Chapter 25 Aston #2
Will’s father delivered on his promise. The women are all beautiful, and despite them wearing coats, I can tell the men upstairs will be pleased.
One is slightly older, maybe in her mid-thirties, with fiery red hair and bright green eyes, albeit contact lenses.
Her stage name is apparently Poison Ivy.
It’s very fitting since she looks just like the DC character.
The second lady is blond, looking like a young Marilyn Monroe with a mole perched above her lip, just like the icon herself. I peg her as being in her late twenties.
As for the third woman, she appears much younger. Her long brown hair reminds me of someone I can’t put my finger on. Unlike the two other women who come across as boisterous and outgoing, the younger one keeps to herself.
I give them directions to the bedroom at the back of the houseboat to change and leave their belongings. As I return to the main living area, my father stops me.
“Chalmers told me you refuse to cooperate.” His stern voice is far from the earlier laughter at the poker table. “Don’t disappoint me, you understand? You do the wrong thing, and our entire family will suffer.”
“This is not the time to discuss such matters,” I tell him, keeping my tone as calm as possible.
“We will discuss matters when I say so,” he voices coldly.
“Why don’t you go back to stealing whatever money you can at the poker table,” I deadpan. “Surely, you didn’t need Steven’s money.”
“It’s never about money. It’s about power. You need to get that through this arrogant head of yours, or else you will pay the price.”
Of course, another threat comes from the man who is supposed to be my father.
“Please, enlighten me as to why power is so important to you. Why, instead of being my father, you treat me like one of your goddamn puppets.”
His gaze flickers, warning me I’ve pushed the wrong button.
“The measure of a man is what he does with his power. My father treated me no different, and because of that, look at how powerful the Beaumont name has become. One day, I’ll be gone, and it will be your responsibility to carry this name, which is why I promoted you to CEO.
You’ll have your own son who will then carry the legacy.
” His words are a warning. “A son you will bring into this world with the right woman who will fulfill the role as the next Mrs. Beaumont.”
I cock my head, surprised to be hearing this for the first time. It sounds to me like he’ll be choosing my wife. Nothing should surprise me anymore, the man has no care in the world for what I want.
“I don’t want to know what you expect me to do next. As for right now, I’m going to make sure this party doesn’t end up a mess.”
For my sanity, I step away from him and back to the main terrace where everyone has gathered.
A roar erupts as the music changes, and the three women strut out of the room.
Myles is already sitting in the middle, appearing awkward and less enthused than I thought he would be.
Gino catches on, passing a blunt to Myles to help him chill the fuck out.
The girls do their work, teasing Myles as their clothes slowly come off. I watch from the railing of the boat beside Roland. Earlier, he was playing poker and enjoying himself. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem bothered by his son getting lap dances.
I drink the bourbon from my glass, quietly watching Myles. The rest of the group cheers him on while trying to touch the girls. They don’t seem bothered by it, especially when the men slide bills inside their panties. Steven and his broke ass borrowed money from Gino just so he could have some fun.
Unlike other parties where I’ve been blind drunk and partaken in activities involving women, tonight feels entirely different.
All I can think about is Everleigh.
What she’s doing.
The sound of her voice.
The smell of her skin.
If only I could escape this godforsaken party and see her.
I turn to face the dark water, desperate for a moment’s peace as my father’s words haunt me.
A son you will bring into this world with the right woman who will fulfill the role as the next Mrs. Beaumont.
It explains why on several occasions, he’s pushed Viviana onto me. To please him, I did date her, but it quickly ended, much to his disappointment.
“You see all that land across those mountains?” Roland points across the water. “My grandfather migrated from Ireland and bought this land so his future family would never have to worry about money.”
“Quite the gentleman,” I state simply, my eyes suddenly drawn to a spot on the shore across from us. “Family is important to you.”
“Your father is pulling out all the stops to get me to sell it to him. However, it’s more than just selling him land.
Behind those mountains, we have farms. All of which produce agricultural export products.
I know Myles is reluctant to take over, but I hope I can find someone to help him and that we can keep it in the family.
I owe my grandfather and father this. One day, I hope Myles and Madelina will also produce a son to carry the Whitney name for generations. ”
“I understand, Roland. My father can be very persistent…” My words trail off as I remember why the spot across from me seems so familiar. The abandoned house by the lake was where we partied on graduation night.
The night I boldly kissed Everleigh and, in the same breath, pushed her away because I was young and foolish.
The walls of my chest tighten at the memory of that night.
