Chapter 29
SIMEON
My business took up most of the flight and I only joined Alice for one hour’s sleep before freshening up in the bathroom attached to the bedroom on board.
It amused me to fuck Alice like a whore. She is anything but; however, shocking her has become my preferred method of sport.
Now we are in the usual cars heading to my building in Queens, and I wonder what she will make of it. It’s not a mansion, not even close. It’s basic, industrial, and the howls of my tortured victims disturb the air.
My apartment is set over a strip club that my family owns. Drugs are dealt in the alley and drinking goes on late into the night. Fights are frequent, the traffic noisy, and morals firmly live in the gutter.
Definitely not a place to bring an almost nun, and it amuses me to picture her there.
“Are we going to your home?”
Excitement shines from her words, and I nod. “Yes, but now it’s our home. Feel free to decorate as you see fit.”
I chuckle to myself as I picture the dark, emotionless interior. The proverbial bachelor’s pad where I indulge my love of domination in the club below. I have it all, at least I thought I did until I met Alice. Until I met my wife.
Jack warned me about bringing her here, but I brushed his concerns aside.
Alice must take me for who I am. I have never lied to her, and I will not—ever.
She sees the whole of me or none of me, and as we pull into the street where my heart rests, I grip her hand tightly and whisper, “Honey, we’re home. ”
“Here?”
Her startled gasp echoes around the car, and I nod, amused at her reaction already.
“I live above the club.”
“Why?”
She shakes her head and grips my hand tighter, and I expect it’s because of the size of the doorman guarding the entrance to the club.
The door opens and my guards control the perimeter as I pull her from the car, dragging in deep breaths of deprivation.
This place ignites the animal inside me that is needed to carry out my business. I’m an enforcer by trade and sharpened my knowledge over the years. Several notches on my belt are testament to my skill.
We head to the side entrance, and as we enter the elevator, she is silent as we take the ride to the top.
I say nothing as I sharpen the claws needed to survive on the streets, and as we head into the apartment that spans the entire floor, she relaxes slightly.
“Is this your home?”
“Yes,” I state simply, and she glances around nervously.
“It suits you.”
I can’t argue with her because it does—it always has.
She wanders around the open space, her gaze taking everything in.
I waste no time in helping myself to a bourbon and offer her the same.
“To our new home.”
“Our home.”
She smiles nervously, and as she rests her glass against mine, I wonder how she will deal with the finest bourbon I keep on tap. I haven’t met many women who can handle it, and once again she surprises me by downing the shot in one.
“I’m impressed.”
I’m not lying, I am, and she shrugs. “My father was a connoisseur of whiskey. He taught us how to savor it.”
“Your father taught you how to drink, and you were underage?”
I’m astonished, and she grins. “Wise up, grandad, anyone would think you are the religious one.”
She wanders around the room; her fingers trailing against the gleaming surfaces and gazes critically around at the modern technology.
“I like it.” She states simply, and for some reason, I’m reassured by that.
“To answer your question, my father didn’t believe in safe limits. We were allowed wine from a very early age and taught to give it the respect it deserves. Consequently, I have never been drunk or lost control and developed an impartiality to it, preferring a soda if I’m honest.”
“I must admire him for that.”
I drop onto my leather couch and observe her patrolling my space like a caged panther.
“Where will we sleep?”
I love the sound of ‘we’ and it swells my heart that she considers that normal.
“Through there, in a suite of rooms I use, which consists of a den, a bedroom, bathroom, and closet. Jack has a small apartment on the other side, with a guest room and a gym.”
“Wow, you have it all, Simeon.”
Her eyes widen as she perches on the edge of the couch beside me.
“I am used to fine living and also a basic one. I shared one room in the convent with my sisters, with only one bathroom between five rooms, consisting of fifteen nuns. Consequently, we had a rota, and whoever was at the bottom ended up with a cold shower.”
“What about a bath?”
“Three times a week and once again, only one tub of water between the three of us.”
“Why did you consider staying if you were used to fine living?”
“It depends on what you consider being fine living.”
Her sad smile tugs at my heart as she sighs.
“It appears that you can’t have it both ways.
The fine mansion came with restrictions and pain.
We were tolerated by our father and persecuted by our stepmother.
There was no love in our lives, and we were constantly on edge in a pretty dress.
Our freedom was curtailed, and we were told what to do and when to do it at all times. ”
She smiles sadly.
“Then boarding school was hard. No different from home, really. We shared a room and were locked in every night with only a bucket for our needs. Then, in the morning and throughout the day, we were bullied by the other girls as well as the staff. Once again, we were considered among the privileged to be there. It didn’t feel that way. ”
I lean forward, murderous thoughts playing on repeat in my mind.
“What was this boarding school called again?”
“Canton House Academy. I wouldn’t recommend going there; it’s not that great if you want a reference.”
I say nothing but commit the name to memory, and she smiles.
“Then we arrived at The Order of the Holy Mother of God, and for the first time in our lives, it was as if we belonged. Sister Agatha Maria was warm, loving, and wise, and became more like a mother to three emotionally deprived girls. The other nuns were gracious and friendly, and we weren’t afraid anymore. ”
It’s only now that I’m starting to see the full picture, and I don’t blame the sisters for their choice. It was the obvious one, and I hate that for them. I reach for her hand.
“There is nothing to fear here, angel. I am on your side and always will be.”
She turns to me and smiles, and her tone is soft as she whispers, “Why is it that the man I trust the most was the one sent to destroy me?”
“You’ve got that wrong.”
“Have I?”
She leans back, dragging my hand onto her knee, and she plays with my wedding ring almost as a distraction.
“I’m not complaining, Simeon. I understand who you are, what you are, and I’m good with that.”
“Are you?”
“Of course. You see, for my entire life I’ve been surrounded by monsters, using me to sharpen their claws. I’m at home in the cage and I recognize this one comes with benefits that I would be a fool to ignore.”
Her impish smile reassures me, and she cocks her head toward my bedroom.
“I’d like a tour if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course, but you had better open your mind because this tour isn’t for the faint-hearted.”
I love the sudden light of excitement in her eyes as she stands. “Then lead on and don’t leave anything out. If you shock me tonight, I’ll consider it a night well spent.”