Chapter 13
WREN
ONE WEEK LATER
The past week went by in a hazy blur. Peyton and Gabriella called me every day to check in, and I kept waiting for Peyton to tell me she’d had the twins. I hated I wouldn’t be there when they came into the world.
Parker’s hotel room had been cleaned, and all his belongings were sent to me.
No evidence had been found on his body, so I had him cremated and his ashes put in a silver urn for now.
Too many emotions threatened to break free at the sight of it, so I placed the urn and all of Parker’s things in one of Seth’s other guest bedrooms and shut the door.
Unfortunately, I knew what was behind it every time I walked past. The only thing I could think to do was keep myself busy.
All I’d done the past week was work out, eat, work out again, and sleep.
Ripp was at the Labyrinth with Kase; he wanted to leave Seth’s house for a while.
I hadn’t even stepped out of the front door yet.
Luckily, Kali and Valentin had visited a couple of times, and having her around helped my sanity.
Every day and night, I was surrounded by men.
Seth handled business as usual, always on the phone, but there were times I could feel his eyes on me.
No one had heard from Nikolai. However, there was a tension in the air, like at any moment he would strike.
I wish he’d hurry the fuck up so I could get rid of him and have the revenge I deserve.
Benny was in the living room when I went downstairs, his hulking frame was standing by the windows. He was the only one of Seth’s men who ever said a word to me. Then again, I never bothered to talk to any of the others.
I met Benny’s gaze in the window, and he turned around to face me, his focus strictly on my face and not my body, which was clad in only a bright teal bikini. Benny was Seth’s closest confidant, but he seemed like a guy I could get along with.
“I’m going for a swim,” I said to him.
He nodded once and said, “Enjoy,” before focusing back on the windows that overlooked the pool.
I knew there would be more men patrolling the grounds outside, but I just chose to pretend they weren’t even there.
Once outside, I kicked off my flip-flops and set my towel on one of the lounge chairs.
Steam billowed from the pool, and when I dipped my toes in, the water was warm.
I had been pushing myself hard in Seth’s gym, trying to get into the best shape of my life.
But with all the intense workouts, my muscles were screaming for a break.
So, I knew a swim in the pool was exactly what I needed.
As I dove into the water, the tension in my muscles began to ease. The rush of the water felt like a massage against my sore skin. I moved my arms and legs, feeling the water’s resistance against my muscles, but it was a welcome sensation.
I swam lap after lap, my movements slow and steady, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness that the water provided.
My mind drifted as I swam, and visions of Parker flashed through my memories.
I could see his smiling face, but then it was replaced by his lifeless form on the floor of my hotel room, covered in blood.
Clenching my teeth, I swam to the edge of the pool and sucked in a deep breath.
I dug my fingers into the cement, focusing on that pain instead of the torment in my heart.
Once my pulse stopped racing and all thoughts of Parker pushed down into the depths of my soul, I hopped out of the pool and went straight to the hot tub.
I couldn’t let my emotions get in the way of what I needed to do.
The heat of the hot tub enveloped my body like a warm embrace. I let out a sigh of contentment as the water worked its magic on my sore muscles. The jets massaged my back and shoulders, sending waves of pleasure through my body.
Closing my eyes, I leaned against the tub’s edge, letting the heat penetrate deeper into my muscles. Unfortunately, nothing was going to melt away my tension completely.
I opened my eyes and looked around, taking in the beauty of my surroundings.
Seth’s house was amazing, and if the situation was different, I could see myself actually enjoying the atmosphere.
The stars twinkled brightly in the sky above, and the lights of the Vegas Strip shone brightly in the distance.
It all seemed peaceful, but in reality, I was in a war zone.
I shut my eyes again and sank further into the hot tub, loving the peaceful hum of the jets. But that sense of peace was interrupted when Seth’s voice cut through the air.
“Can I join you?”
Still keeping my eyes closed, I resisted the urge to groan out loud. “It’s your house,” I stated matter-of-factly. “Do what you want.”
