Captivated By You (Twisted Love #1) (11 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY

Josh rushed at me as soon as I opened the door.

I wasn’t fast enough. He grabbed me and threw me on the floor.

“What do you want, Josh?” I shouted when he advanced towards me, a menacing look on his face. I knew there was trouble the minute I saw his expression

“You fucked him, didn’t you?” Josh shouted after me, slamming the door shut.

“Josh, get out of my apartment.” I scramble up, searching for a way out, only to back into a wall. My eyes scanned for any object to use as a weapon. But there was none. And Josh was still advancing towards me.

“I told you, didn’t I? That he’s dangerous?” Josh continued to shout, his eyes bulging, scaring the shit out of me.

He was nothing like Julian, no virile beast, no manly charisma, but it was his presence alone that scared me.

“Get away from me, Josh. Now. Or I’ll call security.”

He didn’t listen to my warning. He tackled me and pinned me to the mattress.

“What’s so special about that stupid meek brother of mine, anyway?” Josh’s foul breath fanned over me. He was drunk. “He’s nothing but a pathetic loser. You know what he said? He said I can have you as soon as he fucked you. And I guess he did fuck you, didn’t he?”

What is he talking about?

“Let me go, you bastard.” I pushed him off me, but he was stronger.

“I guess he did fuck you good. Did it feel nice to have his dick inside you? How about your mouth? Did he ever have you suck him off?”

His lips invaded my mouth as soon as he said this. I struggled and screamed, but it was to no avail. Suddenly, Julian’s warning came back to my mind.

You don’t know what you’re getting into. He’s dangerous.

Was this what Julian meant by that? Was Josh going to rape me now? It was me, after all, who had humiliated him and exposed his true nature for the whole world to see.

No!
I didn’t want this. Julian was the only one for me. I wouldn’t allow any man to touch me.

I struggled and pushed, but it only resulted in Josh pinning me more securely. He ripped my nightgown, exposing my breasts.

“Wow. These are amazing jugs.” He squeezed my breast, and I almost vomited from the revulsion running through my body.

Julian. Julian. Where are you? Save me.

And just when I was about to lose consciousness, I saw Julian hurling Josh across the room like a rag doll and Beau standing at the door with a stark-white face.

***

I opened my eyes to see Julian’s angelic face.

“Julian,” I cried, burying my face in his embrace. “I’m scared. Josh, he, he came into my room. I thought it was you. He… he…”

I sobbed. I couldn’t speak. I choked on my last words.

He continued to hold me and soothed me with soft whispers of love. “Shush. Don’t talk. It’s over now. I’m sorry I wasn’t fast enough. I shouldn’t have left.”

“Julian.” I kept saying his name. Only his name could help soothe my pain, my hurt, my humiliation. And most of all, my fear.

“What was wrong with him? Why did he act like that? It was the same as before.”

Julian went rigid. “He was like that before? Kimberly, did he attack you before too?” Julian’s sharp gaze was pierced with anger. When I didn’t respond, he shook me. “Kimberly, did he attack you before?”

“Yes. On that first night I stayed at your parents’ house.”

“Fuck.” Julian shoved his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Do you still love your brother?” I asked meekly.

“Right now, I want to kill him.”

“What’s going to happen to Josh?”

“He’s with Dad now. I don’t know what will happen to him. Dad wants to see you. You’ll have to be the judge for this one.”

“Do I have to see him now?”

“No, my Kimberly. You just rest for now.” Julian tucked me back into bed. Just as he was about to leave, I grabbed hold of his hand.

“Don’t leave me,” I whispered, fresh tears shedding from my eyes. My body shook with the desperation, wanting Julian to be close to me.

Julian wiped them clean and gave me a warming smile. “I’m not leaving you.” He took off his glasses and crawled underneath the blanket with me, drawing me into his arms and cuddling me close. I felt secure in his embrace. My shaking stopped.

“Feel better?”

“No,” I mewed into his chest. “I feel dirty.”

“Kimberly, why would you say that? You’re beautiful.”

“He touched me.”

Julian clenched his jaw, then breathed slowly through his nose, as if trying to calm his temper again.

“Where did he touch you?”

“On my breast. On my arms.”

“Did he touch you anywhere else?”

