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Chapter 3

Courtney

You ever get that feeling you’re being watched. Yeah. That’s been me all week. I know it’s not Alec. If it were him, he would let himself be known. He always does.

Bastard.

In my gut, I know who it is. It's the sick fuck that beat me. I had to ask for some time off because I'm afraid he's going to walk in the club and see me. He's too close and I hate the fact I can't tell anyone. I knew it was just a matter of time until he found me. I'll never be truly free of him.

There's a pounding at the front door causing me to shake in fear. I shakily look through the peephole and it's the last person I need to deal with. Alec, the cocky dickhead.

Why does he hate me so much? I've never done anything to him.

I open the door and instantly shrink back. He's advancing toward me like I'm his prey, and he looks angry. His intense glare is intimidating me. Shit! I hope he's not going to choke me again or drunk.

He shoves me back and slams the door, cornering me. “Guess what I found out tonight?”

I am not going to let him push me around. The last thing I need is another abusive person after me. I push my way past him only to get my face shoved into the wall.

“Someone was looking for you in the club. What are you hiding?” Alec growls.

I instantly freeze when he says this.

No.

He’s found me.

“Please... I can't.” I try pleading with him, but he's not having it.

He pushed me harder into the wall and hissed. “You better tell me why I lied to a stranger about knowing you.”

I try to fight him off, but he's too strong for me. “Please don't make me... I can't. You don't understand.”

He twists my body and leans in, narrowing his eyes. “You have five seconds to start talking before I call Lucien, and then he tells his and Caterina's father.”

I squeeze my eyes shut shaking my head. “I'm sorry! I can't. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

He clenches his fists and he raises his hand. I shrink back, squeezing my eyes shut. I wait for the blow but it never comes. When I open my eyes, his anger is gone, and he frowns.

“You need to tell someone. This guy isn't just going go away. I need to know who he is.” Alec sighed, “Please Courtney, at least give me something.”

Can I trust him?

This is a guy that hates my guts, and he just expects me to spill my secrets.

“Please just go. I'll tell you but not tonight.” I whispered.

He lingers for a minute before speaking. “Alright, but tomorrow you better tell me.”

He walks out the door leaving me to my thoughts. This is exactly what I've been trying to avoid every day and now he knows I'm hiding something. Something big. I know I have to tell him eventually but for right now, I'm going I'm just going to shut out reality.

The next morning, I wake up to a banging on the door. I'm sure its Alec demanding an explanation. I look through the peephole and its Giovanni.

Goddamn you, Alec.

“Sweetie, you know you can tell me anything right. If you're in trouble I can help you. You're the best waitress I've got right now.” Giovanni says, stepping inside.

I look up to him with pleading eyes begging him not to make me tell him the truth. “Giovanni, I don't want you to get mixed up with this. This man is dangerous.”

He caresses my cheek. “Courtney, you're forgetting something. I'm dangerous too. Let me help you.”

Can he protect me from this monster?

“I'll tell you. I trust you.”

He holds me by my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “If you're going to stay here, you're going to need someone there all the time to protect you. I'll send someone over to stay with you.”

I sit down and start telling him about the monster. How he beat me until I passed out. How he tied me up and raped me repeatedly. How he let his men use me. How I escaped this man and the night Nate hit me with his car I had just escaped the man known as Sergei Ibrahimov. The man that haunted my dreams at night. An hour after Giovanni left, there's another knock at the door. I look through the peephole to see the one I hoped he wouldn’t send. Alec motherfucking Vitale. He already hates me enough as it is, this would only make him hate me even more. I don't know why he hates me so much

I open the door, and he just walks in like he owns the place. Arrogant asshole. He then comes up behind me brushing his lips to my ear. “Giovanni filled me in. Don't worry darling, I'll protect you.”

His words are sarcastic, but still sent shivers down my spine. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I hate him, right? Yes, I hate this prick. Alec grits his teeth. “I don't like this any more than you do. I hate you. You're revolting.”

I blink back my tears threatening to fall. “Why do you have to do this? I’ve done nothing to you! Not a goddamn thing!”

His fingers wrap around my neck and squeeze. “I met you. That's enough to hate you.”

He releases me and storms out. I run to the bathroom and fall to the floor letting my tears fall.

Sergei's voice rings through my head. “You're nothing but a little bitch! You're revolting!”

I cry and cry for god knows how long till a soft knock sounds on the door. “Courtney, are you okay? I heard crying.” Caterina’s soft voice says.

“I'll be okay. I just don't understand why Alec hates me so much.”

