Cheater

31. Chloe

It’s Saturday, thankfully, so I have nowhere to be right now, no one to report to. Although I got zero work done yesterday.

I stare at my naked ring finger. No fiancé.

I feel strange. Sort of empty. Kind of numb around the edges, but yet full of questions in the center of me. And hurt. I feel a lot of hurt.

I cried a lot last night under Derek’s covers. In Derek’s embrace. I let him comfort me. Not that it did. But I didn’t try to stop him from holding me tight, raining kisses all over my face. I sank into him as he whispered his crazy promises, almost taking comfort in some strange way. I cried for a lot of things. So many things.

And it might have been a cleansing of sorts. Because things feel different this morning. I have so much to figure out, but there’s this illusion of freedom in not being engaged.

It’s just a momentary illusion because I have a whole other set of problems now with Derek thinking what he’s thinking about us, but in the forefront of my mind is the fact that I won’t be Chloe Hallman. That Adam Hallman isn’t even real. It’s just him, his parents, his grandmother, and his brother and two sisters. He said they had no other family on either side, rarely talked about childhood memories, which makes sense now. And I don’t know precisely what happened to him, but the few bits and pieces he gave me about his uncle were enough to paint a picture. A tragic one. I don’t have the capacity to understand why he kept so much hidden from me. How do you fall in love with someone and not feel the urge to share your secrets? I guess we all have secrets. I guess trauma does things to you. And I guess having the ultimate trust broken by a family member can permanently scar you in ways others can’t fathom.

As my partner for life though, I can’t help but wonder if he would’ve ever told me the truth. Told me his old name. Would we be bound by marriage vows with all sorts of secrets?

I don’t have a wedding date looming. I have to tell my parents. Our friends.

Or I guess I do have a wedding looming if Derek forces me to marry him. And I can’t compute that. I haven’t let myself even begin to fathom what that could mean for my life, my future.

I’m supposed to be at Alannah’s tonight, talking her down from trying to help me deal with my Derek problem.

But my Derek problem has hit an entirely new level.

Held at gunpoint. Threatened. Adam, being told all the wonderful things Derek will give him if he makes this easy. The threats of things going very differently if he doesn’t. Derek doesn’t want me to worry about Adam, so he’s taking care of him at the same time as destroying the remnants of our relationship. All those secrets spilling out like noxious, hot lava coming straight at me. Jeannie. Adam’s uncle. How easily he gave in to Derek. He didn’t even try to fight. He looked not only resigned, he was looking at the bright side of things immediately. Thinking about that million bucks. And that hurts. Is that his coping mechanism maybe? Because Adam has had to cope with a whole lot lately. How is he this morning? Did he fall asleep at the drop of a hat last night or did he mourn the loss of me? Or did he lie there thinking about how wonderful it could be to be mobile again with that technology Derek mentioned. How much was ahead of him career-wise with the new opportunities Derek lined up. How giving me up would mean he’s a millionaire in a year if I don’t divorce Derek and instruct him to fork it over.

I always check to see if I need to move anything he might want from the top shelf in the fridge before bed to make sure he can reach them. Is he going to have trouble this morning because I’m not there to make sure he can access his breakfast stuff?

My mind swims with a zillion thoughts until I feel Derek stirring beside me. And now I’m feeling panic set in.

What now?

This mentally unstable man has me where he wants me. For now. What if he gets bored? I have no idea what to expect from the unpredictable man who essentially schemed and connived to steal me from Adam. He says he hasn’t done this before. He says a lot of things. Things some women would jump for joy about. I don’t know if it’s all the truth or not. And most of all, how does this end?

He says, “Good morning,” in that deep timbre of his and kisses my shoulder.

“I have a surprise for you,” he says a moment later, mouth against the ridge of my ear.

“I don’t want any more surprises from you. I think I’ve had more than enough.”

“We’ll relax today so you can finish getting over being upset. I’ll give you the surprise tomorrow.”

“How magnanimous of you,” I say drolly.

He moves closer. “I’d love to give it to you today. Show you something I’m excited about.”

“I’m not exactly feeling up to anything where you’re concerned.”

“I get it. You need a little time. We’ll do it tomorrow.”

“How generous,” I mumble. “A little time? You’ve derailed my entire life in a matter of how long?”

He answers, “Fifteen days since we met. I was gonna take a little longer, as I said, but you forced my hand last night.”

“Oh, so it’s my fault that you’re an entitled psychopath?”

“No. That’s not your fault. But you get to reap the rewards and that is your doing. Because you caught the eye of the psychopath, commanded his attention, and you fascinated him to the degree he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about how much joy he’ll experience as he gets to give you everything you want.”

“Too bad he didn’t get fascinated with world peace or eliminating child hunger instead,” I mutter.

He laughs. Loud.

I turn over and face him, staring, dumbfounded at the male beauty mixed with brain chemical imbalance I’m staring at. Derek is a beautiful sight regardless of whether he’s chilly or warm.

When the laughter dies off without the sparkling in his dark eyes waning, he mutters, “I’ll work some of that in, too, since it’s obviously important to you. My family does a lot for many causes, though.”

I say nothing.

“Anything you want, Chloe. Anything you need. As long as you marry me and spend your life with me. Each night beside me. As long as I know where you are, and that you’re safe, always. Keep the promises you’ll make when you say your vows. That’s it.” He shrugs, then runs his knuckles along my cheek. “Tomorrow, there’s a family brunch at my parents’ house. After that, I’ll show you your surprise. Monday, we’ll go to city hall and get married. We’ll keep that under wraps for a little while if you need to, but… not for too long, okay?” He chucks me under the chin with his index finger knuckle and then drops a kiss on my forehead before sauntering to the bathroom in just his boxers.

Family brunch? Married? I stare off into nothing for a few minutes, until the sound of the shower turning on jolts me into action. I quickly scramble for my phone, then throw on the robe he bought me. I slip out into the living room while seeing six missed calls and a text from Alannah in my phone notifications.