“No.” I looked up at Julian with tear-stained eyes. “I feel dirty,” I confessed to him. “Please kiss me, Julian. I want to forget it. I want you to erase those awful memories and replace them with your own touch.”

Julian leaned over me, cradling my cheeks and kissing me slowly. “Kimberly. My Kimberly. You’re not dirty. You’re beautiful. To me, you’re my angel.”

Julian kissed me, making my pulse shoot up and my blood run hot.

“Make love to me, Julian. Make me forget.”

Julian complied. That night, he made me forget about Josh. His tender touches were the only thing that seared into my memory the next morning.

***

I sat facing Beau and Fiona in the office the next morning. I wasn’t surprised to see Beau, but to see Fiona too, that was really unanticipated. Then again, Fiona was Josh’s mother and whatever decision I made today would affect her too.

Julian was in his office, working. He wanted to accompany me, but this decision, it would have to be made by me alone. I didn’t want anyone thinking he influenced me.

“There’s only one way around it if you don’t want me to sue you, Beau, and put Josh in prison. Let Julian become your sole heir. Let Julian control all the shares you own in Devereux Enterprise.”

“You can’t be serious.” Fiona screeched out of her chair, shouting at me in anger.

“I’m very serious, Fiona. Your son almost raped me. And for that, just one word to the police would have him behind bars already.”

“But he was drunk.” Fiona defended her son. “He didn’t know what he was doing.”

“That was the second time he attacked me, Fiona. I was very lenient the first time. He asked for my forgiveness. I gave it to him without thinking further. But he touched me again. I’m upset. Mad. Humiliated. You’re lucky I’m happy to offer you a better solution than to sue your company and put your son in jail. If Papa were to catch wind of this too, I don’t know what would happen to your company.”

I looked at Beau, then at Fiona. I sat back in my chair in style. I was the queen in this room. I decided the fate of this family’s future.

I turned to Beau. He looked troubled.

Why wouldn’t he be? How could he not give Josh anything when he was also his son and, let alone, a legitimate one too? But if he didn’t agree to my deal, then Devereux Enterprise would plummet down the stock market the instant I sued him.

“This is all your fault, Beau.” Fiona turned the knife at her husband. “If you didn’t bring that slut into the house in the first place, then that bastard wouldn’t have been born. Now you want me to face society with that bastard as your heir and not our own flesh and blood son?”

“Watch your mouth, Fiona. Julian is also my flesh and blood.”

“But he’s not legitimate.”

I smirked, watching them fight over their favorite sons.

“Enough of the fight, Beau, Fiona.” I relaxed into the chair and asked them the ultimate question. “So what will it be? Julian inheriting the Devereux legacy or Josh in jail?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Breaking news: Devereux Enterprise co-founder and president Beau Devereux announced today that he will be retiring from his position as president of Devereux Enterprise. In effect, he has transferred all his shares and role as president to his eldest son, Julian Devereux. He has also stated when he passes on, his son Julian will also become his sole heir. As for the younger son, it is unsure yet what position he holds…”

“Hello, Papa,” I spoke into the phone while my eyes were still trained on the television set announcing the latest business breaking news.

“I thought all this time, Josh would be the one to succeed. What is this older son like anyway? I’ve never heard of him at any event.”

“Oh, Papa. He’s more than capable. I’m sure he’ll make an excellent president.”

“Really? He’s that good.”

“Really good. His work excels in all areas.” And that included in the bedroom. But I didn’t tell him that. “Papa, I think we should sign the contract to work with the Devereuxs.”

“You think?”

“Yes. I think we’re making the right move with this new young president behind Devereux Enterprise.”

“We’ll discuss it when you come back. It’s tomorrow, isn’t it? I’ll get you at the airport myself. Then we can go to our favorite restaurant and discuss that world tour you’re after.”

“Papa.” I hesitated. “Is it okay… if I stay here a few more days?”

“You like Australia now, Kimmy-berry?” I detected a subtle undertone of intrigue in Papa’s voice. “And here I thought you wanted to travel the world.”

“Well, Australia is part of my world tour. I just want to stay here a bit longer.”

“Okay, I’ll have my secretary amend your flight details, then.”

“Thank you, Papa. I’ll see you soon.”

“Love you Kimmy-berry.”

“Love you too, Papa.”

