After countless minutes of wandering around, I found the kitchen. They were outside on the deck enjoying the sun as I stood there trying to zip up my dress."Need some help?" a voice crept up behind me.I glanced over my shoulder to see Reign standing there with a smile, "Yes." He placed one hand on my left hip and finished zipping up my dress. "Your tattoo on your hips is sexy," he said. "I got it about six years ago," I admitted, "I forget I have it since it's always covered." "Is that why you never finished it?" he asked while walking back behind the bar. "Probably," I nodded while sitting on the black leather bar chair. He popped a new bottle of champagne and filled my glass to the brim. "Figured you could use this after your lovely encounter with my family this morning," he charmed, "You're taking it rather well. The last girl ran out of here practically naked." We began to giggle in unison. "I'm not that type of a woman," I added, "Plus, no matter how bad th
Two weeks have passed quickly. Between the constant parties and events I had to accompany Dimitri to, the days began blurring together. Callista should be here in a week, and then my liver, brain, and body can have a break. I have also called Eric lately, but he has yet to answer. Could you clarify that situation? As far as I knew, we left things off in a good spot. Tanya has been at home with her son, getting him ready for summer school, with Roy wrapped around her finger. Reign was coming around increasingly since he was back in town from business, and Callista was now away. "So," Tanya sighed, "What did we want to do today?" "I dunno," I shrugged, "Dimitri, Roy, and Reign seem busy with work on the balcony office." "They're closing a deal," Tanya clarified. I glanced at her devious smirk, to which I returned in kind, "Do I hear some trickery on your part?" "Bitch," she scoffed, "You've been listening too." I raised a brow in cockiness, "You're one to talk." "What's that
Once we were situated at Ivy's loft, I could see that both were awaiting my story. It was all a rushing whirlwind for me as well. I'd never thought in a million years that Callista would have called me that night. I felt she needed something. It turned out that something was me. We sat on her bed, quietly overlooking the beautiful skyline. It was nice being back in the States. Don't get me wrong; Sydney was beautiful. I didn't go because I like Callista or anything. I did it because of Ivy. Callista knew to use her as a bargaining chip in convincing me to come along. "So?" Tanya broke the silence, "What the Hell happened?" I took a chug from my champagne glass. The thick curb chain 10k gold bracelet on my wrist shimmered against the fiery orange setting sun. I have an accompanying 20k gold thick rope chain around my neck that I couldn't help but play with. Callista bought me this. So much money they could sling without a care in the world. I understand why Ivy wanted it all.
Anxious nerves bellowed inside me when we got to the private airfield and boarded Callista's private jet. "I don't have my passport," I told her. "Don't worry about it," Callista hushed while sitting on my lap. She didn't waste time, did she? "I'll buy you a new wardrobe, look, jewelry, the works. You'll want for nothing. I need you to be at my beck and call whenever I need you," she smiled. I wrapped one of my arms around her warm waist, pressing her cleavage against my face. I licked the hot skin between her breasts while pushing her down against my hard-on. Her head arched back as I seized her hair within my grasp. She gasped, dropping her glass of champagne on the floor beside us. I lifted her onto the small table in front of me and began to unbuckle my jeans. A slight movement out of the corner of my right eye stopped me. It was the stewardess. However, she didn't look shocked; it seemed like she could use a smoke break. She was beautiful. Her perfect, tight brown cur
Once we made it to the Four Seasons Resort, everything became a blur. How I got to the room and showered is beyond me. I don't remember the last time I slept. I came out of the refreshing extra-large shower into the main room of the suit. I saw Callista closing the front door, holding a Gucci shopping bag. "I brought some of Dimitri's clothes for you to wear until now," Callista placed the bag in my arms while walking past me. A stinging slap on my ass accompanied her passing. "Since the distributors are here, they're sending designer suits and clothing to the room and should be here soon. We'll also be shown jewelry," she added, "If there's paparazzi, we need to be sure that you're dressed properly." I nodded in response while pulling a free black silk shirt from the bag. "Once done, we're going to a business meeting downstairs in the restaurant. I need you to look exquisite and refined. I also have a hairdresser coming to get you cleaned up for the occasion," she continued
We went downstairs to The Mode Kitchen & Bar. Three men in the back corner wearing black business suits were waiting patiently for our arrival. I followed a few paces behind her. She wanted me there, but mainly for security, so none of these men tried asking her back to their rooms. She sauntered to a chair and made herself known with a bottle of the hotel's finest champagne. "Offer still stands, gentleman," Callista started, "Now I know the price is something you're not sold on. Look at it this way: You'll make it all back because of what you see outside these gorgeous walls-the ocean. Everyone who lives here wants a boat, yacht, or sea vessel. They can't help themselves." "Even so, what profit do we gain by purchasing a lot at this ridiculous price?" one of the men asked. She rolled her eyes in annoyance, "I never told you how much to sell them for once you purchase them, darling. That's entirely up to you. Now, the longer you wait, the higher the price goes." The three me
"Two weeks went by, and all we did was party and fuck. There is so much alcohol and cocaine I can't even remember all of it. There were so many paparazzi, though. I didn't realize what status they held within the socialites," Eric boasted, "I mean, look, You're both on the I*******m account along with Dimitri and this other guy. It's screaming scandal all over." Tanya and I looked at each other in shock while Eric took out his phone and showed us proof of his words. "What the hell? I never saw cameras or paparazzi anywhere!" I shouted. They can't be within five hundred feet of you, but that doesn't mean they can't hide and take pictures from six hundred," Eric said. "That's ridiculous," I shook my head. "Oh no," Tanya's eyes widened in horror, "If this is all over the place, I know Cameron's seen this. Now I know why he's so happy to stay with a rich friend and his family for the summer." "This is wild," I shook my head, handing Eric back his phone, "What else happened?'