Alannah: I stopped by. Adam said you broke up. He wouldn’t tell me where you are, but your car is there. Are you with Derek? Are you ok? Call me NOW.

I call her.

“Chloe!” she answers on the first ring.

I talk fast. “I’m at Derek’s. He’s in the shower, so I can only talk for a minute, but yes, Adam and I broke up.”

“I’m confused.”

I rub my temples with my thumb and pinky finger while holding the phone.

“Me, too,” I rasp.

“Come here or I’m coming over.”

“No. Don’t.”

“I need answers, Chloe. I’m terrified for you here.”

I choke on a sob. “I'm terrified too. And flabbergasted. And kind of crushed because of Adam.”

“What happened?”

“I can’t talk.”

“I’m coming over. You’re in the building where The Fifth is, right? Top floor?”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. I don’t think he’ll let you in.”

“Then I’m coming to pick you up. Go downstairs right now and down the street. There’s a Dunkin’ a block away. Wait there.”

“I…”

“Hanging up now. If you’re not there when I get there, I will call the cops on this guy. I don’t give a shit.”

“Lan!”

“Chloe, I’m sorry but no. I don’t know what this is, but this shit isn’t okay. I don’t know what the hell is happening, but Adam was cold as ice with me, tells me you two broke up and that it’s his fault. He doesn’t wanna talk about it, won’t tell me where you are. All I know is Derek Steele was blackmailing you, stalking you, and now you’re there? What happened with Adam?”

Derek walks out in just a towel. Damp, muscled skin on display, eyes coasting over me with questions in his eyes.

“Fine. Come by. I’ll see you in five,” I say and hang up before she replies.

“Who?” Derek asks.

“Alannah. She’s freaking out. She needs to talk to me. She showed up at the house and Adam told her I left, so she’s having a conniption. I'll just go and –”

“I’ll grab a coffee and then I’ll put some clothes on.” Derek moves to the coffee machine.

“Did you hear me? She’s on her way here.”

“Message and tell her to buzz penthouse three from the main entrance but then to walk over to our door. You can buzz her in. I’ll put the app on your phone. Here. I’ll message her and explain that.”

He holds a hand out for my phone. “You wanna make us some coffee while I do this?” He takes my phone out of my hand when I make no moves.

I stare blankly as he walks out of the room with my phone. He comes back with his phone in one hand, mine in the other and sits on the couch, puts his phone down, and does something else on my phone.

“Please. Lots of cream and three sugars,” he says.

I stare blankly for another few seconds before ungluing myself and moving to the kitchen to turn the coffee machine on.

After I make two coffees, he passes me my phone and kisses my forehead. “Thanks.” He grabs the creamier coffee.

My phone makes a strange chime.

“That’s it,” Derek reaches over and touches my screen. “I’ll open it and we’ll see who’s there. There are commands there to answer and speak through the intercom as well as commands to open the door so she can get in.” He points to the commands as he explains and then touches one.

“Alannah?” he calls, after her face appears on the screen.

“Let me in,” she answers aggressively.

She’s ready for a fight.

“Go to the other door to the left. It’ll open. Come up to penthouse three. I’m sure Chloe will open the door up here and watch for you.”

“Right,” she says.

She looks angry.

He hits a command and walks away. I’m left gob smacked as he sips his coffee while casually moving down the hall to the bedroom.

As he crosses the threshold into the master, he takes the towel off with his free hand. I turn away and try to clear my head of the fuzzy feeling he’s left me with.

I take a sip of the much-needed coffee and then set it down before I move to the door, unlock it, and open it. And just in time because Alannah is marching down the hall angrily, holding her cell phone in her hand.

Her eyes hit mine and then she wraps her arms around me. “You okay?”

I nod while squeezing her for a long beat before I gesture for her to come inside.

“Come with me,” she hisses.

I shake my head and gesture for her to come inside.

“Where is he?” she asks as she takes in the space.

I point toward the hall.

He calls out, “I’m just getting decent. I’ll be there in a second. I’ll make us all some pancakes. You hungry, Alannah?”

Alannah turns to face me, and her eyes are practically crossed. She’s got alarm in all of her features as she mouths, “Pancakes?”

I lift my index finger and draw air circles around my ear.

Derek comes out and sees this. He lets out a little snort of laughter.

He’s dressed in second-skin faded jeans. He’s buttoning a white dress shirt. His hair is still damp, he’s barefoot, and he hasn’t shaved in a few days. I know Alannah is taking all that in. It’s hard not to.

“It should be a crime to look that good and be a psychopath, shouldn’t it?” Alannah says under her breath.

“I’ll make you a coffee,” is my reply.

Because I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know what to expect here, because Derek is completely unpredictable.

Alannah looks around and then speaks. “Listen, pal. I realize you’re accustomed to getting what you want. And we all know Chloe Turner is the whole package, but just because she’s been sweet so far–”

“Let me save you some trouble,” Derek interrupts, lifting his palm. “You don’t have to worry about Chloe. She’s going to be just fine. More than fine. I’ll see to that personally. I agree, I am accustomed to getting what I want. Because I go after it. With purpose and intent. I wanted her and here she is.” He gestures in my direction. “What you also need to know is that this girl has never been safer. She’ll never want for anything. She’s here because I worked to get her here and I’m not about to do anything that’d hurt her. On the contrary, I’m happy I get to work on my goal with no distractions. Doing whatever it takes to make her happy.”

“Happy?” Alannah asks.

“Happy. Personally. Professionally. Physically.”

My feet are still glued to the spot, though my eyes are bouncing between my best friend and Derek, shocked at his matter-of-fact declaration. I’m braced to see what Alannah does next.

“I’ve heard some concerning facts as well as rumors about your family.”

Derek shrugs.

Alannah continues, “Most concerning that several women have gone missing when they get tangled up with the Steele brothers,” she states.

“That’s inaccurate,” he corrects.

My jaw is about to hit the floor. Missing?