I snapped the phone shut and gazed at the golden beach from Julian’s apartment. The sun was starting to set already. The orange glow reflected off the sea, displaying a magnificent view. I could get used to living here, watching the sun set like this.

Just as the sky turned black, I heard the door unlock. I ran to the door and jumped on Julian.

“Kimberly!” He held me, balancing himself against the wall.

“Julian. I missed you.” I attacked him with kisses.

Julian waited silently while I covered his face. Then finally he said, “What did you say to Dad, Kimberly? All the media was out there. They said I was the new president or something. I tried to get away, but they kept interviewing me. I couldn’t get free until now.”

“Aren’t you happy?” I trapped his neck and brought my lips to meet his again. “You’re the new president as well as the sole heir to Devereux Enterprise. Now no one will look down on you.”

“You’re not mad, are you?” he asked when I resumed my quest of kissing each part of his face.

“No. I’m not mad. I’m happy. Very happy. Are you happy, though?”

Julian kissed my eyes, nose, chin, lips, everywhere. Not one inch was left unmarked on my face.

“Yes. I’m very happy. Thank you for everything.”

I dragged him to the dining table where I poured his favorite Pinot Noir. I handed one to him, my hand lingering just a second longer on his fingers. I smiled at him with mischief in my eyes.

“For you,” I said, handing over the glass.

Julian took it and together we made a toast.

“To Julian, who’s now the heir and president of Devereux Enterprise. May all your plans and goals succeed in the future,” I said.

Julian gripped my waist and deposited me on his lap.

“You really want all my plans to reach fruition?” He fixed his gaze sharply at me.

“Yes. All your plans and your goals,” I said, smiling. And now…” I smirked at him, putting his glasses down on the table. “It’s time to celebrate.”

I began unzipping his fly…

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

I woke up to find Julian absent from bed. It was two in the morning. Why was he not in bed? I stepped out and grabbed my gown. Down the hallway, I could hear Julian’s voice.

So he’s talking to someone. On the phone perhaps.

I smiled, my hand closing over the doorknob, and was about to turn when something Julian said made me freeze.

“So Josh has been taken care of?”

Josh?
That was Julian’s voice, but it didn’t sound anything like him. I listened some more.

“Yes, sir.”

Melissa? What is she doing here?

“And the matter regarding the shares of Devereux Enterprise?”

“You own everything, sir. Your father wrote all his rights to you.”

“Good. It pays to check everything.”

This… this doesn’t sound anything at all like the Julian I know. His voice sounded more confident, like he was more in control of his life, unlike the meek, innocent Julian that I knew. I pressed my ear to the door, listening intently.

“I can’t believe your plan worked out that great, sir. To know everything had fallen into place so easily.”

“It’s called careful grafting, Melissa. Planning, execution, and finding the right pawn.”

Careful grafting? Execution? Pawn? What is Julian talking about?
My heart pounded as I continued to listen to their conversation.

“What shall we do with our pawn, sir?”

“Kimberly.” My name came up. A prickle of fear travelled down my spine. “Mmmm. Leave her to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

My world collided.
I’m a pawn? What game is this? What’s the meaning of this?

I didn’t wait a moment longer to find out. I tore the door open, just in time for Melissa to step out.

“Melissa.” I accused. “What are you doing here at two in the morning?”

Melissa just smiled slyly at Julian. He in turn smiled back at her before nodding.

“Well, sir, I’m off now.”

“You do that, Melissa. And take care.”

“Take care?” I pushed Julian back after Melissa had left. “What the hell was that? Explain right now!”

“What is there to explain?” Julian said standoffishly. “You heard everything, right?”

“Are you telling me whatever you said in there was the truth?”

Julian went to his alcohol cabinet and poured himself a glass of Pinot Noir. He went to sit on his couch, then took off his glasses. He gazed at it, glass twirling around in his hand. Then he shifted his gaze to me. A look of pure malice, unlike the timid and meek Julian I loved, shone through in his stormy grey eyes.

Who is this man? Who is this stranger?

