CHAPTER 8
C HAPTER 8
ALLYN
“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re a King?”
If Maddox thought I’d drop the subject so easily, he was wrong.
Now, with my iced coffee in hand, the weather is nice, and I’m in a much better mood. I can’t say the same about him, though. He barely spoke to me since we left the house.
He shot me a side glance as we walked down the busy streets of Scarlet Vale. “Drop it.”
Short, cold, and final.
“Okay, then tell me something about you. Where were you all these years?”
The last thing Maddox seems to want is to talk to me, but I’m pushing my luck here. I need my answers.
When it came to the King family, all I’d heard about was Angelo and his parents. No one else.
Maddox hadn’t bothered to look at me yet, but I noticed a slight spark pass through his eyes after my question. He quickly covered it up by shaking his head.
“I was out of the States taking care of the family business.”
I’m actually pretty surprised that he even decided to answer me.
I shot him a look. “What does a little kid know about family business?”
“Someone had to do the job.” He shrugged.
“Why not Angelo? Isn’t he the older brother?”
He pursed his lips into a straight line.
“Angelo is incapable of doing what I was meant to do.”
“And what was that?”
“None of your business,” he cut me off. Ouch.
“Okay.” I nodded, not pushing my luck. “How old were you when you left the States?”
“Ten.”
I’m even more invested now.
What does a 10-year-old kid know about family business?
“You’re not going to tell me more about it, are you?”
‘’No.”
I nodded in agreement. I wasn’t expecting him to hand me his secrets on a silver platter, but it was worth a shot.
Maddox King is a big mystery to solve in himself. One that, every time you think you get closer, leaves you with more questions than answers.
“Okay, big guy,” I grumbled. “Let’s lighten the mood. I’m thinking a little shopping will do the trick.”
Maddox sighed.
“I had an important meeting, and you cut it short because you want to go fucking shopping?”
He’s mad, annoyed, or maybe both at the same time.
I raised my hand in defense. “Hey, hey, hey, this is important, sir. Tonight is my first official date with your brother, so I have to find something to fit in.”
I remembered his words in the car. When he said I was dressed like a slut. When I almost wanted to kiss him for God knows what reason.
“You’re going on a date with him?” he sounded surprised.
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do with my future husband?”
Maddox stared at me for a few seconds, as if something flashed in his eyes, or maybe I was just delusional to believe it. He then nodded.
“I guess that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“I take that as you don’t have a special lady in your life?”
I was pushing beyond his limits, but I couldn’t help myself. Curiosity got the best of me.
“I don’t do relationships,” he cut in, opening the door for me.
“Why am I not surprised?”
He shot me another glare.
This is the closest thing to a normal conversation I’ve had with him.
*****
Angelo’s guards escorted me to “La Belle” later that night.
As I recently found out, it’s the most expensive restaurant here in Scarlet Vale.
I made my way to the entrance of the fancy place with small, uncertain steps. I thought Maddox would be the one accompanying me on my date, but to my surprise, he didn’t.
In his place were two older men, even less friendly than he was.
I took a deep breath, adjusting the long red dress that clung to my body, as one of the waitresses led me to the table where Angelo was already waiting for me.
The dress was chosen exactly ten minutes after we entered the first boutique. I saw it, I liked it, I bought it. Simple as that.
Somehow, I didn’t want to spend a lot of time and money looking for the “perfect dress” for a date with my future, arranged husband.
Well, technically, Maddox was the one paying for it, but I guess that was Angelo’s order. I specifically asked him for his opinion on my choice of dress. He eyed me a couple of times, and even though it was a simple act, I don’t know why it made my cheeks warm under his intense gaze.
He mumbled a quick “Yes,” which was the closest to affirmation I could get from him.
While I was lost in thoughts of Maddox, I reached the table where his brother was waiting for me.
Angelo got up from his seat, adjusting his tie. He was dressed in an expensive black suit, his hair freshly cut, and his beard neatly shaved.
“Allyn,” he greeted me, kissing my hand. “You look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you.”
Angelo pushed the chair out for me, and I sat down while he returned to his place. I looked around.
“That’s a lovely restaurant.”
“My favorite here.”
No wonder why.
“I’ve already ordered food, I hope you don’t mind.”
“It’s okay.” I simply replied. “I’ll trust your choice.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
He leaned back in his chair with a small grin, enough to show his nice white teeth. Angelo is a handsome man, but behind that beauty, something else is hidden—something much darker than he lets on.