Derek gives me a sharp shake of his head. “One of my brothers had his girlfriend vanish without a trace. But it was a miscommunication. It’s since been sorted. She’s fine and living her own life in San Diego. But I guess Craig left that part out?”

Alannah looks contrite at the same time as pissed off. “And what about Thad’s two dead wives?”

What? My eyes widen.

“They weren’t missing and then reported dead. They both met untimely ends. Thad is dead. He was problematic. He’s no longer a problem because his bullshit caught up with him, finally. You girls want pancakes?”

He opens a kitchen cupboard and takes down the yellow box of pancake and biscuit mix along with a glass jug of maple syrup. He opens the fridge and pulls out bacon, eggs, and milk. “Did you want coffee or tea, Alannah? Chloe seems a little groggy still. You drink some of your coffee yet, baby?”

I stare at the full cup in my hand and then my eyes bounce to Alannah who is watching Derek as he pulls down a mixing bowl. He turns the kitchen tap and soaps up his hands.

“I don’t want coffee or tea or pancakes, man. I want you to stop this… whatever it is… you’re doing with Chloe. You blackmailed her. You’ve threatened her.”

“Yeah, I did. To get her here where I want her. Now that I have her, I can do what I intended.” He stares at Alannah expectantly.

He’s waiting for her to ask the obvious question, so that he can answer it.

“And what’s that?” she demands.

“So I can be her loaded baked potato with all the toppings.”

Alannah looks at me with her eyebrows raised.

Derek continues. “So I can continue to be forty four thousand and sixty nine out of ten on the sex skills scale.”

Alannah’s thrown. She grabs the counter to steady herself.

Derek isn’t done. “So I can be everything she should have instead of that bland, self-absorbed, journalist.” Derek puts a fresh cup under the coffee maker, opens the machine and pulls out the used pod then tosses it as if it’s a basketball. It lands in the trash can in the corner of the kitchen. He opens the drawer under the machine. “Pick your poison,” he offers, ironically, smiling as he says it before he glances at the side of the pancake mix box, then opens the egg carton and cracks an egg into the large mixing bowl.

Alannah helps herself to a breakfast blend pod and brews a cup, saying, “You’re forcing her to be here with you.”

“She’ll be happy. Don’t worry.” He cracks another egg.

Alannah gives him a skeptical look.

“By the way,” Derek says, lifting Alannah’s cell phone, which she set on the counter to make her coffee, “I’ll just turn this off.” He does what he did the day I came in here with my phone recording the conversation.

Alannah’s back straightens, and she immediately pulls a butcher knife from the knife block on the counter. She points it at Derek. “Give me my fucking phone.”

He finishes what he’s doing without showing a reaction, then puts the phone down and reaches into the cupboard and pulls down a Pyrex glass measuring cup.

“Go relax with your drinks while I do this,” Derek says, pretending Alannah isn’t standing in front of me with a knife in her hand.

“I’d rather take her home with me,” Alannah tells him. “She doesn’t want what you’re offering and there’s a lot wrong with you.”

“Chloe stays here,” Derek says calmly, measuring milk. He pours it into the bowl and reaches for the pancake mix. “Nothing has to change between you and her. Actually, something will change. You’ll get to see how happy I make her. A transformation that’ll make you ecstatic. I’d like it to be fast but as I’m getting to know her better I see how many layers I’ll have to get through until she believes she’s worthy of all I’m offering.”

Alannah and I exchange looks. Derek pulls a whisk out of a drawer and starts mixing the batter.

“Seriously?” Alannah asks him.

Derek’s eyes move over me and fill with warmth. “I’m gonna be one of your favorite people, Alannah. Guaranteed. Because you’re gonna see that your best friend has what she deserves. Finally. A man who will go out of his way to make sure she’s blissfully happy.”

“You expect me to believe you’re for real? That you’re not some psycho killer who could go postal and hurt my friend irreparably?”

“I’m for real. You wanna put the knife down? If you weren’t who you are to my girl, I wouldn’t be too happy right now at the fact you’re between her and I with a knife pointing at me.” He continues mixing the pancake batter. “Go on. Sit down. Enjoy your coffee while I get this going.”

He bends and pulls a griddle out of a lower kitchen cupboard.

Alannah stares at me for a beat before she puts the knife back into the block, grabs her phone and pockets it before nabbing the coffee cup and tagging my hand, pulling me to the couch. We both set our coffees down.

There’s some clanging in the kitchen as Derek roots around. Then he resumes talking, gesticulating with a spatula.

“I didn’t like where things were with her and Hallman, so last night I picked her up after having a chat with him. He agreed to withdraw his marriage proposal and take full responsibility. Which is good, because all this is his fault.”

Derek opens a bacon package with a pair of scissors and separates pieces of meat, dropping them into a frying pan on the stove.

“His fault?” Alannah queries.

“If he were doing right by Chloe, you two wouldn’t have had that conversation that I overheard that night in Downtown. That conversation lit a match in me and once that happens only I decide to put the flame out. Nobody else. So you won’t talk me out of what’s happening here, for your information, because due to his behavior I’ve taken it upon myself to relieve him of his duties while taking full responsibility for the breakup. Chloe won’t have to feel judged by people who might think poorly of a woman who’d end her unhappy relationship because the guy lost use of his legs. As if that gives him a free pass to treat her like a piece of the furniture.” He rolls his eyes.

Alannah gives me a strange look before she continues. “I’ve heard concerning things about your family, but also some rumors about you. How do I know you’re going to be any better? How do we know you won’t suddenly snap and hurt Chloe? You’ve got a pretty warped view from everything you’re saying so far. And I’ve heard you have some pretty extreme reactions when you feel people wrong you.”

“Have you heard of me having a history of hurting women?” he asks.

“No,” Alannah replies.

“So you’re letting rumors cloud your judgment?”

“Your behavior is what’s got me most concerned. But I also happen to know the bartender you fired the night you met Chloe. He’s not only been arrested, he got jumped by two guys when he got out on bond and beaten badly. Very badly. And then his apartment caught fire while he was in the hospital, ruining just the items in his unit, and destroying a valuable trading card collection.”

