Breaking Beauty: A Second Chance Romance

by Stella Andrews

  “You caused?”

  “Yes, I ran from my feelings because I couldn’t face them. I never stuck around to fight for you—for us and in doing so, led Anastasia to think she could be happy in my place. However, she’s spent five years trying to fill the position I vacated, and it’s damaged her more than she was already. Now she’s taking this marriage as a way out and I’m solely responsible.”

  “But your mother, surely she must take the blame along with your father?”

  Reaching out, she grasps my hand and says sadly, “They were the initial cause but I was the one who let things escalate, which is why I need to be the one to put things right.”

  Her words alarm me because of the adversary she faces, and she says firmly, “Let’s head back to your apartment tonight. You need to pack; we’re going on a road trip.”

  “Where to?” I ask the question but with a sinking heart know the answer already, which is confirmed as she says happily, “I’m taking you home to meet the family.”

  She laughs and I can tell the idea is making her happy, so I hold my reservations back and nod. “Is it far?”

  “About three hours North.”

  “Washington?”

  “Spot on.”

  She giggles and I smile to myself. Yes, it will be hard meeting the people she obviously holds so dear and if that beast is anything to go by, I’m in for a hard time but how can I not be curious to see where she’s been for the past few years?

  We reach my apartment and I can tell she’s impressed as we pull into the underground car park of a sleek, modern tower block, on the more affluent side of town.

  “The company is obviously paying you too well.”

  She laughs as I raise my eyes. “If I existed on the pittance your father pays, I’d be out on the street.”

  She looks surprised. “Then how?”

  Grinning, I take her hand and lead her to the elevator. “We all have our secrets, Angel and this is one of mine.”

  “One of them?”

  Pulling her toward, me I claim her lips as I’ve wanted to do since they last left mine. Groaning, I push her against the glass of the elevator and she folds into me. Reaching down, I inch her skirt up a little and run my hands over her ass, pressing into her, feeling how hard she makes me. She pushes against my cock and grins, “Fuck me, I can’t get enough of this.”

  Her hand finds my cock and rubs it hard and with a muffled growl, I raise her hands above her head and hold them in place. “Just wait until I get you home.”

  She pouts petulantly and I swear the rest of the world tunes out, as with a low growl, I rip her panties off with force and free my raging cock. Her legs wrap around my waist and I drive in home where I always want to be. As I thrust inside, she gasps and moans, “That’s it, fuck me, Seb, own me, make me yours.”

  I don’t need telling and as I feel her slick walks clenching around my cock, she squeezes every last bit of restraint from me, as without warning, I come apart inside her. Her screams fill the elevator as she shouts my name and I don’t even care that we didn’t use protection because if we’ve made another life here in this steel-clad, fuck room, I would be the happiest man alive.

  The elevator reaches its destination and we quickly rearrange our clothing, grinning like high school kids doing what they shouldn’t. As the doors open, I lace my fingers with hers and pull her from the elevator toward my apartment.

  As I place the key in the lock, I feel a surge of pride as I prepare to show Angel what I’ve done with my time since she left.

  As we walk inside, she looks at me with an incredulous expression. “Oh my God, Seb, what the…?”

  She stares around her in disbelief and I laugh. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

  She nods and walks around her, looking in wonder at the panoramic view of the city that’s all around us. My apartment is on the top floor, some may call it a penthouse but it was never marketed that way. Every apartment in this building is impressive and was designed to take in the amazing view outside. She stands and stares at the view of the river sparkling below and the sight of blue sky and clouds rather than roof tops and bustling streets. Then her attention is taken by the modern fittings and touches that I paid a designer a small fortune to create. She turns and gasps, “But how… this place must have cost a small fortune?”

  Placing my jacket on the back of the chair, I smile proudly. “When you left, I was destroyed. I couldn’t believe what happened and for a while drifted, not knowing what to do about the whole sorry mess. Then I woke up one day and made a decision that until you came back, I would work on our future. I started studying the markets and even went to night school to learn the basics. Every second of my time was spent poring over stocks and shares and learning to spot the trends. I made my first investment with the small amount of money I had saved and it doubled in size almost overnight. I reinvested that money and kept on doing so until I had a year’s salary in one month. I quickly realized I had a knack for it and started to offer my services. A few months in and I had many new clients approach me as word spread at how good I was with their investments.”

  She shakes her head. “Wow, Seb, that’s some story, I’m impressed.” Reaching for her, I pull her beside me on the couch and sigh, “Then my father died, and I had to take up his position at Johnson’s plastics. Your father insisted I learn the business from the bottom up and that took most of my time. I still found time to work on my investments in my spare time and threw myself into both jobs one hundred percent. The only time off I allowed myself was when I had to escort Anastasia to an event and the club.”

  “Blacks?”

  She looks a little put out and I nod. “Yes, I used that place to get rid of my frustration.”

  I laugh as she rolls her eyes and reaching out, stroke the side of her face and kiss her lightly on the lips. “It was always you, darlin’. Those other women were there to serve a purpose, but they never got inside my head, or heart. Blacks saved me from going mad and made me learn the importance of control and domination.”

