CASPIANI walked down the length of the hallway and my cock was still aching. I cursed under my breath, my fingers biting into my palm as I forced myself not to walk back to her. The memory of her standing beside me at the window yesterday, her soft words bruising my heart filled my head. And then her slow breathing, her soft curses, her hand on my chest as we slept through the night. I was a half second away from dragging her onto the table and making love to her until I'd chased the stress out of us. But my house was crawling with staff, and most of them were familiar faces from my grandmother’s estate. Usually, I didn't allow them to sleep on my property, but I needed the best of the best for Aria’s stay in my house. Still, there was no way I was getting away with bending Aria over my dining table, and not even when I’d seen at least three of them polishing the fucking chandelier.And then there were the kids who were always exploring the entire house. Aria would never allow m
ARIAI opened the door and walked out of the room. His house was a monster of a home. His grandmother's house was big, but Caspian’s house was huge. Outside in the hallway, I stood for a moment, unsure where I was going. I walked around, staring at the art, at the pictures of his grandmother and who I assumed were his parents on the wall and even a large frame of a dog. Eventually, I found the kitchen, judging by the scent coming from it. I expected that I could take a tray of breakfast up to Caspian, but when I stepped in, I stopped. Three people stood inside, two in crisp white shirts that I would never wear into a kitchen and one in a chef's coat. One was stirring a pot on the stove, another was chopping veggies and the man in the chef's coat was arranging fruit slices on a porcelain platter. I took a slow step back, but the woman had already caught my eye. She called to the one wearing the chef's coat in rapid-fire French and he turned to me. A wide smile bloomed across his
ARIAThe moment I held my children, I felt much better. Everything had stopped hurting. Their arms around my neck, their small hands in my hair, their heads pressed to my chest had made everything else die away. But somehow, even though I didn't want to think about it, it hit me. I’d let them win.For almost ten years, I had let Zara and Talia win. I had allowed them stay in my life and wreck it continually. I had watched them speak for me, speak over me, walk over me and laugh at me.And I'd allowed them to the point that they felt they owned me, and I had been raped because of them. Caspian didn't flinch at my question like I expected. Instead the corner of his eyes tightened and his pupils dilated.I looked away from his face, clearing my throat to chase away the knot of tears brimming there. “I don’t even know who he was,” I said. “I didn't get to see his face, or get a name. For years, I didn't even want to know.” Caspian still didn't speak, but tension rolled off his stif
CASPIANThe drive to my house felt longer than it ever had. Aria was silent beside me, her legs curled under her, and she stared out of the window as always, with her arms folded tightly across her chest When I pulled into my driveway, she didn't move. She stared outside at the three-storey brick stone mansion that I called home and sighed. “Of course you live in a fucking castle.” She bit her lip, her eyes drinking in the ambiance while I waited like a nervous teenager for her review. “It's beautiful though. Worth whatever million you paid for it.” I exhaled, sneezing as I got out of the car and opened her door. I still hadn't received a call from the airport informing me that my uncle had arrived, so I needed to settle her in, just in case I had to leave urgently. As soon as she stepped inside, she stopped. “I like it. All the woods and blacks are stunning. I like your house, but I need to see my kids.” "They’re in here," I said as I walked her down the hallway and pushed th
ARIAI didn't think I could take it one second longer. My head was swimming, like I was trapped underwater, trying to push my way to the surface. I couldn't bear the humiliation, the anger bubbling under my skin and Caspian’s barely leashed anger was flaming hot.“Let Meredith stay home and keep the children with her. I'll try to speak to them before they sleep.” Xander growled, interrupting his call to tell me that I would be home before night fall.Officer Marlon stood. “I'm sorry but we've waited long enough, Mr. Finnick. I respect you but it seems your lawyer just won't arrive anytime soon.” Caspian shoulders stiffened and he clenched his fists. I shook my head. “I'll go. You can have the lawyer come over to the station.” Caspian argued against it, but with my permission, there was nothing stopping Officer Marlon. Talia and Zara had the guts to lie to the police. It was really very stupid because I had the camera tapes at home to support the fact that they had been the aggre
CASPIAN“He's going to be late, won't he?” I grumbled to Xander who was seated beside me in the car.“He's always late. I don't think Shaw Finnick cares about anyone but himself.” Xander muttered, sweeping his hair away from his forehead.We were both seated in my Maybach, waiting for my uncle to arrive. His plane was scheduled to land an hour ago, but as always, he'd been delayed.“I think I'll go to work, you pick him up.” Xander finally muttered, stepping out of the car and banging my door shut as though the car had offended him. I leaned into the soft leather seats and closed my eyes. I was almost glad to see him go though it had been nice to have the company. He'd spent the majority of the time badgering me about when I would tell Aria about grandmother's ultimatum. How about never? I had been willing to wait for the extra five years it would take before the shares were mine. I was still willing to wait it out. Remembering the smile on Aria’s face as she'd been shown perfume