“What makes you think those things have anything to do with me? Other than having him arrested. That was business. If I don’t make an example of theft, I’ll be a target. It’s based on firing a thief that you think I’d hurt her?”

“His card collection is kept in a locked fireproof box under his bed. It was mysteriously left open on the bed. His lawyer also quit on him with no explanation.”

“Why do you care about a bartender that was stealing from not only his employer, but also the patrons? Fleecing customers like yourself and your coworkers out of your hard-earned money either by fucking with the change or by charging people for top shelf liquor and serving something else? Watering down drinks.”

“Okay, Alex aside, let’s talk about Chloe. You’ve blackmailed her into having an affair with you. You’ve stalked her, infiltrated her privacy. You’ve threatened her. I don’t even know all of what you’ve done because she’s been clammed up about it.”

“I’ve done what I need to do to win her so that I can give her the happiness she deserves. I’m gonna marry her Monday, put my ring on her finger, and make all her dreams come true.”

I’m just sitting still, holding my coffee, watching these two.

I take a sip.

“Marry her on Monday?”

“That’s right. I wasn’t sure at first what I wanted other than to rock her world and get her to use the hall pass on me. But the more I learn, the more I see, and definitely the more time I spend with her, I know I want it all.”

“She doesn’t want to marry you. You’ve been blackmailing her. Stalking her. Infiltrating her privacy.”

“She’ll get over it.” He shrugs, flipping slices of bacon.

“And when you’re over your infatuation with her? She’s blissfully happy and madly in love and you’re over it, what happens then?”

“Until a few days ago I would’ve said we’d part amicably. Now, though? Now that I’m planning on putting her in that white dress and giving her my last name? I think that makes it pretty clear I have no intention of ever being done with her. I wouldn’t go from wanting to make her happy and undoing all the bad in her life to making her marry me if I wasn’t absolutely sure doing it would mean to me what I know it means to her.”

“And what’s that?”

“Forever. Wearing the dress just once for her. Saying those vows and meaning every word of them for me. For better or for worse with hopefully both of us, but definitely me working hard to make sure there’s more better. If she’d worn that gown for Hallman, maybe she’d have sworn marriage off after that went to shit. But let’s face it, it’s been shit for a long time. Longer than he’s been in that wheelchair, too, particularly in the bedroom department.”

Sizzling gets louder. Bacon scents fill the air as he works at the stove.

She looks at me.

I again rotate my finger around my ear.

Instead of giving me a look of agreement, she has a strange look on her face.

He points the spatula at me and tsks. “Not very nice, Chloe. You wanna earn yourself a spanking, keep it up.” He wiggles his eyebrows, making his meaning clear and I watch Alannah grab her own throat, like she’s affected.

“You were saying?” Derek prompts.

“Huh? Oh. I mean, there’s not a lot known about you,” Alannah continues. “But there are some concerning rumors.” She poignantly takes a sip of her coffee.

“I’m sure there are. Feel free to share.”

“That you’re very vindictive. That you can be violent. That most of your own family is afraid of you.”

He says nothing, just keeps working on the bacon.

“Do you not see how alarming it is that you’ve become obsessed with her and turned her life upside down in a very short time?”

“Sometimes you have to dismantle things in order to be able to fix them,” he says darkly.

Her eyes fill with more alarm. “What about fixing yourself?”

“I’m pretty content with who I am.” He shrugs. “When you say you’ve heard I’m vindictive, doesn’t that indicate that I’m retaliating? Shouldn’t one retaliate if someone wrongs them?”

“Shouldn’t a woman decide who she wants to marry?” Alannah counters.

“And the only thing holding Chloe back is Hallman. If he weren’t a factor, she’d be all in to explore a relationship with me. The chemistry between us is off the charts, and she knows it. Don’t you, baby?”

I don’t answer.

Alannah continues. “You’ve been exhibiting some troubling signs though. You feel like you’re stable? Were you on medication that you’ve stopped? Do you see a therapist, Derek?”

“Me and therapy don’t exactly gel,” Derek replies. “Been there, done that. Not interested. What I am interested in is Chloe. Can I make a suggestion?”

Alannah jerks her chin up.

“Watch and see what happens.” He shrugs. “I’m glad you care. I’m glad Chloe’s had you. She still does and I’m not looking to disrupt that. So, watch and see how things transform. It might take a little time for me to win her over, but I’m prepared to put in the work. Show your support. Come stand up as a witness on Monday. I’m sure you planned to be her maid of honor when she was gonna marry that unseasoned potato, right?”

Alannah looks startled for a second and she looks like she’s fighting laughter at how Derek’s calling Adam what she first coined.

Derek shrugs again. “Give it time. See what happens.”

“This should all be Chloe’s choice,” Alannah volleys.

“Chloe doesn’t always do what’s good for her. She has a history of doing what’s good for everyone else. You’ve known her a long time. Am I wrong?”

Alannah tips her head as if she’s agreeing. This makes my back straighten.

“She needed me to step in,” Derek goes on, then he smears butter on the griddle and starts pouring portions of pancake batter onto it.

Alannah looks at me, sets her coffee mug on the table and grabs my hand. “You haven’t said anything. Talk to me. Are you okay?” She looks into my eyes.

“No,” I say simply.

“How has he hurt you?” She’s looking at me like she thinks I’m afraid to answer. “You don’t have to be afraid. I told Jeffy I was coming. If he doesn’t hear from me soon he’ll start to fret.”

“Check in with him,” Derek calls over. “Let him know everything’s fine here.”

“Chloe? You’ve hardly said a thing. Are you afraid to speak?” Alannah asks, ignoring Derek.

I clear my throat. “Right now I’m reeling. Mostly hurt at the turn of events with Adam last night. I don’t want to get into specifics because it might make me vomit. Let’s just say it’s not easy to process how easy it was for him to take Derek’s generous offers which include a million bucks when we celebrate our one year wedding anniversary along with a whole lot of career opportunities, medical help, and so on.”

