Chapter 40 Chapter 40
Tessa
“Know what?” I asked, hoping it wasn't what I thought it was.
“Your father, your stepbrother," he said.
“That’s why you paid me 1 million?” I asked.
“Yes. I figured it would help you go wherever you needed to go if you wanted to leave,” he said. The elevator opened, and Carlo stepped out with Rob. Carlo walked over to us and handed him a bag, then walked over to the other end. He opened the bag and pulled out beer and handed one to me. I looked at Rob, but he didn't seem interested or bothered by what I was doing. He handed one of the beers to me, and I took it. “You look like shit,” I said, looking at him.
“Feel like shit. Who’s he?” he asked, nodding towards Rob.
“A friend,” I said. Thankfully he didn't ask anything more. We sat there drinking for almost one hour, not saying anything. After the beer was finished. I stood up and looked at him.
“Thanks, I needed that. See you later, Zaiel,” I said as I headed toward the elevator with Rob behind me.
“Later, Tessa,” I heard him say as I entered the elevator.
“Are you going to tell him?” I asked Rob.
“Don’t need to; he already knows,” Rob replied, and I groaned. When we got down to my apartment, Rob opened the door. When I walked in, all the lights were on; that meant he wasn't here. I headed to the bathroom. I stripped and got into the shower. I stayed in there longer than I wanted to. I stepped out and dried my skin off. When I walked out of the bathroom, the room was in darkness. I stopped.
Suddenly someone grabbed me. I didn't bother screaming; I already knew who it was. I stayed still. He was standing behind me, one arm around my waist and the other around my throat; I could feel his breath on my neck.
“You said he wouldn’t touch me here, but he still sent me flowers,” I said quietly, and his arms loosened from around my throat.
“I did; I was waiting for him. Jax has eyes on him now; he won’t live much longer,” he said. His hands tightened his arms around me.
“You were drinking with Zaiel Rhyland,” he said, his arms tightening around my throat again.
“Yes. He’s an asshole. He isn't interested in me,” I said, and he spun me around to face him. He grabbed my face; it wasn't with the force he normally uses. He leaned forward and took my mouth. This wasn't his usual demanding way; this was gentler.
He leaned into me, pressing his body into mine. His hands gripped the back of my neck; it wasn't rough, it was almost gentle. I leaned into his kiss, and he groaned, deepening the kiss. He grabbed me, picking me off the floor, my towel the only thing between us. I don’t know how, but he sat down with me straddling him.
He pulled away from me and rested his head on mine. “You are dangerous when you give in,” he whispered. His hands came up to my throat, but he caressed my cheeks, and I unconsciously leaned into his hand. This quiet sort of comfort was something I never experienced. He just kept caressing my face.
“Why me?” I asked quietly.
“Strong, resilient, and even through all you suffered, you’re still fighting to live. I don’t want you as a prisoner. Do you know how much power Zaiel Rhyland has?” he asked.
“No”
“Exactly. Zaiel Rhyland and I have the same amount of wealth, power, pull and control, and beauty. I have the same importance, and if I were to walk out in public with you, then all hell would break loose, you would become a target, and you've run enough, and after Alex is taken care of, you’re free. You decide what happens after he is gone,” he said as he still caressed my jaw.
“If I want you to leave me alone,” I asked, and his hands stopped moving, and I felt his body vibrate; he didn’t answer right away.
“Then I’ll let you go,” he said. I didn't answer. He leaned into me and kissed my lips softly.
“He’s going to come for you,” he said against my lips, and my body froze.
“Don’t be scared, beauty. Go get dressed; I’ll see you soon,” he said, standing up with me and putting me to stand in front of him.
“Be a good girl and stay in the apartment….” He stopped because someone was pounding on the door.
“Stay here, beauty,” he said, pulling away from me and walking towards the door. I headed to the walk-in closet and closed the door. I turned the lights on and got dressed.
When I walked out, the lights in the room were on. I walked out to the living room, and Jax was standing there. “Ms. Jansen. Mrs. Bryce was just rushed to the hospital,” he said. I rushed to the couch and grabbed the phone.
I was about to call Anthony but figured he was at the hospital and tending to his mother. The phone vibrated, and I checked it; it was a message from Kai.
KAI: Stay there, Beauty; Jax and Rob will update you.
TESSA: Okay
There was no point arguing with him. I would let him get rid of Alex, and then I would leave. He said he would let me go; only time will tell if he actually does let me go. I made my way over to the kitchen. I checked the fridge and decided to make some food. I pulled all I needed out of the fridge. I found a remote for the music system. I turned it on, and R&B filled the air. I listened to music as I put the pasta to boil. I found a wine fridge and opened a bottle and poured myself a glass. The phone vibrated on the counter. I picked it up; it was Kai.
KAI: Don’t drink too much.
TESSA: Or what?
KAI: I’ll return and finish what I started.
TESSA: Leave me alone.
KAI: Can I have some dinner too?
I looked at the message; he had cameras in here.
TESSA: Are there cameras in the bedroom?
KAI: No beauty, that’s the only place I don’t watch you.
For some reason I believed him.
TESSA: Sure, you can have some, but you have to come for it yourself.
I put the phone face down on the counter and continued cooking; like hell he would show himself to me that would be his greatest mistake. I continued cooking. As I finished cooking, I sat at the kitchen island with a glass of wine, eating, my eyes on the front door.
The phone hadn't made a sound for almost thirty minutes. I knew I was right. He wouldn't risk it. He'd probably just send Rob or Jax up to fetch a plate. I was just finishing off the last bit of my wine, feeling pretty smug about winning that tiny battle, when the whole kitchen suddenly went ice cold.