chapter 13

Kane's POV

I had barely taken two steps into the house when the choking scent of perfume hit me.

“Kane!”

Claudia threw her arms around me, adorned in a shining necklace and a red silky robe. My arms caught her out of instinct, but the second her body pressed into mine, I tensed up.

Either she didn't notice I had tensed, or she simply didn't care.

“I knew you'd finally see reason!” She buried her face in my chest, her grip tightening before she pulled back, her eyes glistening with joy…. or rather, deceit. “I have missed you so much, baby. Our home was empty without you, and the night was unbearable for me.”

Smooch!

She pressed her lips hard on mine before I could dodge it.

Immediately, a vivid image of Claudia’s mouth on Adrian in our bed triggered a wave of nausea mixed with rage that surged in my throat, as I fought the urge to wipe the trail of her saliva from my lips.

I pulled back like her skin burned me. “I see you're happy with the gift?” I rasped, forcing my voice to remain gentle.

“Happy? No… Kane, I'm ecstatic!” She gushed, sliding her fingers dreamily over the pearls that lay on her neck. “Lisa and Elizabeth came over earlier, and they couldn't believe their eyes. They practically drooled, and kept gushing about how much you spoil me, and how lucky I am to have you.”

Listening to her, I realized she had only married me for what I could provide, not because she loved me.

I looked at her bitterly and began walking upstairs, her chatter trailing along like a buzzing fly.

“I'm just glad my husband is back home and loving me the way he used to.” A tear slid down her cheek with the ease of practiced tears.

‘World-class actress, Claudia!’ I thought sarcastically.

“Oh, right,” I said tonelessly, pushing my study door open. “I have paperwork that needs my immediate attention.”

“Right now?!” She pouted with an exaggerated look of hurt.

“Yeah,” I squeezed out.

“But you just got back, and I've missed you.”

“Sorry… I promise, I'll be down in just a minute.” I couldn't wait to get rid of her.

She hesitated, but after a moment she nodded and turned to leave. Then she called my name again. “And Kane… I accept your apology.” She smiled. “Even though you can't bring yourself to say the actual words, I can see it in your actions. The Cartier speaks for itself, baby.”

Apology? Not in my lifetime.

“Mm.”

“I'll wait for you downstairs.” She sashayed down the hall as I went into the office.

“Finally, some peace and quiet,” I groaned aloud.

I sat at my desk and pulled out my phone. For my own sanity, I couldn't go downstairs until I was certain she was asleep.

I dialed the company's head legal team leader.

"Sir?" the lawyer answered on the second ring.

"I want the formal suspension papers drafted for Adrian Ravello on my desk by eight a.m. tomorrow," I ordered, my voice dripping with anger. "I want him relieved of all executive duties as Head of Sales, and freeze his bank accounts.”

"Understood, Mr. Ravello.”

"Good."

I hung up and immediately dialed the direct line for the CEO of Kings Steel Regs. The line rang six times before going straight to an automated message. I closed my eyes, swore under my breath, and disconnected.

I would have to fly out to see the old man in person in Greece.

By midnight, I slipped into the guest room the one Mrs. Matilda had quietly prepared for me the night before.

I wanted no confrontations with Claudia, as I might snap, and sleeping on our defiled matrimonial bed was a taboo for me.

I took a long shower to wash off her scent and touch. Exhausted, I found myself drifting off into a much-needed rest.

Then, I felt the bed dip.

My eyes snapped open in the dark as I caught a figure crawling up the sheets toward me. I bolted upright and slapped the wall switch, flooding the room with light.

To my surprise, Claudia was on all fours, almost naked except for the lace robe that covered her.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, pulling back toward the headboard.

"Sneaking in to be with my husband," she purred.

Her voice felt like metal scraping against iron bars in my ears. I was tempted to grab her by the neck and throw her out then and there. But before I could move, she let out a low, soft moan and crept her fingers onto my lap.

"Claudia... No. Not today," I snapped, reaching down to grab her wrist.

"Please..." She ignored my grip, sliding her body closer until she was kneeling right beside my thigh. "I have missed this, Kane. I’ve missed… you. It’s been so long since you touched me... I crave your touch.”

She grabbed my hand, forcing my palm onto the soft skin of her breast, letting out another shuddering breath. My body responded before my brain could stop it; I felt my dick stirring in my pants.

“Oh, you want me too. Why fight this?” Claudia moaned again, this time trailing kisses on my neck as I pulled away.

An overpowering wave of self-loathing hit me hard. I was disgusted that my body was reacting to a woman who had my stepbrother inside her just nights ago, lying to my face, playing the shameless bitch without an ounce of regret.

“Claudia, stop. I'm not in the mood, not tonight,” I snapped as her hand stroked my cock.

"No..." Undeterred, her mouth moved down my throat. "The fire is burning, Kane. I need you tonight…”

My brain desperately fought against her touch, searching for anything… anyone to get my mind off it.

For reasons I couldn't explain, the waitress from that night flashed through my mind. Her soft voice. The innocence in her eyes. The clean scent that had lingered in my head after she'd disappeared.

Claudia felt my breath hitch and completely misread it.

She let out a throaty chuckle against my ear, her hands pressing tighter into my chest. "See? You want me too,” she whispered smugly. "No man can satisfy me the way you do, Kane. No one."

The words hit me like a hammer to the chest.

They were the exact same words I had heard her whisper to Adrian while she lay naked in his arms.

The last thread of my restraint snapped. Without a word, I grabbed Claudia firmly by her waist and lifted her entirely off my lap.

"Kane?!" She gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "What are you doing?!”

I ignored her.

I swung my legs off the bed, grabbed her by the upper arm, and marched her straight toward the guest room door.

"Kane! Put your hands off me! What is wrong with you?!" She yelled.

I yanked the door open, stepped out, and dropped her unceremoniously in the hallway.

Claudia stumbled, catching herself on her hands and knees. She whipped her head around, and before she could scramble back up, I met her eyes with a look of absolute, icy deadness.

"Go to your room."

I slammed the door in her face and locked it with a click.

For a second, there was silence in the hall. Then came the violent pounding of her fists against the solid wood.

"Kane!" She shrieked, her voice echoing down the empty corridor, stripped of every drop of sweetness. "You are going to regret treating me this way! Do you hear me?! You will fucking regret this!”

A second later, her voice shrieked from the bottom of the stairs, echoing up the grand foyer as she unleashed her rage on our house help.

"Get the fuck out of my way! Move! Idiots... all of you, worthless animals!”

I stared at the ceiling long after the house had gone quiet, wondering how the woman I had once called my home, was now a complete stranger.