Derek waves the spatula. “That’s what I’m sayin’.”

Alannah jolts with shock.

I continue, “He knew he was dealing with a psycho who was very determined, especially with how the evening began. We-”

“Now, now, Chloe,” Derek says. “Some things are personal.”

“Are you threatening her? Because this has me concerned. Let her talk to me,” Alannah clips.

“She’s free to talk to you,” Derek retorts. “That’s why you’re here. If I didn’t want her to talk to anyone I could’ve already swept her out of the country, taken her somewhere very private. But I’m not here to tear her life apart. I’m here to make it better. But there are some sensitive topics best left between the two of us. And Hallman.”

“It was dramatic. Derek seems to have a flair for the dramatic,” I mutter.

He takes an exaggerated bow, rolling his hand, then he turns and flips pancakes one at a time, like he’s done it a million times.

Someone knocks on the door and all three of us look that way.

Derek goes to the door and opens it just a few inches. “Not now, Grace,” he says angrily.

Alannah looks at me. “Who’s there?” she calls out like the pot-stirrer she is.

“His sister,” a female voice calls out. “I want to meet his new girlfriend properly.”

The blonde ducks under Derek’s arm sideways and breezes into the apartment, looking surprised at the sight of two of us, and looking over me with concern, I guess. Derek shuts the door and seems to take stock of me himself before rushing to the kitchen to tend to the food.

Grace Steele’s eyes bounce between me and Alannah. She’s a gorgeous curly-haired blonde with striking gray eyes, dressed in black pencil pants and a white with black pinstripe blouse. Cute little red flats. Full face of makeup. Tasteful, expensive jewelry.

Alannah is dressed in one of her business suits. She dressed to come here and take matters into her hands and resolve matters like she’d do if this was mediation she was the arbitrator for.

I’m sitting here in the pink robe with an oversized tee and shorts, barefoot, and bed-headed. No doubt my face is still puffy from all the crying last night.

“I’m Alannah. Chloe’s best friend,” Alannah greets.

“I’m Grace. Derek’s youngest sibling.” She extends her hand and Alannah rises and takes it.

Grace then reaches for my hand. I stand up.

“Good to meet you, Chloe. You look like you’d rather be anywhere but here,” Grace very observantly states.

“That’s because I don’t want to be here.” I reply.

I look at Derek and he’s watching us but not doing anything about this little exchange. He’s not shooting me warning looks. He’s not smiling, but he also doesn’t look angry. He’s moving pancakes to a platter.

“Why not?” Grace asks me.

“I’ve derailed her life and forced her to be here,” Derek answers. Now he’s moving bacon from the pan to a plate covered in paper towel.

“Why?” Grace asks him.

“Because I want her,” he says simply, then swipes paper towel across the griddle before re-buttering it.

Grace’s eyes bounce back to me with concern before she asks, “Got enough for one more for breakfast, Derek?”

Derek grumbles something under his breath, then instructs, “Set the table.”

“He always made me pancakes when I was sad as a little girl. I’m a little jealous right now that he’s making them for you. Have you ever made anyone pancakes besides me, Derek?”

“Nope,” Derek replies. “They always cheered you up, so I was hoping they’d do the same for Chloe.”

“In that case, I guess I don’t mind. But why does she need cheering up?” She puts her hands on her waist. “What did you do?”

“Derailed her life. Made her move in with me. I’m making her marry me on Monday.”

Alannah and I watch this exchange with fascination as Grace takes plates down from a kitchen cupboard.

“Why aren’t you wooing her the regular way?”

“Do I do anything the regular way?” he fires back.

She snorts. “Fair point. Paint me a picture, Derek.”

“She was engaged. The guy didn’t deserve her. Things she said had me pay attention. It lit a match in me. I intervened.”

“And where is the guy now?” she asks, eyeballing us for a second as she sets the four plates on the dining table.

“He’s at his home, counting all the opportunities I’ve put in front of him. I didn’t off him, Grace. He’s just no longer engaged to Chloe.”

“Do you have a habit of offing people?” Alannah calls over, alarmed.

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to,” Derek advises, deadpan.

Grace snickers. “He’s being facetious. Don’t pay attention to that. I wasn’t suggesting he did, thought maybe he got him framed and sent to prison to get him out of the way or something like that. Not something so bloody as murder. Derek’s much more creative. Most times.”

“Most times,” Derek parrots and pops a piece of bacon into his mouth before pointing in the air and pulling the trigger on an imaginary gun.

Alannah and I exchange wide-eyed looks before we both sip our coffees in synchronization.

“Chloe cares what happens to him, so I did things in a way that’ll be more… palatable for her.”

Opening a drawer, Grace pulls cutlery out, and then reaches into another drawer for a stack of cloth napkins. “Hm. Makes sense. Oh! I have fresh chocolate croissants and fruit in my kitchen. I’ll go grab them.” She sets the cutlery and napkins down on the island and rushes out.

“I’m gonna go put some clothes on,” I mutter to Alannah.

“I’ll finish setting the table,” Alannah offers, looking completely fascinated by all of this.

“You message Jeff?” Derek asks her.

“I’ll do that right after I finish the table,” she says, separating napkins and setting them down beside each plate.

Shaking my head at how bizarre this whole exchange is, I go get dressed.

After I’m dressed, I quickly run a brush through my hair before washing my face and getting into the pair of slippers Derek bought me. I hang the housecoat on the back of the door beside his housecoat, a navy blue one.

I’m a combination of flabbergasted and numb. And curious about Grace Steele at the same time.

They’re all at the table. Derek pats the empty chair to his left. He’s made a plate up for me with three perfect-looking pancakes and three slices of bacon.

“Made you another coffee,” he says, dropping a kiss on my temple as I sit.

Alannah is across from me, eyes on me. Grace is across from Derek, eyes on him. A platter of six chocolate drizzled croissants and a bowl of fruit salad sit in the center of the table.

“So, my brother wanted you and found a way to get you in his clutches,” Grace prompts, smearing butter over her pancakes with a knife.

