by Ali Parker
“You don’t know that,” Axel said, his eyes swinging back to me.
“But I do,” Ellie insisted. “You fought so hard for so long to keep me at arm’s length. And that hurt me. Don’t do the same thing to your sister. Let her live her life the way she wants to. Let her choose who she wants to.”
“Can I go?” I asked, hooking a thumb over my shoulder to point at my car. This was terribly uncomfortable and intimate, and I would have rather been anywhere but there.
“No,” Axel said sharply.
I groaned and let my hand fall back to my side.
Ellie patted his cheek once more, gave me a weak smile, and then turned and headed back inside. Before she closed the door, she turned back to us. “If you hit him again, you can sleep on the couch.”
Then she closed the door, and I was left alone with her husband once more.
We both stood quietly for a while. It felt like a long time, but in reality, probably only two minutes or so passed. I was the one to finally break the silence.
“I’d be pissed too if this were the other way around.”
Axel snorted and shook his head.
“Seriously. I get it. I should have told you straight out before I went with her to the wedding. Things kind of just spiralled, and before I knew it, I was agreeing to things I didn’t want to do.”
“Sounds like Angela.”
“Yeah.”
Another heavy moment of quiet settled around us. I shrugged out of my jacket and draped it over one arm as Axel ran both hands through his hair and blew out a long, exasperated breath.
When he spoke, he no longer sounded angry. He sounded tired and drained. “Watch out for her, will you?”
Taken aback by his change of attitude, I merely nodded.
“She’s a wild one, and she’ll give you a run for your money. If you make her happy, I won’t stop it. But mark my words, if you do wrong by my baby sister, I will kill you.”
I found myself grinning like a fool. “I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.”
Axel shook his head at me and climbed the steps to his front door. “Now get the fuck out of here, and put some ice on that ugly mug of yours.”
The pain in my ribs and jaw didn’t bother me at all as I went back to my car and slid into the driver’s seat. In fact, they felt like I had earned them for the sake of the woman who had taken my heart out of my chest and carried it into her apartment with her.
Chapter 14
Angela
Standing across the street from the high-rise New York Times building was surreal. My eyes roamed over the Old English Text lettering a dozen times before I gathered the nerve to follow all the other people in business suits across the crosswalk to the front doors.
I had my ID badge, which I showed to security before making my way to the elevators. I sucked in a sharp breath as I stepped on with nearly twenty other people, all heading to different departments, and waited anxiously to arrive at the eighteenth floor.
When the doors opened, me and two other women stepped out. I followed them across the hall and through a set of glass doors. A receptionist with purple-framed glasses and curly blonde hair greeted me with a warm smile. When I told her who I was, she got up from her chair and led me around the wall partition behind her desk.
What laid before me was what I had been dreaming of for years: my new office.
She brought me to my desk, which was basically a glorified cubicle with two walls instead of three, and told me that my boss would call me in shortly for a mandatory meeting where I’d be assigned my first article and get a rundown of how the office ran.
I sat in my chair, full of anxious excitement, and waited.
I didn’t have any logins for my computer, so there was nothing else for me to do. I wanted to pull my phone out of my briefcase (which had nothing in it besides my phone, a new leather notebook, and three rose gold Swarovski pens) and text Sabian, but I didn’t want to be the new girl who was caught on her phone within the first fifteen minutes of starting her job.
But the temptation to reach out to Sabian was strong.
I hadn’t heard from him since Saturday night. I had, however, gone to coffee in the early afternoon on Sunday with Ellie, who told me that Sabian and Axel had a confrontation outside of her house in the early hours of the morning. I assumed it was right after he dropped me off at my apartment.
I had asked Ellie nearly a dozen questions in a span of two minutes:
“Did Axel hurt him?”
“How much does he know?”
“Did you see Sabian?”
“Is he okay?”
Ellie had grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eye. She assured me that Sabian had walked away on his own and driven home safely. She also told me that it was not her place to disclose what had happened between my brother and Sabian. She told me that I would have to take it up with one of them.
I had been too nervous to reach out to either of them yesterday, and now I regretted it. I was starting my dream job, but all my thoughts were of the man who had gotten me naked in his car and introduced me to a whole new world of pleasure.
I bit my bottom lip and reached down to my suitcase to try to subtly pull my phone out.
“Miss Cooper?” a male voice asked from behind me.
I spun around in my chair to find myself staring up at a man who I had seen in pictures but never in person. John Hudson, the deputy publisher of the New York Times.
I sprang to my feet and held out my hand. “Hello, Mr. Hudson. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he said with a friendly smile.
He wasn’t tall, by any means, but an average height. His hair was brown and thinning just at the top, and he had friendly brown eyes and thick eyebrows. He was dressed in a gray suit, was in decent physical shape, and had a good handshake.
“Follow me,” he said. “Let’s go to my office and discuss your first assignment, as well as your hobbies and interests. I like to know the people working for me.”
