Stolen Fate (12 page)

One evening, shortly after the test results came back, I find myself sitting alone in the library. Drayden isn’t home from work yet and to be honest, I don’t know exactly what time he will be. He doesn’t keep me up to date on anything he does or where he goes. For all I know, he’s out there sleeping with every woman he encounters. He hasn’t been to my room in that way since well over a month ago.

I’m so ensconced in the book I’m reading, I don’t even hear anyone enter the room.

“Well, who do we have here?” a booming voice rings out.

I’m so startled, my heart lurches into my throat. I drop the book on the ground, the thunderous sound echoing around the massive room. I look up to find there’s a stranger standing in the entryway of the library. His eyes are piercing me with wonderment as I sit here and stare at him, dumbfounded. There’s something about him so familiar, yet I have never laid eyes on him before. I’m instantly put on alert. I have no idea what his intentions are. Why is he here? Does he know Drayden? I’m not used to seeing anyone but the staff, and of course the man who keeps me hostage.

Once I get my wits back, I speak up, making sure not to show any weakness. Thank goodness I had the sense to actually get dressed this time. “Who are you? How did you get in here? What do you want?”
Real smooth, Essie.

“Whoa. One question at a time, honey,” he says as he makes his way toward the other end of the couch I’m lounging on. I move my feet so he can sit down. This guy apparently has no issues interacting with complete strangers. He leans forward and extends his hand to me. “I’m Elvis Warner, but you can call me Eli.”

“How do you get Eli out of Elvis?” Yeah, out of all the questions I should ask him,
that’s
the one which comes out of my mouth.

He laughs.

“Well, I guess I picked the shortened version myself when I was growing up. I mean, come on, there was only one true Elvis.”

“I’m assuming you’re referring to Presley?” He nods. “What about Elvis Costello?”

“All right, all right. So there were two.”

I like him. He seems nice enough. He’s personable and engaging, something I’m not used to.
Wait a minute. What did he say his last name is? Warner?

“Are you Drayden’s brother?”

“One of them, yeah. Actually, I’m his older brother; the oldest out of the family, in fact.” He looks me up and down, assessing my person, but not in a creepy way. It’s in a curious way. “You never told me your name, sweetheart.”

“Oh, sorry.” It’s at that moment I realize we’re still holding hands from his introduction. “My name is Essie. Essie Horton.”

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Essie Horton. What are you doing here in my little brother’s house? He doesn’t bring anyone here. Hell, I’m lucky
I
can get in, and I’m family.”

I look away from his intense gaze, lowering my head until I’m staring at the pattern on my black and white sundress. “It’s complicated,” is all I can think to say.

He takes the hint and doesn’t pry any further. We sit for another hour or so talking about books, movies and music. He’s so easy to talk to the time just flies by. I haven’t had this easy of a conversation with another person in I don’t know how long. Years? Ever?

Eli and I are sitting very close to one another, his arm resting on the back of the couch, just above my shoulders. To anyone else, we look like we’re in a relationship, or at the very least, interested in one other. But that isn’t the case; not from my perspective, anyway. Don’t get me wrong; Eli is extremely handsome. He’s well-spoken, has a really nice body-from what I can see tucked away underneath his suit-and seems to be a genuinely nice person. But dealing with one Warner brother is more than enough for me.

There’s a short, awkward silence which falls between us. When I try to speak to dissolve it and get back into the natural flow of our conversation, his words break it first. “So, Essie, do you think I can take you out sometime?”

Oh, no. I should have known this is where our little interaction was heading. I’m used to guys hitting on me, but I’m still surprised a bit just the same. I have to let him down easy without spoiling everything. Or maybe I should take him up on his offer. Yeah, it might actually piss off Drayden and I’m always all about doing that. Maybe I’ll skirt around the question, buying myself some time to figure out exactly what I want to do.

I’m good at playing every bit the part of the innocent, flattered girl, smiling at him and batting my eyelashes, even touching his shoulder. “Don’t you have a girlfriend, Eli?”

“No.” His answer is short and sweet. His sincere, green eyes are trying to read me, but I have my walls up. Maybe in another life, we could have started something, but I’m stuck in this life, and in this life there is no chance of ever going there. Not with him. Not with the brother of the man whose child I carry. But then again, I don’t want anyone else. I want Drayden, even though my logic screams at me how absurd that is.

