CHAPTER 41 ALFIE #3
“Hell fucking no,” El says for me.
“Oh, please, I won’t say anything to Cade if you let me watch.”
I get to my feet. “The moment’s gone now, thanks, Fiz.”
I grab him by the shoulder and walk to the door with him. “Just wait here one second.”
He smirks at me, then leans on the wall. I go back into the room and put my knee onto the bed, reaching for El’s cheek. “I’m sorry, I got carried away. Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
The only thing harder than saying the words is seeing El’s reaction to them.
I’m telling her it was a mistake, and she’s hearing it loud and clear.
I force myself to face the humiliation and shame flooding her this time.
It’s my own damn fault, but Fiz came in and brought a bundle of bullshit clarity with him.
My foggy brain’s cleared and I realise how badly I might have fucked up.
I reach forward and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
She cowers away from me then and sinks down onto the floor. “Night, Alfie.”
My jaw clenches. Burning guilt sparks through my muscles. “Goodnight, El.”
I get off the bed and storm out the door, walking straight past Fiz, who follows.
“Couldn’t help yourself, could ya, big boy?”
“Shut up, Fiz, I’m not in the mood.”
He stays on my heels all the way to the kitchen. The party’s died down, everyone either gone or paired up in some bedroom for the rest of the night.
Caden’s in here though, sitting at the kitchen island, phone in his hand. Flat brows and a deadly glimmer in his eyes.
I don’t let the discomfort show, head straight to the coffee machine, not giving a fuck it’s the middle of the night.
Fiz takes a seat beside Cade, so when I turn around with my coffee, they’re both facing me, making me feel like I’m in fucking court.
“Have a good night?” I know from the condemning tone that he’s been watching the cameras.
I blow my cheeks out. I know it’s bad, but I just don’t care. I’ve got no energy to feel bad. “It was until Fiz marched in.”
“He did you a favour. If you made her come, you know she would have been punished. He saved your little girlfriend.”
I come over to the counter, resting my palms on the cold surface and leaning forward. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s your fucking fiancé and somehow, she likes me more. How’s that, Cade? Because you have no idea how to be nice to a woman. She’s terrified of you. You pushed her into my arms.”
Cade lifts his hands and clasps them in front of him. “Just another one of your knight in shining armour moments, right? You just love playing hero.”
I shake my head, grab my coffee and plop down on the stool. “It’s not like that and you know it. We’ve all been horny as fuck, I just got carried away.”
He scoffs. “Yeah, course, like I haven’t watched you with her for two weeks. You’ve been eyeing her up, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”
“And what of it?” I spit, defences shooting up.
“Cade, she’s a nice piece of fucking ass.
She’s smart, she’s sensible, she’s actually quite funny, if you gave her a chance to say anything other than backchat.
She’s resilient, strong, she’s pretty. She’s a great girl.
But you’re so far into this ‘she’s unworthy’ bullshit, you’re clouding your own vision. ”
Cade’s eyes darken in that way they do when he doesn’t want to admit something.
Denial swelling in them and defences shooting up.
“She isn’t worthy. We worked our asses off to earn the respect and status we have now.
She’s done nothing to show us she’s anything but a bratty little slut.
She comes from greed and poor decisions. I see her for what she is. You don’t.”
“That’s not her though, is it, that’s her father. She had nothing to do with his choices, she’s just the tech girl.”
“You don’t know that, though. You said it yourself, she’s smart. And she sure as fuck is sly. You don’t know her, Alf, and she’s got you wrapped around her finger. You don’t know what I know.”
I cross my arms. “And what do you know?”
Fiz looks at him with a frown.
He drums his fingers on the counter. “I just know she’s no good. We shouldn’t trust her.”
“Wait,” Fiz cuts in, “what do you know, Cade?”
Caden keeps his face blank. “Nothing. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you don’t know her like I do. She’s not to be trusted.”
Fiz gives me an incredulous look.
He knows something, but why would he want to withhold it? Maybe he doesn’t have proof. I won’t believe him unless he can prove whatever claim he wants to make.
“Will you listen to yourself?” I say. “You couldn’t get control of her and you’re bitter about it.
But I can get her to do anything I want, because I’ve treated her like a human being.
You should get your head out your ass and try doing the same.
Now you’re keeping her here for the rest of her life, you might as well try. ”
Caden slumps, his head falling into his hands. “Not gonna happen. I can’t stand her. She will abide by my rules, or she’ll get punished. Simple. She won’t get a thing from me until that sinks in.”
I chuckle at the absurdity. Considering he’s the one who gave her that fucking book.
I won’t confront him about it now, though.
No matter how badly I want to grab him by the shoulders and fucking chin him for his naivety.
Sure, it’s a gesture for him, but how does he expect her to get it?
Maybe that’s the point, he can show her his affection in his own weird way, and she can’t throw it back in his face.
If I say anything, he’ll just shrivel up and lie through his teeth.
Or, by the look in his eye, attack me. Despite any Blackwood laws, I wouldn’t put it past him not to go for me right now if I push him enough.
I’ve learned that when it comes to Elodie Valor, Caden has no limits and barely any restraint.
“You’ll get tired of it eventually, you are already,” I say, instead of spewing all the stuff I want to. “You should just try another way.”
“Might be worth a shot, bro,” Fiz chimes in, “can’t be worth all this agg.”
“It’s not how I do things,” Cade mumbles, “never has been.”
“Well, you’re just being stubborn then,” I say.
He exhales long and slow. “I’m in too deep now, she won’t change her behaviour for me just because I’m nice.”
“Then you’re going to have a long, miserable life.”
Caden drops his hands and pushes upright. Walking away from us, he mutters, “That was already the case long before she came along.”