Evie’s eyes widen a bit as the words left my mouth. “Z…” “Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me it’s just me and I’ll leave now.” “And if…if I do feel it? The pull? The need?” I stared at her for a few moments without saying a word. Leaning in, I kissed her lips gently, barely pressing against them. As I leaned back, I smiled. “Take responsibility. Remember, you’re the adult in this. I will defer to my elders.” Her surprise was quickly replaced by laughter. “As you wish.” She said before standing up, out of my view. As she walking down the aisle, I got to see her in the bridesmaid dress. It was soft lavender and in a very Grecian looking style. There were braided ties that held up the dress and crossed around the back. She walked up to the alter and headed to the far left. Her eyes caught mine and she winked. I watched as she picked up a violin that was plugged into a small amp on the deck. Placing the instrument at her neck, she started to pick at the strings and make adjustments
Leaning against the Corvette, I waited for Evie. After playing the first dance for the bride and groom, she told me to wait outside and we could leave together. Jacket off and put in the trunk, I had my sunglasses back on. The front door opened and I inhaled sharply. Evie bounded out in white jeans that were slightly distressed. The top, or lack thereof, was a black tube top that was a second skin on her already tanned skin. “Come on, pretty boy, pick that jaw off the ground and let’s go!” The smirk played on her lips and she hopped over the side of the Corvette without even opening the passenger door. Shaking my head, I got in the driver’s seat and started up the engine. Evie squealed and as we pulled out, she refused to stop laughing. She stood up, putting her arms up as the wind blew around her. Taking out my phone, I snapped a quick picture of her. This was the third photo I had taken, and I never took photos. “Where are we headed?” She asked as she plopped down in the seat. I
Why am I so fucking nervous? I wiped my palms on a chair before lacing my fingers together. Evie had yelled at me ten minutes before to stop pacing, so I sat down but now I was stuck. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. Red carpets, charity auctions, tv interviews and I was never as nervous as I was now. Looking at my watch, we were already 10 minutes late. “Evie, we needed to leave like…20 minutes ago.” “Z, you ask me to hurry up one more time, I’m gonna make you go in there alone.” My heart sank and I shut my mouth. Leaning my head back on the chair, I closed my eyes trying to think of something else. Four days. Four days since the wedding. Three from when Jason yelled at me when I said I wasn’t coming back with him to New York. In all my years being his friend, I don’t think I had seen him that angry. I didn’t bother trying to explain, though. He wouldn’t understand. Probably the only person who would have understood would have been my grandfather. “Alright. We can go n
The party settled down a bit after everyone ate. Ron was sitting to my right, Evie to my left. She had little Nevaeh, which I learned was heaven spelled backwards, asleep on her lap. Stella was next to her and they were chatting quietly as we listened to the band play. Some of her cousins apparently were part of a famous band and they played while people danced. It was now nearing 10:00 p.m. but the music was still lively and people still continued to dance. “¿Mija, cantarás para nosotros esta noche?” [Daughter, will you sing for us tonight?] I turned to looked at Evie who was blushing. “I don’t think so.” “¿Por favor?” [Please?] Stella looked at Evie, who was shaking her head. “Evie, canta para tu madre. Sabes que a ella le encanta.” [Evie, sing for your mother. You know she loves it.] I regarded Ron with a curious look. “What’s she asking?” “She wants Evie to sing. The girl has a beautiful voice. I wish she would have continued her musical career after her father died, but noth
I looked at the woman perched on the top of the chair. I chuckled and brought my phone up, snapping a picture of her. She was leaning over, looking at her phone that was on the table. My shirt was huge on her and it slipped down off her shoulder, her hands disappearing in the long sleeves. Holding up my phone again, I waited until she looked up at me and smiled. Snapping another photo, I put my phone down. “What do you want to do today?” She hummed, tapping her finger against her lips. Or she would have, but instead the long sleeve of my shirt swayed slightly as she tapped it to her lips. “I’m not sure. We could go out to the fountains again. That was fun. If we take a hat, your guitar, and my voice, we could make some money!” Shaking my head, I leaned back against the headboard and opened my arms to her. She quickly got out of the chair and crawled across the bed, settling against me. Burying my face in her shoulder and hair, I shook my head again. “No people today.” “It’s suc
“Premium Outlets? Isn’t that a contradiction?” Evie threw her hands up. “Alright, Mr. Rich. You know, normal people don’t just rent out an entire store for their pleasure.” “I’ve only done that three times. Jason usually is the one who decides every three months he wants a whole new wardrobe.” She turned and looked at me, I figured to see if I was kidding. She inhaled. “I was joking but you aren’t, are you?” Shaking my head, I pushed my sunglasses up on my head. “So where are we going to find some clothes in this place?” “Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?” She groaned, but grabbed my hand, pulling me up to a directory. “Let’s see what they have here.” “Isn’t Levi’s a jeans brand?” I pointed to a store name. She nodded. “But they are kind of on the pricey side…” Her voice trailed off. “Evie.” She didn’t hear me, still looking over the map. “Evie!” Evie jumped and looked up at me. “What?” “Levi’s is fine.” Blinking a couple times, I saw a blush creep across her face. “
