Chapter 35
Alaric’s threat hasn’t left my mind nor has any of his rules. Tonight has been a nice change in pace with things because I’m not in the same prison with him as my warden but with each move I make, I feel his eyes on me.
Suddenly something catches my eye and when I turn my head. I see my parents staring at me and my siblings in shock that I’m here. My instincts kick in and I don’t think as I excuse myself, standing to practically rush over to them.
My eyes blink back tears as I hug my parents then my brother and finally, my sister. When I hug her, she holds me so tight that I feel like if I let go, it won’t be real anymore.
“My Ana,” she calls me a nickname that almost has me in tears but I have to school my features because I know my parents won’t approve.
This isn’t about coming out of jail or waiting to see her, but it’s because I haven’t seen Liliana for so long, I missed her so much. Edwin made me an outcast with my family and I allowed him but I should’ve known better. I should’ve done more.
“My Ana.” I say back to her.
A play on our names. Liliana and I were more than ten years apart but she is like my twin. Our brother Julian was never jealous, instead he was just as close to us. My smile appears as he joins in our hug.
“My Anas.”
This is what breaks the dam as I bury my face in between them and tears fall. I don’t want anyone to see me crying on the front page tomorrow but I know my siblings wouldn’t give me up for anything.
“You need a moment?” Liliana asks me.
“Yes, but don’t worry, I can fix myself before my husband walks over and thinks something is wrong.”
Even though I don’t want to play that card, I know that I have to pretend to be the wife that fell in love despite the crime that I committed against Alaric’s family.
“Let’s move without anyone spotting us, yeah?” Julian offers and he does it so effortlessly that no one can say that there’s anything wrong.
My parents haven’t acknowledged or addressed me and I know they won’t so for now, I’ll just pretend I’m not fazed at all.
Once we found a quiet spot near the foyer and some seats, we sit. Julian, being my irish twin that he is, he kneels before me and wipes away my tears.
My eyes land on his soft brown ones and I almost cry again.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Jules. We never thought we’d see you again.”
This strikes me in the heart.
“Why didn’t you come see me when I was locked up?”
I hate the vulnerability in my voice and my body but I have to ask them. I look up at my sister as well.
“We tried but we were blocked from visiting you. We sent you letters but that was a bust and then when you came out, we found out from the news.”
“You married him?” Liliana asks after remaining quiet for so long. “How could you?”
“Lili…” my words get caught in my throat.
“You killed his pregnant wife and child. How can he be around you and you around him without you suffering from that? Juli, that’s not normal.” she shakes her head as her light brown eyes shed tears that she wipes away.
“Is he hurting you?” Julian asks but I don’t look at him, I’m stuck on Liliana’s questions.
How do I tell them that I need to do this? That this is what has to happen to me? That I don’t deserve to ever be happy.
Julian uses a finger to make me look at him and I tilt my head.
“I can’t read you, Jules. I usually can but right now, you’re so closed off. Do you need us?” he whispers the last part.
“Let’s get some fresh air.” I suggest to them before they ask anything else or that I become stupid enough to leave the Crowne mansion.
Neither Julian or Liliana say anything but they do follow me outside. I stand there and let the light breeze hit my face as I shut my eyes.
“You’d tell us if you need us, right?” Liliana’s voice breaks through the quiet and before I can release a breath, I feel arms wrapping around me.
This doesn’t help my resolve, instead it increases the anxiousness inside of me. I am on high alert because I know who it is. I can recognize him by his cologne and how intoxicating it would be if we met under different circumstances.
My hair is pulled to the side and the lightness of his fingertips graze the skin on my naked neck. The feeling of soft yet full lips landing on the exposed apex between my shoulder and neck causes my ragged breath to escape my lips.
“Baby, I was looking everywhere for you. You know I miss you when you’re gone, even if it’s for a moment.
” Alaric’s voice has this dangerous tone to it but I ignore what that could entail.
“She has this thing now where she leaves the house for hours or goes on long runs just so I could miss her. Your sister is really good at playing games with me. It’s good to meet you guys and hopefully you’ll be in my corner now rather than hers. ”
There’s a playfulness to Alaric’s voice and my eyes snap to his wondering if he knows… His eyes tell me that he knows and I was stupid enough to think because Mia was here that he wouldn’t notice me.
“I thought you were a little too busy for me, baby,” I throw the term back at him and he cocks his brow. “I wasn’t getting enough of your attention. I just wanted more.”
“Oh,” he smirks. “How much more did you want, my love? I’ll always give you all of me, you know that right, baby?”
“We don’t have to do this right now.” I say, almost getting completely out of the tight hold, not because it was uncomfortable but there was a moment there where I felt comfort. I don’t like it.
Alaric takes this opportunity to spin me to him and he pulls me to his body. His hand cups my cheek and his thumb traces my lips. He stares at my lips with such hunger, I take a step back but he wraps his other arm around my waist pulling me flush to him again.
“See, even when you’re right in front of me, I miss you, my wife.” There is disdain in his words but his eyes say something else; something so fiery.
“Okay, my husb–.”
My words die on my lips because Alaric has taken them, as he stills my breath, with a kiss.
My brain screams for him to let me go but at the same time, we have to pretend, just in case there are cameras out here.
My mind tells my body to relax into his kiss but I find that I’m already there when I register it.
I’m kissing my enemy back with as much hate as he’s giving me but… what is this? What’s happening? How can someone I hate kiss me so fervently?
It must be for the cameras and my family. It has to be.