“The hair stylist and makeup artists will be here at three o’clock sharp,” she explains.
“I’ll be ready.”
She kisses my forehead quickly. “I can’t wait to see you in that gorgeous gown.”
* * *
After the stylist worked her magic, putting my hair into a perfect up do, and the makeup artist made me look about ten years older with a smoky eye that would make Avril Lavigne jealous, I finally put on my Prada gown.
The flowing fabric draped perfectly as I stared at myself in the full-length mirror in the corner of my room.
“You’re stunning,” my father mutters as he walks in with my mother on his arm, both with huge smiles plastered on their faces.
It was weird having Charles Hawthorne in my suite. I couldn’t remember the last time my father ventured into my wing of the house. I always had to go to him. Well, usually I did. I guess things are really starting to change around here.
“Thanks,” I reply, doing a little twirl for my parents as they beam at me from the doorway.
“We’re going to leave now. Have to check on a few last-minute things before all of the guests start to arrive. We will send a car to pick you up in about an hour.” My mother’s smile is captivating as she stands looking overly regal in her gold and black gown.
“Xander is going to pick me up. If that is all right?” I needed to keep my parents on board with the whole Xander thing. Asking their permission was a small olive branch that I hoped they would accept willingly.
My father nods as his lips purse a little. “Very good. We’ll see you there, Lottie.”
Rushing over to my parents, I throw an arm around each of them, pulling my folks into me quickly. I am so overwhelmed with how far we have come in such a short amount of time, I needed to express it.
“I am really looking forward to tonight,” I stammer out as they both join in on the embrace.
“So are we, Lottie.” My father’s hot breath lands on my neck before I take a step back.
“Thank you for the dress, I really do love it.” I smooth out the fabric as I start to choke up a little bit.
“It was our pleasure. Only the best for you, sweetheart.” My mother gives my hand a quick squeeze. “See you soon.”
As they exit my room, I sigh with relief. Finally. Finally, it is all coming together. For the first time ever, I feel like we’re the family that I had always hoped we would become. I want to cherish that moment. As fleeting as it was, it was just what I need to get all of the crap out of my head.
I watch from my balcony as my parents’ limo drives out of the gates.
Rattling off a text to Xander, I ask him if he is on his way.
Sinking down into the armchair, I hold my phone in my hand waiting for his reply. Finally, my phone lights up. I swipe on the message: Be there soon, babe.
Instantly, my cheeks perk up and my lips rake into an ear-to-ear grin. This is really happening. Butterflies crash around in my stomach as excitement for the evening settles in quickly. It’s all happening.
Grabbing my French book and a notepad, I make my way to the large family room just off the foyer. Maybe a change of scenery will help get me in the studying mood. Not even two pages later, a sharp tone barks at me, startling me as I jump to my feet.
“Why didn’t you invite me to go with you tonight?” Blaine is huffing as he storms into the room.
“What in the hell are you doing here, Blaine?” I ask, taking a few steps back to put the couch between us. My entire body is trembling. In one second I went from bliss to horror, ripped out of my happy little bubble.
Blaine’s shoulders square as his narrowing eyes bore into me. “I asked you a question, Charlotte,” he spits out, crossing his arms over his chest. I notice a little twitch in the corner of his eye as his face flares red.
“I don’t know what you think this is, but we are not together. I didn’t ask you to go to the gala with me because I am going with Xander. When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I don’t want to be with you? I am with him and you need to learn to accept that.” I suck in a sharp breath before continuing, “I think you need to leave.”
“Or what?” he growls.
“Or I will have you thrown out.”
I dive for my phone that landed on the floor when Blaine surprised me, but he gets to it first.
“Not so fast, little Lottie. I’m not done talking to you yet,” he snarls, pushing me back onto the large couch in one swift motion.
How in the hell did Blaine get past the security guard at the gate?
I try to scream out but it’s no use. The staff is too busy getting ready for the ball. All of them are at the library already making sure it is perfect for the evening’s festivities.
As he lands on top of me, I can see fury building up in his eyes. I have never seen rage like that in my entire life. It’s cold and determined and it scares the ever-loving hell out of me.
“Blaine! What the fuck do you think you are doing?” I yell, struggling to get him off of me.
His fingers collapse around my wrists, slamming them down above my head as he straddles me. As his face gets within an inch of mine, his eyes narrow while he licks his lips. Staring down my cleavage that is now almost popping out of the sweetheart neckline, he rumbles, “I am finally taking what is mine. You think Xander is good. Wait until you have a taste of me. You’ll forget all about that scumbag and finally come to your senses.”
“Blaine! Stop! Please!” I keep wiggling and thrashing around while Blaine holds both of my wrists with one hand and starts to hike up my dress with the other. My entire body burns as his fingertips trail up the side of my thigh.
This cannot be happening.
“Stop struggling, Char. You know you want this,” he breathes with his lips lingering next to my ear.
