'll do anything. Just promise me that she'll be safe.”
“I can't promise it forever, but I can certainly prolong her safety, for a little while...if you call her.”
I raise the brow above my good eye. He's not making any sense right now.
I'll gladly call Dev. I'll warn her about everything and hope like hell she runs as fast as she can before it's too late.
“I need you to call her and break her heart,” he says as he holds his cell phone to my ear.
I move my head away. “You're insane. Why the fuck would I do that? I love her! I would never do that to her.”
He shrugs and puts the phone in his pocket. “Okay fine. I gave you a chance. Looks like you'll have a new cellmate soon. Hope she can take all the beatings as well as you can. Or better yet, maybe I'll just put a bullet in her head right now and end the suffering. It's more humane that way...don't you think?" he spits.
He turns to walk away and I feel my heart bounce out of my chest.
If there's a way I can still keep her safe then I have to do it.
“Fine. I'll do it.
Just don't hurt her or kill her.”
He gives me an evil smirk as he walks back over.
“Looks, like chivalry isn't dead after all. I told her you were on a business trip. I need you to tell her it's over between the both of you. I need you to be convincing ...or I will kill her. The second I sense that you're not being very convincing- I will bring her down here and slit her from nose to navel right in front of you. Do I make myself clear?"
I lift my head as he brings the phone up to my ear. “Crystal, asshole.”
She picks up on the third ring.
“Dev?” I bark, even though it kills me.
“Tristan is that you? Where the hell have you been? It's been over 5 days. Where are you? Why the fuck didn't you tell me that Alex was alive? What the fuck is going on?"
The sound of her voice almost causes me to lose my shit right then and there, but I have to protect her.
“Look, I don't really have time to get into that right now. I just wanted to call and tell you that I killed Hector, and that I'm done with you."
“Yeah, I heard. Thank you...wait...what?”
I glare at Alex. “I didn't do it for you,” I bite.
I can hear her hesitate for a moment.
“Tristan what the hell is with your attitude? You drug me, you trap me, and you lie to me about something serious...again, and yet you have the nerve to be upset with me. What the fuck is your problem?” she screams.
I take a deep breath before I utter the words that will break both our hearts.
“You. You're my problem Dev. I don't want to be with you. I was only with you because I made a promise to your father...nothing more. I owed him and now I've filled my end of the bargain. I don't actually love you Dev. It wasn't real. You were nothing more then a piece of ass and now it's over."
I can hear her sobbing on the other line and my heart splits in two.
“You don't mean that Tristan. Somethings off. I know it. I feel it. Please, tell me what's going on.”
Alex narrows his eyes at me.
“Nothing is going on. I just don't want to be with you. How many times do I have to say it? Why is that so hard to understand? I mean, come on Dev...you haven't been wanted by anyone since the day you were born. You were just something for people to use...since day one."
Her sobs become inaudible and I know the amount of anguish I'm causing her right now is beyond brutal.
“But, I love you Tristan. How could you do this to me? Somethings wrong. I know you Tristan.”
I look up as Alex is gives me the evil eye while pointing to his gun.
I know there's only one more thing left to say.
“Hold your breath Dev.”
I hear more sobbing in the background before there's silence.
“My hearts beating better then ever without you. Get the message?” I growl before I hang up.
The only thing that I can hope for now...is that she actually does get the message before it's too late.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out what Alex's motives were for having me do that.
“It won't make her love you.”
He laughs an evil villainous laugh as he walks toward the cellar door.
“You don't get it, do you. I don't have to make her love me Tristan. She already does. She loved me first,” he says.
“She'll never forgive you for this Alex. She's going to hate you.”
He grins from ear to ear. “Good. I hope so. Then maybe, she'll finally feel the exact same way about me that I do about her. Maybe she'll realize what she's caused. You see...you can't truly hate someone without loving them first. You can't truly hate a person, unless they rip your heart right out of your chest and sever your soul. Do you get it now? That's how I intend on getting payback Tristan. The cherry on top, is that it will end up wrecking the both of you.”
He slams the cellar door and his words from 13 years ago echo in my head.
“I hate her just as much as I love her now. Guess which one is going to be stronger after all the years of suffering that I'm about to endure?”
I wish I knew at the time that he was going to be destroying me right along with her.
Chapter 21 (Dev)
I've experienced heart ache before. I've experienced sorrow. I've experienced loss.
I've never experienced this before.
Three more days have passed since Tristan broke my heart and I'm still inconsolable.
I can't breathe. My heart is shattered.
My world as I know it, is destroyed.
My soul is crushed.
In fact, I feel like I don't even have a soul anymore.
