by Liv Bennett
Determination throbs inside me, filling me up to the brim. I’ll find a way to defeat Michael. And I’ll be damned if the key to his destruction doesn’t lie in the hidden reason for my recruitment as his girlfriend.
I hold my gaze on Ace’s beautiful face while he finds his release, pushing me to the edge of the couch with its force. His expression is tender and heartwarming. I reach up and run the tip of my fingers across his lips. His mouth opens but heavy breaths stop him from speaking.
I wish I had access to his thoughts to see if he’s feeling the same as I am. If his heart too is spreading and constricting with affection and marvel. If the very thought of me getting hurt is painful enough to paralyze him because I feel the same way about him … If he too is astounded by the inconceivable level of pleasure our intimacy is emitting …
And if this all is new to him too.
We lie down on the couch facing each other, neither of us having the courage to talk, not wanting to ruin the beauty of the moment. He closes his eyes and I feel the weight of his arm around my hip getting heavier as he drifts into sleep. I’m too alert to even consider dozing off at this moment.
Slipping out of his hold, I reach for my clothes and put them on. If I don’t do something about Chloe’s situation now, I’ll probably lose my mind, and no amount of sex with Ace can save me from that.
I find my phone in my purse and step out to the balcony, closing its door so as not to disturb Ace. The darkness soothes my agitated nerves. The chilly weather cools down my over-heated head. The digital clock on my phone reads 7:50 PM. What a day it has been, filled with delightfulness at getting to know Ace, to the bombshell of seeing Michael’s true colors.
What I need now more than anything is information, and the only person who can provide me with it is Zane. I dial his number, stealing a glance at Ace to make sure he’s still sleeping.
“Hey, there,” Zane greets me with an oddly cheerful tone, considering the circumstances. Likely because he doesn’t know about Chloe’s kidnapping.
“Hello. I take it that you haven’t heard Chloe’s missing.”
“Who is missing?” His voice turns cold and angry in an instant.
I explain to him about my attempt to file a complaint against Michael, and Chloe’s kidnapping, and listen to the curses rolling out of Zane’s mouth one after another. “We need to save Chloe, and we can do it if we can find out what Michael wants from me. Do you have any idea why he hired me?”
“I’m as clueless about his plans as you are, honey. I tried to get his secretary, Julie, to talk, but she doesn’t know anything about the reason for your recruitment either.” The way he says his last sentence makes me wonder about the method he used to get Julie to talk, but it’s most likely the same method he used on me to record a sex video of us. His charm knows no bounds, I guess, or at least that’s what he thinks, if he tried it on someone like Julie, who has access to practically everything business-related about Michael. If Zane is right and Julie doesn’t know anything, does that mean Michael’s special interest in me is more on the personal level?
“Edrick should know something. Can you get him to talk?” I ask.
“Yeah, he might, but I guess you have a better chance to get information out of him than I do. He hates me to the core.” I suppose his charm does indeed have limits.
“Why? Did you sleep with his sister?” I joke.
“No, not his sister, his mother.”
“Ewww.”
His revelation makes me feel dirty for having slept with him, more so for having Ace in my life now. How stupid of me it was to let Zane play with me in my apartment. Where was my oh-so-smart brain? However, Zane’s dirty appetite for women might have its perks as well. “Good for you. Are you in contact with any of Michael’s ex’s? They might have noticed something that could be relevant to our problem.”
“Funny you say that. I’m actually planning to meet the one before you tonight. Tiffany Jordan.”
“Her name rings a bell. Is she famous?”
“Famous? Only this year’s Oscar award winner for best actress. Anyway, I’m going out to dinner with her. Hey, hold on a sec … I’ve just gotten a memo from Julie. Looks like Michael left for New York and won’t be back until the weekend.”
Oh, the fucking weekend. I hope his plane blows up in the air so he won’t make it back. “Can you arrange a meeting for me with Tiffany Jordan?”
“Come and join us for dinner. I never say no to a threesome offer.”
“You fucking bastard. Your sister is in danger. How can you behave like it’s a normal day?”
