His Price (16 page)

I could hear it loud and clear.
Don't Noella! He probably made this mess himself, it's not your job to clean it up! Go home! Go home and help the ones who really need you.

“Hegan, don't worry about him. But in order for me to go any further, I need some answers. I need to know what's going on, and you have to be honest.” Catching his gaze, he peered into my eyes.

I watched his iris' change, reflecting back light from the small lamp next to the chair.  A gold-orange color encased his pupils; a momentary flash that hardened the edges.

Shivers ran down my spine, tearing through my legs. I felt them weaken, shaking to hold me straight. Gripping his shoulder tighter, it was as if he knew I needed him to hold me up. Hegan wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. “Are you saying you're willing to do this?” The hot air from his lips swept over my ear.

I couldn't speak, I didn't really want to say it out loud. Maybe it was fear that if I vocalized the words then everything would be truly real. My voice, the words, all meshed together, my brain wouldn't aid my tongue in speaking.

Shaking my head up and down, I had sealed my fate.

A baby.

It was a choice I had to think about, a decision that wasn't made lightly. I didn't do it just for him and how sorry I felt for Hegan in that moment. This was going to help my family too.

I hadn't forgotten about them, and this could mean a world of difference to my mom. She needed treatment, she deserved it. And with the insurance deciding what they would or wouldn't cover... It had left my parents practically bankrupt.

They're a stone's throw away from losing their home, being out on the streets. I didn't want that for them.

I didn't want that for Hegan.

Money wasn't supposed to be what ruled lives, or ruined lives.

This was going to save us all.

I hoped.

Hegan

D
id that really happen? Did she actually agree to do it?
She did. Noella didn't say it directly, but her head affirmed it.

And I was happy as a pig in shit.

I never expected she would just give in. I thought for sure she would've resisted till the very end. Yes, I told her she didn't have a choice, but that didn't mean shit. She could've left, the door was open.

My bribery, the allegations of yanking the help from her mom; that was all bullshit. I might be desperate, but I'm not a complete fucking asshole. Good thing she didn't know that.

I wasn't sure if that was what saved my ass or not, either way I didn't care. Noella was giving me all I needed.

She had just removed a bolder off my shoulders, and my body felt light as air. Walking to my mirror, I peeled my shirt up over my head. Dropping it to the floor, I stared into my reflection.

Noella was melting like hot wax over my brain. I was more than excited she'd agreed, but a piece of me was twinging with something different. Shaking my head, I wanted to shove it out, push it away and forget it was ever there.

Gripping the sink, I squeezed the porcelain rim. My fingers burned as all the blood was forced out and away. Dropping my head into my chest, I knew she had grown on me; more than expected, and more than I wanted.

She's agreeing to have your child, that's probably what this is. It had to be.

It's not real, I won't let it be real.

I couldn't let myself get close to her, she was just a pawn; my bullet in the barrel. That was it.

Splashing my face with cold water, a chilled exhale escaped my lungs. I needed her out, out of my thoughts so I could stay focused. If I let myself fall in too deep, I had no idea what would happen.

Get your shit together, don't do this. You can't do this.
Watching a single drop of water balance on the edge of my nose, I stood motionless, waiting to see how long it would take to tear itself free.

Waiting and watching, it sat steady as if it was looking back at me. That lone drop of water, opaque and shining under the lights, only trembled at the edge. And all I could think of was her.

Noella.
She had a smile that saturated the air I tried to breathe; strengthening my purpose. There was something more driving me, not just the demand of my father...

I wanted to make her mine, in every way.

That little stunt with the sledding was the first time I could think of being really happy. She was confident in herself, confident in who she was. Noella didn't walk in a straight line, that would've been too boring.

She followed her own path, chasing her own set of rules. But always thought of those around her, and their happiness. I could see it, she bared her body just to give her mother a fighting chance.

That's what I wanted, all of it; all of
her.

A loud knock against the door caused my head to jerk, the small ball of water became lost in the drain. “Yeah?” I yelled.

