Chapter 57 FIFTY-SEVEN

Chapter 57 FIFTY-SEVEN
J A D E

I took a long shower, washing the evidence of what had just happened off my body. I tried to make sense of it all, but my mind was troubled.

I could feel the tears coming, and this time, I didn't fight them.

I leaned against the shower wall, the water beating down on my back, and let the tears fall. I cried for my parents, for the family I had lost. I cried for the girl I had once been, the girl who had been naïve and trusting, who had seen the world through rose colored glasses.

I cried for the betrayal, the lies, the pain.
And then, I cried for the man who had done it all, the man who had taken everything from me. The man who had started it all. Alpha Dane, then his son joined, and then Markov. 

The three men who were supposed to protect me from harm are the ones who had inflicted the worst kind of pain.
It was ironic.

I stepped out of the shower, my body feeling heavy. I was drained, both physically and emotionally.

I put on my sleepwear, a simple t shirt and shorts, and left the bathroom. I could see Markov sitting on the bed, his head in his hands. He looked up as I entered, his eyes searching mine.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice strained.
I hesitated, my mind a jumble of emotions. "Sure."

He gestured to the empty space beside him, and I slowly walked over and sat down. The tension between us was thick, a palpable thing.

"I know you're upset," he said, his voice soft. "And you have every right to be."

"Do I?" I asked, the words bitter on my tongue.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yes. I'm not going to deny that I've made mistakes, that I've hurt you. But I'm trying to make things right. I'm trying to earn your trust, to be the man you deserve."

"Why, Markov? Why does it matter so much to you?"

"Because I love you, Jade. And that means something to me. It means more than anything else in this world."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I took a shaky breath. "You don't mean that," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "You… you just keep seducing me, keep trying to get what you want from me. And I'm just a game to you."

"It's not a game," he said, his voice firm. "I mean it. Every word."

"How am I supposed to believe that? After everything that's happened, how can I trust you?"

He reached out, his hand cupping my cheek. His touch was gentle, his thumb brushing against my skin. "You don't have to trust me, Jade. Not yet. But give me a chance. Give us a chance. That's all I'm asking for. You don’t have to keep regretting every sex, when that was all your body and soul wanted. Your head wants to be logical, and it is. But your heart and body are in charge, and they will not be silenced."

I closed my eyes, his words washing over me. It was so tempting, so easy, to give in. To let myself believe that he really meant it, that he really cared.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't keep doing this. I couldn't keep letting him manipulate me, using my own emotions against me. And if I did want to do it, then I had to stop regretting it after. I have to agree that it was what my heart and body wanted. 

Should I really deprive my body few more days of feeling like it was flying and floating at the same time?

It was the worst kind of torture, the kind where you are not sure if you are enjoying the pain or not. He would finally leave me alone in a few days time. Why not just enjoy the time left?

Maybe I can just shut off my brain. Just enjoy the moment, and stop thinking about the future.

"Okay." I heard myself say, and his eyes widened.

"Okay?" He repeated, shocked that I had agreed so easily. 

I nodded, biting my lower lip. "Okay. But only until you go back. After that, this... whatever this is between us. It's over. Okay?"

He looked like he had more to say, like he wanted to argue. But then he nodded, a look of determination in his eyes. "Okay. I can do that. I can show you how much you mean to me, how much I love you, even if it's for a few days. After that, I'll let you go."

My heart clenched at his words, but I ignored it. I knew it was the right thing to do, the only thing I could do.

"Thank you," I said, my voice a hoarse whisper.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a feather light kiss. It was different from the other times. There was no urgency, no desperation. It was a kiss full of promises, full of hope.

We pulled away, our gazes locking.

"So we can pretend to be the perfect couple and do things couples normally do for the next few days?" He asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Yes," I replied.

"Good, because there's so much I've always wanted to do with you."

He grabbed my hand, his fingers interlacing with mine. He tugged, and I followed.

For the first time in a while, I didn't think about the consequences.

For the first time in a while, I just lived in the moment.

For the first time in a while, it felt right.



"I’m taking you out for dinner." Markov announced, as he entered the room.

I dropped the book I was reading and faced him. "Is that how you usually ask people out on dates? No wonder you have no luck with women. You have no game."

He scratched his head, looking like he genuinely didn't know what the term meant. "I have no clue what the fuck you just said. Is it a yes or a no?"

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. "You’re supposed to ask me out on a date like a gentleman, get me flowers and properly romance me."

"Fine. Let's do this then. Jade, would you please grace me with the pleasure of accompanying me on a date tonight?"

"Oh, wow, how romantic," I drawled. "That was the worst proposal ever."

He chuckled. "I'll try harder next time."

"There won't be a next time," I reminded him, a teasing smile on my face.

"We'll see about that. Now, get dressed. We're leaving in an hour."

I looked at my attire, a tank top and a pair of shorts. "I'm already dressed."

"No, you're not. We're going to a fancy restaurant, and you need to look the part. Go put on something nice."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. You're such a bossy ass."

"But you love me anyway." He replied, winking at me.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that."

I got off the bed and went to the closet, where I picked out a nice dress and a pair of heels. I quickly got dressed, applying some light makeup and styling my hair.

When I was done, I did a twirl, showing him my outfit. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous," he said, his eyes roving over my body appreciatively.

"Now, we're going to be late." He held his arm out, and I took it, letting him lead me out of the room.

I wasn't sure what to expect on the date, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Markov had booked a table for two at one of the most exclusive restaurants in town.

"How did you get a reservation so fast?" I asked, as we were being seated.

"Money talks, babe," he replied, winking at me.

I laughed. "Of course. Money, power, influence. You have it all."

"Yes, but I'm a very humble man."

I raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who has a massive mansion with a garden."

"Speaking of gardens…" He said, pulling out the bunch of flowers he was hiding behind his back. "This is for you."

I accepted the bouquet, a grin spreading across my face. "You're not too bad at this whole romance thing after all."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anything for you, Jade."

We ordered our food, and I was impressed with his choices. He clearly knew his way around fancy cuisine.

We chatted as we ate, and it was easy to forget the real reason we were together. It was almost like a real date, a couple in love, enjoying each other's company.

"This was lovely," I said, as we were finishing up. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, smiling at me. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

We were both tipsy from the wine, and we were leaning into each other, laughing.

"Do you want to take a walk?" He asked, his breath warm on my face.

"Sure," I replied, taking his offered arm.
We left the restaurant and walked down the street, enjoying the cool night air. We were walking close, our bodies almost touching.

I could feel his presence, a steady, comforting presence.

"It's a beautiful night," I murmured, looking up at the stars.

"Not as beautiful as you," he said, a smile playing on his lips.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes. "That was corny, even for you."

He chuckled. "What can I say? I'm a corny kind of guy."

We kept walking, the silence comfortable between us. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so relaxed, so content.