Full of giddy excitement, terror, and glee, I followed him hot on his heels around the other cubicles and desks, where other journalists were fervently tapping away at their keyboards. His office was at the very back of the floor, and the blinds were drawn down on all the windows. He opened the door for me and closed it behind us.
His office was spacious, with luxurious furniture made of cherry wood. The walls were emerald green, as were all the accents, and there were framed pictures of New York Times front pages everywhere.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” I said under my breath.
“Sorry?” John asked as he moved behind his desk and took a seat.
“Oh,” I said, not realizing I had spoken aloud. “Sorry. Nothing. I’m just a little bit in awe over being here. It’s been a long road, and I’m so happy to be here.”
“Glad to hear it,” John said, gesturing at the chair across the desk from him for me to have a seat. I did, crossing my legs neatly and giving him a warm smile. “I’ve heard good things from your professors and mentors from your internship, Miss Cooper. The New York Times is lucky to have you on board.”
“Please, call me Angela.”
“Very well,” John said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk. “Tell me about yourself, Angela. And then I’ll give you your first assignment.”
I wasn’t sure where to start, but once I opened up, the conversation flowed easily. Everything was finally falling into place.
“Online Dating and how it Enforces Dishonesty in Profile Presentation,” I growled as I read my first article title aloud. I was sitting at a booth in a fancy restaurant I had already forgotten the name of, waiting for my parents to arrive. They had called while I was on my lunch break and asked if I had time to celebrate my first day on the new job over dinner—their treat. I was thankful I kept my fake engagement ring in my purse at all times. It was currently glittering on my left hand, catching the light of the candle in the middle of the
table.
Celebrating seemed a little lackluster now. After sitting with John for almost forty-five minutes, he had given me this article to write and told me I would be the perfect fit. I wasn’t sure where he got that idea from, seeing as how I had stated several times that I was passionate about finding hidden truths and believed in transparency between the media and the public. Nevertheless, here I was with my first assignment in my hand.
After seething for a couple hours, I concluded that this was probably how all new hires started at the paper. It was unlikely that I would just show up and be handed real, hard-hitting news stories. I needed to prove myself.
And if that was what John was looking for, then that was what I would give him. I was not going to be labelled as a journalist who could only produce fluff pieces because my last name was Cooper and I had a pretty face. If he was profiling me and intended on making this a long-term situation, he had another thing coming.
Just as steam was about to start blowing out of my ears, my parents arrived. My mom slid into the opposite side of the booth from me and complained rather loudly that there were no lemon waters on the table. As she began asking me how long I’d been waiting, my dad came over, gave me a quick hug, kissed both my cheeks, and then took his seat.
“Relax, Hera.” My dad rubbed her shoulder. “I’m sure we will have our drinks in no time. Angela, my dear, how was your first day? As riveting as you dreamed?”
I nodded. “Yes, it was great. A little overwhelming, but in a good way. I have my own desk.” I left out the part that it was more like a cubicle. “And the people I sit with all seem really friendly. I had a meeting with my boss this morning which went really well. I’m eager to start writing.”
“How wonderful!” my mom exclaimed as she clasped her hands together in front of her. “I’m so happy for you darling.” The rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds of the many rings of her fingers winked at me as she reached across the table and clasped my hands. “We are so proud of you.”
I didn’t really believe her, but I smiled anyway. “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”
Our server arrived and performed the typical introductions that took place at fine dining restaurants. She went over the specials, the pricing, and offered a bottle of chilled champagne for the table, which my dad accepted. We put in our orders for our meals, and once we were left in privacy again, my parents exchanged a glance.
I knew right then and there that this dinner was not about celebrating my new job—not that I had been under any delusion that it was in the first place.
“What?” I asked, leaning back in the booth and bringing my glass of champagne with me. I sipped on it and willed the booze to hit me hard and fast. I was going to need it.
My mom turned back to me and smiled sweetly. “Well, your father and I were hoping the three of us could have a calm and rational discussion with you.”
I arched an eyebrow and looked at my dad. “Oh?”
He nodded, showing his support for what my mom was saying. “Yes. Just hear us out, Angela, all right?”
“Fine.” I sipped more champagne.
My mother started by flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder and placing her elbows delicately on the table. She rested her chin upon her knuckles and fixed me with a look of restrained disapproval. “We wanted to talk to you about this fiancé of yours.”
Of course. I should have known this was what they would want to talk about. Sabian had been the light of the party at the wedding. Not only did he stick out like a sore thumb because of his Mexican heritage, but his dancing, genuine charm, and good looks had caught the attention of everyone in attendance.
Oh, and the fight had made him the topic of all family discussion, of course. All the messages and missed phone calls on my cell proved it.
“You liked him when you met him,” I pointed out.
“Yes,” my mom said slowly. “But that was before he sent Ross and Elijah out of the reception in the back of an ambulance. You can’t tell me I don’t have a right to be skeptical, at the very least.”
“Skeptical of what?”
“Your father and I think he’s dangerous, Angela.”
