Revenge

by Anne L. Parks

  "No, you didn't," the words rush out of my mouth. I feel like a teenager who just got caught in the backseat of a boy's car.

  Alex grunts something beside me. I glance at him. His eyes have narrowed, his jaw is clenched, and he is staring down Reyes. I squeeze his hand, and manage to get his attention on me, and hopefully thwart any desire he has to rip into Reyes.

  He stands, lifts my hand to his lips, and places small kisses over my knuckles. "I'll let you get back to work." His gaze slides over to Reyes, a threatening glint in them Reyes apparently picks up on too as he turns and walks to his desk.

  Alex smiles at me and I force down the desire to roll my eyes. Why do men constantly feel the need to play "my dick's bigger than yours"?

  "I have the awards dinner tomorrow night. It would mean a great deal to me if you would come," he says, a desperate plea in his eyes.

  With everything going on lately, I had forgotten about it. "I'm not sure, Alex. The press will be everywhere, and I'm not up for the scrutiny of our relationship."

  The press had followed me out of the office one day, hounding me for a statement about the protests and the appeal, and had discovered I was not living at Alex's. The PR people at Stone Holdings released an official statement that I am staying in town as a convenience while I work on the appeal. But speculation still runs rampant. "I'll think about it, though. Deal?"

  The smile I've been missing, the beautiful smile that brightens his face and hits his eyes, shows his approval. "Deal."

  I walk him to the door, watch as he climbs behind the wheel of the Maserati, and drives away—and a piece of my heart goes with him.

  * * *

  * * *

  Mercifully, the rest of the day seems to be going by quickly. At first, Reyes is distant, but throughout the course of the afternoon, he's loosening up a bit, and actually cracks a joke now and then.

  Most of the boxes in the conference room are empty. We organize the contents and re-box according to the new classification. The most important crime scene photos take up half of the twelve-foot white board, while the other half of the board outlines the timeline of the case.

  All afternoon my mind has been going over Alex's visit. Seeing him again made me miss him even more. It's sometimes hard for me to remember what my life was like before I met him. Since the day he waltzed into my office with Jack, the man has never been far from my thoughts.

  At first, it was an infatuation. A fascination with the extremely wealthy businessman who had women swooning around him. I never imagined myself with a man like him, and really never considered a man like him would want me—and only me. But that's how it's been from the start—just the two of us.

  Falling in love with him happened so quickly, and not without its own drama. Alex's need to protect me led to him thinking he could control my life. We had more than one blow-up over his inability to let me make my own decisions. Of course, sometimes he's been right, and I left myself vulnerable to John's sadistic games.

  When Alex finally admitted his love for me—an emotion he swore he didn't possess—it was the most impactful moment of our relationship. And since that day, through all the up and downs, arguments and make-ups, one thing remains the same, our deep love for one another. I never thought it possible to love someone as much as I love Alex, but he has my heart, and he always will.

  Always.

  "Forever," I murmur, grasping the double heart pendant Alex gave to me. We had said those words to each that night, and they remain as true today as they did when we first spoke them.

  "What was that?" Reyes asks.

  I glance over at him, heat rising in my cheeks. I didn't realize I’d said anything out loud. "Uh, nothing. So, it looks like we’ve managed to get this in order. How about we call it a night?"

  Reyes shrugs. "Sure, sounds good to me."

  He turns off all the lights and makes sure the coffee pot is off while I shut down my computer and grab my stuff. At the bottom of the stairs, he grabs a hold of my elbow. I glance up at him, wondering what the hell he's doing when his lips come crashing down on mine. His mouth attacks mine and he jabs his tongue along the seam of my lips in an attempt to coax them to part.

  I push him away, rip my mouth off his, and stumble backwards. “What the hell?”

  Reyes drops his head, hands on hips, and when he looks up at me again, his eyes have a hint of sadness. "Sorry, I just want you to know you have other options."