  She shivers and whispers, “Domination?”

  “Yes, I learned that to fully control something, or someone, you need to understand how it all works. In the case of Blacks, I had to learn what makes a woman respond and place her own needs above mine, knowing that giving her pleasure would ultimately give me pleasure. In business I was ruthless and controlling, learning how it worked and manipulating it to my advantage. So, between all three things in my life, I created a monster.”

  Her eyes soften and she shifts closer. “You were never a monster to me, unless you count the day I woke up and found my prince was marrying the ugly sister.”

  She looks concerned as the pain in my eyes tells her a different story and she whispers, “However, like all fairy tales, there’s a happy ever after in the end. At least I hope there is.”

  Lowering my lips to hers, I taste my future. She kisses me back and as I taste the sweetness of this woman in my arms, I forget what happened before. It’s what happens next that matters and even if Johnson’s plastics doesn’t have the future we think it will, I have made enough money and contacts to ensure ours is a very comfortable one.

  31

  Angel

  If Sebastian’s nervous he’s keeping it to himself. In fact, he has proved to be the hardest rock in my hour of need and it feels good to have him by my side where he belongs.

  We are heading toward the Rubicon in his sports car, having left the pickup back at the cabin. Laughing to myself, I remember Snake predicting I would only be back for a visit, maybe he saw what I was blind to what seems like months instead of just a few days ago.

  “You know, Seb, a lot has happened in a very short time.”

  “It sure has, although this couldn’t be over quick enough for me.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I want to get on with living our lives together with no cloud hanging over us. We have a bright future ahead of us and once this... business, is sorted we
can move on.”

  “And just what are you planning in this bright future of ours?” I grin, knowing the answer already. I know in my heart that Sebastian and I have it all to look forward to and it’s inevitable we become a couple in every way possible.

  “If I told you that, I would have to kill you.”

  He raises his eyes and grins wickedly and I laugh out loud. “You stole my line.”

  “You stole my heart.”

  We grin at each other like idiots and I almost have to pinch myself. How can something so good come out of so much hurt and anger?

  However, all conversation stops, as I direct Sebastian onto the trail that leads to Hell. A rough piece of ground that promises a dead end - for some, anyway.

  As we make our way gently down the track, I feel nervous about what Sebastian will think of my family. They are rough, crude and unforgiving, yet love even harder. They won’t make it easy for him if they sense he’s not genuine and I just hope they can see that I’m a different girl than the one who left here frightened and afraid at what she would find.

  Sebastian’s quiet beside me and as we pass the trees that line the route and head into the yard that holds the machines that wreak fear and destruction to those they visit, I swallow hard. I’m home.

  As we park the car, I see the yard’s almost full. I had hoped they would be out on a job because seeing the guys in a crowd is a lot to take in. Sebastian is looking around him in disbelief and I feel edgy as he says in horror, “You lived... here?”

  Immediately, my defenses are up and I snap, “What’s wrong with it?”

  Shaking his head, he looks at me through troubled eyes. “I’m sorry, Angel, I never realized it was so...”

  “You know shit, Sebastian, save your judgment until you know the facts.”

  I make to leave the car angry with him and he pulls me back and smiles ruefully. “I’m sorry, darlin’, you’re right and I’m quick to judge. I just don’t understand this world and am looking at it on first impressions.”

  Relaxing a little, I say urgently, “Leave your judgment in this car because the guys won’t take kindly to you looking down on them. I’m guessing you’ll be thinking differently when we leave, so shut the fuck up and don’t say a word, or even look at them the wrong way because those guys will eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

  He grins and I roll my eyes. “What?”

  “You know you really turn me on when you’re angry.”

  “Asshole.”

  Laughing, I exit the car and take a deep breath. I’m so ready for this.

  Sebastian joins me and as we head toward the large wooden door, I point to the sign above it.

  ‘Abandon hope all who enter here.’

  Sebastian shakes his head and I laugh. “You’ll see.”

  I push on the door and as we enter the steel compound, I hear the noise from the bar down the long passageway and my heart sinks. “I’m sorry, honey but it appears to be happy hour.”

  Grinning, I pull him after me and then drop his hand immediately and rush straight into the arms of the man making his way toward us down the hall. As I jump into the strong tattooed arms that close around me in a steel embrace, I feel the tears building and say huskily, “It’s good to see you, Ty.”

  A deep voice growls, “You too, darlin’, what took you so long?”

  For a moment I just relish the comfort this Reaper has always given me and settle into his arms as I’ve done a thousand times before, then he growls, “Who’s the guy?”

  Pulling back, I beckon Sebastian forward who looks mighty pissed and say happily, “This is Sebastian, meet Tyson, Seb, a good friend of mine.”

  Sebastian looks wary as Tyson sizes him up. Then he holds out his hand and as Sebastian takes it, grips it hard and growls, “I remember the name. You better be treating Angel right this time.”

  Nodding, Sebastian says firmly, “I always have.”

  Tyson frowns and I say quickly, “It’s ok, Ty, he’s telling the truth. I may have run before knowing the facts but it’s all good now.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Tyson stares at me and I know he sees everything. They have an uncanny knack of spotting bullshit in a second and I sigh. “My problem isn’t with Sebastian, it’s with someone I never saw coming.”