“Basically,” I reply and watch Alannah reach for a chocolate croissant from the platter in the center of the table.

“And he’s holding things over your head?” she asks.

“He was,” I agree. Derek sets a croissant on my plate. “Now… now I’m not sure if there’s a new threat or if he expects me to comply based on everything he’s shown me so far.”

Alannah’s eyes bounce between me and Derek.

His expression gives nothing away.

“You’re not worried about the fiancé now, are you?” Grace asks. “I mean, love doesn’t just vanish overnight, I guess.”

“I’m not particularly happy with my fiancé, but…”

“Ex-fiancé,” Derek corrects, putting the jug of syrup in front of my plate.

“But I don’t know what Derek’s going to hold over my head next to keep me cooperating,” I finish, eyes on Derek’s face.

He forks up some of his pancakes and pops a bite into his mouth.

“What are you going to hold over her head, Derek?” Grace asks casually, sawing into her pancakes.

Derek finishes chewing slowly, looking thoughtful. He keeps chewing, swallows, and wipes his mouth with the napkin. “That’ll be between Chloe and me.”

“Do you really think you can build a real relationship based on threats and bribery?” Grace asks.

“Don’t know, Grace. Never had a relationship before. Eat some food, Chloe. Or I’ll feed you myself.” He winks and flashes me a smile.

I defiantly cross my arms and lean back in my chair.

Derek gives me a look of dismay.

“Whoa. Smiles again,” Grace says. “My brother never smiles. Like… never.”

The room is silent for a long moment. Derek watches me while forking up a bite of his bacon.

I pull a piece of croissant off and put it in my mouth.

Alannah digs in and takes a bite of her pancakes. “Mm. Good.”

“He knows pancakes.” Grace says. “That’s syrup from our family place in Vermont.” She gestures to the syrup, and I notice the label says Steele Family Reserve with a silver and black heart logo. “Our brothers Jonah and Asher tap the sugar maples every year. We get about twenty or thirty gallons of syrup every year. Every family member gets one and then we send out little bottles with our Christmas cards to close family and friends. You’ll love it there, Chloe. We should do a weekend soon.”

“Ugh,” I groan and push back from the table. “I’m not doing this breakfast thing. I’m not hanging out with your family at their Vermont place, Grace. Not marrying – ” I point at Derek, “you on Monday or ever.” I raise my hands and back up. “I’m not having this conversation. I’m getting my things and then I’m leaving with Alannah. This is over. It’s gone on long enough.” I storm into the bedroom and grab my bag and begin shoving yesterday’s clothes and my pajamas into it. I want this robe. This is the best robe I’ve ever worn in my life, feels like a cuddly stuffed animal, and I think I deserve it, so I stuff that in.

Great. Now I can’t close the zipper.

“Chloe.”

I look over my shoulder. Derek’s leaning in the doorway.

“I’ve had enough of this,” I snap, pointing. “What are you going to do now? Threaten my parents? Alannah? I’m going home. After all this crap, I’d rather marry Adam and live a sexless life filled with lies than marry you.”

He moves in and backs me up against the wall. His face is an inch from mine.

I’m tweaked, panicked, but I hold my ground and stare directly into his now icy eyes challengingly.

His hand comes up and closes around my throat. Not tight, though. I swallow against his palm.

“You won’t marry him.”

“And what could you do about it?” I snap.

Derek moistens his lips with his tongue, then says, “If you attempt to marry him, I’ll burn the church down.”

“You’ll kill me and everyone I love?” I ask, body completely rigid.

“No,” he whispers, caressing my throat with his thumb. “I’ll pull you out first, then you’ll watch it go up in flames from a safe distance. I protect you at all costs, Chloe. Only you.”

“You’re crazy,” I say.

“Crazy about you,” he tells me, using the same dazzling smile he used back when he first reeled me in like hapless prey.

“Back off.”

“Come finish breakfast. We’ll talk after they go.”

“No.” I grab his wrist and throw his hand off. He drops his hand but doesn’t back off. “I’m not sitting at a table with my best friend and your sister while we talk about syrup from Vermont and your mental illness like it’s perfectly normal. Get some help, Derek. I’m leaving. Stop following me. Stop stalking me. I’m leaving and I want you to leave me alone or I don’t care… I will call the cops. I’ll go to the press. I’ll do whatever the fuck I have to do to –”

He grabs me and starts kissing me.

“Stop!” I fight as he presses me against the wall.

“I want you more right now than I did a minute ago. The backbone? It’s intoxicating.” He runs his nose up the side of my face. His body is pressed against mine. “Come eat with me and then when they go we’ll come back here and maybe I’ll eat you. After I punish you for being such a bad, bad girl, saying such terrible things.”

He releases my mouth and bites my throat a little roughly, then plants a kiss on it while one of his hands gropes my breast.

I’m swaying, shocked. Heat has flared low in my belly, and I’m ashamed to admit it, but my underwear are drenched.

“Let’s hurry and finish so I can kick them out and spank this pussy,” he says against my throat, “Maybe tie you up and edge you for a few hours with my fingers, my palms, and my mouth before I let you come on my tongue.” He presses a kiss against my mouth and then backs off, leaving me swaying.

“How wet are you right now, I wonder?” He winks and backs away slowly.

Bastard.

“Come eat. It’s getting cold. You probably don’t want to leave Alannah out there with me.”

He gives me a loaded look. Loaded with threats.

He leaves me. Leaves me reeling.

Fucking bastard.

Not knowing what he’ll do, flashbacks of the guy with the gun, of the cold look in his eyes when I slapped him across the face the other night, I decide I don’t want to leave Alannah’s fate to chance. I hesitantly walk out there.

I find Alannah and Grace with their heads together while Derek is making another cup of coffee, intense eyes on me.

Both women look at me with concern.

“I’m sorry if I was rude, Grace. I’m… kind of… shattered, thanks to your brother.”

She pats the chair I vacated. “Sit down. Let me fill you in on Derek.”