“I don’t want this. I don’t want you. Get the fuck off of me, you piece of shit!” I try to bite his cheek, apparently that is becoming my go-to defensive move in these types of situations, but he pulls away just in time. A flash of when Scarface attacked me in that alley assaults me again, making my blood boil.
“You want to get rough, Char? I can get rough,” he bellows before taking in a deep breath while smelling my hair. “I have wanted this for so long. Dreamed about it. Lusted after it. I am going to take my time with this. And when we’re done, you’ll see. You’ll love me just the way that I love you.”
I spit right into his eye. “Fuck you!” I scream.
Pulling his hand back, he slaps me right across the cheek. “Stop resisting this. I know you have to pretend to want to be with him. But we’re alone now, you don’t have to lie to me anymore.” The sinister tone that laces Blaine’s words sends chills up my spine. I can feel the blood draining out of my face as I try to catch my breath and still fight him off of me.
Where the hell is Xander?
Of all of the times I need him to be here, how can he be late?
“Help!” I don’t know what else to do, I have to try to get someone’s attention. “Someone, please, help me!”
Chapter 22
Xander
A soft knock at my bedroom door jolts me and my eyes land on the clock.
It’s time.
“Come in,” I grumble, struggling with the bow tie on my tuxedo. Tonight, Charles Hawthorne is gonna see just how well I blend.
“Oh, sweetie.” My mom’s hand flies up to her mouth. “You look so handsome!”
“So judging by your strong reaction to the tux and the hair, I guess I look like a thug the rest of the time?” I smirk, turning away from the mirror over my dresser.
Mom rolls her eyes. “Just different. You look like a movie star walking the red carpet at the Oscars right now. Charlotte’s a lucky girl.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I give myself one final look-over. Dark hair slicked back, face clean-shaven, the rest of me perfectly starched and pressed. I definitely look the part of one of the assholes who’ll be glad-handing at the
event tonight. But, as much as I want to fit in with Charlotte’s life, I want to be with Charlotte. And if I have to wear this bullshit façade, to smile when I’d rather scream, to watch guys at this gala swing their dicks around to prove themselves, I’ll do it because she’s worth it.
I choose her.
It’s a startling reality, one I’ve been fighting for a while. I hated her for so long because I felt disregarded and abandoned when she left for London. I had been hanging on by a thread a couple of years ago, fighting between what was expected of me and what I really wanted, riding the line so I could have it all. When she got on that plane, the thread had been severed and I lost what I wanted most. I fell into an existence filled with darkness when I took my place in the family. There was no longer a lifeline.
I delivered for my father. I did my job. I eliminated threats. I protected what was ours.
And I was challenged every step of the way, beaten down for trying to establish myself, for trying to be taken seriously.
Damned if I do, damned if I didn’t.
I recognized the writing on the wall a long time ago. I knew if my family stood still and stayed complacent, other families would barrel in and wipe us out. I knew we were at risk of losing a lot...if not everything. And I worked hard to fight against our enemies. I gave up what I wanted and did what was expected.
For fucking what?
So my father can banish me from here, keeping me away from the one person who brings me peace in a world polluted with death, danger, and deceit?
I square my shoulders.
My mom thinks Charlotte is the lucky one.
But it’s really me.
I have a second chance at this...at making the life I want for myself.
With her.
I tried to fix the problems that seem to loom over my family like a goddamn black cloud. I tried to find the people responsible for stealing our livelihood. I tried to punish the guilty.
But I’m done with this shit.
Done with this life.
I manage a smile for my mother before gathering her in my arms for a tight hug. “I love you,” I murmur. “Thank you for everything.” I’ll miss my mother more than anything, but she can’t protect me anymore. It’s my time to step up, and if I fall, well, I’ll just fucking get back up again.
And again.
She gasps, a joyful smile on her face when she pulls away. She places a hand against my forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Why so sappy?” A hearty chuckle shakes her shoulders. “Oh, wait! You’re in love,” she whispers, dropping a kiss on the top of my nose. “I get it now!”
I shrug. “Do I have to be in love to let you know how much you mean to me?” I hold her hands. “I should have told you all the time, but I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Mom grins, cupping my chin in her hand. “I know how you feel about me, sweetie. I always know. Why do you think you’re my favorite?”
I snicker. “I don’t really have much competition there, do I?”
Mom laughs. “Keep it to yourself. If anyone asks, I’ll just deny it.”
“Deal,” I say, grabbing my keys and heading out of my bedroom.
“Just make sure you bring that beautiful girlfriend of yours over for a proper dinner soon, okay?” Mom calls out to me.
I turn around, the smile still caught on my face. “Soon,” I repeat.
Goddammit, I hate lying to her.
I run down the stairs after checking the time. I’m already ten minutes late. I hope the windbags we’re gonna be rubbing elbows with appreciate a fashionably late entrance at these things.
“Xander,” my father’s deep voice makes me cringe.
I grit my teeth and turn in his direction. “Dad, I’ve gotta go. Charlotte is waiting for me.”
“This can’t wait.”
I clench my fists. He’s right. It can’t. No time like the present to let him know I’m walking away for good.
