Chapter Eight
Yelena
After another early morning session of lovemaking followed by a playful shower together, Silas was in our walk-in closet, getting ready for work. With his shirt unbuttoned, bare chest teasing me, he leaned on the doorframe and asked, “Love, you bought a couple of fancy gowns, right?”
Gone was the desire, replaced with old, painful memories.
“Yes. Why? Were they too expensive?” My father didn’t allow me to have more than one to rent.
I had to take it off as soon as we returned from the event, and then the maid would take it to be cleaned before they returned it.
I walked up to the closet door in my robe, my nerves vibrating.
He stopped adjusting his cuffs on his white dress shirt and then stepped in front of me. His hands cupped my face as he stared softly into my eyes. “No, darling. You haven’t spent enough money on yourself.”
“I’ve never spent money like that before.”
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek, which led to my mouth and my throat. The man was starting something he didn’t have time for. “You’ll get used to it soon,” he whispered between kisses.
“Why did you ask about the dresses?” I asked, gently pulling away.
“Woman, you make me forget everything the second I touch you.” He kissed me again before fully stepping back into the closet for a tie.
He exited while adjusting his tie. My mouth formed a silent ‘wow’ as I stared that the fine figure he made. Damn the man with his broad shoulders, taut muscles and chiseled face could break my heart and my body. “There’s a gala tonight, and my parents want us to attend.”
“A gala? Is it going to be anything like the one we met at?” My pulse grew frantic as I considered who would be there. There were several men my father offered me to, and they were at the last event.
“It’ll definitely be similar. Although I don’t want to see you running from anyone, especially me. If someone lays their hands on you, I’ll kill them.” A huge part of me believed he would, and strangely I wasn’t terrified by the idea. Aroused was more like it.
“I’ll never run from you again.”
“That’s so wonderful to hear, Wife. Now please pick one of the gowns, and we’ll both need to be ready around seven.”
By the time evening rolled around, I’d been plucked, tugged, and pulled by the stylists that my mother-in-law sent over. Then I slipped into a sleek green gown that hugged my chest and waist with a little bit of a flare for my legs. Silas entered our bedroom, and his mouth parted like a cartoon.
“You look absolutely beautiful. That shade of green is incredible on you.” He marched forward, reaching out to grab me, but then stopped himself.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing, except if I get my hands on you, we won’t make it tonight.”
“Well, then, we better go before we forget ourselves.”
He took my hand and led me to the waiting limo. Tension coiled around us in the back as we attempted to keep our hands to ourselves. We stole glances every time the vehicle slowed. His hand would slink between the little bit of space left between us and he’d caress my arm.
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Mr. Harrison.”
“We should have had sex before we left.” I couldn’t have agreed with him more. My skin burned with lust. I wanted to straddle him right now, but we’d ruin our clothes.
“Maybe we can sneak away during the night.”
“Don’t tempt me, Wife. I’ll have you in the nearest empty room, filling your pussy until we’re both coming.”
“Stop teasing me,” I huff, swatting his arm. He quickly caught my hand and dragged me closer so that I was nearly on top of his lap.
His mouth was inches from mine when Daniel stopped. “Sir, we’re here.”
Daniel opened the door, and Silas went out first, taking my hand and assisting me out of the limo. My in-laws pulled up behind us, so Silas waited as my father-in-law helped his wife out.
“You look radiant, Yelena,” my mother-in-law said, pulling me into a hug. Eyes were on us before we made it inside. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Thankfully, my in-laws and husband blocked most of the flashes.
“I could have used these at the last event.” I stared at him in confusion. He leaned in and explained, “I would have found you much sooner.”
“My dad dragged me through the back.” Silas scowled and then led us into the grand ballroom where so many guests were standing around socializing.
“Harrison, I heard you got married, but I didn’t know she’d be gorgeous. Hearts are going to break when they find out.” He wagged his brows at me. “Maybe you can let me dance with her tonight.”
He reached out to take my hand, but Silas pulled my hand into his. “Don’t even think about it, Stefano. She’s mine, and no one gets to touch her.”
“Damn, so that’s how it is.”
“Yes, that’s the way it is.”
“Oh dear, don’t worry about all these people. Most of them are bored and looking for gossip. Silas has been the most elusive bachelor, so it’s just talk.”
“I know. I remembered the last one. It’s why my father didn’t even bother making introductions. He didn’t want to waste his time with a man who would send me packing.”
“How wrong he was. I only wished he made the effort,” Silas whispered. “You would have been my wife months ago.”
“Hey, you know that we’re all here. Keep your hands where they belong in public, son.”
Silas grumbled and then pulled me into his arms. “I want to dance with you,” he said. He led me to the dance floor, and we danced slowly while other couples moved around us. Eyes I never wanted to see again were staring right at me—my father. Our eyes locked, and then I pulled mine away first.
My husband tensed and then gave him a warning look. “Silas, I need to use the ladies’ room.” We both knew that I just needed to get away from him.
“Okay.” He kissed my cheek and led me off the dance floor.
“A word, Mr. Harrison.”