You have everything going for you. You’re smart, a straight-A student without even trying. Coach loves you. Your athletic ability is the best the school has seen. Not to mention, you’re pretty. So tell me, why on earth do you think your father should dictate your life?
I had gazed at Everleigh coldly that night, so afraid of how she made me feel by believing I could defy my father. For a moment, I thought about giving it all up to follow my dreams.
But fear crippled me.
It destroyed any fight I had left.
“I’m sure you understand.” Roland interrupts my wandering thoughts. “I’m surprised you’re even considering moving to Dubai. It’s a long way from Manhattan.”
I tilt my head in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“Harvey secured the partnership last week by investing in a hotel chain. He negotiated the terms and offered you as the bargaining tool. Are you telling me you had no idea?”
“What do you mean he offered me as the bargaining tool?” I splutter, momentarily beyond words.
Roland places his hand on my shoulder. “Aston, go speak to him. If you’re not happy, I’m sure there’s a compromise you can agree on.”
Slowly, I turn around to face the guys all having fun and laughing. Two of the women are joining in, smoking a joint and dancing with Gino and another guy. I angle my head, cracking my neck with anger thrumming through my veins. I scan the area, hunting for the man whose death I wish to plot.
He’s nowhere to be found.
My feet move in large steps, searching the entire vessel until I hear noises inside the room at the back. I place my hand on the doorknob, turning it until the small crack is enough for me to see what’s happening.
The young brunette woman dances in front of my father, swaying her hips with a vacant stare in her eyes. He sits on the edge of the bed, the corner of his mouth quirking as the smoke lingers from his cigar.
Then, he wraps his hand around her thigh and squeezes it tight, forcing her to move closer to him. My hands curl into fists, the rage pouring through me like hot lava. I see the fear in her eyes and suddenly push the door open with a bang.
She covers her bare chest in a panic, but my father grins like a complete and utter asshole.
I warn her with my eyes to leave, and thankfully, she hurries out and avoids what could have been with a man who gets off on control.
I knew my parents’ marriage was far from a loving relationship, but he’s taken it too far this time.
Does he really think he can get away with fucking some young girl the same age as his daughter?
“Jealous, son?” he boasts, standing up to meet my stance. I’m much taller than him, despite his ignorance. “I don’t think your little girlfriend would be too pleased to see you touching another woman. So, I thought I’d do you a favor.”
Resentment festers within me, mixed with cold fury.
“You think I don’t know you’ve been wasting time on your sister’s best friend? How devastating if your sister finds out you’ve both been lying to her.”
My nostrils flare as I demand, “You leave Everleigh out of this.”
I don’t wait to argue with him, leaving his smug face behind as I bail on this party to see Everleigh. The bastard somehow knows I’ve been with her, and the only rational answer is someone told him I brought her to the charity event, and he assumes we’re dating.
My Porsche is parked outside. I don’t even think twice about getting in and driving home despite the bachelorette party still going on.
When I reach the manor, I roll my car in quietly and park it out front. I know they will be in the back, so I head to the kitchen and decide to text Everleigh, only to see her walk in.
Her face becomes concerned the moment she sees me, but I don’t waste any time taking her hand and leading her to my bedroom.
It’s all become too much.
The conversation with Roland about my father’s secret deal and me moving to Dubai, to seeing my father willingly cheat on my mother with a young stripper, to him bringing up Everleigh like she’s worth nothing.
All I want to do is forget.
So, I kiss Everleigh and make it clear I need her.
She wants to save me, but it’s too late.
I’m beyond being saved.
Even from myself.
Everleigh provides me with an escape. I lose myself in her body, fucking her quietly as everyone parties outside. Her body becomes my new addiction, and no matter how many times I kiss her, or how many times I push myself in deeply, I still want more.
I fucking blow, seeing goddamn stars.
Collapsing on top of her, we lay quietly, trying to catch our breath.
“I should go back downstairs,” she whispers. “They could be looking for me.”
My lips press against hers but without the urgency this time.
“Come back here, please,” I beg of her. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Aston…”
“I need you,” I murmur.
With a silent nod, she kisses my lips and promises to return when Maddy is asleep.
I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind is conjuring up a thousand ways to quit my role as CEO and free myself from the reins of my father. The more I try to develop scenarios that will work, the more roadblocks I face. Many of them legal.
Sometime later, my door opens, and Everleigh steps through. She quietly tiptoes to my bed and hovers without saying a word. I pull back the sheets, which prompts her to strip her clothes off and climb into bed with me.
Her warm skin envelops me, and I know the most significant thing weighing on my mind isn’t my father.
It’s my heart falling for the girl I almost had all those years ago.