Page 27 of Wanted
Taken aback, even my trembles stopped.
Mandy’s shyly looked away, avoiding my fury. She didn’t utter another word. I urged her, “Don’t leave me hanging. Please. Talk to me.”
No other words were spoken. She hid her face behind her hands, crumbling next to me. Her sobs gutted me. I welcomed her into a warm hug, hoping to soothe her, but she cried harder after that.
We sat there until it grew dark. I set Mandy up for a shower, giving her everything she needed, from towels to shampoo. Perhaps a moment alone under the warm spray would help her to feel better.
I stepped out of my room, but I had no idea where to go.
Did I imagine things?You’ve always been a creative, sweetie. I’m so proud of you!
I glanced at my door, and I swallowed. Fuck. Mandy was here.
“… I taught you better than that. I raised you better than that. What were you thinking? You know his state of mind, Alex. I’m disappointed in you.” Jordan’s accusatory tone roared through the walls. I snapped out of my daydream, rushing into the living room where I’d heard the noise from.
“I apologize!” Alex blurted out. There wasn’t much that upset Alex. His usual lightheartedness had turned into a defensive stare. He fought hard not to burst in front of his father. That was how much he respected him. “I apologize every day.”
“He wasn’t the one who shoved me,” I commented, stepping into whatever they were discussing. With Jordan back, I realized how used to Fylox and Alex I was. They didn’t deserve a lecture. Or did they? I’d just spent weeks not talking to them…
“Baby, please. Let him talk.” I gazed at them, one after the other. They were all dressed in black, hoodies, and sweatpants with matching Indianapolis logos on them. I noticed Jordan had shaved off his beard. This should have been a cozy get together, not a furious rant.
“And you call her baby? Do you have any idea who she is?” His gruff voice made me shiver. In our short time together three months ago, I never thought he could become this… Angry. Not even the cute beanie with the reindeer on it couldn’t soften Jordan’s image. He hadn’t taken the beanie off, and hours had gone by since he’d first arrived.
“I know her better than the both of you,” Alex told his dad, and I softened at that statement.
“She’s a Katantian princess. She’s nobody’s baby, especially not yours.” My heart broke, and I had to bite back a sob that came out of nowhere.Baby? Get the fuck out of here with that shit, cunt. I’ll never call you anything but cunt or cumdump. You might have the crowds fooled, but, in this palace, you’re nothing but my doormat. Maybe one day, I’ll get bored of you, so kneel and suck my dick like a good cumdump.Those were the days. Back when Aram called me a cunt. Back before Aris left for Cambridge to finally finish his studies… Back when I let Aram do what he wanted without consequences.
“I think I’ve heard enough. You should go back to the city. Your game has been lacking these past couple of weeks, and I want you to get back on track. We can’t have any further attention drawn to you. The press is still gossiping about that time you showed up battered to practice. Are you trying to be that type of man? You’re not a part of this world, son. You’ve got a career. I never told you that you could come and go freely. What if somebody followed you? What if Spencer Rawlins knows where this house is?” Jordan’s stoic nature didn’t falter. His scolding made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t want any issues. Fylox and I found a routine to avoid our problems. We ignored each other. Perhaps that was what they all should do to prevent this sickening tension.
“You taught me everything I know. I pay attention to my surroundings,” Alex argued. He was exasperated, but he didn’t speak up against his father. There was an underlying tone of respect to everything Alex said to Jordan.Days like these, I want to beat you to a pulp, cunt. On days like these, I wish you weren’t in the spotlight. That would teach you some respect around here! Who do you think you are? Who the fuck do you think you’re dealing with?
Jordan shook his head. “I don’t think it’s safe here anymore. You’re a star, a future Hall of Famer, Alex. She’s a wanted girl.”
“I’m a woman, last time I checked,” I interjected, needing to say something. My body shook again, and I had to take a seat at the dining table to avoid the curious gazes.
“A wanted woman, then. I will prepare for the next safe house. I won’t tell you where they’ll be, son. It’s for your own protection and theirs,” Jordan announced. I gagged at the idea.
“No.” I played that word back. I saved the intensity of that word in the back of my head so that I could listen to it whenever I wanted to bash Fylox’s head. He was human after all.
“Fylox, this isn’t for you to decide,” Jordan insisted. “We said to lay low, and you’ve had a celebrity come and go like social media or nagging news outlets don’t exist. Mandy’s father owns most of them. Don’t you think he’ll be the first to know if one of his employees senses something strange?”
He addressed Fylox. “As disappointed as I am in my son, you weren’t any better. I expected more from you.”
“She needed both of us here,” Fylox explained. Stoic face and good posture, he was the perfect soldier for Jordan’s nefarious activities.
“Why is Mandy here?” I asked, steering the conversation into scorching waters.
“This meeting is over. Go back into your rooms,” Jordan responded coldly.
“No, tell me why she’s here. She won’t speak to me!” I fumed.
He pointed at the guys. “Be up at seven tomorrow. You drive back to your mansion, and I stay here and deal with the repercussions of your actions.”
I was about to object, but Alex shot me a look that made me stop.
♥♠♥
With closed eyes, Mandy lay on my bed, pretending to be asleep. I was sure she’d heard the argument in the living room. A sense of joy came over me when I saw the clothes and towels that I’d given her folded neatly on the cupboard next to the bed.