“Sure, Mr. Presley.” Silas made quick introductions, and then I stepped away. He rushed to catch me. “I’ll be right here, love.” He kissed my lips and whispered, “Don’t take too long or I’ll be looking for you.” I nodded and then left while he spoke to a man I’d never met.
I’d barely opened the door when a woman bumped into me, also sending me onto my ass, but my back hit the wall. She approached with eyes filled with anger; her gaze was intent, her mouth in a firm line. I straightened up and adjusted my dress.
“Do you have a problem?” I asked her.
“You were blocking the entrance for important people.” Her voice sounded familiar.
Security wasn’t tight enough in this place. “I was on my way to join my husband.”
She swallowed hard, crossing her arms. “So, you came with Silas.” Her voice was filled with venom.
I thought I recognized her bitch-ass voice. She was the broad who called my husband way too much. “Yes, I did, and you must be the assistant who couldn’t stop calling when he was off. Also, I believe he told you to stop calling him Silas. He’s Mr. Harrison to you.”
Her eyes widened, a crazy deranged look flooding her expression. “You bitch. Did you think I’d let you steal my man?”
“Are you out of your damn mind? He’s my husband and nothing to you. How many times do you have to be reminded?”
“He is not your husband. He’s mine.”
“You have lost it, woman. You need to get away from me.” I tried to shove past her, but she wasn’t having it. Her hand wrapped around my throat.
I kicked and screamed through her attack. My voice hopefully carrying outside of the bathroom. “Silas,” I shouted between gasps of air. “Silas, help me.”
“You bitch. Don’t say his name; he’s mine.”
“You’re freaking crazy.” I clawed at her face, giving me time to get up. I ran for the door, but she grabbed my hair and yanked me back. I fell onto the bathroom floor, landing painfully on my wrist.
“Let me go, you dumb bitch.” She let out a maniacal laugh and didn’t let up, but I wasn’t giving up either.
I pulled her hair back and punched her with my already bruised wrist. We both let out a scream.
The door burst open and Silas stood frozen, momentarily shocked before jumping into action. Security followed right behind him.
“Yelena,” he hollered, lifting me off the floor.
A moment later, the police arrived to interrogate us.
“What are you doing here?” they asked Ms. Bell, who was cuffed by security.
“I was just using the restroom, and this woman was following and insulting me.” I narrowed my eyes at her. There was no way in hell I wanted to be anywhere around this woman.
“Why would my wife need to speak with you? I fired you.”
“You fired her?”
“Of course. I told you no one can come between us ever.”
They turned to me and asked, “So did you follow her, Mrs.…”
“Harrison, and no, I didn’t. I came in here, and she slammed me against the wall as soon as I made it through the door.”
“She’s lying,” Bell uttered.
“I didn’t even know what you looked like, Ms. Bell. So how could I even follow you? If you were here for the party, why didn’t you introduce yourself to me in front of everyone?” I asked, glaring at her as I held on to my husband.
“You stole my man.”
“You were just my assistant, and you crossed the line.”
The woman continued spewing her lies. “Ms. Bell, you’re under arrest for assault and stalking.”
“What? I didn’t do anything. She started it.”
“Miss, you shouldn’t even be here.”
She threw her arms out of the cop’s grasp and shouted loud enough for those in the hall. “She’s a home wrecker.” This woman was delusional.
Silas spat out, “Keep that shit up, and maybe you’ll end up in a sanitarium instead of prison. You put your hands on my wife. You’re lucky I don’t hit women.”
“Come on; you’re coming with us.”
She clawed at the doorframe. “No, you can’t take me away from him.”
“Miss, if you don’t come now, we’re going to add on resisting arrest.”
“I love him. Why are you doing this to me?” They dragged her ass out of the bathroom.
“Baby, tell me—are you hurt?” Silas asked, kissing my face before I could answer.
“Only a little. I think my wrist is sprained.”
“We’re going to the hospital, baby.”
“I don’t think we need it.”
“I need it, sweetheart. I need to know you’re okay.”
“If that’s what you want,” I relented because it hurt more than I let on.
“I really do love that you agree with me so often.”
“So why didn’t you tell me you fired her?”
“Truthfully, I forgot. Every time I see you, I have you in my arms. There was no room to discuss a woman I couldn’t give a damn about.”
“How did she cross the line?”
“She called you stupid and then she started making claims like she did here.” I smirked against his chest. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“I’m glad you let her go. She clearly didn’t like me.”
“You’re my wife; there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I’m just sorry that she decided to approach and attack you.” I kissed his lips and then he sat me on the sink counter, crushing my lips.
A knock on the door broke our kiss. “Darlings, are you okay?” Silas’s mother said.
“Oops, I forgot where we were,” I confessed.
“Now can we go so I can make sure you’re okay?”
I nodded, and he carried me out of the bathroom and right through the hall. I felt all eyes on us, so I just kept my head tucked against him.
The trip to the hospital was quicker than I expected. My wrist was fractured, and I was put in a cast.
“How long will I need it on?” I asked, hating it already.
“Sorry, Mrs. Harrison. You’ll need to have this on for at least six weeks. It can be reevaluated afterward.”
I sighed and nodded. There was nothing I could do about my situation, so suffering through it was the plan. Been there, done that.