“I’m sure you’re dating someone, aren’t you?” I don’t take him as a blatant cheater but then again, I hardly know him. And if he’s anything like his younger brother, he’s probably quite the womanizer.

“No one special at the moment.” He inches closer to me so his thigh brushes against mine, sending a shock through me. I’m physically attracted to him, of course. Any woman would be, but my mind is consumed by someone else. An arrogant, pain-in-the-ass someone else.

“You know,” I say, pushing his shoulder back with my hand in a playful way, “we girls are kind of fickle. When we’re getting dick on a regular basis from the same man, we kind of think we mean something to said man.” I look at him again, eyebrow arched. “Does she know you don’t feel the same way about her as she does about you?”

His eyes go big but he’s smiling. I press him again because he doesn’t answer me the first time. “Yes, she knows I’m not into getting serious with her.” Shaking his head and laughing, he gets up from the couch and makes his way over to the liquor bottles organized on the small corner bar. “I like you, Essie.”

“I like you, too, Eli. I haven’t had this much fun hanging out with someone in I don’t know how long.” We’re both lost in the rhythm of our innocent dance when we’re suddenly interrupted by a looming force standing just outside the door.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Drayden grits out between clenched teeth. He takes a few controlled steps inside the room, never taking his gaze away from me. He’s sneering and throwing daggers at me, as if it’s my fault his brother stopped by unannounced.

Eli catches the tension brewing between us and interjects, more so on my behalf, I’m sure. “Hey, little brother. What’s going on?” He walks toward Drayden, blocking his view of me for the moment. I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t feel like dealing with his attitude right now. I was having an honest-to-goodness real conversation with his brother, and I’m upset he’s broken the playful banter between us.

Drayden doesn’t even bother answering his brother. Instead, he walks around him, reaches down and grabs my hand, pulling me up from the couch. He leans in close and whispers in my ear, “So help me God, if you don’t go to your room right now, you won’t come out for the next month.” I don’t respond. I don’t move. He’s actually freaking me out right now. I know he can be mean and a downright-arrogant ass, but there is something else laced in his words. There’s another kind of tension built up in his form, standing rigid before me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know enough about this man not to push him right now.

“Fine,” I say back, more under my breath than anything. But before I leave, I make my way over to Eli and give him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “It was a true pleasure meeting you tonight, Eli. And who knows, maybe I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Essie. See you soon.”

I leave the library without so much as looking back at Drayden. I can hear him breathing hard, letting me know he’s really angry. I’m not sure why exactly, though. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I had been talking to one of his brothers, someone I could have told our secret to. Or is it the fact that someone else is paying me some attention? No, that can’t be it. He couldn’t care less about me; he wouldn’t care if another man was hitting on me. Maybe he’s protecting his brother, thinking I’ll try and pull the same stunt on him.

But little does he know, I’ve learned my lesson. My blackmailing days are over.

It’s only about a half hour later when my bedroom door comes flying open, hitting the wall behind it with a thunderous crash before it stops.

“What the hell was that all about, Essie? Huh? Tell me right now or so help me God…” He stalks toward me, a fire lit in his eyes. He is beyond livid, and I don’t even have a chance to ask him why before he pins me against the wall.

His mouth is so close to mine, his lips are almost brushing against my own. He smells of whiskey but it isn’t overpowering, so I know he probably either had a quick drink with his brother or had one right after he most likely kicked him out.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dray.”

“Don’t fucking call me that. Don’t act like we’re old friends. You are nothing but a conniving bitch who tricked me and is now carrying my child.” He wrestles with my chin so I have to look at him. “Now, tell me what that was down there with Eli.”

“I didn’t tell him anything. He just showed up all of a sudden. He was waiting for you so we started talking, waiting for you to come home.”

“He told me he asked you out. Is that the offer you think you’ll take him up on? Because I can tell you right now, there is no way in Hell you’re going anywhere with him, or anyone else for that matter. Ever!” He releases his hold on me, obviously satisfied he had his say.

But I’m not done yet. He isn’t going to continue to push me around forever.

