4|Terrifying truth

ELENA PETERS

Everyone else was having fun, chatting and drinking, but I hadn't spoken to anyone in the last twenty minutes or forty. I don't know. I wasn't checking.

I was totally lost staring at the finest man if every other thing and every other person seemed not to matter anymore.

Vince Walker. Dressed in a white tuxedo, hair sleek and in a small bun, classic shades, and real Italian white shoes, a million-worth watch around his wrist, and a couple of real gold around his fingers.

He was a sexy mixture of thug and elegance and had effortlessly stolen my attention from the minute he graced the party with his presence.

Beside him was Aunt Vanessa, Trent's mother, my mother-in-law. I've always loved her to bits but right now, I can't explain this vile feeling of jealousy that stirred up inside me seeing her latching onto him.

I know it's crazy, and she has every right to stay next to him. She's his mate for fuck's sake. But I can't help it.

Seeing Vince got me very nervous, and forced me to recall our conversation last night. His unexplainable anger. The viciousness in his voice. What did they mean?

What was he mad about? The question tortured me all night. I'd feel much better if I could ask him that.

“Hey, babe. Been looking all over for you.” Trent awfully interrupted my thoughts. He's just arriving.

The party started an hour ago, and he's just arriving?

“Hey,” I replied blandly.

“Sorry. I got stuck in traffic,” he said in a rush, kissing my cheek. Crazy how I caught a whiff of Tracy's perfume on him.

Wow! Was he trying to be obvious about his fidelity or was he becoming less skilled at hiding it?

“It's fine,” I choked out, fighting back my lump of tears.

“C’mon, let's go greet father.” He placed a hand around my waist and I flinched slightly. But I managed to keep calm as we got closer to his parents.

Vince looked up, locking eyes with me like it was the easiest thing to do in the world. I gulped hard, as my heart slammed harder against my chest.

He had an easy smile as he hugged Trent.

“Hey, dear.” Aunt Vanessa and I hugged. “You look so beautiful,”

“Thank you, aunt.” I tried for a perfect smile. But I was too shaky to get that.

“Hi, Elena.” Vince's husky voice made my breathing quiver. He stretched his veiny hand to me.

Slowly, I placed mine on it and he kissed it. It was supposed to be a normal, innocent gesture. Except the feel of his mouth on my skin stirred up the unholy memories of that night, causing me to jerk.

He had a lopsided smirk as he let me go and continued chatting with Trent. I was hyperventilating and it was getting harder to hide it.

But then Vince looked relaxed. Laid back and calm. It was impossible to picture him as the guy who went off on the call yesterday. Or the guy who thrust unapologetically into me that night.

Was he two-faced? Did he have multiple personalities? Or am I going crazy?

“C’mon, Babe. Let's go to our table.” Trent said, holding my hand as we walked through the crowd.

I glanced at Vince, and he seemed occupied discussing with some men. For someone who seemed upset when I suggested that we pretend what we had never happened, he seemed to be pretending just fine. He was almost tricking me into believing it never happened.

How could he look so relaxed?

“Are you okay baby?” Trent pinched my flushed face, distracting my gaze from Vince. We were now seated at our table.

“Yes. I'm fine.” I said hurriedly, taking a sip from the glass of champagne on the table. It tasted divine. Father must have spent billions to get them.

I smiled, taking another sip. But I literally choked on it as Tracy appeared out of the blue and sat on the empty seat next to Trent.

I dropped the glass on the table. My face contorted in brewing rage.

“Hey, sis. I'm sorry, I couldn't have a fun night with you last night. I had to be somewhere important.”

Yeah, on top of my mate!

“It's…it's no problem.” My hands were fisted under the table in my sick attempt to restrain myself from lashing out at her.

“Thank you.” She smiled, flipping her long, straight black hair. I preferred mine in curls.

“Uh, shouldn't you be with your friends over there?” Trent asked nervously, even though he was trying to smile.

“Nah. I wanna stay here with you two.” Tracy dared to stylishly place a hand on his. He cleared his throat, slipping his hand away.

Tracy's blatant flirting in front of me was poking at all my nerves. Right now, I was picturing punching the Botox out of her face.

“Alright, fine. I'll leave you two alone.” She stood, flipped her hair again, and bounced her ass off.

“She's…she's a handful.” Trent chuckled nervously. I was too choked with tears to speak. Goddess, give me the strength not to create a scene right here.

“I'll…uh…go greet your Father.” Trent pushed back his seat and left. My head was lowered as I was still trying to keep my tears intact.

When I finally got control of my emotions and looked up, I first checked where Father was.

He was with Mum and a few guests. Trent wasn't with him. Neither was Tracy.

I just hope… Nah, they wouldn't dare. Tracy wouldn't disrespect father's party like that.

But I couldn't sit and console myself. I had to make sure they weren't in any of the rooms doing shitty stuff to each other.

I stood and glanced at the spot where Vince was. He wasn't there anymore either. But Aunt Vanessa was. She seemed engrossed in a conversation with her girlies.

Heading inside the mansion, I thought of the first place to search. And Tracy's room came to mind.

I hurried up the stairs, feeling the strain on my ankle. With a bit of struggle, I pulled off my six-inch heels and climbed the remaining part of the stairs.

I got to her door and her moans were just what I needed to hear. Loud and erotically upsetting. Trent's grunts indicated just how much fun he was having.

Tears blurred my vision as I tried reaching for the doorknob. But my hand was too shaky that I couldn't.

If I walk in there, what happens? Do I get mad? Do I yell? Or do I ask him to choose between me and my sister?

What if he chooses her? What would happen to me? And…and if father sees them, he could have a cardiac arrest.

I should be more concerned about that. I need to make sure he doesn't come up here. Or Mum. Or any of the guests.

With my heart crushed to bits, I went down the stairs. My makeup was ruined with tears and I took a turn to the restroom to fix myself.

Minutes later, I stepped out looking somewhat elegant again. I had my shoes on. I had a smile. But God, my heart was bleeding.

I should get back to the party. I should stay with Father. So he doesn't come here.

Barely making it to the main door, I heard a voice behind me.

“Excuse me, ma'am.”

I turned. It was one of the waiters. He had a phone on the tray and was stretching it out to me.

“Who has it?”

“Alpha Vince, Ma'am.”

Vince? I quickly took the phone. He bowed and was about to walk away.

“Wait. Where did you find it?”

“On the third floor, ma'am. I saw it lying in a corner. I think he must have mistakenly dropped it.”

The third floor? That's the floor where Tracy's room is. What was Vince doing on that floor?

I thanked the waiter and he left. Staring at the phone, I figured I had to give it to him. But where is he? Maybe he was back to the party ground.

With that thought, I took another step. But froze as the phone beeped.

The light came on, indicating he just got a message.

I didn't mean to pry. I didn't even click on it. But the pictures popped up on their own, draining every drop of blood on my face.

Those pictures…they were…pictures of Trent and Tracy. Together. In her room. Why…why was Vince getting these pictures too?

Except…they weren't sent anonymously. So how did he…wait.

I paled as a terrifying realization hit me. His words from that night. The ones I thought I imagined. He'd said… "It was the only way he could lure me into his arms.”

Was this it? Was…was Vince behind the anonymous saga?

“Why do you look like you saw a ghost, Elena?” The familiar deep, husky, terrifying voice startled me. I looked up.

It was Vince. Not the warm and laid-back Vince. But the dark and edgy Vince whose eyes were hooded with unexplainable emotions.