Consumed: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

by Elizabeth Knox

  “You can’t be serious. You knew and you didn’t say a thing to me?”

  Brax’ shakes his head, “Nah, it was up to you. I wasn’t gonna force you to tell me anything, Gem’.”

  I wrap my arms around my brother and hug him. He pulls me in as close as he can against his chest and the tears come quicker than I can put them off. Brax’ slides his hand under my chin and forces me to look up at him, “Don’t you go crying on me like that, Smudge.”

  It might seem odd, but him calling me by my nickname calms my nerves instantly and solidifies telling him was the right thing to do. I can only hope the rest of my family will be this accepting.

  Chapter Six

  Keira

  I was able to get Sasha out and on a flight to Seattle, where she’ll be at one of Vic’s family’s addiction centers. My ex-husband and the father of my child is an Ortega. While they’re known in America for being the founding family of high-quality rehab and addiction centers, in Spain they’re known for something entirely different. Only, I had no idea until we were well into our divorce proceedings. I wanted sole custody of our daughter, considering Vic barely made time for us at the time, so I hired a private investigator to do a little digging. See if they could find something on him that I could use. What I discovered was far worse than I could’ve ever imagined. The investigator advised me to be cautious and give Vic whatever he wanted, even going as far as showing me photographs of what the Ortega family did to those who crossed them. To say it made my blood run cold is a massive understatement. It made me terrified of the man I married, not able to understand how he had a totally different life underneath it all.

  I paid the investigator his fee and decided I’d keep the peace between myself and Vic. Only, things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped they would. Looking back now, it must’ve been the same night, Vic showed up at my apartment and asked to come in. He made some bullshit excuse about wanting to say goodnight to Kaia. So naturally, I let him inside.

  He held our daughter while he told me a story, how this man’s soon to be ex-wife had hired a private investigator to dig into the man and his family, and how the said investigator took a tumble down the stairs and sadly passed away. The man and his wife were in a nasty divorce battle, and the worst part of it all was their small child, who luckily wasn’t able to see the cruelty on either side. I remember the way Vic glared into my eyes and told me how the man vowed on his life to do everything to protect his daughter, even if it meant taking her away from the one person who loved her as much as he did.

  That day I was able to see why people were afraid of him.

  When the time came, we were divorced and agreed on a fifty-fifty split custody. Though, I’m sure I should be thankful things turned out as well as they did. Things could’ve been far worse from my understanding.

  Now here I am, standing at a luxurious hotel bar waiting on a friend to meet me for a drink. The last few minutes the bar has really gotten packed and I can’t help but look around at the people entering. There’s a decent sized sign at one of the bar entrances but the way I came in didn’t have one. Is this some sort of event, or party?

  “Hey, I’m Rick.” The man standing beside me says with a beaming expression.

  “I’m Keira,” I don’t really know what else to say. Charity should be here at any moment, but she isn’t and she didn’t text me to verify we were meeting here for our usual Friday night drink.

  “Beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” God. How many times have I heard that line? I almost fail at refraining from gagging. No doubt about it, he’s one of those typical sleazeballs looking to get lucky while he’s in town.

  “Aw, how sweet, Rick.” I mutter, looking around for Charity. Good god. Now would be the time for her to swoop in and save the day so I don’t have to keep talking to this man who obviously won’t be getting a damn thing from me.

  “I try to be a cool cat when I can, you know?” He chuckles lightly while his eyes shift a little lower, looking at my cleavage.

  “My eyes are up here, Rick, and I’m waiting on someone so I’d really appreciate it if you could go get what you want from someone else.” I quip.

  Seriously, why must all men be like this? I didn’t notice it in the beginning, but they’re all dogs. Every single one of them. It’s why I’ve recently started going on a few dates with women. I mean, I don’t have time to get into a full-blown relationship, so I downloaded one of those apps. You know, the one where the people in their early twenties use. It’s labeled as a dating app, but let’s be honest, people only go on there to screw. I met a few nice girls on there since that’s what I prefer these days. I hadn’t ever really been with a woman until my divorce from Vic, though I’m happy to say it’s something I discovered was obviously missing from my life.