“I’m fucked up, I know. But my offer is still on. I’ll text you the address of the restaurant if you want to meet with her.”
“Okay, do that.” I disconnect and wait for his text. When my phone beeps with an incoming message, I notice from the corner of my eye that Ace shifts on the couch. I turn around to see him looking around in horror then relax as soon as he locates me. He must be worried about me too, in addition to his sister, and I can’t help but feel gratitude for having him by my side, even if he’s as helpless as I am.
After reading the text from Zane, I open the balcony door and enter the living room, letting Ace’s loving gaze and completely naked body heat up my blood.
“I’ll leave in a few.” I scoot next to him and grab his arm to wrap it around my shoulder. If I had any chill left in my body, it disappears in an instant with the heat radiating from his large, firm body. I lock my arms around his hips and rub my chest against the side of his torso.
He gives me a sexy smile and drops his head to leave a kiss on my nose. “Stay tonight.”
“Okay,” I say way too easily. “But I have to meet with someone. It won’t last long, an hour or two, tops.”
“Who?” His blond eyebrows push together in the most adoring way, and I can’t help but smile at his curiosity mixed with jealousy.
“Michael’s ex. Tiffany Jordan. I think she might be able to give me some information that could be useful.”
Scowling, he reaches to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and then runs the back of his hand on my cheek. The hair on my neck stands at the soft touch of his fingers, and I forget instantly what I was about to say, or if I was going to say anything at all.
“How did you set it up so fast? Do you know her?”
I shake my head. “I don’t, but Zane does, and from the sound of it, he knows her quite well.”
“Zane?” His scowl deepens. “Were you just talking to him?”
“Yeah. I thought he …” I swallow hard at the sight of anger twisting his expression, making him look lethal. “What’s going on?”
“You’re making a huge mistake by trusting him. I have no doubt he’s siding with Michael in this. He’s pretending to be on your side only to find out your next step. As soon as he knows what you’re up to, Michael will know it too.”
“You might be right, but what else can I do?” He doesn’t reply, so I continue. “Besides, it’s not too bad if he thinks I trust him. It’ll give us a chance to fool him easily if we need to someday.”
“I like the way you think, but be very careful around him,” he says matter-of-factly as if to say ‘Don’t fall for his charm and let him fuck you again.’ I feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. “And I’m coming with you,” he adds, saving me from my shame. Seriously, what came over me that I allowed Zane to take me?
“He might get upset,” I point out.
“He can get upset all he wants. You shouldn’t be alone at this point. We don’t know what Michael has in mind. He might try to kidnap you as well.”
A shiver of fear courses through my body. As much as I fear for Chloe’s wellbeing, I dread the thought of me at Michael’s mercy. If Michael kidnaps me, I’ll end up in a much worse situation than Chloe. After all, she’s his daughter, and I’m practically nobody to him.
“If Michael wanted to kidnap me, nobody could stop him.” I find myself stating the ugly truth. That he didn’t
kidnap me and lets me free for the moment means something.
He lets out a deep breath of frustration, his eyes blazing with desperation and helplessness. I should be kinder with him and keep my blatant side in check, especially in a delicate situation like this one. “Yes, come with me. I’ll feel safer with you.” I place my head on his shoulder and plaster my lips against his skin.
Would I feel this close to Ace if it weren’t for Michael’s viciousness? Most likely not. Who would have thought I’d have something to thank Michael for?
We get ready quickly and drive to the restaurant with Ace’s car. He holds my hand as we enter the restaurant and ask the hostess for Zane’s table. I doubt something will come out of this meeting, but still it might give us a hint related to Michael’s plans.
A young, blonde waitress walks us to a secluded part of the restaurant, and I scan around anxiously. Perhaps Michael sent one of his men to have me followed, and now he’ll know I’m meeting with one of his exes.
Would that put Tiffany Jordan in danger? Oh God, no. What if Michael decides to punish her too, if she gives away sensitive information? Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, but now it’s too late to turn around and leave because Michael must have already found out my plans and decided to add Tiffany to his list of people he will harass.