“This oughta be interesting,” Derek says, rejoining the table.

I sit down and Alannah grabs my hand and squeezes. But she’s got a strange look on her face.

I don’t have time to try to decode it before Grace starts to talk.

“Derek was kidnapped when he was a child. Held for ransom. It was kept out of the papers and both of you must keep this fact to yourselves. Under threat of severe consequences.”

“Grace,” Derek warns, giving her an icy look.

She ignores this and continues. “It was very traumatic for him. It’s probably why he has some extreme reactions in certain scenarios. Most people don’t know how to take him. I was very young when this happened, so I don’t remember much, but I can tell you that I’ve never seen him get infatuated by a woman before. Never seen him with the same girl more than once. Most of them don’t get past the first date. He’s certainly never moved anyone in with him.”

“How old are you?” Alannah asks Derek.

“Almost thirty-four,” Grace answers for him.

“When was he kidnapped?” Alannah asks, now looking at Grace.

“He was eleven. Most of his life, he’s had an addictive personality. When he discovers something new and gets hooked by it, his reactions can seem extreme. He works to excel in whatever he becomes focused on. I don’t think you’re in danger, Chloe. In fact, this is the best news I’ve heard in a while. Maybe best news ever where Derek’s concerned. Are you not interested in him? I mean, he’s attractive, wealthy. He’s a catch. Right?”

“She’s interested in me,” Derek states boldly.

My eyes roll.

“He’s not someone you can dissuade from things he sets his mind to. But that doesn’t mean you need to be afraid for your safety. I think maybe you’re not giving him a fair chance because of the way he went about things. His approach was probably unorthodox, but…”

I scoff.

She sallies forth, getting louder and with an even more determined look on her face, “But I’m telling you, I don’t see him smile. I don’t see him laugh. And I’ve seen him do both with you. That’s something that has me hopeful. Maybe things could turn a corner for him with your help.”

“I’m not looking for a project,” I tell her. “He needs a therapist.”

Is she delusional too?

Derek’s expression turns dark, but he aims his gaze away, flexing his jaw.

We’re all watching him for a minute.

“Derek was kidnapped by-” Grace starts to say gently, but Derek cuts her off, his gaze snapping in her direction with a look that must mean warning.

“Grace is the control freak of the family. She’s the youngest of the seven of us and tries to mother everyone.” Derek’s eyes move to me, and his expression lightens. “She probably figures she’ll worry about me less if you’re on the job. Eat some more food, Chloe, please.”

I ignore him, paying attention to Grace instead as she talks some more.

“It’s true. Things are often bumpy in a big family like ours. I like things smooth. I’m the ironer-outer.”

She shrugs and pulls apart a piece of her croissant, then pops it into her mouth.

She’s beautiful. Very put together. A little younger than me, I’d guess. I’m now wondering, though, if she’s as whacko as he is. It’s like she’s mediating for us along with Alannah who I’m sure is playing nice and fact-finding as part of her usual mediator process.

“You should consider dating her from a typical distance and then going from there,” Alannah suggests, spooning fruit salad onto her plate.

She smiles at me. I flinch dramatically to show her what I think of this suggestion.

“Not gonna happen,” he denies.

“I need to say,” Alannah says, “that I’m going to have my eye on this situation very closely.” She points her fork in Derek’s direction and continues. “I give a shit about my best friend, and nothing is going to change that. Blackmail doesn’t seem like a great way to foster a healthy relationship.” She turns to look at me. “Chloe? What do you want me to do here? Call the police? Maybe if Derek gives you some space instead, we won’t have to do that.”

“I’ll let you know what time to meet us at City Hall on Monday,” Derek responds. “We’ll keep the marriage quiet as the dust settles with Hallman. Then we’ll do a destination wedding in a couple months. I’ll fly everyone out to be there and we’ll do it again as if it’s the first time.”

“Why not wait and see if you can get Chloe to agree?”

She’s trying to negotiate, persuade him in a way to get me out of here safely.

“Woo her the regular way,” Grace interjects.

“Exactly,” Alannah says. “I’ll take her home with me and we can take this slow.”

Derek shakes his head. “I’m doing things my way.”

“I’m right next door,” Grace says to Alannah as if that’ll help her feel better about leaving me here.

Alannah looks me over to see where I’m at with everything.

What he said about me not wanting him left alone with Alannah means I could take it that I have no choice but to go through with this with him or he might set fire to the rest of my life. Hurt Alannah?

Alannah has no idea about us being held at gunpoint by Derek’s minion either. She’s sitting here trying to reason with the psychopath without a full scope of understanding.

“Tell ya what,” Derek says, wiping his mouth with a napkin and dropping it on his plate. “Chloe will check in with you twice a day until you’re comfortable with resuming normal contact. You’ll know she’s safe that way. I’ll send you the time and place for the marriage on Monday.”

“I think you need to reconsider your stance here, Derek,” Grace suggests, “Take your time with Chloe. It could work out better.”

“No,” Derek denies. “Next weekend we have the big anniversary party and the following weekend, we could all go to the Vermont place. You’d be welcome, Alannah.”

“I’m so coming to that,” Grace states excitedly.

“Now, I think we’re about done here. Alannah, I don’t like to resort to threats but let’s just say that if you cause a problem, including spreading word about this situation, it would not be wise. I’ve got Hallman taking the blame for the breakup, which is how it should be.”

Alannah’s eyes narrow at the threat.

Derek keeps going. “And if you don’t cause any problems, you’ll skip any unpleasantness and get to see our girl here flourishing, happy, living her best life. When I set my sights on something, I don’t fail.” Derek looks at me. “I’m well aware Alannah is an important part of your life. I’m not planning to keep your friends from you. I’m also not giving up here just because the way I’ve gone about this is unconventional. I want to make you happy. I’m not wasting this opportunity.”

The way he’s looking at me sets me more than on edge. The idea of him derailing Alannah’s life? Of him digging into her life to find dirt to use against her? Of him getting rid of her the way he got rid of Adam as a factor in my life? No. No way. There is dirty laundry in Alannah’s family. For Alannah personally, too. I know her secrets and no way will I give him ammunition to punish me by hurting her. Or punish her for getting involved.