Even though I was in a steaming hot tub, my arms broke out in chills like they always did when he was near. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, and I hated myself for finding it sexy. I despised the Michelsons. Being attracted to Seth annoyed the hell out of me.
It wasn’t long before I heard him step into the water, the sound of it sloshing around him. I wanted to open my eyes, but I didn’t want to get sucked into the depths of his hazel gaze. Seth Michelson may be dangerous, but those types of men were always the most appealing.
“How’s your training been going?” Seth asked.
What also infuriated me more about Seth was that he’d been nothing but respectful and pleasant to me. It was the total opposite of what I imagined a mafia boss to be like.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and exhaled a tired sigh. Seth stared straight at me; his lips pulled back slightly in a smile.
“Does my gym have everything you need?”
My gaze narrowed at him. “If it didn’t, what would you do?”
He shrugged flippantly. “I’d get you what you need.”
“Why?” I questioned curiously. “Why do you even care?”
His demeanor changed to something more serious, something deeper. “Because I think you deserve it, Wren. I watched you fight at the Labyrinth. You have a determination and a drive that I haven’t seen in anyone else, not even Kali when she’s in the ring.”
I shook my head. “That still doesn’t answer my question. I haven’t given you a reason to give me anything.”
He tilted his head to the side, his eyes shifting to my lips for a split second. A part of me wondered what it’d feel like to kiss him, but I quickly erased that from my mind.
“No, you haven’t,” he answered truthfully. “But I’m fascinated by you, Wren. What more can I say?”
My heart started to race and all those thoughts of him kissing and touching me came back with a vengeance.
“Yes,” I said quickly, hoping my voice didn’t sound breathless. “Your gym has everything I need.”
A satisfied smirk spread across Seth’s face. “Good. Then you should be ready for your fight in October.”
I snorted. “I hope so. I just wish I could be at home, training with my coach.”
Seth grinned. “Gabriella was a fierce fighter in her time. Did you ever think you’d be working with her?”
I laughed at the absurdity of that question.
“Definitely not. I grew up on the streets, as poor as you could get, and stealing just to survive.” I flourished a hand at his house.
“The last thing I ever imagined was being around all of this. For the first time in my life, I have a real home and real friends I care about and who care about me.”
Seth nodded in agreement. “You’re lucky you have that. People with money don’t always have family loyalty or love.”
A sharp pain pierced through my chest. “I wouldn’t call it lucky,” I said in a low voice.
“It’s more like a curse. Gabriella is more than my coach; she’s a mother to me.
And Peyton is like a sister, just like Ripp is more of a brother.
I’ve never lost anyone I cared about, until Parker.
Loving someone can be a blessing, but it hurts like a bitch when you lose them. ”
Seth’s expression softened and I turned my head, trying desperately not to let my emotions surface.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Seth spoke. “He’ll be avenged, I can promise you that.”
“Yes, he will,” I growled, jerking my attention back to him.
My heart started to pound, and I could hear it in my ears. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly, reining in my anger. I had to save it for the right time. Instead of commenting, Seth nodded in agreement and leaned his head against the hot tub.
Silence filled the air and I sat up, peering out at the grounds. I couldn’t see any of his men standing guard.
“Where are your guys?” I asked.
Seth sunk further into the jets and let out a small moan. “They’re around. I just didn’t want them staring at you.” His words made my body tighten in places that hadn’t been touched in a very long time.
“Why not?” I wondered.
Seth’s eyes opened and they met mine with an intensity that made me tremble. “Because you’re not here for them to look at.”
“But you can?” I countered.
He smirked. “Does it bother you?”
I sat up straighter, letting my breasts rise out of the water. His eyes darkened, as if a spark of need flashed through them. “No, it doesn’t,” I answered truthfully. “Much to my dismay, it kind of turns me on, but that’s probably because it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had sex.”
Seth’s focus landed back on my lips. “We can remedy that.”
I held up a hand. “Not going to happen. I’m not that desperate.”
