by Sarah Tork
“Done for me?” I yell back in disbelief. “I’ve been in constant pain since meeting you!”
He holds the side of his head; Liam’s knuckle marks still visible. I hope that this makes Xander learn a valuable lesson: not everything in life is funny, especially his tricks.
And he isn’t a misunderstood guy; he knows what he was doing deliberately.
There is a knock on the door.
“Hello,” an unfamiliar voice calls from the other side. “We’re coming in!”
The door opens, and three men in power-suits walk in. Their expressions are worrisome as they eye the state of the room.
The living room is a mess with couches out of their planned positions, pillows thrown everywhere, broken figurine pieces everywhere, and blood is sprinkled across the flooring.
The bill is going to be high.
“Mr. Barns, is everything okay?” One of the suits asks as soon as they see his bruised and bloody face.
“We’ve received multiple calls for a loud disturbance,” another man states in shock, as his eyes circle the room.
“Everything is fine,” Xander tells them calmly. “There was just a little misunderstanding. All is alright now.”
Misunderstanding? How does trying to make everyone out for a fool just so you can get your kicks on with blonde bitch a misunderstanding? My eyes narrow at Xander’s explanation.
And Demetria? Try explaining that!
Xander walks over to the three that are clearly in charge and begins whispering. They nod their heads and quickly vacate the room. Much to my shock.
“What? Where are they going?” I ask, as they leave without another word. “How did you do that? Really! How did you?”
A knowing smile breaks across Xander’s face as he turns back to face me. “Because, like I said, I get what I want. And you and I have some business that we need to take care of first.”
Oh really? He thinks he’s a big man now.
“First of all, stop staring at me like that,” I snap at him. “And don’t you worry, I haven’t forgotten, and would have gladly fixed this whole thing with you way before all this shit—that you caused—happened.”
I search the room for my thong, looking at the coffee table where I had put it last. It’s not there. It must have fallen down during the fight, so I walk around the couches.
“You’re not going to give it to me fresh? That wasn’t part of our deal.” He walks toward me, now, in just his black boxers, having taken off his robe. Despite his face being bruised, his body is perfect. I try not to gape, not wanting to give him any ideas about where we are never going to go; that ship sailed when I found out who he really is.
Panty-fetish boys, not my thing!
“I came to do that, but you were busy fucking Irina! What was I supposed to do, interrupt you guys? Erm, excuse me? Uh, Xander, I know you’re busy drilling this bitch, but can you just take a five-second breather, and come out here so I can take off my panties for you like a stripper would?’”
“Honestly, yes,” Xander says back calmly.
“You can go fuck yourself; that would have never happened. Not even if I owed you a billion dollars. There’s no way I would ever walk in on you doing the nasty with that skank ass!” I snap at him.
“How I love it when you use that tone on me,” he whispers lustfully. My eyes roll as I look away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he is annoying me again. I get down on my knees to search underneath the couch. My hand creeps underneath and stops when it feels fabric and plastic. The plastic bag must have fallen underneath with the thong while the boys were fighting all over the living room. I grab both and pull them out.
“Found it, thank God,” I state in relief. “Now, I’m done.”
“You’re not done,” Xander says as I get back up. “Far from it, actually.”
“Go fuck yourself. I’m as done as done can be,” I tell him sternly. “Especially with the likes of you!”
There’s a knock on the door.
What now? I look back at him. “What now? Is there someone else out there that you’ve screwed and now they want revenge? Tell me right now, because I’m going to need the energy that I’ve been holding out on reserve so I can snap at your ass!”
Xander looks away as if he’s innocent. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He walks over to the door and opens it.
“Yeah, I bet you don’t!” I snap at him, as a beautiful, tall brunette walks inside.
“Melania!” Xander whispers in relief. “It’s about time you showed up!” Melania giggles as she hugs Xander. He presses his lips to her neck and whispers something; her face turns crimson as she bites her lip.
Obviously dirty.