  “Yeah, like I haven’t heard that line before.” He grumbles, not pleased in the least bit.

  “Hey, there you are.” A woman’s voice says from behind me so I turn and see a woman with the most angelic face I’ve ever seen in this lifetime. Her skin is a light ivory, making me think she’s Irish or maybe Eastern European. She has the prettiest stone blue eyes and one thing’s for sure. I don’t know her whatsoever, but I’d be a fool not to take up the help she’s offering.

  “Goodness, I thought you weren’t going to make it!” I laugh, wrapping my arms around her like she’s one of my closest friends.

  “Yeah, well you know the traffic around here. It’s horrible.” The woman laughs, looking over to Rick.

  “Who’s this?” She almost seems annoyed, like she found her date with someone else.

  “I’m Rick, and you are?”

  “I’m Gemma, and you’re in my seat, Rick.”

  His face contorts in aggravation. “Whoa. Hold up a minute. Are you for real? You’ve been waiting on some chick?”

  I nod, “This is Los Angeles, Rick.”

  “Jesus. I can’t wait to get back home to Iowa.” He grumbles and walks off, thankfully disappearing from my sights.

  I take in a deep breath and look back at Gemma, otherwise known as my lifesaver. “Thank you so much for that. He was starting to get on my nerves.”

  She giggles lightly, “It wasn’t a problem at all. I saw you looking around, trying to find some sort of out.”

  “I had one, or at least I thought I did.” I reply, looking at my phone to see I have a new text.

  I unlock the screen and see it’s from Charity.

  From: Charity

  Hey, sorry to do this. Can’t make it tonight. A friend came into town.

  Well, well. I just got stood up for another bitch. Dammit.

  “Everything okay?” Gemma questions, and as I glance up, I’m caught in her eyes. Gosh. They’re so beautiful.

  “Yeah, just got stood up.”

  “Well, he didn’t know what he was missing.” It’s so odd that she’d assume I’m meeting a man, but here we are.

  “She, not he.” I reply, wanting to see if she’ll take the bait. Usually I can tell if women are into other women just by a reply like this.

  A slight tug pulls at Gemma’s lips and I know one thing for certain. She’s into women, and I might not be shit out of luck tonight.

  Chapter Seven

  Gemma

  I know I just blew up my spot, but I can’t help it. She said plain as day, out in the freaking open how she was waiting for a woman, not a man. I’d kill to have that sort of confidence. “I don’t believe I caught your name?”

  An adorable laugh escapes her lips. “Oh boy, I’m so sorry. I’m Keira. Keira Kane.”

  “With a name like that it sounds like you’re determined to take over the world,” I tease, loving the way a flush of pink crosses over her cheeks.

  “Alright. What’s your last name?”

  “Storm. Gemma Storm.” I reply. Usually this is the moment where someone instantly recognizes me for one of my brothers, or even my dad, but not Keira. It doesn’t even phase her. It’s refreshing to be completely ho
nest. I’m not a Storm right now, I’m simply a woman in a bar, speaking to another beautiful woman.

  “Well, sounds like we’re both destined to take over the world.” Keira chuckles lightly, running her hand through her long, curly, red hair. It’s the natural beautiful color, not dyed in the least bit. It offsets the light gray eyes she has, giving her the face of an angel.

  “Maybe. So, are you a gym owner?” My question completely catches her off guard.

  “Sorry, what?” She laughs.

  “You’re at a mixer for the conference tomorrow, so I assumed you’re a gym owner.” I say, causing her to giggle.

  She shakes her head, “No, I’m not. Wow. What a coincidence. I came here to meet my friend since we like this bar, but now it makes sense. It’s not usually so packed like this,” she motions with her hand and the bar is filled with people.

