Chapter Ten
ARI SAT IN her room. Still locked in. She admitted to herself she deserved that. But now she was bored. She hadn’t watched much television in the last few years, but the novelty of watching whatever she wanted had worn off quickly. Books were better. After Rex had left, she’d gotten back to reading and had spent the rest of the day doing so. She’d gone through all three books that she’d brought up from the library already. Now, she was back to television and already getting frustrated by the repetitious story combined with high drama. She thought about calling the housekeeper to see if she could take her to the library, but she discarded that thought. Everyone in the house knew she was confined to quarters and why. She didn’t want to deal with the embarrassment of needing a babysitter to get new books. She was determined to wait for Rex to get home and ask him to take her. She’d already embarrassed herself in front of him, so that was nothing new.
At least this time, he’d left their adjoining rooms unlocked so she could get to the bathroom on her own. After his insane proposal of how she would pay him back for helping her siblings, Rex hadn’t stuck around long. Ari was smart enough to realize that was likely to avoid a loss of control on his part. He’d bought her for an obscene amount of money. Rex had wanted her even when he hadn’t known she was of age. Honestly, she was still a little shocked he hadn’t done anything about it since finding out her actual age. For a criminal, he seemed to have a surprisingly strong conscience.
Ari had rolled the question over in her mind of what she would do if he tried something. Part of her wanted it just as bad as he probably did. A second part revolted at the thought simply because he’d bought her. The third, and most responsible part, told her not to try it because nothing could come of it. She’d spent her whole life in the shadow of these types of organizations and it had left scars. She had a responsibility to Olivia and Owen to get them safe and keep them that way, that was it.
She had no business remembering the heat and ache in her center that she’d felt for hours after he’d spanked her. That wasn’t something she’d ever considered being a turn on. Not that her experience amounted to much. One high school kid and being raped certainly hadn’t given her a broad view of what was possible. She’d read enough romance novels to know what real desire felt like though, and she’d felt it after he’d punished her ass. Just thinking about it now made her squeeze her legs together.
Sighing, she rolled over and picked up the television remote to find something to watch. As she flicked through the channels, she heard the door to the next room open and she shot up to sitting. Listening intently, she heard Rex undress and redress before coming to the door between their rooms and knocking.
“Come in,” she called. Her breathing sped up, and she forced herself to slow it down as he entered the room. He was in workout clothes and, um, yum. Rex in suits was hot. Rex, in shorts and sleeveless shirt, made her mouth water.
“I’m going down to the gym. Did you want to go workout or go to the library again?”
Ari’s mind struggled to pull itself together and answer. He had asked a question, hadn’t he?
“I… um… yeah that would be great.”
“Ok, get changed I’ll wait for you.”
He turned and left the room.
Ari sat stunned for a few seconds before she jumped into action. She didn’t want to keep him waiting. If she wasn’t ready, would the opportunity to leave the room go with him? Probably. Rummaging in the drawers, she pulled out stretch capris, a tank top and bra and threw them on. She found the sneakers in the closet and pulled them on as well. She hadn’t actually worked out in the last few weeks because she’d been so busy with finals.
That thought brought her up short. She didn’t even know if she’d passed last semester. If she had, she was officially a junior in college and ready to start the nursing program. She’d taken a bunch of community college classes in high school, so after three semesters she was ready to enter the clinical phase. If she passed. Her eyes teared up. Would she ever get the chance to go to school now? Probably not. She’d need a full-time job to be able to support her brother and sister. A sob escaped, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. No crying now. But she couldn’t stop it. The floodgates were opened, and tears streamed down her face. Fuck. Rex was waiting for her. She needed to pull herself together. She used the shirt she’d just shed to wipe her face off and walked out of the closet.
Rex was standing there. Oh no. She couldn’t let him see her like this. She spun around and tried to go back in the closet, but he was on her before she could take a step.
“Ari, what’s wrong? We’re going to get your brother and sister. I promise. I’m just waiting to make sure they haven’t been moved and then I’ll get them,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring. His grip on her arm was firm, but not painful.
Ari tried to open her mouth to say something, anything, but all that came out was another sob.
“Ari, please baby, calm down and tell me what’s wrong.” His voice was tight now. He turned her around to face him and studied her. “Is this about going back to the auction with me? If it’s too much, I need you to tell me. I’ll talk to Tommy. If you really can’t, I understand.”
Ari stared at his eyes. They were full of concern and kindness, and that did it. She flung herself into his arms and sobbed. Ari felt his body stiffen and cursed herself for being such an idiot. She started to step back, but Rex’s arms came around her and his body relaxed. Ari let go. She let go of the heartbreak and the pain of the last five years. Of the fear. She cried for the knowledge that she was going to have to give up her dreams to keep her siblings safe and cared for. It all seemed like too much at that moment.