I looked at the woman cuddled into the crook of my arm. She was breathing quietly, fast asleep after the night’s playtime. Her face was serene and while she was always my goddess of mischief, her face now truly looked like a goddess. Looking over at my phone, I decided to leave it. It didn’t matter what time it was. Usually, if I was awake I was either working, working out, drinking, or fucking. I didn’t rest or relax. There was no need. Why stop and smell the roses if there were no roses? I brushed away some hair from Evie’s face. She was my rose. She made me want to enjoy every moment, even the quiet ones. Never had I thought a woman could make me feel like this. I figured inevitably I would be sold off for the sake of reputation or business. Now, that was all out the window. Part of me knew that Adrian might pay the price for my decision, but if I could appease my father by giving him what he wanted, becoming CEO of his company, then he might just let it all slide. “It’s too early
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. My eyes fluttered open and I was greeted by a blank, white ceiling. My brow furrowed and I blinked a couple times, trying to think about how I got here. Lifting my hands, I could see the tubes coming out of my arm and hooked up to machines next to me. The memory flashes of blood covering my hands and my heart sped up with the beeping matching it. A nurse came in and smiled at me. “You’re awake! That’s wonderful!” “Where is she?” The nurse looked at me, confused. “Where is who? Your mother is here…” “No, no. A woman, she was with me. Where is she? Is she okay?” “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know who…” My voice rose. “What the fuck do you mean you don’t know who? She took a god damn bullet for me! Where is she? Just tell me where she is and I’ll find her myself.” “Sir, you didn’t come in with anyone. Your parents flew you in…” “Flew me in? Where am I?” The nurse looked at me nervously. “You’re in New York…” “What?” I roared. The door opened, my mother and f
Hello everyone! I know it's been a minute since I've updated on the things going on. I just wanted to update those who enjoyed my writing that I also have a new story I am writing called The Rogue Kings. It's currently being updated and I know fans of Alpha Desmond and of this story, which it's emotional pressure points, will enjoy the new one. It's a stand alone werewolf book, that will actually be in two parts. However, it won't be separated into different stories but all one. I chose to mark it as a more mature story since the themes and the things that happen within the story will be strong emotionally. I really hope you guys will check it out. I think it is one of my bigger undertakings and has been a labor of love that I've been working through for a while. Rrecently, I've been hit one after the other with health issues. The last of which I was out for two weeks with covid + pneumonia and landed myself in the ER. I was already in a compromised state but here we are. I'm slowly
I thought it was my father shaking hands with people as they walked in, but I realized that there was no grey hair. I was looking at Adrian. Evie touched my arm, and the metal was cold. It jolted me to glance at her and there was a concerned look on her face. “Sorry. I saw Adrian for a second.” I whispered in her ear. “Why do you look like you saw a ghost, then?” I looked down at her, my lips pressed together in a thin line. “Because I thought he was my father.” Her eyes widened and then she nodded. The grip she had on my arm tightened and we waited in line for the final photo to be taken. Walking in front of the logo, I stood with Evie close to my left side. Rissa was in my arms, and Elliot between us. I hadn’t spoken to my father since the night I told him I was done. He had tried to worm his way back into the company and bring his Mafia influence with him. At first, I was able to fight alongside Adrian until my father started to give Adrian something he always wanted, recognit
***Three years later*** “Honestly, I don’t know how I agreed to this. You know I don’t do this shit anymore.” I huffed, looking in the mirror. “One, it’s for charity. A charity that we frequently work with and help out. Second, your brother is actually putting this on. You haven’t seen him in two years, Z. It’s getting ridiculous.” Sighing, I shook my head. “I have a reason for that, Evie. It’s not all going to go away.” “I get that, Z but he is still your brother. You help him from the shadows and he doesn’t even know. It’s ridiculous. Just confront him.” “At a charity event with a red carpet and all the kids there.” Evie let out an exasperated growl. “For fuck’s sake, Zachary Anderson, grow up. I swear to god.” “Mom! Fuck is a bad word!” “Then why did you say it, Elliot?” She called back. “Shit!” I looked out the door. “Elliot!” He chuckled. “Sorry, Dad. Rissa is ready, as am I.” I walked out, rolling my shoulders and adjusting my sleeves. It had been so long since I dr
Evie was waiting for me at the elevators, behind the row of security so that none of the reporters could sneak onto the upper floors. I lifted Elliot up and held him, also reaching out for Evie’s hand. We entered the elevator and Jason raced in. He shook his head. “That was ridiculous. I can’t believe you just decided to chill with the reporters.” Shrugging, I stole a kiss from Evie. “I’m enjoying this…being relaxed. If I could have shown up in jeans without the stock market plummeting, I would have.” “It absolutely would have dropped by ten points at the very least.” Jason laughed as he pressed two different buttons and the elevator started to rise. He turned, holding his hand out to Evie. “It’s nice to meet you. It’s been a crazy few weeks but I feel like we are friends already. Especially if you have the patience to handle him.” Jason nodded in my direction. I tightened my hold of her hand but eventually she shot me a glare and pulled it out to shake his hand. “You as well. I
