Chapter Twenty-two
It’s while Malakai is in the gym, I decide to enact my next piece of revenge. I grab everything I need and then disappear up the stairs before anyone can spot me.
I woke up this morning feeling like shit. The memories plagued my every thought, dragging my feet and watering my eyes but it was a long time ago. The event fucked me up enough when it happened that I made the decision I wouldn’t let it affect me anymore. I could mope and whine if I wanted, or I could make my husband’s life a little harder like I promised to do.
The latter is far more enjoyable.
So that’s how I end up in our shared closet, perusing the shelves of shoes. There’s sneakers and loafers, and a couple of pairs of boots but it’s a specific pair I’m looking for. He has several different pairs of loafers but it’s the black Prada ones I’ve noticed he favors the most.
I pull them out and take them through to the bathroom, almost feeling bad about it. Not because they’re his, but because they’re expensive and rather beautiful for a pair of man’s shoes.
But I don’t feel guilty enough not to do it.
Picking up the bottle of ketchup, I pop the cap and tip the shoe, toe pointing down as I empty a good portion of the ketchup into it, being careful not to spill any down the sides. I then do the same to the other one.
When I feel they are thoroughly coated in the condiment, I carefully place them back into the shelves where I found them.
Standing in the middle of the closet, my eyes scan the rest of his things, wondering what else I can do until I hear the handle go to the bedroom.
My eyes bug out of my head. He wasn’t supposed to be back yet! He was in that gym for several hours yesterday, but it’s only been an hour today!
I rush out of the closet, spotting him immediately. He’s dressed in only a pair of dark sweats, topless, barefooted, and sweating. His damp hair falls over his forehead and perspiration makes the tanned skin of his chest glisten.
“Olivia,” he says, as shocked to see me as I am to see him.
The ketchup bottle is still sitting in the middle of the counter in the bathroom. Where he’s probably about to go for a shower.
I say nothing as I sprint for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me and locking it.
He knocks a moment later, “Olivia.” His voice is soft, almost gentle and it makes me feel uneasy.
I grab the bottle, ignoring him as I search the bathroom, looking for somewhere to hide it where he isn’t likely to look. The only storage is beneath the counter, everywhere else he will see it. And I’m not sure what kind of answer I could give him as to why there is a bottle of ketchup in the bathroom.
“I’m sorry, okay?” He calls through the door. “I handled everything yesterday terribly.”
Shit.
“Don’t worry about it!” I yell back. I’m still pissed at him throwing that folder in my face. I’m not entirely sure why I told him the whole story, I guess I didn’t want another person looking at me like all those people did. He made me feel dirty.
If there was any guilt left about the shoes, those thoughts burn them away. He deserves all of this.
“Olivia, you can’t avoid me.” He growls through the door, his tone changed.
I roll my eyes and crouch, shoving some things out the way inside the cupboard as I shove the bottle right to the back and then pile up things in front of it, just in case he does decide to look in here. I rush to stand, smacking my head on the counter as I rise.
“Ow!” I yell, rubbing the spot.
“Are you okay?!” His fists slam on the door, “Open the door!”
His fists hit the wood so hard the whole door rattles. I unlock it and throw it open, Malakai immediately stepping into me, his sweaty chest pressing into mine. I hold my breath as his hands come to my body, checking for injury,
“Jesus Christ!” I slap his palms away, “I’m fine, you overbearing buffoon.” Abe is clearly rubbing off on me.
“What happened?” He doesn’t stop searching.
“I bumped my head,” I slap his hands again, “Get off me.”
“Show me.” He demands.
“Fuck off!” I hop away from him, “You’re being ridiculous.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets, tilting up his chin as he looks down his nose at me. “What were you doing?”
I narrow my eyes, shoving my hands on my hips, “Can’t a girl have some peace in the bathroom?”
“Sure, she can, but only when she doesn’t run in there like her ass is on fire.”
I huff, “I’m going out. I need a change of scenery.” I decide there and then, heading into the closet for a change of clothes.
He doesn’t answer and locks himself in the bathroom. I pick out a cute, knitted dress with some tights and my knee-high boots, laying them out on the bed. I glance at the bathroom door, still hearing the shower, so quickly change out of my leggings and oversized sweater and into the new clothes. By the time I’m done and running my fingers through my braid to loosen it, Malakai comes out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his hips.
“I’ll come with you.” He tells me before he turns into the closet and returns with an all-black suit and those ketchup filled Prada shoes.
I’m not sure I want to be around when he puts them on.