“Remember what you said, Kimberly,” he said as he looked at me over the rim of his wine glass. “Remember when you said even if I’m the bad character in this whole story, you’ll still stand by me because you love me?” He flicked his gaze to me again. What he said next struck me to the core. “I
am
the bad one in this whole story. I was the one who manipulated you. I was the one who knew your weak nature. Do you know how hard it was for me to pretend to be that stupid, meek character? I was so good at it, but sometimes, Kimberly, sometimes you broke me. Whenever you wanted me and whispered those dirty thoughts in my head I almost lost it. It was so hard, but finally I came through. I win. I got everything back. The Devereux legacy is now mine.”

“You framed Josh?” I staggered back and fell on the couch, my eyes opened wide at the startling realization, my face drained of color at the simple truth behind this menacing man.

“No. I didn’t frame him,” he said calmly, looking at his red drink again. Then he took a sip, gently, before turning back to me and saying casually, “He did take the money. I was just being a good half-brother, putting my own money back into the company’s account, waiting for you to see through Josh’s true nature while I waited to gallantly take over the company.”

“So that was your true purpose. You bastard.” I flew at him and slapped him hard across his cheek before he could even react, splashing his wine all over the carpet. Blood smeared on his lip, but he only smirked at me, eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I love it when you act like this, Kimberly.” He put his glass down and advanced towards me like a predator cornering its prey. “You know how much I want to dominate you. And now I don’t have to hide it anymore.”

I braced myself. But it wasn’t fast enough. Julian was too quick. He caught me and gripped my wrists with his steel strength. He locked eyes with mine, daring me to defy him.

I stared back. Unrelenting. If he knew one thing about me, it was that I was never one to back down from any challenge.

But just as quick as a storm, he blinked and backed off, a shrewd smile playing on his lips. He went to fetch another drink, to compensate for the one I’d destroyed.

“All this for the Devereux legacy, right?” I tried to draw back his attention. I needed to know why he used me. Why he did this to me when I wasn’t involved with any part of their plan.

“Yep,” he responded.

“When did it all start?”

Please don’t tell me he planned this from three years ago. Please, please.
I begged inside my head.
Please let this be all a nightmare. Please let me wake up so the Julian I know will come back.

“Oh, about three years ago.”

“Three years,” I repeated like a fool.

“Oh, sweet, sweet Kimberly. You really are naïve, aren’t you?” Julian must have seen the stunned and shocked look on my face. He caressed my cheek. But all I could feel was revulsion striking through me. “Let me tell you the story from the very beginning.”

Julian led me to a chair and sat me on his lap. I didn’t react. I didn’t refuse his action. I was like a doll, obeying my master.

His fingers lingered on my skin, but I didn’t feel that. All I heard was his voice explaining to me the story, his story, his plan he’d concocted three years ago.

“I saw your photograph in Dad’s album. I have to admit you were beautiful. Chestnut hair, green eyes—those were very striking. Dad talked about you a lot. I knew then that you were my final piece to my jigsaw puzzle. I researched you. I had you watched. You’re a very playful person, aren’t you? Tempting all those men and then leaving them dry before they had a chance to taste you. To think I was the one who reaped all the rewards.”

I shuddered, feeling disgusted with myself. But still I didn’t move.

“So when you helped me in Simon’s attack, you planned that too,” I squeaked out at last.

“No, although I have to admit it was a good addition to my plan. To have you twist your ankle like that and have me carry you like a knight. What girl wouldn’t swoon over that?”

How stupid could I get? How gullible could I be? To be manipulated by this man.

“How about that man, the one who wanted to buy me a drink?”

Julian smirked. “That guy? Yes. I did pay him.”

I laughed drily, thinking about my stupid situation. I was going insane. I was the puppet master, the queen who constructed all the strings in this game. I planned for Julian to become the sole heir because he deserved it, but to have the table turned… I laughed again. And pushed out of his lap.

“Tell me, Julian. In that three years, did you have me followed too?”

His answer was too quiet, but I caught on. “Yes.”

I laughed again. “And then what? What happened?” By this stage, I was beyond caring. My life had turned into a game for this man to manipulate. I could cry later. I could bash my head against a brick wall until I bled later, for being a fool, for allowing this person into my heart and manipulating me. But for now, I had to act strong.

“I followed you at the airport.”

“You followed me?”

“Yes.”

“And then?”

“I followed you to your hotel at the Silverton.”

“Oh, so you were the one who sat behind me at the restaurant. You did that on purpose?”

“Yes. I deliberately planned that too.”