I spot Zane and a tall, brunette woman beside him. She must be at least thirty, but her beauty could hold its own against anyone younger. I see her lips flicker up in a scorning smile as she stands and holds out her hand for me.
“You must be Lindsay Doheny.” Her handshake is firm, a little too tight for a friendly meeting. Her eyes do a quick once-over on my body, and her smile widens, perhaps acknowledging that I’m not as pretty as she is. “Ace.” She turns once she’s done evaluating my looks and steps toward Ace. “Long time no see. How are you? You look as good as I remember you.”
Only then do I see the murderous look on Zane’s face directed at Ace. He doesn’t bother to stand but pulls a chair beside him for me to sit. Ace keeps my hand laced in his while shaking hands with Tiffany. Tiffany stands a little too close to Ace and bites her lower lip as she runs a hand along Ace’s arm. What a bitch! Isn’t she here on a date with Zane? Why is she acting as if Ace is the one she’ll end up in bed with?
Wait a minute.
I look up at Ace and then at Tiffany to get a hint of the reason for the unusual charge of electricity in the air. Did he fuck her too? I narrow my eyes at Tiffany with hatred, but I’m guilty of the same crime for having been intimate with both Ace and Zane. I don’t know if I should be happy or upset about not being the first girl who had both men.
I pull Ace’s hand to end Tiffany’s discomfortingly close proximity to Ace, and he gets my message and settles on the chair between Tiffany and me.
“So, Ace,” Zane says, giving dirty looks to him. “How are you doing other than screwing the women I slept with? So typical of you. Are you planning to change that habit, ever?”
“Oh, shut up,” I hiss between my teeth before Ace can pour out his anger. For now, he should be content with squeezing my hand tight, which I can’t say I’ll be able to handle for long, because my bones start throbbing with pain. I shake his hand to make him aware of my pain, and he softens his hold instantly. But I suppose I won’t be able to do anything about the scary iciness of his face. “We didn’t come here to fight. Your sister is in danger for God’s sake. Keep your claws in check and let’s get this over with.”
Tiffany laughs with an annoyingly high-pitched voice. I’m at the end of my rope here with all the stress and fear, and she has to annoy me to no end. She deserves an award all right. Award for being the peskiest cunt out there. Is she wasted or is it just her everyday cuntness?
“I’m glad you enjoy our little show,” I say, turning to Tiffany. I can see she won’t be of any help. “I don’t know if you heard it, but Michael is holding Chloe captive for something he wants from me, but I have no idea what it is. We came here to find out if you have any information about Michael’s plans.”
The icky smile she’s been sporting freezes on her face, and her eyes flit around in fear. “Why do you think I might know something? I haven’t talked to Michael since he ended our relationship.”
“You must pardon Tiffany,” Zane interrupts. “By ‘relationship,’ she means the same agreement you signed with Michael.”
I roll my eyes at his silly explanation. Of course she meant that. How else would Michael be in a relationship with a woman? “How long did the relationship last?” I stress the word to irritate Zane. If he’s acting like a jerk, why shouldn’t I?
“He wanted me for a full year but it ended abruptly after only two months.”
“Did you get paid?”
“No, but he promised me a role in a blockbuster that earned me my Oscar.”
That’s as good as cash in my book. “He fulfilled his part of the agreement but he didn’t keep you for the full year.”
She nods. “That’s right.”
“Do you know why? Did he start dating another woman?” I ask.
“No. I was his last girlfriend before you.” She’s more cooperative than I gave her credit for. Which means I should go ahead with the harder questions.
Taking a deep breath, I glance up at Ace. He remains still like a robot, except for his eyes staring back at me with concern. Perhaps he sees my hesitation, that’s why he squeezes my hand gently below the table as an encouragement.
It is better that I die of embarrassment for asking the questions in my mind than miss a useful piece of information. So, I straighten up in my chair, push my shoulders back, and let my tongue take over. “Did Michael ever imply in any way that he’d expect you to service his business associates … sexually?”