She didn’t know how long she cried, but when she became aware of her surroundings again, she realized she was cradled in Rex’s arms on her bed. And it felt good. A small voice in the back of her head was horrified at letting this man, this mobster most likely, hold her, but she ignored it. He couldn’t be that bad. The last thing she remembered him saying had been concern for her and promise to help. Those weren’t the words of an evil man. He was placing gentle kisses in her hair and on her forehead and temple. He was whispering soft words, “Shh baby, it’s going to be ok. I’m going to help you. You’re safe now. We’ll take care of all of this. Don’t worry.”
Ari reveled in those words. They probably didn’t mean much to him, but they meant everything to her. No one had talked to her like this, promised to care for her, since her father’s death. Gradually, her breathing slowed, and the sobs and the tears stopped. Oh god, his shirt was covered in her tears and snot. So not attractive. She sighed.
Rex’s arms tightened briefly before he pushed her back far enough to be able to look at her face. “Ari, talk to me. What’s going on?”
Ari took a shuddering breath. “I don’t even know if I passed my last semester of school.”
Rex’s brows drew together. “You’re really in school?”
“Yeah. If I passed last semester, I have a semester off and then I start my nursing classes in the fall. I’ll only have two years to go. I mean I won’t be able to now, but if I could go, I would be done in two years.”
“Why won’t you be able to go to school?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “If that’s what you want, then it’s what you should do.”
“Of course I want to, but once I have the kids, I’ll need a job to support them.”
Rex pressed his lips together before speaking. “Hmm, yes, I see the problem. How do we find out if you passed?”
“I have to log on to the school portal and check my grades.”
“Would you be willing to tell me the login information and I’ll do it for you? I can’t give you access to a computer, I’m sorry.”
“I know, and yes, I can do that. Thank you,” she said and impulsively threw her arms around him and hugged him. He stiffened again, but it was fleeting, and then his arms wrapped around her. It felt nice. He let go much too soon, and she pulled back and scrambled off his lap.
“Come on, we’ll go to the library to check you grades. Then a workout before dinner.”
Ari followed Rex out of the room and down to the basement library. He led her inside. Sitting behind the desk, he put the information for her school in and pulled up her grades. He beckoned her around the desk, and Ari couldn’t hold in the shriek of joy when she saw the grades. She might not be able to do anything with them right now, but at least when she could go back, nursing school would still be waiting for her.
When she finally calmed down, Rex was watching her, and she blushed. “Sorry. I know it’s silly now, but it’s just… I worked really hard this semester. It doesn’t mean anything for now, anyway.”
Rex grabbed her hand as she turned away, embarrassed that this strong, calm man had seen her be so ridiculously emotional over the last hour.
“Ari, don’t do that. You should be excited and proud. This,” he said, gesturing at the screen, “is impressive.”
“Thank you,” Ari whispered.
“Head down to the gym. I’ll be there in a minute,” Rex told her.
“I… ok… but you said—”
“Are you going to try to leave?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
She shook her head vehemently.
“Alright. This is me giving you a second chance then.”
Ari smiled. “Thank you for that too.”
Ari left the room and went directly downstairs to the gym, where she started stretching. Her mind drifted to how many times she’d had to say thank you to the confusing man that was keeping her here. He was definitely not on the up and up with the law, but Ari didn’t know if she’d ever met anyone as… caring… yes, that was the word, as Rex. Other than when she’d tried to escape, he’d been…nice. He was definitely an enigma.
Rex watched Ari hurry from the library. She was stunning… and apparently brilliant, too. Her life and goals had been upended in a horrific way the last few days, but her joy over her grades for school was infectious. He stared after her for several minutes. In a different life where he wasn’t part of a family business that had dealt in cruelty as its primary currency for decades, she was exactly what he’d want. Rex picked up his phone and called down to the kitchen.
“Betsy, I need a favor.”
When Rex entered the gym ten minutes later, Ari was already jogging on the treadmill. She gave him a small smile, but otherwise didn’t break stride. Rex spent several minutes stretching and then set up a small circuit of strength training. He forced himself to think about what he was doing and ignore the luscious body that had left the treadmill and was bending into unbelievable shapes across the room from him. After his fourth time around the circuit, he jumped on the now abandoned treadmill. He’d only been running a few minutes when Ari approached him.
“Do you mind if I go next door to the library? I promise not to leave this floor.”
“Did you finish all the books from yesterday already?” Rex asked, shocked.
“Yeah, I didn’t have anything else to do. I don’t like television that much.”
“Uh, sure. Just stay there and I’ll come get you when I’m done.”
Rex tried not to notice the delicate sheen of sweat on her skin or the way the leggings hugged her ass and he failed miserably on both accounts. He pushed the speed up and moved faster, trying to burn off some of the energy running through his body. It was the wrong type of outlet, again, but it was all he had right now. When his legs shook with fatigue, he shut down the machine and stretched a little longer to cool down. He toweled off and wandered next door. He watched Ari for a few minutes before he went into the library. She was seated on the floor, leaning against the couch. Just like she would be if he had her sit at his feet.