While Stacy, Elliot, Evie, and I drove together, Stacy and I went in the back way to the office, meeting up with Jason and his full security team. Evie would enter through the front and find a space to watch the press conference. Elliot wanted to see it, since I refused to tell him what was going on in the company beforehand. He had asked his mom multiple times to check her phone to see the stock prices of A.A.W., as he called it. Taking a deep breath, I pulled up my talking points on my tablet, choosing to not go with a prompter because it just seemed silly. Adrian was worried about it, but he just wasn’t used to being in the limelight. Not while I was around. Looking around, I tried to find Adrian, but he wasn’t anywhere. “Where is he, Stace?” “I don’t know! I called Nicole but she said he left at six in the morning, and she hasn’t heard from him either.” Cursing, I looked at my watch. We did not have time for this. We were supposed to go out in five minutes. I wanted to go over
I looked at myself in the mirror. It had been a while since I was in a full three-piece suit and tie. It felt uncomfortable. I looked like my father. Sighing, I asked to see another tie. The associate disappeared and I wondered where Stacy was. Usually, she was my style compass when it came to these sorts of things. All I wanted to do was to wear the jeans and button-up shirt that I had gotten used to lately. “If that’s what you are going with, I wonder if anyone will take you seriously.” My eyes widened and I whipped around, watching Evie walk toward me. She was smiling brightly and I nearly dissolve into tears right there. She was wearing dark jeans and a shirt with a band I didn’t know; her usual combat boots on her feet. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, no makeup, and she looked like the goddess I knew and loved. “Dad!” Elliot came running up and jumped into my arms. I caught him and planted a kiss on his cheek. He was wearing jeans and a dinosaur t-shirt with a backpack, h
A pin could drop and it would shatter the windows with the sound of it. Those who didn’t know, their mouths were wide open. Those who did were smirking. I lifted up my hand and spun the ring around my finger. How it still managed to fit perfectly still boggled my mind. I always meant to ask Evie more about her father, but she wouldn’t say much about him. I always figured it was still a loss she felt deeply. She had more time with her father than I did with my mother, but he was also all she had. He was a single father and that made him all the more important in her life. Looking up, I smiled. “Jennifer, have you ever been to Greece?” “Once or twice.” “There is an island, Zakynthos. My parents have a summer home there, it’s lovely. The beaches are beautiful and it’s just an all-around experience. I went there for three weeks for my honeymoon, and it was spectacular. I would highly recommend it.” Jennifer spit out the wine she was drinking, coughing slightly. I looked over at my pare
Pulling up to my parent’s house, I sighed. Stacy and Jason were also with me, since they had been added to family dinners long before they entered the company. Waiting for a moment, I stared up at the looming shadows of the house. “Zach, you okay?” Stacy put her hand on my arm. I nodded, but didn’t look back at her. “There are two ways I can play tonight. One, I can be straightforward and upfront with them. Explain everything as best I can and just walk out of there. Step up to my father man to man and have an adult conversation with him.” Jason snorted. “Please. You fucking hate the man. You could never just sit and talk with him.” Smiling, I looked up at the two of them. “Or I can go in there and throw everything in their face. I can make the biggest scene I can and show them I don’t care about anything they say.” “At this point, I think balls in is the only way to go. They destroyed you, destroyed your happiness. I think it’s time they get a taste of their own medicine.” Jason
Stretching, I leaned back on the couch in my old office. Adrian had taken over the office already and all my stuff had been sent to the office in LA. It had been chaos for the past three days. Projects getting moved and adjusted while debriefing Adrian on all of them. The lack of their CEO didn’t seem to be part of the talk. It was mostly that Adrian was now going to all the meetings. My father had noticed it too, but I just brushed him off. My phone buzzed and I looked at the caller ID. Brow furrowing, I stood up and walked over to the window. I leaned against them and held up my phone at eye level, answering the video call. “Evie?” “Dad!” A smile filled my face as I saw the bright look from my son. He seemed like he was sitting on the bathroom floor from the background. “What are you doing with your mom’s phone?” “She won’t notice. She is talking with Uncle M. I said I was going to read.” Sighing, I shook of my head. “It’s not good to lie to your mom and sneak around, Elliot.