“Sir, it's me. Can I come in and talk to you?”

What the fuck does he want?
Tearing the towel off the rack, I wiped my face dry as I walked to the door. Tugging it open, I wrapped the towel around my neck. “What do you want?”

“Sir, I need to talk to you about Noella.” Stefan was standing straight, tapping the tip of his shiny shoes against the wood floor.

“No, Stefan, you don't.” Still holding the door, I attempted to close it.

Pushing his hand against the wood, Stefan said, “Hegan, she's not who you think she is.”

“I don't care what you think, I talked to my dad and you can go home by the way. I was going to tell you after, but since you're here now,
go home”
Rolling my head, I wanted to slam the door in his face.

He didn't like me, I got that loud and clear. Since he came to work for my family it was like he despised my existence. I could feel it. He didn't think I deserved any of what was coming to me, instead he wanted it to come to him..

Stefan didn't have to say it; the way he kissed my dad's ass, had his nose shoved so far up it he could smell his insides, that said enough.

He was our butler, but he went well beyond his title. If my father barked, he was right there listening. I think he thought I should have been doing the same.

But that's not who I am. I'm Hegan Alexander, not Brandon the second. And Stefan could fucking shove it.

I wasn't going to stand here and listen to him trying to convince me of some fucking story he thinks he found out. That guy had no clue what was going on between Noella and me.

And it was none of his business.

After calling my dad, I was finally able to convince him that the butler wasn't needed. I knew when he showed up it was to spy on us, my dad basically confirmed it.

He said he just wanted to make sure that everything at the house was good. He figured a little extra help here would ensure I didn't do anything stupid, like ruin the place. Yup, he trusted me, right?

But after a pretty intense yelling match, he said I could send Stefan home. Which, even if he'd said no, Stefan was leaving one way or another.

I wasn't going to let him stay.

“Excuse me? Your father sent me here, and I plan on telling him everything I know, Hegan. About her and who she is.” He raised his face to mine, his beady eyes glazing over.

This fucking guy was trying to threaten me. What could he possibly know? That she isn't royalty like my father would want? That was the least of my worries.

“Stefan, go home. I don't care what you tell my father.” I felt my muscles tense, rigid and hard against the skin. Each one pressed angrily to be used, I was ready to fucking hit him.

“No? You don't care? Well what if I said I spoke with Gloria?” An evil smirk peeked over the edge of his jaw, lifting up slowly towards his ear.

“What?”
Balling my fists, I elbowed the door fully open, the handle smacked against the wall as I muffled, “What did you say?”

“Don't worry, Sir. I'm sure your dad won't mind a bit, right?”

Baring my teeth, a heavy growl fell from my throat. “Mind your own business, Stefan.”

Shock, fear, anger; it all hit my stomach like a wrecking ball. He was trying to instigate me, get me riled up so I would crack. What was that going to do for him?

He wanted me gone; always has.

Was this his way of trying to push that ladder out from under me? Motherfucker, he was a dick. That fucking asshole was trying to cement his place in my home, in my life... But this?

This was a side of him I didn't see coming.

An ominous chuckle rolled off his tongue, head tipping back slightly. “Hegan, this is my business. And when you're gone, when you're left with nothing...” Stefan closed his eyes tight, shaking his head. “I'll finally get what's coming to me, what your father owes me.”

“Owes you? My dad doesn't owe you shit! What do you think, huh? That with me out of the picture he's going to give you thousands of dollars?”

“Be ready, Hegan. Maybe you should start packing now.” He turned and started down the hall, whistling loudly it radiated off the walls.

What the hell is going on? What the fuck is he trying to do to me?
Nothing was making sense, none of the pieces seemed to fit together. Stefan wasn't getting anything if I was gone.

Was he?

No. He had to be crazy.

Unless my dad had his hands in this too.

Gripping the door, I slammed it shut. The walls rattled to the ceiling, shaking everything around me. I didn't know exactly what Gloria had told him, what information she gave away. If he knew about me buying her for a baby, that could seal my fate right there.