Tiffany’s now-wide eyes dart between Zane and me as she sips from her glass of wine, likely wondering if I’m joking. It feels like a year passes until she pulls the glass away from her lips and places it back on the table. “Never. My relationship with him was strictly formal. Besides, it wasn’t in the contract.”
I stifle the need to roll my eyes at her suggestion. Who in his right mind would put such a term in a written contract unless he wants to get into trouble with the law? “Did you witness anything unusual or suspicious while you were with him?”
“Look, I wish I knew the information you’re seeking, and I wish I could help Chloe, but I have neither heard nor witnessed anything about your current state with Michael. Also, Michael isn’t the bad guy you make him out to be. He’ll never hurt his daughter.”
Both Ace and Zane chuckle at her words. I can see it clearly; she’s acting diplomatically. Even if she knows something, relevant or not, she won’t share it. She’ll appear to be helpful and cooperating, but that’s the only thing I’ll get out of her. Defeated, I grab Zane’s glass of scotch and down the entire drink in one shot, letting it burn my throat.
“Let’s go.” I get to my feet, feeling my cheeks getting warm from the alcohol, and glance at Tiffany. “Thank you,” I mutter under my breath, although she doesn’t deserve any gratefulness for the couple of unnecessary sentences she uttered, and pull Ace’s hand so he stands too.
“Is that it?” Zane says as Ace and I start to leave. “You’re not joining us for the rest of the night? I have a humongous bed, big enough for three of us.”
I hear Tiffany giggling, but my senses shut down when I realize Ace isn’t holding my hand anymore. Just in the time it takes to turn around, I find Ace on top of Zane with his fist ready to bury into Zane’s face. Tiffany screams with her squeaky voice. An acute force urges me to jump and grab Ace’s hand before he can hurt Zane, and I push him away with all my strength. Balls of fire shoot from his ice-blue eyes, and he growls while breathing heavily. I’m fairly sure I’ve never seen a man this angry and it scares the crap out of me.
Ace jerks his hand up and points his index finger up. “Stay the fuck away from her.”
Despite my terror, I launch my body in front of him as a shie
ld, not for him but for others he might hurt and shove him toward the exit. A few patrons stare at us on our way out, most likely astonished by Ace’s glowing red face. I barely hear the hostess wishing us a great rest of the night. I highly doubt I’ll have anything great the rest of my days until I resolve the problem with Michael.
I fumble through the pocket of Ace’s pants to get his car keys and settle behind the wheel. With his anger, he’ll likely drive us into a construction hole or something as detrimental. He doesn’t open his mouth, doesn’t even move his lips, as we drive back to his condo, just keeps that deadly stare on his face. Although his jealousy is baseless—I already had sex with Zane, and there’s a sex tape of us likely to go viral one of these days—I keep my thoughts to myself.
Besides, if my intuition wasn’t completely wrong again, Ace must have had something with Tiffany too, and she flirted with him. Did I throw a tantrum? No. Did I try to get into a fight or punch her? Hell no, and it doesn’t matter if I considered it or not.
My ex never got territorial against me, and I thought it’d be romantic if he did every once in a while. Now, I’m not sure if anything about coming close to punching someone out of jealousy is good.
Ace still looks rigid by the time we get to his condo. His otherwise full lips are a thin line, and his nostrils flare each time he breathes. I have no idea what the protocol is for treating an angry man. Shall I leave him by himself until he gets it out of his system? Maybe distracting him with some silly conversation or a gentle hug will make the process go faster? I go for the latter and hug him as soon as we’re in his living room. His hands remain at his sides for some time.
I draw circles on his back with the tips of my fingers, leave wet kisses on his throat and chin, and rub my chest against his, all to calm him down. And eventually, he softens and wraps his heavy arms around me.
“You won’t talk to him anymore.” He gazes down at my face with a threatening expression.
“You know I can’t promise that,” I whisper the truth softly, even though I know I should be more cautious. The truth is I know so little about Ace, I can’t even estimate how violent he can get when angry. For all I know, he’s an abusive man beneath his angel face.