  “Oh, well, I guess it’s my lucky day.” I comment. Shit, I’ve never been more thankful Brax’ went off to talk to this acupuncture lady who’s speaking tomorrow. He’s really trying to expand what we offer at the gym, but he’ll have to talk the others into it first.

  Keira nods, “Yeah, I guess it is.”

  “Can I get you a refill, miss?” The bartender asks Keira.

  “Yes, another martini would be fabulous. And could you grab another for my friend here?” She smirks, not even asking if I like martinis in the first place. I’d be happy with a beer, but I’ll drink whatever she’s offering.

  “Sure. I’ll whip those right up for you both.” He replies, scurrying off to the other side of the bar.

  “So, do you live in Los Angeles?” I ask Keira.

  She instantly nods, “Yep. Born and raised. What about you?”

  “I’m a little trickier. I kind of grew up all over when I think about it, but most of my childhood was spent in the backwoods of Louisiana.”

  She cocks a brow, “A lesbian in the backwoods of Louisiana, damn. That couldn’t have been good.”

  The way she assumes I’m a lesbian doesn’t bother me in the least bit. Though, I’m not going to dive into the fact I haven’t come out. If she knows I’m still in the closet she’ll either want to run off, or this fun little chat we’re having will turn into something entirely different, where she encourages me that living in the sun is better than living in the shadows.

  “Yeah, you could say that again. So, what do you do for work, or whatever?”

  Keira laughs, taking a quick sip of the remaining bit of her drink. “Are you going to ask me my sign next?” She wiggles her eyebrows, obviously teasing me.

  “Oh come on. When has it been bad to learn about one another?”

  “Usually women like us don’t ask questions like this.”

  “Women like us?” I question.

  “Yes. Women who only want the company of another for one night, no strings attached, merely not spending their time alone.”

  I nod, understanding where she’s coming from. “I’m not like most of your friends, am I?”

  Keira shakes her head, confirming my thought. “No, Gemma Storm, you are not. And to answer your question, I’m a human resources manager for a charity in the city. But I already know what you do, considering you own a gym.”

  I don’t even bother correcting her. She’s pretty much solidified the fact this is going to be a one-night thing, and so it shall. It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve had a woman in my bed and scratching the itch I’ve been having down below myself isn’t cutting it these days.

  The bartender brings us back the two martinis Keira ordered and she passes him her now empty glass. Keira picks up hers and hands me the other, holding it up, “To new friendships, and new beginnings.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” I comment as we both clink our glasses against the other’s.

  I don’t know what the night is going to bring, but I’m damn certain it will be as pleasurable as it is fun. I just need to let Brax’ know I won’t be back to our family house here in Los Angeles until very late tonight, or extremely early in the morning.

  Chapter Eight

  Keira

  I’m not normally so forward. In all honesty, I surprised myself when I didn’t just leave after getting that text from Charity. I’m not someone who sleeps with random people. I’ve never been that type of woman. Before Charity and I even met, we both got tested for STDs and had to show one another the negative paperwork. I’m seriously shocked I stayed in the bar and kept flirting with Gemma, slowly getting to know about her. It got to the point where it was almost midnight and we were still just chatting, talking about our favorite movies and silly stuff. For instance, Gemma collects comic books. It’s her tiny little quirk and her brothers make fun of her for it, but I think it’s adorable. She didn’t dive in too much about her family, but neither have I. Plus, it’s not any of my business.

  At one point this evening Gemma went up to a brunette man in a suit. He had bits of a honey blond color coming through the top of his hair and his eyes landed right on me. He smiled devilishly and I swear I saw him mouth the word ‘redhead’. They looked a bit alike in the face, with their narrow noses and the way their stone colored eyes pierced through me.

  Gemma came up to me immediately after and said we could go do whatever, so, I suggested we go to my place. It’s only a couple blocks away and it’s super easy to catch an Uber out in front of the hotel.