  I'm still a little dizzy from the shock of his mouth on mine and struggling with how he's trying to explain. "Options?"

  He sighs. "Options other than Alex Stone."

  "Oh."

  Oh! Wow, I'm not even close to being prepared for this conversation.

  I rub my suddenly sweaty palms together, buying some time to think of a way to handle this situation. I mean, we still have to work together. Yelling at him to keep his damn hands and mouth off me in the future might not be the best approach. "Um, I don't know what to say. I'm flattered, I really am, but…I love Alex. I will always love him."

  His jaw clenches. "He's an arrogant prick—even you see that, right?" he asks through gritted teeth.

  I bite my tongue and tamp down my anger. "You don't know him like I do."

  "He lies to you. You left him—which you should have—but he doesn't deserve you."

  And you do?

  My blood is boiling, I want to haul off and punch him in the mouth. I'm so tired of everyone thinking they know Alex, what he's really like, when they know nothing about his heart, or his past. "I know how people see Alex, but there is a side to him only I've been privy to. I'm not going to recite all the ways he does deserve my love—that's between him and me—but I'll tell you I have never once felt he didn't deserve it."

  Reyes runs his hand through his hair and sighs. "I had to give it a shot."

  I nod and turn to go, but he grabs my arm again. "But don't think for one minute I'll change my mind about him. You're an amazing woman. A man like Alex Stone will never fully appreciate how lucky he is to have you."

  I turn, seething, and the best thing I can do is to get some distance between Sergeant Reyes and me before I say something I'll regret. Who the hell does he think he is, acting as if I'm some love-sick puppy who can't see Alex for who he really is? I don't have on blinders—I know Alex's many faults—but I also know the heart and soul he doesn't let many into, and I experience the depth of his love and loyalty on a daily basis. And I'll have it forever, without question.

  I slide behind the wheel of the Porsche and start the engine. Reyes had it all wrong when he said Alex doesn't deserve my love. It's me that doesn't deserve Alex. I roll down the window, accelerate, and revel in the cool fall air as it swirls around me. My hair flies in all directions, the fire Reyes ignited all but extinguished.

  * * *

  I know what I want to do. And I know just how to show Alex he can always count on my love.

  Forever.

  16

  I drop onto the couch, sink into the cushions, and hit the speed dial on my phone. It's ringing, so I take a quick swig of wine and set the glass on the end table beside me.

  "Hello?" Leigha answers.

  "Hey, it's Kylie."

  "Hey, stranger, where the hell have you been hiding?" Her voice has a lilt and there is no animosity in it. We haven't been friends for long, but we've become close in a short amount of time, and one of only two female friends I have. I'm sure that says something about me, but I have no idea what, nor do I care.

  "I know, I've been sort of off the mainline lately. Sorry—it's complicated."

  She snorts. If anyone understands what I'm going through, it’s Leigha. She's in a long-term relationship with Alex's brother, Will, and we often commiserate on the difficulties of loving Stone men.

  "Yeah, I think I know that song, different verse”, she chuckles. "Things improving at all?"

  "There was a major step forward today, and I'm about to attempt a grandstanding leap. Care to help me?"

/>   "Anytime, anyplace, sister." There's strength just knowing someone can relate to me and my plight and backs me up whenever I call.

  "Are you guys going to the philanthropist of the year ceremony?"

  "Yeah, Francine called all of us individually to insist we be there to support Alex."

  "Because his bitchy girlfriend dumped him, just like she always knew I would, leaving Alex broken-hearted?" Alex's adopted mother was not my biggest fan. She's objected to me being in Alex's life from the very beginning and hasn't softened much over the past few months. At first it bothered me, but now it's just mildly irritating to be around her. Luckily, Alex is typically as annoyed by her as I am.

  "Damn near word-for-word," Leigha says and laughs. "I think she is secretly happy you aren't going to be there."

  "Well, I'm about to piss her off, then."