“Go to the bedroom; I’ll be right there,” Xander tells her. She nods and walks to the bedroom while swaying her hips and paying no attention to me.
Hello, I’m here too, bitch!
I turn back to Xander, who has his usual Xander-twinkle back in his eyes.
“Well, it looks like you have company. When did you arrange that? I doubt Irina would have been okay with a threesome, seeing how she reacted to Demetria and me,” I confront him warily.
“Melania was an afterthought when Irina was about to leave. I couldn’t just let the night go to waste, especially with the present I’ve been waiting for all day. And knowing how up and down you are, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to play,” Xander explained.
I jerk my head back in astonishment. “How ‘up and down’ I’ve been? I’ve never given you any indication that I’d be willing to play in that shit you like!”
Xander’s eyes move down to my hands where I’m holding the thong and blue plastic bag containing his real present…well, my revenge actually.
“I’m waiting; are you going to give me what you owe, or do I have to come and get it from you?” Xander asks sternly.
Now that he has company, I’m not sure if I want to subject her to the grossness that is in this bag. But then again, she did walk past me, totally ignoring me like I’m nothing. So I say, fuck that bitch; she deserves a nice wake-up call for agreeing to hang out with Xander.
I walk up to him and hold out the thong. “There you go. Take it; it’s all yours.”
Xander takes the thong out of my hands but eyes the blue bag. “What’s in there?”
I look at the blue bag and then look back at him. “It’s another present I have for you, you know, to say thank you. But now I’m thinking you don’t really deserve it.”
His eyes widen. “Another present?” he whispers in shock.
I nod. “I don’t know if I want to give it to you now.”
“What is it?” Xander asks.
“Something I know you’ll love,” I tell him. “Something you’ll have a lot of fun playing with.”
Something in his eyes changes, determination maybe. “I want it. It was for me from the beginning, so you should give it to me.”
“I don’t know; you’ve been very bad. I’m not sure you deserve it,” I tell him as if he’s a five year old.
“Give me! Give me!” he begs. “It’s mine.”
“Oh alright.” Pretending to concede, I hold out the bag to him. He snatches it out of my hands. “Alright, I’m going now.”
“Alright,” Xander says while staring at the bag, transfixed with what possibly could be inside, considering I told him it is something he’ll love.
A small lie?
A half-truth.
Sweet revenge that I’ll relish in. I walk to the front door but stop before opening it. I turn back to see him still eyeing the bag as if it’s gold. “Remember this: if you want to have even more fun, get your new plaything to open it first. It’ll make things more…exciting!” I tell him lustfully, and his eyes snap up and narrow.
“Goodbye, Xander,” I tell him, opening the door. He doesn’t say “bye” back as I leave; instead, I hear him run to the bedroom. “Baby, tonight is going to be the craziest night you’
ll ever have.”
I wait in the hallway for a few seconds before hearing a disgusted scream, “Ewww!”
I laugh and run for the elevators, pushing the button. Luckily, the doors open and I get in quickly. I push the button for the ground level, and then repeatedly hit the one to close the doors. I hear the room door open and footsteps running out. “Marisa!” Xander yells.
He makes it to the elevator as the doors close. I blow him a kiss and wave goodbye, “Bye, darling!”
I burst into laughter that feels so justified, my stomach begins to hurt.
Oh, so this is what it feels like. Sweet revenge, I think happily as I reach the ground floor. I quickly check my reflection, making sure I look okay. There isn’t a hair out of place; whatever product Gustavo used for my hair, it really is magical. The doors open and I walk out feeling happy and content for the first time since the trip started yesterday.
The party is over.
I have dealt with Mother, Gwen, and Ben.
I repaid Xander the debt I owed him for the makeover.
I’m home-free and it feels great. I’m free to do what I wish, however I want. It’s liberating knowing that from here on out, I have nothing holding me back.
I walk as fast as I can through the beautiful front lobby without seeming suspicious. “Goodbye forever, Mr. Barns. It’s been a fucked up twenty-four hours.” I say quietly as the doorman opens the exit doors for me. “Thank you.”