“And that conversation you had with whoever it was on the phone. That must be Josh, right?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my God.” I could die laughing. I could no longer talk sense. “You planned everything, didn’t you? You’re so meticulous, so detailed. Of course you would succeed in your plan. Tell me. You asked Josh to present those presentations on your behalf. You gave Josh those presentation materials. You manipulated him as well as me. So that projector that broke down before the presentation? That was—”

“That was me.” He cut me off. “I had Melissa cut the wire so it wouldn’t work.”

“Bravo. And I supposed you made Josh drunk so he could rape me too?”

“Not the second time. Just the first.”

I bit my lip. Why didn’t it click? Why was I so thickheaded? Julian was there minutes after Josh left me. I felt disgusted with myself. I let this monster take me, again and again.

“Wow. All that for the sake of being the heir of Devereux Enterprise.”

“Yes.”

“So I was your pawn, the star of your show, the centerpiece to your whole scheme. You just made yourself look humble and meek so I would help you.”

Julian didn’t say anything. He just stared at me with an expression I couldn’t decipher.

“I suppose you had Melissa work for you too, deliberately crashing into me so those files could be seen. And then, when Josh did the presentation, I would assume right away he stole your work. And you also left those documents regarding those funds transfers in your apartment where I could easily see them. I bet you even constructed that letter from this Barry Turnbull guy yourself, so I could see it as hard evidence. Oh, you are so good, Julian. You go around playing the mastermind behind everything. You did a really good job. I should give you an A for creating such a brilliant plan. Tell me. Is Melissa a good girlfriend?”

“Melissa works for me. She’s not my girlfriend. I don’t have a girlfriend.” Irritation threaded his voice.

I gasped. What he said pained me.

“Just tell me one thing, Julian. When you said you loved me, did you really mean it?”

“Love isn’t in my vocabulary.” His eyes frosted over, but his fingers continued to trace my lips.

“Just like the word fuck and shit weren’t in your vocabulary before, right?” I tore his hands away from me.

Julian finally chuckled. “It was a fun game, wasn’t it? All that pretending.”

“You’re worse than Josh. You’re a monster.”

“I am a monster. I never said I was a saint, nor your knight in shining armor.”

I felt sick. I couldn’t breathe. I had to get out of there. My hand touched my throat and there I felt the necklace Julian gave me. His promise of love for me. His fake promise.

I tore the necklace off like germs on my skin.

Julian finally snapped. He clamped my hand like a vise, trapping me within his hold against the wall so I couldn’t move.

“What do you think you’re doing taking that necklace off?” That deep baritone that in the past made me melt now only caused fear within my heart.

“Throwing it in the bin,” I shouted at him. “It’s just trash. It’s not important to me. Just like this place. Just like you. I’m leaving here.”

I kicked him in the shin, but he reacted in time, cornering me instead and dragging me, dumping me on the bed. I got up and quickly crawled to escape, but he caught my ankle. He tossed me over until I lay flat against the bed. I was about to kick him again, but he trapped me with his body. He towered over me, preventing me from thrashing around like a fish on land. But I was also like a cat, scratching at him with my claws. He was bleeding, his chest and arms. I defended myself with all my strength, but Julian was relentless and very powerful. He pinned me down until I could no longer move. We were both panting. Me from exhaustion. Him from taming me.

Finally, he spoke. “You said I’ve captivated you, Kimberly. And now I’m going to trap you. In my embrace. You’re my woman, Kimberly. I own you. I possess you. And if any man dares touch you, I will personally kill him myself. You’re mine, Kimberly. Remember that. You’re
mine
.”

I looked at him, staring at his stormy grey eyes. My mind took me back to that moment from three years ago when I was in the nightclub. I saw those eyes too. They captivated me from the first moment I saw him. And now, to think that three years later I was trapped, because of those eyes.

I didn’t move. I didn’t flinch. I just watched as those kissable lips that I craved before now descended upon mine, sealing my mouth and capturing my soul with just one small kiss. His body too. That part of him I craved to have inside me before now binding us, thrusting into me, again and again. Hoping I would react, wishing I would respond. But I didn’t. I didn’t give him any reaction. Because I knew, even when fireworks shot before my eyes, that I could never escape from him. I could never escape from the prison of his arms… because I was truly trapped.