  I thought about it all afternoon, weighing out the pros and cons, vacillating between wanting desperately to celebrate with Alex or avoid the confusion of where we are in our relationship. When it comes down to it, Alex wants me there, and nothing else really matters.

  "Are you going?" Leigha squeals.

  "If I can tag along with you and Will?" I answer.

  "Of course. We'll swing by and pick you up." She pauses and it sounds as if she's walking into another room because I can no longer hear the TV in the background. "So, does Alex know you're coming?"

  I sigh. I'm not going to tell Alex. If he knows, he'll go out of his way to make sure everything is perfect for me, and that's not the point of this event. It's to honor him and the work he does for various charities, and I want it to stay all about him. So much media lately has been focusing on him negatively, calling into question his actions the night his mother died, and outright accusations he murdered her. The scrutiny is dredging up a lot of emotions Alex only recently started to deal with, after he buried them for so many years, and now they're on display for the public to criticize.

  "No, and I'd really like to keep it that way. I don't want to make a big deal about me being there—I just want to keep it low key."

  "Got it," Leigha says. "Your secret's safe with me, and I will threaten to withhold sex if Will breathes a word of it to Alex."

  We work out the details of what time they'll pick me up, and then we say our goodbyes. Well, I can't back out now. I grab my wine glass, refill it on my way through the kitchen, and go in search of something to wear tomorrow night. I'm pretty sure I didn't bring any of my evening dresses with me, so that means I will have to go shopping tomorrow on my lunch break.

  I flop onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling. I'm happy. I know I made the right decision. This is important to Alex, and Alex is important to me. He took the first step today toward our reconciliation, now it's my turn to take the next one, and show him I'm just as invested in us making a future together.

  I just wish I could silence the little voice in my head that's telling me something is going to go horribly wrong.

  17

  Will and Leigha walk into the ballroom ahead of me to search for our table. The room is beautiful, filled with large round tables with navy blue linens and huge centerpieces of white flowers. I follow them through the maze to the center front of the room, next to the stage. There's a podium to my left and a giant screen that takes up nearly the entire length of the stage, with the words Philanthropist of the Year - Alex Stone, and an accompanying picture of him. It's one of his corporate stock photos the PR department uses. Still, he's the most handsome man I have ever met.

  My heart rate climbs higher with every step I take toward the table. I can already see Francine, but I don’t think she's seen me yet. Harold, Alex's adopted father, is next to her, nodding his head at something she is saying, but I would bet money he is not listening to her. Harold has refined the skill of tuning Francine out without her noticing. Alex says that's because she loves the sound of her own voice, and Harold is just a sounding board. Still, it makes me giggle.

  Patty, Alex's sister, and her husband are next to Francine. Ellie, the baby of the family, is huddled close to her newest flavor of the month. She certainly manages to go through men, but I think it's by her choice. She gets bored with men very quickly, and dates guys who are clingy and can't let go.

  Will and Leigha take the seats closest to Ellie, and I decide to sit between Patty and Leigha. Patty and I get along great—we're not as close as Leigha and I are, but Patty has a heart the size of the city, and enough love to share with everyone.

  "Kylie, you're here," she says, wraps her arms around my neck, and pulls me into an embrace.

  I hug her back, and whisper, "I'm so happy to see you, Patty."

  When we separate, Harold gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "There's my favorite lawyer."

  I smile. Next to Jack, Harold has become like a father to me. He accepted me from the moment he met me.

  Francine clears her throat and I glance across the table at her. She eyes me up and down, like she always does, and gives me a tight smile which conveys no warmth. "Kylie, I didn't know you were coming tonight."

  "Mother," Patty says, glaring at Francine.

  "Wouldn't miss it for the world," I answer. She is not going to get under my skin tonight. Alex wants me here, and that's all that matters.

  Francine says something else—no doubt a snarky reply of some sort—but I'm not paying attention. Alex is weaving his way through the tables. He has on his black Armani tux, perfectly tailored to accent his athletic build.