  Looking concerned, Tyson growls, “What do you need?”

  “Ryder.” I say the one word that gets results and Tyson nods. “Of course, although I must warn you, he’s in a bad place.”

  “What do you mean?” Immediately I’m worried because Ryder is never in a bad place, although I’m relieved when Tyson laughs softly. “Ashton’s nearly due and Cassie’s been sent home for fighting again. He’s pissed at her because he wants Ashton to be trouble free in case it sets off her labor. He had to ask his sister to stay to deal with Cassie and now Ashton’s pissed at him.”

  Laughing, I roll my eyes. “He is in a bad way. Thanks for the warning.”

  All the time we speak, I’m conscious that Sebastian is waiting and taking it all in. God only knows what’s going through his mind right now and I feel a little bad for him. At least he’s only met one Reaper so far, Tyson’s a pussycat compared to most of them, largely because his childhood sweetheart came back to him and is now firmly by his side, when she’s not touring with her band that is. If anyone knows what it’s like to lose your heart, it’s Tyson, which is why we spent so much time together.

  He looks at Sebastian and nods. “Follow me and I’ll spare you the third degree from the rest of them. They’re in high spirits because we’ve just had a good result in the field. I’ll take you out back to Ryder’s office and get him to meet you there.”

  Smiling my thanks, we follow him to catch up with the man who we all look to in a crisis. I’m glad we saw Tyson first because when the guys are in high spirits, it’s a lot to deal with.

  Another reason why I’m grateful to Tyson, is the scene that’s playing out through those doors right now. Where there’s a Reaper, there’s a girl and if she’s not their old lady, she’s a whore. At least that’s what we call ourselves and others may not understand the true meaning of it here. It’s not just the women either, the men are just the same and sharing is caring around here. No pressure, no ties and no questions asked. Just an understanding that occasionally two people need comfort in each other to get through the shittiest storm. Yes, I’m grateful that Sebastian doesn’t get to see that side of me - yet.

  Tyson shows us to Ryder’s office and as we wait for the bastard himself, I try to curb the flutter inside. Sebastian says quietly, “Who’s Ryder?”

  Taking a deep breath, I fill him in.

  “He’s the president of the Twisted Reaper MC. Hard assed ex-soldier and Navy Seal. Special forces and the hardest man I’ve ever met. He runs the Reapers for the government under the radar and the others are much the same as him. Ex-military, mostly special forces and unforgiving bastards. They help dispose of the government’s enemies with no questions asked and are responsible for keeping the shit out of the news. Ryder King is a man no one wants to meet and the only people who call him a friend are his deputy Snake, who you met at the cabin and Brewer his close friend. He’s married to Ashton, who is the only girl I’ve known him to love, and he has a daughter Cassie who was the result of one of the whores trying to trap him.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She’s dead.”

  Sebastian looks shocked and I shake my head. “Not by him, she was a drug addict and picked up some guys in a bar one night. She was found dead in a ditch.”

  Sebastian falls silent and I can tell he’s trying to understand the world I’ve been living in since I left.

  It doesn’t take long before we hear footsteps and I prepare myself to meet the man we all look to in a crisis.

  As the door swings open, I almost weep with relief when I see him enter the room with a smile.

  “It’s good to see you, darlin’.”

  I nod a
nd say happily, “You too. First tell me, is Ashton ok?”

  He nods and I see the softness enter his eyes that her name always delivers. “She’s coping, which is more than can be said of me. Luckily, Bonnie’s around and is taking up most of the slack.”

  He looks across at Sebastian and nods. “This must be the infamous Mr Stone.”

  Sebastian nods and holds out his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, sir.”

  Rolling his eyes, Ryder says simply, “It’s Ryder, we don’t stand on ceremony here.”

  He points toward the seats in front of his desk and looks concerned. “I’m guessing you’re here about Moretti.”

  “You guessed right.”

  He leans back and looks thoughtful. “Tell me your problem.”

  I fill him in and he listens with a blank expression and once I finish, laughs softly. “Interesting.”

  I wait as I see him working things out and then he looks at me and smiles. “You don’t have a problem, at least not the one you think.”

  “What do you mean, the guy’s mafia, of course I have a problem?”

  Sebastian leans forward. “We think he wants to marry Anastasia to gain control of the company. If Angel’s out of the picture the position falls to her sister. As her husband, he would take control of the company which could be worth billions in the future.”

  Ryder shrugs. “You’re probably right but I doubt he has plans to remove Angel from the situation. He’s just seen an opportunity to protect his interests in a business that could make him more money legit than any he runs illegitimately. You see, Angel, Tobias Moretti may head up a crime family but the word on the street is he’s cleaning them up. You see, he’s now in the habit of securing well respected businesses that require no work on his part, with maximum pay-out. He leaves the running of those companies to the people who know how to and reaps the dividends his shares bring. The fact he’s made this move is indeed an interesting one but I’m guessing has more to do with protecting the future earnings of the company, than actually gaining control.”