“I’ll do whatever I damn well please, with whomever I please. You don’t own me,
Drayden
.” I make sure to say his full name this time.

I’m far enough away from him that he isn’t breathing down my neck, but my last statement earned me some more up-close-and-personal time. Grabbing me closer to his body, his heat mixing with my own, he really lets me have it.

Verbally, that is.

“You’re mine, Essie. Mine to do with as I see fit. My child grows in your belly, and I’ll be damned if someone else is going to fuck you with my son inside you.”

Son? What makes him so sure it isn’t a girl? Wait. I’m getting off topic. One situation at a time.

“Well, after the baby is born,” I stutter, “I can fuck whoever I want, as you so eloquently put it.” There, what is he going to say now? He most certainly can’t have any further claim over me once I give birth.

“That’s what you think. You belong to me now, Essie. Your life is mine. End of discussion.”

He walks away from me and is almost out the door when I fling a book through the air and catch him in the back with it before he can leave.

He stops short and whips around, looking at the offensive item laying strewn on the floor. He’s surprised, but I don’t know why. I’ve smacked this man, even spit in his face, which I still regret. Why would he think I wouldn’t throw something at him in anger? I’m kind of disappointed he doesn’t know me a little better by now.

“Did you just throw that at me?” he asks in utter disbelief.

“No, the book flung itself off the table, hurdled through the air and made contact with your back all on its own. There must be a ghost in this room with me.” I’m shaking my head in annoyance because he asked me such a stupid question.

“Well, guess who’s not coming out of here for the next two days?” And with that, he slams my door and locks me in. I should be used to the sound of the deafening click by now, but it still makes me shudder each and every time.

I make a promise to myself right then and there that once I have this baby, I’m not going to stand for this type of behavior any more. Right now, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it. I have to do whatever he says. He has the upper hand and he knows it.

I lay down for the night, counting the days until I will be free again. Praying he’ll let me go after I give him the only thing he wants right now.

His child.

I start to witness small changes in Drayden’s demeanor toward me when he’s dealing with my outbursts or breakdowns. He seems to be more patient and not so quick to lash out at me. A couple weeks have gone by since the night his brother came to visit--a night I’m sure etched in his mind as the start of his family finding out what was really going on behind closed doors. No, they won’t know the full story; that tidbit of information is to be kept between us. I’m not stupid enough to try and get his family on my side, a stranger’s side. I know enough about this man to know even though he is younger by society’s standards, he possesses enough wealth and power to get whatever he wants, hiding any and all secrets, even from his own family.

The thing I think changes some of his actions toward me is the fact that I’m starting to show. I have a small bump appear on an otherwise very flat and toned belly. He sees it one day when he comes into my room unannounced, as usual, and I’m walking out of the bathroom. Naked. I’m comfortable with my body, even with all the changes, so I don’t rush to cover up, always trying to entice him to take me again. I’m pathetic. I know. But I crave his touch and his attention, in any form apparently.

His eyes rake down my body until he sees my belly, his child making its presence known to him. He stares at the area a bit too long. At first, I’m worried he’s going to view me as repulsive, especially the bigger I get. He’s used to his women being slim and fit. But the longer he stares at me, I come to realize he likes it. There is a tiny smile forming on his lips, which coincidently disappears rather quickly when he catches me staring at him. He knows
I
know he’s happy, if only for a brief moment.

“Can I help you with something, Drayden?” I ask as I slip a short, purple cotton dress over my head. They are more comfortable these days. My regular shorts and pants don’t fit anymore, so thankfully he bought me some new outfits for my ever-expanding form. I hate I have to wear bigger clothes, but who the hell am I trying to impress anyway?
The guy in the room with you, that’s who.
I push the crazy thought from my brain before continuing to get dressed.

“Um, yeah.” He seems flustered which is so unlike him. I’m pulling my long hair up into a messy bun when he stuns me into paralysis. “I thought you would like to get out of this house and go have lunch somewhere.” Boom. There it is. The one sentence I wanted him to say since the day he brought me here. Well, not the one about having lunch somewhere. But leaving this house? Yeah, that’s the one.

“Are you playing with me? Because I’m in no mood for any of your crap today.” I stalk toward my closet to grab some flip-flops before returning to stand in front of him again.

