Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
I could feel Alexander’s eyes on me, burning into the back of my head, but I refused to turn around. Coward that I was, I couldn’t face whatever I might see.
Alexander’s phone suddenly rang, breaking the depressing silence that had spread through the car. “Tonight? Actually, that works perfectly. Send me the address.”
I felt him lean forward. “Change of plans,” he told the driver. “We’re not going to the airport. I’ll give you the address in a moment.”
Chemm 121
My stomach dropped. All I wanted was to get out of here and back to New York to my apartment, and even that was too much to ask for. I listened, trying to quiet down my rage as Alexander read out the address to a private club.
I didn’t want to be there.
“Olivia, is this okay with you?” I heard him ask, almost as if he could sense I didn’t want to be here.
But that didn’t make me feel any better. It’s not like he’d listen to what I wanted anyways. I was certain he was just testing me. No, he was daring me to act in an unprofessional manner. He wanted me to lose my cool and yell at him. But I wouldn’t take the bait.
“Yes, it is. We can head to the airport once you’ve concluded your business.”
Alexander smiled at me, but something in his eyes made me fear that I was on the verge of losing my job.
*Olivia*
What have I gotten myself into? I thought as the car made a sharp right, turning away from the airport completely. It was only when I saw the bright LED sign of the private club up ahead, that I realized how badly I wanted to go back to New York.
The moment the car rolled to the stop outside the club, I was already reaching for the door. I moved to the trunk and grabbed my luggage.
“I’m going back to New York,” I announced. I couldn’t wait to put an end to this unpleasant trip.
My fingers closed around my suitcase handle, but before I could lift it, his hand covered mine. “Wait.”
I shook my head and tried to pull away, but his grip on my bag tightened. “Just let me go back. I’m exhausted.”
His eyes softened. He looked at me, really looked at me, and then his shoulders sagged as he lowered his head to the ground. “I’m sorry. I lost control. I’ve never… I don’t lose control, Olivia. Not with anyone.”
Any anger I felt vanished. “What are you saying?”
He looked up. “I just… I can’t when I’m around you. I can’t.”
Even though he was being very vague, I understood. Or at least, I thought I did. And if my guess was right, then things had gotten even more complicated.
I let the bag go and Alexander returned it to the trunk. I didn’t protest as he led me into the club. But then I caught a glimpse of a tall, lean figure standing on the balcony. When our eyes met, I saw him smile mischievously.
“Who is that?”
Alexander followed my gaze to the balcony. “Duke Cater. An old friend. He’s been waiting for us.”
And watching us, Yve added. I felt him looking at you and Alexander.
I have a feeling he might have a lot of questions.
I frowned, but followed Alexander into the club still.
The interior wasn’t anything like the exterior. Bright colors jumped out at me as we walked in. All the furniture was designed with velvet material, and there were nude art works everywhere.
But it didn’t hold a candle to the appearance of Duke Cater.
He glided down the stairs, his Hawaiian-style shirt hanging completely open to reveal a skinny chest. Snake tattoos spiraled across his pale skin. His black hair fell over his shoulder, bouncing as he moved. The man wore enough rings for three people. And he moved like a ballroom dancer with exaggerated movements.
“Alexander, darling!” He raised his hands, drawing my attention to the silver chains hanging across his throat. He spoke with a thick European accent. “And you must be the famous Olivia I’ve heard absolutely nothing about.”
Just as his eyes began to rake over me, Alexander rushed and clamped a hand over my eyes, causing darkness to envelope me.
“Sit.” I felt him pushing me into a chair. “Duke, put on some clothes. Now.”
I heard Duke laugh. “Oh, but darling you know I hate confining myself. Besides, it’s just us here.” I heard the sound of his rings clinking together. “Surely, Olivia doesn’t mind a bit of skin, do you, sweetheart?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. The way Duke spoke to Alexander was awfully familiar.
“I’m not asking, Duke.”
“Mmm, so commanding.” Duke’s voice dropped to a low purr. “You know how that gets me all worked up, Alex.”
My eyes widened even though they were clamped shut. Alex?!
“Come here and give me a proper greeting, won’t you? Just a little kiss for your old friend?”
Oh God. They’re together. I felt sick, and stupid. But also terribly confused.
“Stop being dramatic. Just fix your damn clothes,” I heard Alexander say.
And then I heard Duke fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. “There. Properly dressed just for you. Happy now?”
Alexander’s hand finally left my eyes and I blinked as my vision adjusted to see Duke now mostly buttoned up. He was watching me with amusement in his eyes. And that was when I realized my cheeks were hot with embarrassment.
“Shall we have a drink and get properly acquainted?” Without waiting for an answer, Duke raised one hand and snapped his fingers twice. Almost immediately, three servers appeared, carrying plates filled with steak, lobster, pasta, fruit, and probably every desert on the planet.
My appetite suddenly returned and I devoured the delicious steak. It wasn’t until most of the plates were cleared and Duke had poured himself a generous glass of expensive scotch that they spoke.
“So, the Windsor Group,” Duke began. “Are you planning to leave them alone? Because Mrs. Windsor paid us a visit not too long ago about this same issue.”
Alexander’s eyes widened. “Mrs. Windsor came to the Cater compound?” Duke nodded. “But how? She knows nothing about your family. I know a fair bit, but Mrs. Windsor?”
Duke laughed and dropped his napkin after wiping his lips. “Well, she’ is actually friends with Aunt Hana. You see, we have quite a colorful history. Would you like to hear the story, Olivia?”
I found myself nodding.
“Once upon a time, my father had a brother named Stanley Cater. Stanley was what you might call… impulsive. He fell in love with a woman named Hana. She was beautiful, ambitious, and utterly ruthless. Stanley, poor fool, was so completely besotted that he didn’t realize the woman he fell in love with planned a rogue attck, killing the former luna and her son. After a while, Hana became the luna of Cater Pack.”
I didn’t know what to think, and I didn’t dare confirm what he was insinuating.
“Hana isn’t just ruthless, she’s patient. She’s been pulling strings in the Cater family for over a decade now. She controls everything. And as the heir to the Cater pack, I’ve become a liability. She might decide to cut me loose at any moment.”
My chest tightened. The conversation had quickly taken a serious turn.
“What about Stanley?” Alexander asked.
Duke sipped his scotch. “Ah, dear Uncle Stanley. Guilt has been eating at him since the woman he helped put into power has turned into a monster. He’s been showing signs of a conscience, but…”
Alexander nodded in understanding. “It’s too late.”
“Agreed.”
I listened without saying a word. I was sure the men had even forgotten about my presence as they continued with their conversation. Duke seemed like a different person as he talked about how his family was a huge name in Linville. And their Luna… Jana wasn’t one to be trifled with. From what he said, she sounded really dangerous.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?