AUDREYI phoned Charles’s number immediately as I meant to speak to him anyway about the house—to tell him I would finally pay the debt. However, I couldn’t believe the most ludicrous scenario I couldn’t quite imagine.“Listen, Audrey. I didn’t know what to do.” He sighed in frustration and spoke as if he was hissing. “He came to my uncle’s office in person. I didn’t know they were that close. He found out I was going to New York, and my uncle told your father we met recently, so…”“So you brought him here. God, Charles!” I shoved my hands in my hair. “You know I ran away from him.”“I know, but he just won’t leave me alone,” he said tightly and exhaled again. “Come on, Audrey. You’ve just got to talk to him, okay?”“What does he want from me?”“He didn’t say.”“Look. Tell him I don’t give a damn about what he wants from me because the last time I came home, he called my mother a whore,” I ranted angrily, and the pain he caused me I was trying to heal was fresh again. “Don’t you want
AUDREY“I’m sorry, Audrey,” Charles apologized, his eyes concerned. “I’ll deal with you later, Charles,” I dismissed, and he excused himself, giving us a space to talk. I set my eyes on my annoyingly fine-looking father—or so I thought. He wasn’t my real dad, after all.And so much for a dying man. He didn’t look sick at all. Maybe Anton was lying to me back then, too. “So now tell me what you want to tell me because I won’t be staying here to mingle with you,” I went on.I couldn’t let Gabriel wait for me for long anyway, and I had to go back before he’d suspect anything. It’d be much better to tell him about Charles and Dad when I get back.“My darling girl, Audrey. You grew up into a fine young woman,” he praised, staring at my face and matching it with a fake smile. “You look very much like your mother!”“Quit the chit-chat and get to the point. Tell me about my mother because it’s the only reason I’m here anyway. Just so you know, I don’t care why you are here.”The father I’d
AUDREYI’d expected his anger. He probably rushed out of his home, as he was looking fresh from the shower, wearing only a white T-shirt and jeans. But I still couldn’t understand how he found me.Hastily, he opened the car door and ordered me to get in and settle into the driver’s seat. I jolted in surprise when he furiously smashed his fist on the steering wheel.“How could you fucking leave like that, Audrey?” he hissed. “I was only in the bathroom for a fucking few minutes, and instead of waiting and telling me, you came running to Charles Scott?”“I didn’t come here for Charles! You should understand that by now by showing your face in front of Edward Hopkins,” I retorted. He apparently didn’t like this tone. “How did you find me, anyway?”“You dropped your phone on my floor. I accidentally read the text.”I heaved out a sigh. “He knows now who you are. I’m sorry about that. But aren’t you concerned about what he might do?”“He’ll find out anyway, and he can’t touch us here,” he
AUDREYFor the next few minutes, that seemed like forever, he was fucking me without stopping, and I didn’t know anymore how many times I came. He was hitting the very end of my womb and my sensitive spots. And the next thing, he brought me to the living room and found me on top of him, then I rocked against him. The sensation was too much. I was already losing control, and my legs were giving out.But as if he could feel my soreness, he rolled me over and sank into me from behind, and he just didn’t run out of energy. His tempo was speeding up in each round. I’d never felt so full and so damned well-fucked compared to our previous sex. Each time, he’d show me that there was always something more to do with making love. For the rest of the night, he bent me over, pinned me to the wall, and then finally, he brought me to his bedroom, and he slowed down. He brushed my cheek with his thumb and looked into my eyes intently. “I know this is not the good time to tell you this, but I mean
AUDREY“Mr. Stark,” Charles greeted politely and formally shook hands with Gabriel.“Please have a seat, Mr. Scott.”“Charles would do. Thank you.”“Gabriel then.”Both men sat across the sofa and began the conversation. Gabriel placed the binder on the center table.“I’m glad you came here instead of meeting Audrey in the middle of the night,” Gabriel pressed earnestly. “I want this business to be done.”“Whoa! I didn’t mean to make a wrong impression here,” Charles tried to reason. “Audrey’s father asked me—”“I already explained that to Gabriel, Charles. It’s alright,” I interjected. I sent Gabriel a frown and shook my head. He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Since I already have my brother arrange the papers, what’s left is Audrey and your signature,” he said to Charles. “I already have the money ready, and I will give you the check.”“Very well. I don’t want to prolong this anyway. My uncle doesn’t even know I’m here.” Charles looked at me. “I’ll deal with him later.”“This uncle of you
GABRIELA minute later, an email came to his phone. “It’s here,” Scott confirmed. “Where shall I send it?”“Send it to Audrey,” I instructed.He sighed. “Fine.” He pressed buttons on his phone screen. “Done.”Audrey picked up her phone and checked her email. “It’s here.”“Good.” Charles prompted. “How can I make sure you won’t do anything to it?”“I’m a businessman, Charles. I know what confidential means, but it’ll be used later if necessary. For investigation.”“Okay, fine!” he snapped. “Now, what are we saying?”“Very well.” I went to my desk, picked up my iPad, and showed him the tattoo he saw on his uncle’s back. “The Onyx Monkey. It’s the name of your father and Edward Hopkins’s illicit firm. I hired an outsider to join their club, and to get inside, you must have a, yes, a tattoo and a million-dollar entrance fee to become an official member.”“You really like spending, do you?” his statement sounded like a mock. “Yes, I do because I can,” I retorted. “Anyway, since I have th
AUDREY Tomorrow was the weekend, so Gabriel invited me to his parent’s house in the Hamptons for dinner. Everyone was delighted to see Gabriel, and I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life in someone else’s home. I was envious because it could never be like this in my family.After dinner, the dessert was served, and I picked the delicious-looking chocolate truffle. It was soft and sweet, with a taste of rum mixing harmoniously with the coco. I shut my eyes and savored the dark bite with my lips.“Hmm…” I hummed involuntarily, making everyone look in my direction. But I realized I was too loud as they all stared at me, and I was instantly embarrassed. Gabriel was watching me, gnawing his knuckles, and he inwardly groaned under his breath. He narrowed his eyes at me and whispered something only the two of us could hear. I felt his lips brush my ear and somewhat ticklish.“You didn’t just eat that, did you?” he teased.I grinned like a child. “It was delicious!”Elazar chuckled at me.
AUDREYAfter settling some more of my things in our room, Gabriel and I joined Coulson and Maya on the beach.“After the game, I’ll take you to the town to fetch things you might need. We’re staying here until Sunday,” Gabriel said.“Yeah. It looks so beautiful here. It’s such a waste if I can’t even get to stroll.”Gabriel kissed my forehead. “Just what I’m thinking. Come on.”The game went on two versus two, and I teamed up with Coulson. Our team nearly got every pass and service. I was laughing so hard.Halfway through the game, we called for a water break, and Maya handed me a bottle of energy drink and another one for Coulson. Gabriel chugged on his bottle and breathed out. “We still have another half,” Maya said. “So don’t think that we already lost.” She laughed. “You’re on the losing side because you’re there, Maya,” Coulson joked.She pouted. “Gabriel is scoring!”“I pretty much own all the scores.” Gabriel messed up with his sister’s hair. “Maybe you picked the wrong game.