“I’m serious. But if you don’t want to go, fine by me.” He makes his way to leave but I stop him by placing my hand on his arm. He immediately looks down at my hold on him then glances back up at me. But this time, he isn’t upset. He looks confused by our connection. Hell, he isn’t the only one. It’s a weird moment which passes between us, and it’s gone as fast as it happens. I withdraw my hand and place it at my side, never taking my eyes from him.

“Yes.”

“Yes, what? Yes, you want to go?” He’s playing with me, trying to rile me up. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction. Not this time anyway.

“Yes, I want to leave this house and go grab lunch somewhere. But what will people say when they see you with a pregnant woman?” Yeah, I have to go there. I can’t help myself sometimes.

“Well, first off, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. And second of all, no one can tell you’re pregnant yet. Only I can tell by looking at your naked body.” There is a gleam flitting through his gaze. Is that lust? Or satisfaction?

When I don’t move, he steps toward me, takes my hand and guides me from the room.

This is the first time I’ve been away from his house, and I’m actually confused as to where we are. All of the houses are spaced far apart from one another, often times having numerous acres of land separating them, giving each place its own private sanctuary. But even as beautiful as all of these homes are, Drayden’s is by far one of the most elegant.

“Where are we?” I ask him as he continues to drive down the road, keeping his attention firmly ahead of him.

“California,” he says with a sarcastic smirk.

“Duh, I know that. I mean what city are we in?” I look out the window to watch the beautiful scenery go by. “This is a far cry from where I live,” I say under my breath, suddenly embarrassed for some reason.

“This is Brentwood, sweetheart. And you’re right; this
is
a far cry from Modesto.” His head never turns in my direction, probably because he doesn’t really want to spend this time with me. For all I know, he’s doing this out of spite, giving me a glimpse of the outside world only to take it away from me in a few short hours.

He pulls up in front of a quaint little restaurant about twenty minutes away from his house. I have no idea how we got here because I wasn’t really paying attention to the roads he took. But I should probably get to know the area, since I will one day have to navigate my way out of here. Where I was going to go, I had no idea yet; that’s a plan better left for the near future. No use in stressing about something which won’t be happening for at least another seven months or so.

Opening my door, he reaches in to take my elbow and assist me from the vehicle. Why is he being so nice to me all of a sudden? Is it the baby bump messing with his head? Or is he tired of fighting with me? Either way, it’s freaking me out, so I do what I do best.

Aggravate him.             

I swat his hand away. “I’m not that big yet. I can get in and out of the car by myself, thank you very much.”

“Sorry.” He looks annoyed. “I was only trying to be nice.”

“Well, niceness doesn’t suit you, Drayden, so how about you stick to what you know.” I don’t say any more before we enter the restaurant. His hand somehow finds its way to my lower back, semi-pushing me forward when the hostess is leading us to our seats. He’s being a jerk, purposefully instigating me as only he can do.

I side-step his hold only to almost crash into someone who is walking past us. I hear something rumble from his chest. He’s laughing at me which instantly puts me in a mood.

After the waitress takes our order, first fawning all over Drayden, he tries to make small talk, which is odd for him. Just what is his game?

“So, Essie, tell me about yourself. I only know a few things, mainly that you’re treacherous and diabolical.” He graces me with a snarky smile before reaching to pat my hand which is conveniently resting on the table.

I quickly escape his touch, putting my hands back in my lap before engaging him. “You probably already know everything about me, seeing as how I’m sure you’ve done your research and all. But in case you missed anything, let me lay it out for you.” I look him square in the eye, placing my hands back on the table as if I’m getting ready to launch myself over at him for making me dredge up my past. “I never knew who my parents were. I was a ward of the great state of California from the time I was born. I grew up in foster care, flitting from home to home the older I got. I acted out because I….” I don’t want to do this but I know he won’t give up until he gets what he wants, so I bite the bullet and spew it out. “…things happened to me in those homes. Things I don’t wish to divulge for your mere amusement.”

The cocky look which was plastered all over his face changes instantly. He looks angry and sad all wrapped up together, not giving me a clear-cut emotion. I continue on, “As soon as I was able to leave, I did. I took off and have been hustling it ever since, taking what I could from whoever would let me.” My gaze falls from his face as I reveal the latter part of my story, but I make my way back to his intense blue eyes. “Then I met you.”