“I’d rather go alone,” I quip, zipping up my boots and heading for the door.
“It wasn’t a request.”
“It wasn’t an invitation.” I bite back.
I hear him getting dressed behind me and purposely keep my back to him to save getting an eyeful. Granted it’ll be a pretty view, but I have to keep my wits. There’s a reason the devil is beautiful, he likes to lure you in with pretty promises and a dazzling smile only to eat your soul when you end up in his grasp.
Sure, I’d fuck Malakai in a heartbeat, have done several times in my head, but that’s where that’ll stay. Imaginary. Because I already signed my soul over, he isn’t having my body too.
When it’s been a respectable amount of time, I turn to him, finding him sitting on the bed, one shoe in hand.
That’s my cue.
“Have a great day, Malakai!” I flee out of the room and I’m just at the top of the stairs when his bellow chases me down them.
“Olivia!” He roars.
A quick giggle leaves me as I sprint toward the door, throwing it open and slamming right into a hard chest.
I fall back, landing on my ass in the doorway as I stare up at Dennis.
“Mrs. Farrow?”
“Dennis!” I rush, getting back to my feet, “Just the person. I need to go into the city.”
He nods but doesn’t move.
“Now?” I urge him.
“Sorry Mrs. Farrow, I’m here for Abe.”
“Okay but can I come with you? You can just drop me off.”
He shakes his head and looks behind me, dipping his chin in greeting as I feel the press of a warm chest to my spine. A hand curls around my shoulder.
“My grandfather is in the kitchen. Go ahead and collect him, Dennis.”
With a gentle hand, Malakai pulls me back and out of the way so Dennis can enter and when we’re alone, I feel him lean in.
“Ketchup, really?” He says close to my ear. “Do you live to fuck with me, kitten?”
“I did promise I would,” I whisper, breath caught in my throat as his scent invades my senses.
“You owe me a new pair of shoes.”
“I’m sure you can afford another pair.”
“I can,” He agrees, “But payback is making you come with me to get some.”
“What!?” I spin, “No!”
“Let’s go, kitten.” He grasps my hand and yanks me toward the door and despite me fighting him, he’s stronger than me and far more determined. We head around the building, my legs going twice as fast as his as I try to keep up with his pace, his grip firm but not hard. He stops at the row of garages, pressing his thumb to the keypad and one of the doors begins to slide up.
“Get in the car, Olivia,” He demands, dragging me toward the matte black Maserati sitting pretty in the garage.
Malakai opens the passenger door and then stares at me blankly, waiting for me to climb in. “You’re such a prick.” I snap at him but climb in, crossing my arms as I watch him walk around the hood and get in beside me.
He starts the engine, the purr echoing inside the garage. It’s sleek and modern inside, the chairs comfortable as I sink into them, keeping my eyes forward.
“Seatbelt.” He orders.
I ignore him.
“Seat. Belt.” He grinds out.
I flip him the finger.
“You’re such a fucking brat!” He growls, suddenly leaning over me as he grasps my belt and yanks it over me. I fight him, but he doesn’t relent, his body pressing against mine, his mouth close.
“Malakai!” I yell but he doesn’t stop until it’s buckled and then he grabs it, pulling it tight to pin me to the chair.
“One fucking day, kitten,” He rasps, his lips a mere inch from mine, blue eyes burning, breath whispering against my skin, “One fucking day, I’m going to punish you for pushing me. Have you spread across my lap as I tan your ass red.”
My breath ceases to exist, eyes widening as heat pools hot and heavy between my legs.
“You lay a finger on me,” I warn breathlessly, eyes dropping to his mouth, “And I’ll cut off your dick.”
His mouth kicks up into a devilish grin, his own eyes staring at my mouth as his tongue traces his bottom lip, “You’d like it wouldn’t you?” He purrs, “Having my handprint on your pretty ass. Would you be dripping, Olivia? Like you’re soaking your panties right now?”
I tilt my chin up, forcing my body not to squirm. He leans in just a touch further, his lips a whisper against mine and my own part, lashes fluttering.
“You fucking would,” His words are spoken right against my mouth and I almost sigh when his tongue touches my bottom lip, “Just know, I’d fucking love it just as much.”
My eyes close as I move forward to try and press my mouth firmer against his but then there’s suddenly nothing in front of me except thin air.
His deep chuckle sounds next to me and my eyes snap open, flicking to him as his hands curl around the steering wheel and he floors the pedal, peeling us out the garage and down the long drive of the estate.