Everything was bright. Painfully bright. I covered my face with both hands from the binding sunlight breaking through the dark thunderous storm clouds. I sat up, my head still slightly swirling from yesterday. Oh, yesterday. I looked back to see Tanya asleep on my left and Eric on my right. I shook my head in disbelief. What was I thinking? Oh, that's right, I wasn't. Can you blame me? The sex was unbelievable. I wish I hadn't been so intoxicated. Water. Need Water. I crawled off the bed, unintentionally taking the sheet with me. "Ugh!" I cried as a stinging slap hit my ass. I turned back at the two of them. Eric's eyes were shut, only there was a big smile on his face, Tanya was biting her lip with a devious smile. She was the culprit. "Bitch!" I gasped before kissing her. She flipped me onto my back, sliding up between my splayed legs. Her gentle fingers traced my forearms up to my wrists. Our hands entangled with one another as she kissed me once again. I felt another ha
How could such a man be so naive? I never gave him an answer. Instead, I left the room and went back to my own. I knew it bothered him, me not answering. From the looks of it the following morning, it drove him crazy. Zeus made me a luxurious breakfast, eagerly awaiting an answer, which I still refuse to give. "Why not, Ivy?" Zeus pressed. I bit into the juicy strawberry. The hint of sweetness followed by the rush of jaw-clenching sour made everything much more enjoyable. "I like you son more than I like you," I admitted, "And Dimitri." "What if I told you they aren't who you thought they were," Zeus reasoned. Narrow-eyed, I annoyedly glared at him, "What do you mean?" "What if I told you they knew I was alive all along, and we made a bet," Zeus added. "What type of bet?" I pressed. "Now that takes the fun out of the bet," he taunted. "Fuck you," I scoffed while hastily rushing back to my room. Zeus always knew how to lift me and get under my skin. "Asshole,"
Everything was such a blur. I don't remember what happened. Zeus was pinning me down, then nothing. I blinked; it was dark, and only the roaring fire lit up the dark far corners of the room. This was Zeus's room. My throat was dry. I could barely breathe. I tried rolling over when something caught on my wrist. "What the fuck?" I yanked again, this time hearing metal clanking. Both my wrists and ankles were shackled to the four-poster bed frame. "You're awake," Zeus commented. Looking at him furiously, I could prop myself on my elbows and say, "Let me go, now!" "No," he denied. "Now-" "No one is here, so there's no point to scream," he interrupted. "Why the Hell did you shackle me to your bed frame!" I shouted, "I would have fucked you if that's what you wanted, but instead, you knock me out. I began coughing uncontrollably, and Zeus rushed to my aid, raising the water glass to my mouth to quench my thirst. "You knew you would be punished," he reminded. "How do y
"Do you like frustrating me? Making me angry? Toying with my emotions?" Zeus growled upon approaching me. "Yes," I teased, "You look like a hurt little puppy." "What about these past five years? Does that not matter? Have the nights we spent together meant nothing?" Zeus questioned. "I do love that the boys have father figures in their lives, but I already spoke to them about it, and they want to move back as well," I sighed, "As for the nights, a woman needs sex too." "Their children!" Zeus's anger grew, his eyes turning dark. "If you're doing this to get back at me, I'm sorry. I've been apologizing to you for the past five years. Can you not see that?" While sauntering over to Zeus, my eyes locked onto his. The fury beckoning behind them made me want to do conniving things. I took his glass of whiskey and downed its contents. "I do see it, and I don't care if it hurts you," I lied. Zeus gripped my wrist; this time, it was painful, not in a fun way. "Ah!" I winced.