“What are you doing?” Rex asked.
Ari glanced over her shoulder. “I’m all sweaty. I didn’t want to get it all over the couch.”
“Oh, ok. Do you want to take the tablet with the library link up to your room? I’ll be here all day tomorrow, but I’ll be working.”
Rex’s stomach flipped when Ari’s face broke open in a big smile. “I’d love that. Thank you.”
“Come on, let’s go get cleaned up before dinner.”
Rex crossed the room and picked up the thin e-reader before coming back to help her off the floor. They made their way back up to his rooms, and he insisted she shower first.
“I’ll be quick, I promise.”
“It’s fine. We aren’t in a big hurry,” he assured her.
Rex sat on the couch in his room while he listed to her rummage around in her room for clothes. He made a mental note to order a robe for her to wear back and forth.
Once he heard the telltale sound of water running, letting him know she was under the water, he rubbed his hands over his face, letting out a low groan. The thoughts of Ari in his shower, in a robe in his room, and the sight of her on the fucking floor by the couch downstairs were messing with his head. He liked the idea of all of them way too much. A tiny voice told him it was ok to like them, now. She wasn’t a child. Barely, but she wasn’t.
He growled out loud. That line of thinking wasn’t helping him at all. He wanted her. Physically had never been a question. He’d paid big money for her body, even though he’d never had any intention of using it. If that had been all of it, he was pretty sure he could have dealt with the temptation. No, it was learning about her that was killing him. Every time she opened her mouth and let him see something new, he wanted more. And he had no damn business wanting more.
His thoughts cut off when the water stopped. As if he’d been counting on the sound to shield his thoughts from her. Which was ridiculous. He forced his breathing to stay steady and even as he heard her move around. Rex closed his eyes and dropped his head back on the couch. The soft sound of the door opening had him lifting his head, and he choked on air. Ari was wrapped in two large towels and taking tiny steps to keep them in place.
“My jeans fell on the floor and got wet,” she said by way of explanation.
Rex nodded, not trusting himself to open his mouth. His eyes followed her as she crossed the room and shut the door softly behind her. He refused to allow himself to move until he was absolutely certain that he would head for the bathroom and not for her room. Once he was sure, he went to the bathroom and started the shower again. He rushed through it, knowing that lingering would let thoughts creep in that he was doing his best to force down. He toweled off briskly and wrapped himself in his robe.
Checking the room before he entered to make sure Ari wasn’t there, he strode to his closet. He looked over several options before selecting a pair of age softened jeans and a long sleeve black button up. He rolled the sleeves up exposing his forearms. It was just a family dinner, formal dress wasn’t necessary, but he wanted to look nice for the surprise he had planned for Ari. He froze for a minute. What if she didn’t like it? Or thought he was overstepping? He grimaced. Well, it was too late now. Hopefully she would take it for what it was.
He found Ari on the small couch in her room. She was dressed in jeans and a black sweater. Her feet were bare, and her hair was damp, but she’d pulled it back into a braid. He privately thought she might be the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen but figured he should keep that to himself.
“Ready to go downstairs?”
She powered the reader down and smiled up at him. “Yup.”
He held out a hand and after a brief pause she put her hand in his and let him help her up. “Thank you,” she breathed.
“You’re welcome,” Rex told her. He met her gaze, and he watched her eyes widen slightly. Rex forced himself to drop her hand and step away when all he wanted to do was pull her closer. He cleared his throat. “It’ll be a little more of a full house tonight. Liesel is here again, but so are Tommy’s younger brother and sister. They’re home from boarding school for the break. They’ve been overseas on a school skiing trip. Will you be alright?”
Ari chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before straightening. “Of course, this is their home. I’ll be fine.”
“All I told them was that you were a friend staying with me while I helped you out.”
One eyebrow quirked up, and she gave him a small smile, “And you think they’ll believe that?”
Rex shrugged, “I don’t know. They’re a lot younger than us. It was a late life affair. They’re actually Tommy’s half siblings. His dad’s mistress. We didn’t find out about them until about five years ago.”
“How old are they now?”
“Stella is fourteen and Damien is twelve.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is Tommy younger or older than you?”
“He’s the same age as I am.”
Rex read the confusion in her eyes. “His father is the oldest brother. He comes first in line.”
“Even though you’re the same age?”
Rex hesitated. That was the reason, but there were others too. Namely that he’d never acclimated to the lifestyle well, but those were details Ari didn’t need. It wouldn’t make a difference to her anyway. “Yes,” he told her simplifying.
“They’re good kids and should talk a lot, so the rest of us just get to go along for the ride of the conversation,” Rex said.
Ari laughed, and Rex’s breath caught. He wished he could make her do that more often…forever. He stopped that train of thought. It wouldn’t do him any good anyway.
“Alright, let’s go then,” she said, smiling at him.