Page 31 of The Deceived

I think about my sweet parents and how much they loved each other, how much they loved me, and if I exposed Rex in this manner, it would ruin what’s left of their memory. I can’t do that to my family. Plus, I’m pretty sure if I outed the Manor, I’d end up dead for sure. I definitely do not want that.

Rex walks in pulling me from my thoughts. He shuts and locks the door between the two suites, and I can immediately tell that he’s angry. Normally I would enjoy his misery, but I find that I am struggling with the thankfulness that he stood up for me.

Huh. That’s fucking new.

Maybe it’s weird but it’s the first time in a very long time that somebody’s had my back. And how odd is it that person would be my enemy?

Rex comes over to where I lean against the counter in the kitchenette, sipping a bottle of water that I snagged from the refrigerator. I notice for the first time that he looks tired as he scrapes a hand along the stubble on his chin. Maybe he has more on his plate than being an asshole and fucking.

“Winter, I’m sorry about Tori. I had you go into that suite with my staff because that is our cover for you being here, so it wasn’t obvious that you were here for me. I won’t make that mistake again.” He turns his head away from me to look out the doors to the balcony. I watch the muscle flex in his jaw, as he looks out at our view of the woods beyond.

“I don’t know what her problem is. I think maybe this re-election campaign is just a little bit harder on everyone than we all realized.”

Yeah, that and Tori is just a jealous bitch who wants to fuck you, too. But I don’t say that.

“It’s okay. Thank you for standing up for me.” Which I’m sure he wouldn’t if he realized just how right Tori is in her assessment of me.

Rex nods his head, looking as if he has more to say but any further discussion is left unsaid as a knock sounds from the main door to the room. He checks his watch before looking at me. “Are you hungry? I ordered dinner for us when I checked in.”

My stomach grumbles in answer and we both laugh. The previous moment’s tension diffused just a touch. “Maybe a little bit,” I reply.

“A bit,” Rex responds as he heads toward the door.

He exchanges pleasantries with the hotel staff at the door and I take the time to grab a couple more waters; another one for myself and one for Rex, before I head toward the dining table. The table is massive, and I finally take a moment to look around. As far as hotel suites go, this one is luxurious, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from a man who must consider himself a king.

“Here we go. Only the finest feast for m’lady.” I laugh but I really want to roll my eyes. Of course, he ordered for me. He probably ordered a salad assuming that’s what every woman around him eats.

He pushes the cart over to the table and he has a seat as I hand him one of the waters.

“Thank you.” He smiles at me and there’s a lightness to his face now that wasn’t there earlier. And like an idiot, I find myself smiling back at him.

“What’s for dinner?” I dare to ask as he lays a silver domed plate in front of me before he pulls the other one off of the cart and sets it before himself.

“Voilà” he says as he removes both domes from the plates at the same time.

“Your cheeseburger is served. I got all the condiments on the side and hopefully, you aren’t a vegetarian because I did not consider that until just now. I’ll get you something else.”

I can’t help but genuinely laugh at his expression. He seems sincere and upset that he didn’t consider the possibility that I might not eat meat, before he ordered. I decide to put him out of his misery.

“No, I’m not a vegetarian and this looks delicious. I’m starving. Thank you.”

Points for Rex.

“So, tell me about yourself.” He asks as I layer on ketchup and then add lettuce and tomato.

“Not much to tell. I had a great childhood. The best, most loving parents, and they were taken away from me far too soon. So now I am on my own.” As I say it out loud for what I think is the very first time and it hurts, but it’s also cathartic in a way. Yes, I miss them, and I would rather have them here with me but I have made it. Maybe I have struggled my ass off but I’m still here. I’m still fighting.

I am a fucking force, a storm of fury, an impenetrable fortress.

I cut my eyes to him and as he lifts the hamburger to his mouth he stops in midair.

“Your parents are gone?”

“Yes.” I breathe trying to tamp down my anger and my resentment for this man. I’m on the verge of exposing myself by just telling him exactly what I think of him.

“No brothers or sisters?”

“No one. My mother got cancer and died. My father lost everything trying to care for her. He trusted the wrong person for help and that person stole his company and our legacy out from under him. Then my father died.” I bite into my burger and it tastes like ash on my tongue. I am no longer hungry.

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