All Chapters of A Deal With Desire: Chapter 31 - Chapter 37

JULIAN'S POVShe came back. Why didn't she call me?I stare in shock at her. My Adele.Guilt washes through me as I notice the tears streaking down her face. I rise from my seat.I don't have to ask. I know what I did.“Adele…” I mouthed. What could I say?Her attention is drawn to my P.I.He stands slowly. Gathers his files with trembling hands. Left with a muttered excuse.Adele's eyes bore into his back, then to me.I want to hold her. I can't. Not after what I did. She didn't deserve that.“So…what? I'm out for two weeks and you're banging your ex-wife?” Adele shot at me, arms folded.My breath caught.“I'm so sorry, baby, There's no excuse for —” “You're admitting to it? Is this real?” The pain in her eyes is so real. So raw.I'm breaking into pieces.“I didn't—no. I did some things, but I didn't BANG her.”Adele scoffed.“What things?”I want to beg. To fall to my knees and promise never to hurt her again. But I won’t. I'm keeping it contractual. It's what she wanted.Adele h

Celeste sat rigid at the table.Sweat poured down her forehead. Alex towered over her. “...You had one job. Keep an eye on Julian. Be our ears. But you just had to screw it up. You and your sick need for attention.” He spat.Celeste tuned him out. She had bigger things to worry about.Julian was coming for blood. Leo's future hung in the balance. Soon, Alex and the others won't need her anymore. She was an appendage. A loose end. It's only a matter of time before they spill her secret.Celeste chewed her lip. Alex paced the room, gesticulating wildly. Her mind raced. She needed to do something. To prove her worth. She heard footsteps. The distinct slap of cane against marble.The double doors swung open. Cologne—sharp, commanding, pierced the air.The man stepped in. Salt and pepper hair, dark brooding eyes. He took deliberate steps towards them. His eyes fixed on Celeste.She held her breath. Shut her eyes. Swallowed a tight knot in her throat.Alex shoved his hands in his p

Celeste's house looks just as vain as she is. Beautiful , but haunting.Julian walks the pathway and rings the doorbell. Silence echoes through the walls.He rings again. Deja vu crawls up his spine. Celeste had rented this place right after their legal separation. The last time he rang this doorbell, she threatened to file a restraining order. He only wanted to talk to her…find out why she betrayed him.She didn't just break their marriage. She broke him. Left him empty and gasping for air.Nothing has changed around here but him. He's not here to beg.He rings the doorbell again. Hears the frantic click of heels on the marble floor. The front door swings open—Their eyes meet. She gasps. Doubles back. Julian doesn't move. She recovers quickly and blinks at him.“You could have called or something. But I suppose you like drama.” A pause. Silence hangs between them. “Wanna come in?” She mimics a sultry voice, stepping aside. He stares at her, gritting his teeth. She’s all dressed

CELESTE'S POV The cell is cold. Not just physically, but spiritually, too. I sit on the hard bench, arms crossed over my chest, trying to keep myself from unraveling.Outside, my lawyer is working on bail, but inside? Inside is survival.Julian sure pulled a fast one on me. And Alex is MIA, making me the fall guy. Classic.I have to find a way out of this. Julian can't keep me locked up here forever. I'm the mother of his son. He won't do that to me.The putrid smell of urine and sweaty armpits gags me. I shift uncomfortably, aware of the beady pair of eyes on my back. Movement. Footsteps. I steel myself as the huge woman lowers herself in front of me. My eyes meet hers.She smiles with all her brown teeth.“Hi honey. You don't look like you belong here.” Yeah, no shit.I say nothing, wishing she'll just go away.She stays. “What's your name, cupcake?”I don't respond. That pisses her off.“You think you're better than me, with your fancy clothes?” Of course I'm better than her