My insides boiled with a mix of rage and fear.

Fear wasn't something I was used to feeling. And I didn't like it.

I was always in control, always the one to call the shots. Lately it seemed my hands had been getting bound in all directions. Nothing was coming easy, but now Noella was mine. At least I had her, she was all I really needed.

Pacing wildly around the room, my fingers drove through my hair, tearing at the roots.
This could be bad, this could be so fucking bad.

She agreed, now this? Glancing at the clock I had to get my shit together. I was having dinner with Noella in twenty minutes, and I couldn't go in all worked up over Stefan.

Tugging my white t-shirt over my head, I hit my neck with some cologne and headed downstairs.

Standing in the entryway, I watched for headlights. I had ordered Chinese food, not exactly romantic, but I'm no chef. When you spend your entire life having people do shit for you; cooking gets thrown out the window.

Why learn when you don't have to? Right?

***

L
ighting the last candle, a delicate clicking sound reverberated through the air.
Here she comes. It looks perfect.

Checking the table, everything was exactly how I wanted it. This was dinner for us, just her and myself. Stefan was off in another end of the house, hopefully packing his bags to leave tomorrow.

As she turned the corner it was like her feet hit rough pavement. She stopped, mouth hanging open, eyes flickering in unison with the candle flames. “What's this?” Noella asked, the tiny sparks igniting in the gunmetal of her stare.

“Well, it looks like dinner to me. Homemade too.” It didn't matter how upset and angry I had just felt not thirty minutes ago, once I saw her, everything drained away.

The room seemed to brighten, her face glowing with warmth. “Homemade?” she asked smiling, ear reaching towards her shoulder.

“Well, it was made by someone. That counts doesn't it?” Shrugging my shoulders, I held my hands out.

“Not exactly, but we can go with it.” She laughed as she stepped in. “I take it you don't cook?”

“Let's just say you're better off if I don't cook.” Reaching for her chair, I pulled it out. “Please, sit.”

“Thank you.” Noella spoke softly, hair brushing across her cheeks. Wiping it away she said, “It smells good. I love Chinese, and it's fun to cook too.”

“You cook?” My brow arched up, as I sat. “I wouldn't have thought you liked cooking.”

“And why not? You keep forgetting—”

Finishing her sentence, I said, “I know, I don't know everything about you.” Nodding my head, I poured us both a glass of wine. “But that's what we're going to take care of. You said you needed answers and stuff...” I brought the glass to my lips, taking a sip. “So now's your chance.”

Watching her face flush, the orange flame brushed her skin, dancing across each dip and curve. She was so intoxicating, I couldn't take my eyes off her. Noella was exactly who the word beauty was made for.

A lot of people think that in order to be beautiful you need to have flawless skin, and a perfect body; but that is far from the truth. Looking into her eyes, I knew there was more to that word.

I felt her, not just saw her. Noella drove prickles up my back, she made it hard to breathe when she entered a room. And when her voice spilled from behind her plump lips, my entire world stood still.

To be beautiful, truly beautiful, you only needed to do one thing.

Be yourself.

And she never stepped outside who she was. Sure when I met her she was Copper, stripper and cock teaser extraordinaire. But right here, right now, she was Noella.

This was the reason I hadn't found anyone before.

Because there was no one else like her.

Pursing her lips, each small wrinkle rolled across the gloss. She was thinking, tapping her finger against her chin. “Alright, we'll start small. What's your birthday?”

“Really? I tell you to ask me something and that's what your first question is?”

“Hey! If I have to pretend to be your girlfriend and at some point I'm supposed to have your child, then these are things I need to know.”

“Alright, alright,” I said, holding my hands up, palms out. “September third, nineteen- ninety, happy?”

“Very. Okay, your turn.” Her slender finger rolled out, directing me to speak.

“My turn?”

“Yeah, your turn. You should know shit about me too.”

“Hm, give me a second.” Looking at the ceiling, I shifted between her and the skylight. There was plenty of things I wanted to know about her, but my head was blank. “Okay, where did you grow up?”