That’s it. That’s my story in a nutshell, leaving out all the horrible things I was forced to do in foster care. I shudder at the repetitive thoughts, pushing them way deep down. I’m in a different place now. Albeit, not one of my choice, but it’s better, right? Only time will truly tell, I guess.

“But a lot of people have had it rough, Essie. Why did you do what you did to me? What did I ever do to you?” He’s really confused, honestly wondering why a broke-ass woman would target his wealthy self. He’s so smart yet so dumb at the same time. He’s obviously been sheltered his whole life, thinking everyone has the same opportunities. Well, I’m here to give him a dose of reality.

“Rough? I had it
rough
growing up? Did you just say that to me?” My voice raises an octave before I calm down enough to continue. “I had it a little more than
rough
, Drayden. I can’t help the person I turned out to be. I was powerless my whole life and the first opportunity I had to take any kind of power back, I took it and ran. You were a means to an end. I knew you wouldn’t miss the money, seeing as how you have more than you know what to do with. You were just some wealthy guy. A target. Someone who has no idea of what the real world is like, all wrapped up in your own bubble.”

He slams his fist down on the table, garnering nearby glances in our direction. However, he knows enough to lower his voice so as not to get us kicked out of here. Leaning in closer, he looks me right in the eye and spills his guts. Kind of. “I have no idea about the real world, huh? Did
you
just say that to
me
?” He’s throwing my own words back in my face. “How about losing the only person who saw you for you, the light being extinguished from your life only to be a distant memory, one which is hard to recall even to this day? How about having so much guilt, you disconnect from everyone around you, only to be swallowed up by complete and utter darkness? Don’t talk to me about not living in the real world, Essie. Yeah, you had a shit childhood. Things probably happened to you which should have never happened to anyone. But don’t sit there and act like nothing bad ever happens to anyone else. Because that’s utter bullshit. Trust me. I know.”

He’s so raw in this moment. So raw, I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to witness the volcano about to erupt right in front of me. I know I’ve seen Drayden act in ways which probably no one else has, but right now, this is different. If I push too far, I’m not sure he’ll show me any kind of sympathy or compassion going forward. Do I even want that from him? I want something; I’m just not sure what it is anymore.

Our food arrives before either of us can retort a single word, and it’s a blessing. We eat in silence; the mood of the day set by both of our outbursts. Old wounds have been opened today, and it will take a bit of time before they scab over again.

I decide I don’t want to sit in silence anymore, so while we’re waiting for the check, I ask him something which hopefully won’t set him off. “So, do you and your brothers get along? Are you all close?”

Hoping he’s going to answer me without attitude, I hold my breath until he starts speaking. Thank goodness he seems to have calmed down. “Yeah, we were really close growing up.” When he sees I’m genuinely interested in what he’s saying, he continues talking. “We were really close until…” He drops his gaze again, as if he’s protecting himself. “…Until the accident. Then everything afterwards fell apart for me. I withdrew from my family more and more, throwing myself into work instead. And it paid off. I have more money than I know what to do with now.” He smirks at me, again throwing my words back at me.

“What accident? You mentioned it before to me but didn’t tell me what happened.” A small blush creeps onto my cheeks, remembering the first time he mentioned it was when he came into my room, completely drunk and looking to have sex with me. I really don’t know why I’m acting all innocent, blushing and everything, because I’m far from that person. But there is something different about me when I’m in his presence. He brings out things in me no one else ever has. Good and bad.

“I don’t want to talk about it, especially not with you,” he barks at me, which sets me right back into bitch mode. I know he’s trying to keep those walls built up high around him, but little does he know I just bore witness to the tiny cracks threatening his very existence.

“Fine,” I bit back at him. “I was only trying to be nice.”

“Well, don’t. Nice doesn’t suit you. Stick to what you know; it’s less confusing.”

Less confusing?

Once he pays the check, he ushers me out and toward his awaiting car. He buckles me in, as if I can’t do it myself, and makes his way around to his side of the vehicle.

“I have to stop by my office real quick before we head back to the house.” He doesn’t wait for me to agree or object; we just drive off in silence.