My bar was engulfed in roaring flames. Tears streamed down my cheek as Veronica tried to deviate when the fire department arrived and finally extinguished the fire. I stood there, listening to people speak about property insurance and the time it would take to rebuild everything that had burned. "Ivy!" Zeus hollered, running up to me. "What are you doing here?!" I panicked, "Aodhan-" "Ariel called your phone, and she told me what happened. She's watching him," he reassured. His eyes widened in shock, and he looked at the catastrophe the fire left behind in its wake. Zeus was about to speak when he pulled aside the man trying to talk to me about the building. My blank expression spoke volumes. Hours passed in a blur, and Zeus returned home with me. "So it seems, perhaps three years, the bar can be rebuilt. They have to tear everything down and start from scratch," Zeus explained. "So, I lost everything?" I whispered. "No, Ivy," Zeus looked at me, trying his
"What?!" Zeus snapped. "You heard me. If I let you be a part of my boys' lives, then there would be no need for a DNA test, right?" I repeated. The rage building behind his eyes gave me the satisfaction I needed in this situation. "Why is it such a big deal about knowing who their father is?" he diverted. "Why do you care if I allow you to be in their lives without issue?" I debated. "She's not wrong," Ariel giggled while pecking me on the cheek. "Hey, now, she's not all yours, you know," Zeus reminded, I began to kiss Ariel passionately. "All right, fine, I concede," Zeus surrendered. Ariel and I began to laugh hysterically like candy from a baby. "I suppose me offering you to stay in Ireland with me is out of the question?" he asked. "Not necessarily; we could always use it to escape the city," I smirked, "Keep it." Ariel scurried off to work, and success reared its corner when I could see the jealousy in Zeus's eyes. "It doesn't bother you that I fuck Di
I could not sit at the dinner table and keep my thoughts to myself. I hadn't drunk since giving birth, but today, I was having a liquid dinner, whiskey. "You sure you don't want any lasagna?" Zeus offered. "It's delicious, Mom," Aodhan agreed while placing his dish near the sink. However, he was still too short to reach past the countertop. "Yes, baby, why don't you go with Ariel and get ready for bed?" I ordered. "but mom-" "No, but baby," I groaned. "Come on, I know a great movie we can watch before bed tonight," Ariel beamed while tickling Aodhan to the bathroom. "Come on, Ivy," Zeus grumbled while filling the dishwasher, "Do you need to be so dismissive? He was having a good time, and you shut him down." "Who the Hell do you think you are?!" I spat while grabbing the crystal pitcher full of whiskey. I stumbled up the stairs to a separate bedroom that wasn't my own. I knew what would happen tonight; I knew what Zeus wanted. I might enjoy it myself. I giggle whil
Knowing what Zeus could do made trusting any doctor with my blood work nearly impossible. He could manipulate anything to his will, which was infuriating. Rowan didn't look like him; I don't know what he looked like when he was younger. Reign and Dimitri were doing everything they could to help me cope with the current situation, but all it did was make me sick. It made me wish I could shoot Zeus again. "Ivy? Ivy?!" Ariel's voice broke my concentration. I blinked back to reality, her soft hand tenderly caressing mine. "Are you alright?" "I don't know," I confessed, nibbling on my lower lip. "I don't trust Zeus, but I don't know if he's not Aodhan's father. I don't want to know." "How come?" she questioned. I glared at her, not rudely, but as if to wonder why she would ask such a stupid question. How come I didn't care to know? Was it such a big deal to know who the father of my children was? Part of me thinks they're mine; it's no one else's concern. I'm the one who carried
Only a few doctors in Ireland could get me a DNA test. Zeus did this on purpose, and he knew it. There was no way he couldn't find out who Aodhan's father was, and he had to change his money within the blink of an eye to ensure he was his father. "You knew what you were doing. Admit it, Zeus. You've always been a conniving, selfish man," Dimitri commented. Ivy wants to go back home and have a doctor of her choosing. Not to ensure that there were very few near here, so few that you could manipulate it into ending the way you want." "Which is what, exactly?" Zeus sighed, "Is this because I punished you? Are you still not over that?" "You're lucky I didn't kill you," Dimitri growled. "Did you like what I did to you? Is that it? Do you care about me-" Dimitri swung, his fist landing its target, Zeus's chin. Zeus staggered, a small trickle of crimson blood seeping from the corner of his lips. The sadistic smile that came across his face said it all. The blood coming across
"There's no way Rowan is your son," I stated, "I'm going to do this DNA test with a doctor I choose. One you have never met and will never meet. Doctor Rick can go fuck himself if he thinks I'll believe anything he says to me." I threw the DNA papers on the floor. Their results had to be faked. There's no way he's Aodhan's father. Then again, how would I know? If he is Aodhan's father, there's no way I'd let him know. The type of man he is scares me. "What makes you think I've ever agreed to something like that?" Zeus scoffed. I dropped my head, taking a step closer to Zeus, making sure that he knew I was serious, "If you mess with me or my son, if you even think it, I'll shoot you again." Zeus cleared his throat before walking to the window, "How am I supposed to believe that?" "You don't have a choice," I glared. "What makes you-" "Try me, Zeus!" I hollered. My voice echoing the walls of his new mansion. From all the information I gathered, Doctor Rick and his team