He stalks into his office and I follow, swallowing a groan when I glance at my watch.
“You look good,” he says in a stiff voice. “Big plans tonight?”
I give a curt nod. “Charlotte’s dad is hosting some business gala. She asked me to take her.”
Dad’s jaw twitches. “And how does she feel about you leaving for Chicago?” he asks, a harsh edge to his voice.
“I don’t know since I haven’t told her about it.”
“Don’t you think you should clue her in?” He settles himself against his large dark wood desk. “It’s over, Xander. You can try to avoid it, but the end of the road is here. I’ve given you plenty of chances and you’ve ignored my instructions every chance you get. I can’t risk that you’re going to cause any more trouble than you already have.”
“Trouble?” I shout. “How have I started trouble? I’m the only one of your sons who actually recognizes a problem and does something to resolve it. You, Phoenix, Jase...none of you address anything! You bury your heads up your asses, hoping and praying shit gets better. But nobody does anything!”
“Don’t you dare disrespect me that way!” Dad bellows, slamming a fist on the top of the desk.
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Look, I’m sorry for saying that, but it’s the truth, Dad. How many times have I come to you to fix things in the organization? And when this Moretti thing became real, I tried to connect the dots. Me, nobody else. In fact, it’s like everyone else is ready to roll out the red carpet for the scumbag! We have leads...real leads! But nobody wants to run with them. I don’t know if it’s because they’re scared or plain fucking stupid, but the longer we wait, the closer to extinction we get.” I take a few steps closer to him. “Do you want to lose everything, Dad? Because I don’t.”
“Xander, this has been my life forever. Do you really think I want to hand over everything we’ve built to Moretti?” He sweeps a hand over his head. “But you have to realize when you act on your emotions, it makes you vulnerable. Maintaining a steady head...and hand...will help you prevail. It helps to keep your eyes open and focused so you’re aware of everything going on around you. Letting your anger grab hold of you and guide your actions makes you more of a target because you miss what’s right in front of you.”
“Missing something that’s right in front of you because you need to think it to death isn’t exactly a solid plan, either,” I grumble.
“You’ve been clouded, Xander. Conflicted. Ever since Charlotte got back to town. I can’t have your focus in so many directions. It will get you hurt...or worse. You need to remember what’s important and where your priorities lie. There is no room for a girl, no less a girl whose father appears to be mixed up with a very dangerous element that is trying to challenge our existence.” He folds his arms over his chest. “I know you think you can do it all, but I’m here to tell you that it’s impossible. You will fail. You cannot play to more than one master. It may have worked when you were younger, but the stakes are just too high now. I need to know I can trust you to accept your family responsibilities, which is why you need to go to Chicago. Under Phoenix’s guidance, you won’t have any distractions. You’ll focus on the threats to our organization and help tighten our borders, all while coming up with new opportunities for us to expand.” He quirks an eyebrow. “It’s exactly what you said you wanted.”
I let out a deep sigh. “I did say I wanted that. For years, all I wanted to do was make you proud, to show you I have what it takes to be a force in this family.”
“You were never in it all the way,” Dad says.
I furrow my brow. “Yes, I was. I did what you asked. I made you plenty of cash. I—”
“You were never in with both feet,” Dad repeats. “You think I missed that, Xander? Tell me, was I supposed to throw more responsibility at you while I watched and wondered what you were going to do next to ‘prove yourself’? I tried to guide you, tried to help you find your way. Why do you think I tried to keep you out of the shit for so long? You had potential, but you were always a loose cannon, more dangero
us than your brother because you operated from a place where you believed in your actions. Jase, on the other hand, just accepted things at face-value. It makes him easier to control.” Dad sighs. “I explained why it was so important for you to stay under Jase for the time being, that it was a perception game. But you fought me every inch of the way. And now here we are, with a whole lot of loose ends, standing on a very fucking shaky foundation. I need your strength, but I need it away from here. You have choices to make, and I need you to figure out how to get your head back in the game before it gets blown off. Do you understand me?”
I give a quick nod. “I’m already there, Dad. I’m in the game and my choices have been made.” I swallow hard to find a growing lump wedged in my windpipe. “I choose Charlotte. I don’t want this life. I never did. I tried to take my place, I tried to do what you expected. But deep down, I’ve fought it from the very first time I took a box cutter to Shorty’s hand and sliced off that first finger.” I let out a dry chuckle. “And now, I want out. You’ve made it clear I can’t have everything, but I think I already do.” I back away from him, moving toward the door. “So I won’t be going to Chicago with Phoenix. I’m not sure where I’m going, but wherever I end up it will be with Charlotte.”
* * *
I slam the front door of my house and jog over to my car. It’s weird, but I feel lighter, like I can finally breathe again. The black cloud has finally been lifted, and all it took was for me to tell my dad I quit the family.
Quit the family.
It sounds so fucking stupid, especially since I’m not an idiot.
I know the only ways in and out, and quitting is not one of them.
It’s a custom-made body bag.
Son of the boss or not.
Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2 Page 16