Seth tilted his head back and chuckled. “That’s a first. I’ve never had anyone say that to me.”
“Well, if I’m going to be staying here for a while, you’ll have to get used to it.”
Seth smiled. “I look forward to it.”
I looked over at the house and saw Benny walking to the kitchen. He must’ve been the only one of Seth’s men that he didn’t mind being around me.
“Where do your guys stay when they’re not working?” I questioned.
Seth pointed out into the distance toward the Strip. “I won a hotel at a poker game right before you came here. They stay there.”
My jaw dropped open. “Seriously?” How could anyone gamble with their hotel? “The guy must’ve been the biggest dumbass on the planet.”
Seth agreed with a nod. “Yes, he was, but it was my gain. I’m going to rebrand the place and change it up a bit, but I don’t know how just yet.
I have too much going on at the moment.” He ran his hand along his chin thoughtfully.
“Which reminds me, my mother wants to have dinner with me tomorrow night, and I want you to join us. I’ve given her excuses this past week, but I can’t do that any longer. ”
“Do I have a choice?” I asked.
Getting out of the house would be nice, but I didn’t belong around Seth and his people, especially his mother. She’d probably take one look at me and think I was a gold-digging whore.
Seth blew out a sigh. “You will always have a choice, Wren. I will never make you do anything you don’t want to do. However, I do believe it’ll be good for you to get out of this house. Plus, it’ll give me an idea of what my brother’s up to.”
That sparked my interest, and I perked up. “How’s that?”
Seth’s hazel eyes pierced into mine; he had a way of looking at me that made me feel things I didn’t need to.
“You weren’t really talking to me when you first arrived, so I didn’t mention it, but an SUV was driving suspiciously around the area.
They haven’t been back since, though. If we leave, it’ll allow me to see if Nikolai has guys following us. ”
“Will your mother be coming here at any point?” I asked.
“Yes,” Seth said, gauging my reaction.
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Nikolai won’t do anything to jeopardize her.” Even as he said it, I could’ve sworn there was a hint of doubt in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly. “Honestly,” he continued, “if you wanted to be safe, staying with her would be the top choice.”
“Does she know what’s going on with me and why I’m here with you?”
Seth shook his head, and his eyes showed a hint of regret.
“No. She doesn’t know half of what my father, brother, and I have done.
And she doesn’t know that Nikolai and I are at war with each other.
She’s not a fan of violence, but I know she’s not dumb, either.
Whatever she knows, she keeps it to herself. ”
My eyebrows furrowed as I processed his words. “So, how are you going to introduce me?”
A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say and I groaned.
“You could always be my date,” he suggested. “I mean, you have been living with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not because I want to. Besides, you and I don’t match together at all. You’re Mr. Fancy Pants and I’m a ripped jeans and crop top kind of girl.”
He seemed to find amusement in that. “You’d be surprised how much we have in common, Wren.”
I stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I doubt that.” But then I waved a hand between us. “What exactly would we talk about at dinner?”
Seth shrugged. “Anything and everything. My mom might ask you about shopping and Broadway plays.”
I snorted. “Things I know nothing about.”
His eyes darkened and he trailed his gaze slowly around my face as if trying to memorize every detail. “Just be yourself, Wren. I enjoy your snarky attitude. I know she will, too.”
My skepticism was hard to hide. “Don’t most guys like you want a silent woman? Someone who doesn’t ask questions.”
Seth moved forward, his knees touching mine. “That’s how most women are raised in the other mafia families. But it’s not what I want.”
I was mesmerized by him, by the way he looked at me. It was too dangerous to want a guy like him, but he made it so hard to resist.
“What do you want?” I said, my voice just above a whisper.
Seth smirked. “Lots of things. And I’m the type of guy who, when he wants something, he gets it.”
He moved closer and I stood, the water sloshing back and forth like a raging sea between us.
“Good luck with that,” I said, climbing quickly out of the hot tub. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted, and I had to get away before I gave it to him.