Chapter 17 Psychotic.

Chapter 17 Psychotic.
ALISTAIR

“You look really pitiful now.” I patted Dominic’s head, running my hands over the shackles that had been used to strap him to the bed.

“My heart almost bleeds for you," I chuckled, squinting my eyes, “That sounds totally gay but you don't have much of a choice other than to listen to me."

He shook violently, the bed shaking vigorously, his eyes red with anger as his words were muffled by the gag placed over his mouth.

“You shouldn't have tried to bet with me. Look where it landed you, a hospital bed, tied up like a mad man and she doesn't even want to see you?” I scoffed as I watched tears slip out of his eyes.

“You're really dying to speak. I can see that." I carefully removed the gag and placed it on top of the bed side table when—

“You bastard! You set me up!” He yelled, his saliva dropping on my hands and I clenched my jaw out of irritation.

Gosh, that's irritating!

I grabbed a wet wipe immediately, wiping off my hands and throwing it into the bin as I stared at him with an irritable look on my face.

“Set you up? You're the one who decided to hit me." The veins on his neck were visible, I was pretty sure that if his hands were loose now, he would try his assassination attempt.

“Don't try to flip it on me! You got into my head!"

~12 hours earlier after the auction~
I stepped out of the auction hall just after winning the bid, completely aware that Valencia was in there, standing by another man.

I really wanted to take one look. Was she smiling at him? Why did he have to crawl out from whatever hell hole he disappeared to all these years?

Shit! I folded my fist tightly. Just one look, that's all I need. I slowly turned and Dominic was standing too close to her.

One hand hovering at her waist, not touching, but close enough to pretend he had a right to be there.

She was smiling, twirling a cup of wine in her hands as she whispered something to him.

Like she was soothing him.

The kind of smile that made men stupid enough to believe it meant something.

I can't keep looking at this.

“Come here." I gestured at one of the ushers that were serving and her face flushed immediately.

“Mr Sterling, w—"

“Go pour this wine glass on that lady's dress." I pointed at Valencia and she blinked, snapping out of whatever delusional fantasy she has going on in that head.

“What?"

"You heard me.” I flicked my haze to hers and she swallowed hard, taking the glass of wine from me immediately.

He probably bought her that gown too.

Good thing it's getting destroyed.

“Piero."

“Sir." He answered immediately.

“Get a dress and replace the one that gentleman is about to go get for Valencia." I ordered and Piero looked genuinely perplexed.

“Sir. It's a matter of minutes. How do we logically—" I raised my eyes slowly and he pursed his lips making a half mock bow as he left.

“Enjoying the night?” I asked calmly, walking up to Dominic, he must have delivered the dress by now.
“Didn’t think you’d stick around.” Dominic muttered

“I could say the same,” I replied, dusting off the shoulders of his suit, “I thought losing the bid would’ve sent you home.”
“Why would I? My girl didn't even want the necklace."

Oh for fucking fucks sake. There's no way he just called Valencia, his girl.

“You know,” I continued, leaning carefully on his car “most people would’ve cut me off completely.”

“What are you talking about?” He stared straight ahead.

“After her parents died. ” His head snapped toward me, his eyes glistening.

“Don’t!” He warned.

Oh. So that's your Achilles heel for tonight? There was nothing left to explore so I had to use this anyway.

“Relax. I’m not saying anything new. Everyone heard the rumors. Everyone believed the rumours that the Sterlings did something to the Easton's.” He pressed his lips together, his gaze on me.

“My parents’ names came up more times than they should’ve,” I continued mildly. “Funny how that happens when power is involved.”

“You should’ve stayed away from her after that,” Dominic said tightly. “You know that. No matter how you try to sugarcoat it your parents did it. You're not good for hwr.”

“And yet.” I took a deep breath in, “she didn’t ask me to stay away.”

His hand trembled as he made to open his car.

“She could’ve blocked my number, refused to see me, pretended I didn’t exist.” I tilted my head. “But she didn’t. Infact, she now works for me. Do you know that?” His lips were trembling. He looked like he could break something and that's exactly what I wanted.

“That doesn’t mean anything.” He retorted.

“It means everything,” I corrected softly.

I leaned closer to the open window.

“Do you know how many men would’ve used that as an excuse?” I asked. “As a reason to hate me?”

I straightened.

“She didn’t. She says she upset but—”

“She’s kind. That’s all.” Dominic’s voice cracked.

“Kindness has limits,” I fired back. “Especially when grief is involved, grief for her family!” I paused, then added the final push.

“And yet, she tolerated me.” The word hung there and he just glared at me.

“You can’t stand that,” I continued, voice almost gentle. “No matter what you think you can give her, there’s a part of her that never shut me out.”

“That doesn’t mean she chose you.” He snapped.

“Really? You say kindness, that's what's holding her back but I didn't think so. What do you think? If you and I were in a car accident, who do you think she'd save?" I smiled and he entered his car, slamming the door.

“Careful, Dominic,” I said quietly. “Men who realize they were never the closest tend to do something irreversible.”

Just then my phone beeped, a message from Piero.

“Miss Easton is coming towards the front door." I chuckled and walked to the front of Dominic's car.

“You've never measured up. You'll never. Not then, 6 years ago. And definitely not now." I muttered, a smirk crawling up my lips as I heard Dominic's engine rev, his lights sharply coming in as he drove directly at me.

What do they call this? Psychopathic.

I don't mind, if it means she'll look at me with something other than hostility in one night.