  God, he's beautiful. His chiseled features, gorgeous blue eyes—I want to round the table, grab him, and kiss him.

  He stops behind his chair directly across the table from me. His lips part unconsciously, his eyes widen, "Kylie."

  I smile, the butterflies in my stomach take flight, and in this moment, it's just him and me.

  A woman's hand slides up his forearm, and my eyes wander up her perfectly tanned arm to her face.

  Rebekah.

  She steps in closer to Alex and tightens her grip on his arm. My heart sinks, and I kick myself for not telling Alex I was coming tonight. He needed a date, and I was too stubborn yesterday to let go of my stupid pride and say yes. But—of all the people to ask—why the hell did he pick her?

  My eyes dart over to him, and something in my features must be off because he cocks his eyebrow. I look back at Rebekah, in her tight black dress, the neckline plunging so deep her breasts are falling out.

  Classy.

  Alex is yanking his arm out of her grasp. He steps away from her, and I can see his eyes filling with confusion, as if he had no idea the skanky bitch was even there.

  A quick glance around us confirms my fears. Every eye is on us, people are speaking in hushed voices, and pointing. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen.

  "I can't be here," I murmur.

  Getting out of the ballroom is more of a challenge now it's filled with people who are more interested in watching the drama unfold than letting me pass. I exit and head towards the concierge desk to get a cab. My heels click against the marble floor, echoing throughout the open space.

  "Kylie."

  Alex's voice is behind me. I glance over my shoulder and see him jogging through the hotel toward me.

  "Alex, what are you doing out here?" I ask when he reaches me.

  He takes my elbow and guides me to a quiet seating area away from the mainstream activity of the hotel.

  "Please, don't go."

  I sigh. I wish I could stay, I want so badly to stay, to celebrate this moment with him. "I can't be here."

  "I'm not with Rebekah. I swear. I had no idea she was even here tonight, let alone standing right next to me. I promise you, once I saw you standing there, nothing else mattered except you were here."

  "I'm not leaving because of Rebekah. But she doesn't help an already chaotic situation. Before it was just a mild curiosity about our relationship status. Now, it's a three-ring circus, complete with a love triangle."

  I step clo
ser and place my hand on his face. His scent is all around me, and I breathe it in. I love the way he smells, spicy and woodsy and Alex. It's intoxicating and makes it so much harder to leave him. "This is an important night, and I don't want to deflect attention away from this honor, because you deserve it, and you should enjoy it."

  "I don't care about the award. I care about you. I want to share this with you, and if you won't stay, then I'll go with you."

  "You can't leave before they present you with the award—" Alex opens his mouth to object, but I place a finger over his lips. "Think of all the good this kind of exposure will do for the Foundation, for women like your mom—like me—who feel so trapped in a bad relationship and have no support. And other charities which benefit from your generosity. You owe it to all of them to stay."

  He drops his head and his shoulders sag. He covers my hand with his, turns his head and kisses my palm. His chest rises and falls heavily. "Fine, I'll stay. Can I see you later?"

  My pulse races, intoxicated by our closeness—both physically and emotionally—at ease with our present, and excited about our future again. "Yeah, I'd like that."

  He lifts my hands to his lips, placing sweet kisses over the backs of them. "You look beautiful, by the way. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you sooner. It's part of the reason I didn't register Rebekah was next to me. I couldn't take my eyes off you."

  I step into him, our bodies meld together perfectly, as they have since the beginning. It's comfortable here. Safe. I brush my lips against his and then push against them with more force. Releasing him, I gaze into his eyes, so full of love and desire. He takes my hand and walks me to the front. The Mercedes SUV pulls up as we step outside.

  "Jake will take you back to the apartment." He helps me into the back of the vehicle. "I'll see you soon."

  He closes the door and Jake pulls away. I turn in my seat and watch Alex out the back window until we turn onto the road and he disappears from my sight.