“Oh, he doesn't hate you. He hates the idea that he doesn't hate you. He wants you. Let's go downstairs and have a drink.”

He doesn't want me, does he?

I am now in the kitchen with my best friend, and we're on our eighth shot or is it number ten. I feel my body buzzing and suddenly I get a boost of confidence.

“I'm going to confront Alec right now and get to the bottom of it.” She's in her little world and doesn't even hear what I just said.

I stumble towards the bathroom and bust down the door and see Alec with a towel wrapped around his waist. If he wants to play games with me, fine. Game on, Alec. He looks at me horrified like he just got caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing. I take my hand tracing up and down his chest. “What's the matter, Alec?”

His eyes darken as he grabs my wrists. “What are you doing here?”

I know he's gripping my wrists hard, but I don't feel it. There's too much alcohol running in my blood right now. I push my lower region into his and hear him groan. “Stop your drunk.”

I glare at him, resting my hand at the knot of his towel. “That didn't stop you from attacking me that night did it?”

Is that regret I see in his eyes?

He loosens the grip on my wrists and I take the chance to place my hand over his visible bulge. I squeeze hard and whisper. “If I revolt you so much, why do you have this?”

I turn and leave him breathless for the first time. Good, that's a point for me you prick.

That night, I sleep for the first time with no nightmares. The next morning, the first faces I see are Caterina and Lucien. By the look on their faces, it seems they know something went down between me and Alec. Lucien looks at me in amusement. “What did you do to my boy last night?”

I smile back and coolly say. “Hey, it's not my fault he can't seem to quit getting hard when he's frustrated at me.”

We all bust out laughing at my confession and go to have breakfast. Alec walks in, and he seems tenser than he was last night. I was only playing with him as he does with me. I mean its only fair, he does that to me all the time.

“Giovanni has extra security at the club. If the guy shows up again, we'll know. Giovanni wants to move you to his estate that way you're safer.” Lucien says.

I internally groan knowing I'll have to deal with the cocky jerk.

If this means I'll be safe from Sergei than I'll do it. I stand up and head to pack up my things. When I turn around Alec is leaning in the doorway watching me. “You know, you left me hanging last night. I had to take care of my problem.”

I roll my eyes and keep packing my things when I feel his touch. “You know, ignoring me is very rude, baby.”

I am not his baby, and he is not going to get under my skin. Not this time.

“No. I am not your baby. I'm not your anything.”

He pushes me down on the bed. “I hate you, but that doesn't mean I won't fuck you on this bed right now. A man has needs.”

“Go to one of the whores if you have needs.”

The door bursts open to a smirking Lucien. “We're ready when you two get done working all that sexual tension out.”

I push Alec off me, and he falls to the floor and groans in pain.

I stand up and collect my belongings. “Let's go.”

We leave a stunned and very sexually frustrated Alec to himself. A few days have gone by since my heated discussion with Alec. I've barely seen him. He hides in the booze and whores.

I don't mind.

At least it keeps him from messing with me. I hate him and he hates me.

So, why do I feel a pang of jealousy stab through my heart when he flaunts them in front of me?

I shake away my thoughts when I see Giovanni coming in, “Courtney, Alec is a good guy. I don't know what happened between you two, but all I can say is when he does finally come to his senses please don't push him away.”

Giovanni has been so great. He's become like a father to me. I never knew mine. He left right after I was born. Giovanni looks at me running his hand over his face with worry. “We spotted Sergei at the club. I promise I'll get him. He won't hurt you again.”

He won't hurt me again.

I can finally be free of him.

Finally, sleep with both eyes closed.

I embraced Giovanni and kiss his cheek, “Thank you. Nobody has ever shown me this much kindness as you have.” He leaves me and my mind goes back to Alec.

Where is he?

Is he with one of his whores right now?

I walk downstairs to get some water when I hear moaning coming from the kitchen. It's Alec. He is pushing the blonde to her knees and undoes his pants. I let out an involuntary scream when he meets my gaze. He's smirking. He then forces her head towards his dick and winks. “Hey, you can join us, the more the merrier.”

“You're such an insufferable asshole!”

I do the only thing I can think of. I run. I run upstairs to the guest room and collapse to the floor. I do the only thing that takes the pain away. I take the cocaine from my purse and pour the contents on the vanity table. Taking a dollar bill I roll it up and inhale through my nose. The feeling I get is euphoric. No more worrying about Sergei. No more pain about the abuse. No more feeling anything. My door bursts open but I don't know who it is nor do I care.

I feel nothing.

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