A cool gust of wind envelops me as soon as I hit the sidewalk. I open my clutch and pull out my phone, checking the time. I’ve received no emails. And it’s just after eleven-thirty.
Time had gone by fast in there. Now that I’m free, I have to decide what my next move is going to be. I have a coffee date with Dad tomorrow, which should be chill and relaxed since it’ll be just the two of us. I decide to return to my room at the inn and call it a night. I walk to the curb, eyeing the busy road (Saturday night in downtown Ottawa is really busy) for a taxi.
Eek, another taxi. The cost for a taxi is going to put a small dent in my savings again. Tomorrow, I’ll just walk to my childhood home; and Dad can give me a ride back to the train station.
Which is free.
I’m eyeing an available taxi when a sleek black SUV rolls to the curb, stopping right in front of me. The window slides down, and I can’t help but look since it stopped right in front of me. Sitting on the other end of the backseat is a brooding, bruised, and ripped-shirted Liam.
“Get in,” he orders.
Oh my God! I stare back at him as his deep-blue eyes penetrate my brown ones.
What am I going to do?
“Why?” I croak back. “I don’t even know you; I can’t get into a car with someone I don’t know.”
“Get in the car!” he orders brashly. “You know who I am.”
“No, I don’t; I just know you’re Xander’s brother, and that you’re very angry right now,” I explain to him, holding onto the open window frame. “So as you can see, I don’t know you that well, or at all; and from what I do know, you’re not too happy at this time.”
“Get in the car,” he demands sternly, once again. “I’ve got a matter that needs discussing with you.”
“What matter? I paid my debt to your brother. I don’t owe you anything,” I hiss at him, careful not to raise my voice and attract passersby. “I’m not going with you, so stop bothering me. I’m leaving!”
I turn around to leave, but the two security guards that had handled Irina corral me back around. One pulls me to the side as the other opens the door, motioning for me to get it.
“Please, Miss, just get in and it’ll all be over with shortly,” one of the guards asks nicely.
Well, he did ask me nicely. I turn back facing Liam. “I’m just getting inside; I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Liam nods, and I get inside the car. The guard shuts the door, and the window rolls up. I’m nervous right away.
“What’s going on?” I murmur, a little scared. I peek through the corner of my eye at Liam. The car locks go down and I look up in worry. “What’s going on?”
The driver, who I can’t see because a shield is up to separate us, pulls the car out into traffic. “I thought we agreed that we were going to stay put?” I look at Liam in a panic. “You lied to me.”
Liam turns his body facing mine. “You’re going to tell me what is going on with you and my brother, right now.”
My eyes widen in shock. “And if I don’t?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to find out.” Liam explains huskily.
Oh God!
Chapter Fourteen
*Marisa*
“Tell me, now,” Liam growls. He probably uses this tone with other people; you know, fake–ass, weak people who’d succumb at the first hint of hearing his annoyance. Especially from a man like Liam, who’s obviously used to being in charge. There’s just a little problem; I’m not one of those types of people anymore.
Or at least I hope I’m not. But if I am, that’s changing. Right here, right now!
Liam, watch out; you’ve just awakened an angry tiger!
“What do you mean you want to know what’s going?” I express in confusion; irritated out of my mind. “Okay, you got me! Alright,” I settle on the denial aspect to this deranged situation and try the playful approach. “You made your point…now pull over.”
“The car will not pull over; not until I have some answers,” Liam states sternly.
Like a fucking man in charge. I think not! Perhaps it’s best that I tell him that, no, it’s not going to be like he thinks it is!
I pound my hands frantically behind the passenger seat. “Don’t you dare drive away; I forbid you. This is illegal…I have rights!”
Strong fingers clasp my hands and put a strict stop to the pounding. “Stop shouting; contain yourself!” Liam growls. “You will tell me right now. What are you and my brother up to?”