The waitress came shortly after, pouring us white wine and bringing water as well. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead as if she dared not look at either me or Angelo. After the waitress left our table and we were alone again, he turned his attention to me.
“So, Allyn, tell me more about yourself. ‘’
“Not much to tell,” I shrugged.
“I find that hard to believe.”
Angelo took a sip from his wine, stroking his chin with his fingers as if trying to read me.
“I remember when you were little, you loved to dance. Is that still the case?”
The question instantly brought back memories of my father, and the taste in my mouth turned bitter.
“No, I’m not dancing anymore,” I said quietly, gulping my water.
“So, what do you like to do in your free time, then?”
“I used to help out at the dog shelter back home.”
“So, you’re an animal lover, huh?” I nodded. “I can tell Maddox to take you to the shelter downtown. I’m sure you’d love it.”
My face lit up. “You would?”
I asked, raising my eyebrows in confusion, not expecting Angelo to be so nice? He laughed, nodding before placing his hands on the table and leaning forward.
“Look, Allyn, I don’t want to be in this marriage any more than you do. That’s why I’d like to make this coexistence easier for both of us.”
“So, I’ll be able to do whatever I want?” I asked, hope in my voice.
“I never said that,” he shattered my dreams with a single sentence. “But you can tell me when you want to do something. We can discuss it like adults and come to an agreement.”
Wait a damn minute, why is Angelo King actually nice? Maybe I judged him a little too harshly before even meeting him.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page about this,” I said with a smile, raising my glass of wine. “Cheers to that.”
He smiled, nodding. “Cheers.”
And just as we took a sip of our wine, three waiters arrived and served us the food. Our table was overflowing with salads and appetizers— so much food that I didn’t even know where to start.
It’s a lot for two people. As if Angelo read my mind, he laughed.
Maybe we can make this work, at least for now.
Until I find a way to free myself from this family.
*****
The dinner went better than I expected.
It wasn’t awkward.
We talked about our childhood memories, shared stories, and laughed about them. After dinner, his bodyguards took me back to the house without Angelo.
He said he was leaving town for an early meeting tomorrow morning and assured me he’d be back before I even noticed his absence. He kissed my hand goodbye, and we parted ways.
After arriving back at the house, as soon as I stepped inside, I kicked off my heels and breathed a sigh of relief that I could walk normally again.
I need a nice long bath and a good night’s sleep.
I looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was past midnight. That explains why the mansion was so quiet. I liked it better this way. I headed to the kitchen, heels in hand.
I needed a glass of water before heading to my room.
But when I walked in and turned on the light, I was surprised to find none other than Maddox sitting on the counter, his phone in hand.
When he sensed me, he lifted his eyes, meeting mine.
I dropped my heels to the ground, my heart skipping a beat.
Who the hell chills in the darkness like a creep with a phone in hand?
“Are you crazy?” I yelled his way, closing the door behind me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. “You scared me to death!”
Maddox crossed his arms on the counter, looking at me without even blinking.
“You’re such a psychopath,” I continued, still furious, seeing that I got no reaction from him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“How was the date?”
He completely ignored everything I’d said. I couldn’t believe this guy.
“Are you serious?” I bit back, incredulous. “How is that any of your business?”
He laughed, but his laugh was dark and sarcastic, making my blood freeze in my veins. He rose from the counter, tapping his fingers on the marble surface.
“I know you’re a brat, but I never took you for naive, as well.” He insulted me, his eyes shooting daggers my way.
“Excuse me?” I screeched, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why is it that every time you see me, you have to insult me in some way?”
Maddox rested his hands on the counter, his muscles bulging under his black shirt.
“Don’t be so quick to trust people you just met.”
“Are you talking about yourself?”
He’s becoming more and more confusing. I just can’t read this man.
Was he trying to… protect me from something? Or was he just finding new ways to insult me?
He clenched his jaw, pushing away from the counter. Slowly, he approached me, stopping just in front of me. His pitch-black eyes were fixed on mine, and I could feel my heart beat faster.
I didn’t know why his proximity was affecting me this way.
Maddox studied my face, his gaze lingering on my lips for a split second. But he quickly returned his focus to my eyes, leaving my lips burning from the brief glance.
I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes when he looked at my lips, but he covered it up fast, returning to his usual cold demeanor.
“Don’t be so naive and stupid, Allyn. I won’t be able to protect you from everything.”
He walked past me, bumping his shoulder into mine as he left the kitchen, leaving me alone with the chaos of thoughts he’d just created.
What the hell did that mean?
What is there to protect me from?
Once again, Maddox King left me with more questions than answers.