“You can go, Lan,” I say softly, eyes moving from Derek to Alannah. “We’ll talk. I’ll message you tonight. And again tomorrow morning.”

She stares at me, forehead crinkled.

“I’ll walk you home, Grace. Be right back, baby,” Derek says, leaning over and kissing me on my forehead and then giving me a look of promise, as if he’s pleased with me and is about to give me a reward.

“I’m right next door,” Grace repeats, eyes bouncing between me and Alannah. “I’ll get your number, Alannah. You can check in any time.”

“I’ve got her number; I’ll give it to you,” Derek states, opening the front door for his sister.

I watch them leave and then turn my attention to Alannah, who is staring at me with her mouth open.

“Ugh,” comes from me. I put my fingertips to my temples.

She says, “I don’t know whether I love you or hate you. I mean, I know I love you, but I hate you a little bit right now.”

I rear back. “Huh?”

“Gorgeous, no,… gor-geous. Gorgeous and filthy rich man obsessed with making all your dreams come true? I mean, if you’re gonna have a psycho stalker, this is the right kind to have.”

“Yeah, I’ve hit the psychopathic hot guy lottery.” I roll my eyes and then I burst into tears.

She pulls me into an embrace. “Does he hurt you?” she whispers. “Tell me.”

I shake my head. “Not so far. He scares me. How the hell am I gonna get out of this?”

“I’ll help you figure it out,” she says firmly. “We have to play this carefully. His family? Some people make them seem like well-dressed thugs. From what Jeffy told me, that was just the brother that got killed. The rest of the Steele brothers and the father? Dangerous. Cunning. Connected. They have the money and power to make things go their way and make problems go away. They’re not sloppy or careless. We can’t make waves without playing this carefully or I’d have called the cops already.”

I sigh.

“If you want me to leave here right now and call the police, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell Craig everything. But I advise against it.”

“What if you and Craig then disappear off the face of the earth without a trace?”

“I know enough between Craig and Jeffy to know this is a serious situation. I do think you need to play things very carefully with Derek. Yes, he’s gorgeous and clearly smitten with you but he’s obviously cracked. The sister seems like she has her head on semi-straight and she’s right next door.”

“She seems a little cracked, too, no?”

Alannah tips her head side to side in contemplation. “You might not be wrong, but I think mostly she’s a spoiled rich princess without a grasp of how the world operates outside her circles. I think she’s mostly excited about her brother wanting to get married. Acting normal. Says she thinks you’re good for him. Clearly this is out of character for him but in a way that has her thinking it’s a positive thing.”

“Or is this part of a psychotic break that’ll lead who-knows-where?”

Alannah’s face drops. “Okay, let’s go then. I’ll call 9-1-1 right now. Your immediate safety is the priority.”

I shake my head. “No. I… I need to think. You go home. I’ll call you later. Big stakes here.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” she asks. “Why are you considering staying? What is he threatening you with? Or are you falling for this guy?”

I give my head a sharp shake. “No, definitely. Threats are mostly implied. Nothing specific.”

“Then I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here.”

“I don’t think you have a choice. I don’t want you to make any ripples. I need to think about all this.”

“How did it go down with Adam? How did all that transpire?”

“He could be back any second but let’s just say Adam has a sweet deal if he cooperates. Big threat if he doesn’t.”

“Same as what he just tried to say to me. Without specifically threatening me.”

Derek walks back in and assesses us with humor lit in his eyes. “My ears are ringing.”

“As they should be. So listen…” Alannah rises. “I don’t know what to do about you, neither does Chloe. We realize we have to play things carefully with someone who might be on the razor’s edge of sanity, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get whatever you want. It doesn’t mean this is all up to you.”

His icy stare is unnerving.

“Chloe wants me to go,” she continues. “Clearly she’s worried you’re gonna fuck with my life the way you’ve fucked with Adam’s. But you should know I don’t scare as easily as him. I might not come from a powerful family like yours. I might not be a billionaire with unlimited resources at my disposal. But what I am is someone who doesn’t abandon her friends. What I will say here to the both of you is that there are some things you said, Derek, that I absolutely love. The idea of someone giving my bestie the happiness she deserves? That tickles me. Truly. If you deliver on the promises you’ve made today and my girl decides it’s what she wants, bravo. Bravo, Derek. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. But she has to want it. I think you should consider doing things the traditional way with her to see where it gets you. And if it gets you nowhere, you should do what every other guy that gets shot down does. Find somewhere else to shower your affection.”

“I’m not remotely bothered by being unlike everyone else.”

“Clearly. So, I’m watching. Closely. And I’ve already gone to the trouble to inform several people that I have concerns about you. You might not like that but if anything happens to me or Chloe, there are several powerful people who are paying attention and who know you’re the one to watch. You may have been the Steele brother most under radar until now, but flags have been raised in multiple places.”

Derek’s expression does not change.

I’m trembling, though.

“So, I’m watching. Call me later, babe. Or call me immediately if you need to.” She wraps her arms around me and kisses me on both cheeks before grasping my cheeks and looking into my eyes. “I love you, Chlo. This could be amazing for you. If it’s not, don’t hesitate to call me. If I don’t hear from you at least twice a day and know to my bones that you’re okay, I will act.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Derek says.

“No.” I rise quickly, panicking.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Derek asks, coming to me quickly, concern in his gaze.

He takes my face into both hands. “What, baby?” he repeats.

“I’m worried you’ll walk her out and I’ll never see her again.”

“It’s okay,” she says. “I’ll text you from my car before I leave and then again when I’m home safe. I’m walking out here safely and nothing’s going to happen to me. Right Derek?”

“Right,” he says, “Nothing to worry about right now.” His thumb skates across my bottom lip.

I back away from him and wrap my arms around Alannah.

“Love you,” she says and kisses my cheek, then leaves, Derek following her out.