“I’m going to pretend like you didn’t just use that tone with me! But for your benefit, I’ll play along anyways,” I inform him. “I don’t have to explain myself to you; I am a Canadian citizen; and I know my rights, asshole!’
Okay, maybe “asshole” isn’t the right thing to call someone I don’t know, judging by the way his nostrils flare and his deep-blue eyes widen. But then again, I’m not sorry. Champions never say they’re sorry, and I’m a champion now. Never surrender; never give in. Stand my ground till the last moment; and if the ship sinks, then I’m going to go down with it.
Liam shakes his clearly-exasperated head and leans forward, pressing a button behind the driver’s seat. “Raymond, pull the car to the curb, please.”
“Finally,” I murmur, exhausted. The car is pulled to the curb and as soon as I feel it stop, I pull the handle, but it won’t open. “It’s not opening!”
“Tell me what’s going on between you and my brother. Once you do, I’ll let you out,” Liam says. I lean back in my seat in a huff, blowing a long, deep breath out, hopefully showing how aggravated and violated I’m feeling.
These Barns brothers! Who the hell do they think they are? I know what they are: psychopaths!
“It’s messed up,” I whisper. “I can’t explain it.”
“Why not? What’s really going on between the two of you that is so bad, you can’t discuss it?” Liam asks, sounding irritated.
“It’s nothing you need to be worried about,” I explain to him, hoping that will be enough to simmer his curiosity. I sneak a peek through the corner of my eye, and he isn’t revealing any ease at the information I’m handing out. He wants more, which leaves me with no option. I have to lie. “Alright, I’ll tell you. It’s so embarrassing.”
“Go on,” Liam says.
“Xander lent me a hundred dollars yesterday on the train to Ottawa. I came over tonight to pay him back; I got the money from my parents,” I tell him.
It’s sort of true; Xander did give me a hundred dollars.
“What?” Liam exclaims uncon
vinced. “That makes no sense. All this trouble for a hundred dollars? I know my brother, and that is not what really happened.”
“Oh yeah, I’m a liar now! Well, Mr. Smarty Pants, what do you think happened, since you seem to think you know everything?” I snap. “Go on; lay it all out what you think happened!”
“I know that you’re lying. That tells me one thing: it’s not nothing,” Liam says angrily. “What has my brother done this time; what has he got on you?”
My eyes widen in surprise. It seems this is not the first time Xander has gotten himself into an unusual situation. “I was paying him back; I just walked in at a bad time. I’m not lying,” I say. It’s almost the truth. I am paying him back. “I don’t want to explain what happened between us back at the hotel because I’m embarrassed. I don’t like borrowing money from anyone. I have too much pride for that; it practically killed me taking his money yesterday. But I had no choice.”
“I see,” Liam murmurs. After a brief pause, he leans forward and presses the driver’s button behind the front seat. “Raymond, unlock.”
The door-lock snaps back up; the sound is music to my ears; it represents my freedom from yet another mess I seem to have dragged myself into.
Yeah. I do that, too. I attract trouble.
“Are we done here?” I ask, grabbing the door handle, but still staring at Liam, who slumps into his seat looking exhausted and defeated.
I’m the one who had to go through all that shit, first his brother, then him! I’m going to need therapy for six months just to get over tonight!
“Yes, you may leave,” Liam responds curtly, not sparing me a glance.
I get out of the car, simmering on his farewell’s tone. As I turn to close the door, I think he needs a little “tone” thrown back into his face.
“Thank you, sir! Don’t forget to take the Viagra next time; it’ll make for a better performance,” I yell quickly, and then shut the door on his surprised face.
Bursting into a fit of laughter, struggling to run away on the pavement, my feet are barely moving with each step, making me cringe in pain.
The shoes are beautiful, suck it up!
A car pulls up to the curb right in front of me. I glance up at it and scowl; it’s the SUV. The passenger door opens and Liam steps out, shaking his head in what seems to be a mix of amusement and disgust. As his entire body gets out of the car, his hand follows lastly, but it pulls out a sapphire blue clutch.
