Chapter 24 24
STEVE POV
I heard the sound of the door click closed from the bathroom as Freya left the room. I stood there, frozen, just listening to her footsteps fade down the hallway. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Ouhhhh,” I let out a long, jagged moan, holding my cock with a tight grip.
I was standing under the shower, the water dripping over my face and chest, but it wasn't doing a damn thing to cool me down. My cock was so hard it was actually painful, pulsing and aching until my head started to spin. I was a complete mess. Even after what I just did to her—the way I made her submit—it wasn't enough.
The urge to run out there naked, grab her by the waist, and drag her back into this room was eating me alive. I wanted to lock that door and never let her see the sun again.
“Ooh... no.”
I closed my eyes and started thrusting my hand, fast and rough, while picturing her face, her scent, and the way she sobbed when she finally broke. I pushed myself hard, my jaw locked until it ached, then finally felt that sharp, white-hot tension snap. I released right there, watching it pour out and wash away under the spray.
“Oooh God...”
I stood there for a minute, breathing hard, before stepping out of the shower. I looked at the mirror, wiped the steam away with my palm, and just smirked. I looked like a man who had won, and I felt like one too.
The past few days of ghosting her had been brutal. Ignoring her was the hardest thing I’d ever done, but I had to kill two birds with one stone.
Getting Luna was actually the easy part. Diana is a pro with kids, and she played her role nicely. After investing a million dollars into the school, it made it much easier to get close to the kids. That's just the way the world works—what money can and can't do. The target was Luna, and Diana moved closer to her, having her laughing and trusting her in no time.
The real headache was Lila. I actually thought she was difficult because she loved Mark. I thought she was loyal to him. What a joke. I planted Victor to go after her, just to see. It took less than twenty-four hours for her to fall for him. The second she saw the car he was driving and the watch on his wrist, she forgot all about Mark. It just goes to show she only goes for the man with the most money. Mark is out there thinking he has a loyal mistress, and the bitch is already looking for a way out.
I walked out of the bathroom, drying my hair with a towel, and saw my phone light up on the bed. It was a message from Victor. He confirmed he was on another date to hook the bitch.
“Enjoy the luxury for a little while before getting dumped Lila”
I tossed the phone back down. Everything was falling into place. Mark was losing his daughter, his "wife," and now his mistress was being played by my right-hand man. He has no idea he's about to be left with absolutely nothing.
I threw on a pair of black sweatpants and a simple grey tee, not even bothering to style my damp hair. I just needed to be out of that room. When I got downstairs, the living room was empty. I could hear the clink of silverware and laughter coming from the balcony. I walked out quietly, staying in the shadows of the doorway so nobody would notice me.
Diana and Nana were at the main table, deep in conversation over plates of food. Luna’s teacher was there too, though she seemed to have completely forgotten why she came. She was supposed to be getting Freya’s signature to confirm Luna was in safe hands from school, but instead, she was busy snapping photos of the view and devouring whatever Ben had prepared for her.
My eyes shifted to the corner of the balcony. Freya and Luna were off by themselves, just being mother and daughter. Freya had changed into a short, silky cream gown that hugged her in all the right places. Her hair was messy, falling over her shoulders, and she looked incredible. I leaned against the wall, watching her. It still pissed me off that a jerk like Mark had ever made her feel like she wasn't enough, that he’d actually had the nerve to body-shame her.
Then I looked at Luna. She had this innocent, bright smile that hit me harder than I liked to admit. On the drive over, she’d asked for my name and I’d just stayed silent. Diana leaned over and whispered to her ears to call me "Daddy" just to mess with me. When Luna actually said it, my heart tightened so fast I almost couldn't breathe.
Watching her now, I muttered under my breath that I really wouldn't mind ripping Mark’s name off that little girl for good. I stepped closer, moving silently behind them. They didn't notice me yet, but I could hear them perfectly. Freya’s face suddenly went serious as Luna asked a question.
"Is it true, Mum? Aunty Lila said you hate Daddy and you won’t come back again."
Freya flinched. I felt my jaw lock at the mention of that bitch Lila.
"But it seems Daddy is worried," Luna added, looking confused.
Freya looked down, clearly struggling with how to explain adult toxicity to a child or how that bitch Lila involved a kid in adult business.
"You know what, sweetheart?"
"What, Mummy?"
"How about you grow up beside Mummy, and she’ll explain it all better when you’re taller."
"Tall? Taller like this?" Luna asked, stretching her hand way above her head.
"More than that," Freya said, poking her cheek with a small, sad smile.
"Or taller like him?" Luna said, her eyes going wide as she finally spotted me standing there.
Freya spun around, her face flushing as she realized I’d been lurking. She gave me a soft, uncertain smile, but Luna was the one who spoke up, pointing her little finger at me.
"Mummy, who is he? He didn't tell me his name."
Freya looked back at me waiting for me to answer her.
I stepped out of the shadows, looking down at the two of them. I felt that possessive, dark heat flare up in my chest again. I looked at Freya, then back to the little girl who had my woman’s eyes.
"I’m a shadow who keeps the monsters away," I said, my voice low and rough.
"Monster?" Luna asked, tilting her head.