  Thankfully she said yes and an Uber was out there sitting in front of the lobby. Our ride to my place was short and uneventful, yet we kept talking about the silly little things. In all honesty, I don’t even have this much conversation with Charity. We just meet up every couple weeks when I don’t have Kaia and mutually make one another’s sexual frustrations go away. But considering how she treated me tonight, I don’t think I’ll be seeing Charity anymore. She threw me out like I’m stripped steak, when in reality I’m a filet mignon. Her loss, not mine.

  Even now as I’m leading Gemma to my apartment, something inside me feels like it’s finally alive. I can’t really make sense of it yet, but we’ve been sitting around, chatting for hours on end, spending this time learning more about one another than I’m used to. This is odd for me, to be doing talking instead of kissing.

  Sliding my key into my door, I unlock it and push it forward, leading Gemma into my apartment. She walks through the door and shuts it behind her, locks the deadbolt and follows me through my small foyer area. I take my shoes off like I typically do every time I enter my place, and she does the same thing.

  I gnaw on my bottom lip and turn around to look at her, staring at how fucking beautiful she is in this garnet red dress. The way her hair is in a half up, half down style, and really take her in. Forcing this so quickly feels wrong and this has never happened to me before. I’ve had my fair share of dates with both men and women, but none of them have gone like this, so effortlessly, so natural. Hell, this isn’t even a date. We met by pure circumstance.

  “Is something wrong?” Gemma asks in a confused tone. I know what she’s doing. I’ve seen it time and time again. She thinks I’m doubting this, that I don’t want to delicately brush my lips against hers or have my hands flow over her lovely rump. She’s wrong, though. I want it, and I want it more than I’ve wanted it in a very long time.

  “I don’t want to fuck this up,” I speak before I even have a second to catch my thoughts.

  “What?” Gemma questions, furrowing her brows together.

  “I don’t want to . . . push this . . . God, I feel so insane right now. But I’m just going to go for it. Gemma, I’ve met a lot of women, and I haven’t liked them in a fraction of the way I’m attracted to you. You’re sweet, kind, and beautiful. We talk about the little things and that’s okay, I love it. I know what you came here and expected, and I want to, God I want to . . . but I don’t want to screw this up. If there’s even a chance this could be more than a sloppy one-night stand, I’d love that. But, if there isn’t, I totally understand and I’ll accept the sloppiest one-night
stand of my life.”

  “Wow. That’s a lot to take in.”

  “So, what do you say?” I question, hoping she’s feeling the same way I do. I’m not professing I’m in love or anything, but I do think we get along really well. Well enough in fact that we can explore whatever this is between us.

  Chapter Nine

  Gemma

  What kind of question is that? She went from giving me the impression she wants to screw me tonight, to stepping on the brakes. I can’t deny I’ve enjoyed my time with her, and I won’t lie and say I’ve chatted more with Keira about my silly little quirks more than most women I spend time with.

  “So, dumb this down for me. What is it you want from me, Keira?” I think I know what she’s about to say, but I need her to vocalize it. After all, I’m not a mind reader. If I was, I’d be working in a totally different industry.

  Keira’s eyes drift down to the floor as she mulls over what to say, but just as she speaks, she looks me right in the eyes. “I want to go on a couple of dates. We’re compatible, Gemma, and I don’t want to throw that away. I think we could be really good together, if you just give us a chance. I’m not normally so straightforward, but for some reason I don’t want to pass this up. I can’t bear the thought of letting you slip through my fingers.”

  This is beautiful, the romantic movie stuff that you think isn’t real. But it is, or it wouldn’t be happening to me right now. I try to fight back the smile tugging at my lips, but I can’t. “Yeah, I think I’d like that, to see where this leads and whatnot.”

  Keira is a beautiful woman, and I mean naturally beautiful. Out here in California it’s standard to find women pumped with Botox, fillers, and implants, but not her. Her face has a bit of innocence to it. Heck, she might be one of those women who uses coffee ground face masks once a week to help keep their skin tight and firm, while giving them a youthful glow. I tried them one time back home with a friend, but they weren’t my cup of tea.