I rolled my eyes and put my champagne down.
“Don’t do that,” my dad said. “We are not overreacting. He resorted to extreme violence at a white-tie affair. We don’t want you tied up with a man like that. Who knows what else he is capable of? I don’t want my daughter getting caught in the cross hairs of someone like him.”
“Has anyone talked to Ross about it yet?” I asked lazily. “Actually, let me rephrase. Who hasn’t Ross told?”
“The entire Smithe and Cooper families know what transpired on the smoking patio,” my mother said.
“Really? Do they know that Ross pushed me to the ground? Do they know that I swung first?” I lifted my right hand, showing them my bruised knuckles.
My father sputtered into his glass of water and coughed loudly. He covered his mouth with his napkin as he regained his composure, and his eyes remained fixed on my hand. “What on earth, Angela? You struck him?”
“Hell yes, I did. And if given the chance, I’d do it again.”
“Don’t swear, Angela, it’s not—”
“Mom, don’t. Seriously. I’m too old for you to micro manage my vocabulary.” I turned my attention back to my dad, who was staring at me in shock. “Sabian and I went to that patio to get away from everything. We were hot, and I wanted space. Then Ross, Dale, and Elijah came out. They were wasted. Ross started picking a fight with Sabian. When I tried to leave, he blocked my path and told me he was going to teach my fiancé a lesson. Then I hit him. Then he knocked me to the ground.” I shrugged. “And Sabian kicked their asses like any self-respecting man would. Had I not been manhandled, he would have left without there being any physical altercation, but leave it to Ross to make a complete buffoon of himself.”
My dad blew out an angry breath. “Ross will have some explaining to do when I—”
“Forget about him,” I said. “He won’t give me a hard time anymore. Sabian did that to them in less than a minute and then forced him to apologize to me.”
My father reached out to straighten the cutlery in front of him. He was flustered. “Well then. I don’t see any reason not to give Sabian another shot. Hera? Thoughts?”
My mother was looking at me with pursed lips. Finally, she looked to her husband and nodded. “Yes. I would very much like to get to know him better.”
“Then it is settled,” my dad said. He lifted his champagne glass. “You and Sabian will join your mother and me for dinner on Wednesday evening. Does this suit you, dear?”
I nodded.
“I’ll have a driver sent to your apartment then.” My father sipped his champagne and smiled. “And I will be having a discussion with Ross’s family and will make sure everyone is aware of the real transpirations of the wedding night. I never much cared for that boy.”
“Neither did I,” I said, giving my dad a grim smile. “He’s an ass.”
“Angela!” my mother scolded.
But my father grinned back.
Chapter 15
Sabian
“Let me get this straight,” I said into the phone. “You want me to come to dinner with you and your folks? How far are you going to run with this thing, Angela? Am I going to have to fake marry you too?”
Angela laughed into the phone line. “No. Don’t be such a drama queen.”
“I’m not being—”
“It’s just dinner. They just want to make sure you’re not a hooligan who is taking advantage of their daughter.”
I chuckled and ran my hand over my head. I was hot and sweaty from working in the shop all afternoon and was itching for a cool shower. “But I am a hooligan who’s taking advantage of their daughter.”
“Stop it,” Angela said, but I could hear the amusement in her voice. “Be at my place at six thirty tomorrow. They’re sending a car for us. Don’t be late.”
“All right. You gonna dress sexy for your fiancé?”
“Don’t push your luck,” she said before hanging up the phone.
I was smiling to myself when I went back into the shop. I tucked my phone in my back pocket and caught Ellie watching me as she emerged from the office.
“You look chipper,” she said.
I shrugged and went to the mini fridge at the back of the shop to grab a water bottle. I offered her one, which she accepted, and tossed it to her. Then I cracked mine open and drank greedily. It was a sweltering hot day out, and all the manual labor had drained my energy. I needed to hydrate.
“So,” Ellie said as she braced herself against the workbench. “I think Axel has cooled down a bit. He’s coming to terms with you and Angela having a thing. Which is good. He was a moody pain in my ass all day Sunday thanks to you.”
“Sorry.”
“How are you holding up? He didn’t do too much damage, did he?”
I shook my head. There was a bruise on my jaw, which Ellie had not been happy to see when she came to work that morning. There was also some purple bruising around my ribs, but she didn’t need to know about that. “I’m fine. Axel hits like a girl.”
Ellie busted out laughing and rolled her eyes at me. “Okay then.” She drank several mouthfuls of water and screwed the cap back on the bottle. “I know the two of you fucked, by the way.”
I coughed and spewed water everywhere. As I looked up at her, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “What?”
“I know you and Angela got down and dirty in your car.”
“Down and dirty? Who are you?”
“Don’t change the subject. I’m happy for you in a weird way. Angela is a nice girl with a brain, which is a refreshing change from the women you always go for. Axel doesn’t know, but if he asks me, I won’t lie to him.”
“I hear you. Thanks, Ellie.”