I never knew Tristan could be so vicious, so cruel.
I never saw it coming.
Between him and Alex...I'm clearly the worst judge of character.
Both brothers managed to break every single part of me.
Maria keeps trying nonstop to get me to eat or drink , but I can't.
Hell, even Alex has been in to check on me a few times...but I just don't have the strength to talk to him.
All I know...is that I need to leave this place.
I need to see Aaron and Nathaniel.
I need to pick up the pieces of my broken heart.
I reach over for the phone beside the nightstand and give Aaron a call. It goes straight to voicemail.
It's a little unusual...but he's probably busy working on a new painting. I decide to leave him a message.
“Hey Aaron. I just wanted to call and say hi. I miss you. I'm actually in Mexico right now. I know...weird. Listen, I'll be heading back to New York soon, I'm hoping we can get together for lunch or something. I really miss you and I could really use a friend right now."
I hang up the phone and look up to find Alex standing at the door.
“You look terrible Bonita,” he says as he takes a few steps toward the bed that I'm still laying on.
I roll my eyes and give him a dirty look.
“Well, excuse me. I just got my heart ripped right out of my chest,” I snap.
I close my eyes. “Sorry Alex. Don't worry. I'm getting a ticket for the next flight out to New York. I'll be out of your hair in no time. You obviously don't have to babysit me for your brother anymore."
He crosses his arms in front of his chest. “You're not leaving. Tristan won't be back here for awhile. He's off on some 2 week cruise with his latest conquest."
I open my eyes and clutch my hand to my chest.
“Wow Alex...you really know how to dig the knife in deeper.”
Something odd flashes across his face before he takes my hand.
“He's an asshole. He doesn't deserve you Dev. He never did. I couldn't help but overhear you say that you could really use a friend right now. Let me be that friend. I'll get you through this...I promise."
I shake my head. “Alex...I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, we have so much history. It would be awkward.”
I look down and sigh. Now really isn't the time to get into it with him...especially when he's being so nice and helpful.
I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of alternate universe right now.
“I'm not taking no for an answer. Now get your ass out of bed and get ready. Meet me downstairs for dinner in an hour.”
He plants a soft kiss on my cheekbone before he turns and walks away.
Maria walks over to me and hands me a tissue before she starts filling up the bathtub with warm water and bubbles.
Even though we have a major language barrier...it's been nice to not feel so alone during this.
Unfortunately she obviously has no idea what I'm crying about or the reason for all my pain.
Oddly enough...I take comfort in that.
Maybe it will be easier to get over Tristan.
Even though I know deep down inside...I'll never get over him.
His feelings for me may not have been real, but the ones I had for him definitely were.
With a sigh I finally get out of bed and get ready f
or dinner with Alex.
The thought makes me shake my head.
I never thought I'd ever say those words.
Maybe I am stuck in some kind of alternate universe right now.
Question is...how do I find my way out?
Chapter 22 (Dev)
Although Maria doesn't hold a candle to Nathaniel in the realm of fashion...she definitely knows a thing or two about it.
Since I'm still drowning in my sorrows I let her pick out my outfit...and pick it out she did.
A short red minidress and black Louboutin heels.
Looks like Nathaniel and her do have a few things in common after all.
I tried to remind her that I was only having dinner downstairs with Alex, not going out to a club...but she just gave me a big smile and shooed me out of the room.
I timidly walk down the spiral staircase and into the dining room.
I laugh out loud when I see numerous containers of Ben and Jerry's along with various bags of chips.
As if on cue Alex walks into the dining room then.
“Well I'm certainly under-dressed,” he says as he walks by me.
I notice that he's in a simple t-shirt and jeans. With the exception of his now very pronounced biceps, it reminds me of the younger Alex.
It's comforting.
“Look, blame Maria. I tried to tell her...”
I start to say when he cuts me off with a laugh. “Blame Maria? Hell, I'm about to give her a raise. You look absolutely...Bonita."
I can't help but blush...then I notice it.
“You shaved. You don't have the goatee anymore.”
He looks down and grins. “Yeah well, some gorgeous woman recently told me that I have, and I quote- 'the most adorable chin dimple.' I figured that shaving off the goatee might help me with the ladies."
I snort. “Yeah, like you have any problems when it comes to ladies Alex.”
Something odd flashes across his face.
“I've been a little...tied up for the last few years. I haven't really dated all that much,” he says deadpan.
There's awkward silence before he gestures to the dvd's he's holding in his hand.
“I'm revoking my man card for the night and letting you pick the move. The choices are: Mean Girls, He's Just Not That Into You, and The Notebook.”
