Page 15 of The Will

Angela chuckled, “That is just a part I play as part of my job. This is the real me, with you. Now, look at yourself.”

Chloe stood up to look in the full-length mirror and almost didn’t recognize herself. She had never had her makeup done like this. It made her hazel eyes pop, and her curls were beautiful, bouncy ringlets with a healthy shine. She would have to find out what kind of product Angela used, as they felt super soft as well.

Angela asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

Chloe checked herself and nodded. “I am, thank you.”

“My pleasure, Chloe. Shall we go? Alex has been patiently waiting on us in his SUV.” Angela saw Chloe fidget again. “What are you afraid of, that big man of yours?”

“Mine? Oh no, Alex is wonderful, but not mine.”

Angela laughed aloud this time. “You really don’t know, do you?” Chloe looked at her, confused. “Oh, youreallydon’t know, do you?”

Chloe shook her head. Angela hugged her softly and kissed her cheek, careful not to mess up her work. “Chloe, that man cares about you. He set all this up to give you release from these fears and closure for your pain. Men don’t do that for someone they just like to fuck, honey. Come on and relax or he will think I didn’t do my job.”

Chloe inhaled deeply and slowly let it out. “Okay, let’s go then.”

Alex was mentally checking off his list of the setup for this event. Cy was responsible for managing Chloe’s uncle and steering him toward Thaddeus. Cy had talked with their dad about introducing him to a possible new investor for the real estate group. It thrilled Thaddeus to have Cy interested in another aspect of the business and he agreed to meet the investor at the party. Alex felt that the business deal would set up the scenario so that Eugene was lulled into a false sense of security. Then, he would be ready for Cy and Alex.

Cy, of course, would get to have the most fun. Alex knew if he, himself, was near Eugene Harrison for too long, he might choose to strangle him. He looked up and saw Angela heading back his way and gave her a small smile. Alex rushed over to open the door for Chloe. “Wow! Chloe, you look amazing,” he said with a rasp in his voice at the end. His pride showed through as he helped her up into the vehicle.

He kissed her hand. “I don’t want to mess up the work of art you are by kissing you right now.” He then leaned in and whispered, “but you should know I would love to just take you upstairs right now and show you how lovely you are, kitten.”

Chloe was getting herself arranged in the seat until the whisper. She froze at his words and looked into his eyes. His gaze looked hungry and she felt her skin heating. She smiled at him softly, as it reminded her with that look of what Angela had told her upstairs.He cares about me.He won’t hurt me, at least not on purpose.She silently reminded herself of this, sighing softly as he got back into the vehicle.

She really needed to take the time to review her relationship with Alex while they were heading to this party. Angela’s comments were just the latest puzzle pieces to be added to the mystery of her reactions to Alex. He had told her he felt she belonged with him. In his office, he even growled out the words, like pronouncing it in such a way would stamp his claim onto her. She knew that after all her negative experiences with men, that trust should be hard for him to earn.

That was the strange part about Alex. She felt only calm strength and clear, decisive nature around him. He also had his own unique experiences that gave him the ability to know what her facial expressions meant. Sometimes he knew what was going on with her emotions before she had even figured it out for herself. All of these positives combined into one of the few people Chloe had ever felt a connection with.

Chloe had never tried to make friends, especially since Uncle Gene had made sure she couldn’t take part in regular activities that friends would want to do with her in high school. So, by the time she went to college she was so introverted that parties, socializing, and making friends were just not on her agenda. She was happy being alone and studying, which is how she had succeeded so well in college. The fact is, she probably would have moved on to her next step of life in a state of solitude if the assault hadn’t happened.

Uncle Gene’s callous brush off of her assault had sent her to the one person who helped her heal. Chloe’s time with her grandfather had changed her in such a way that she was no longer content with being alone. Whatever this was with Alex was worth pursuing, simply because Chloe knew now she was worthy of having a relationship.

Chapter 12

Cywascheckinghiswatch as the guests filed off the elevator and into the penthouse. Three gorgeous ladies walked off with two rather large gentlemen, all dressed to perfection. Cy smiled as he recognized Michelle Henderson. “Hello Elaina,” he said, as he knew this was business and she preferred to keep her real name separate.

“Hello Cy,” she smiled at his use of the correct name. “Have our targets arrived?”

Cy nodded. “Yes, they are currently mingling in the main room. May I send you the photos from my phone?”

She nodded at him and gave him the number to send them to. She gathered her girls. They all looked at the photos. Michelle texted them to Angela, since she was with Alex, and assigned the one for her to approach when she arrived.

Cy smiled and spoke again, “Well, I will let you all get about your business, as I have a target to catch myself. Hope to see you another time, perhaps outside of work.” He winked at Michelle before walking off toward another guest that had arrived while they were speaking.

Michelle and her girls fanned out into the main room, mingling and smiling like the rest of the present elite. Cy had to admire the versatility of the roles they could all play. The entire ensemble entered looking like a group of supermodels, including the men. It will please Thaddeus when he looks back on the penthouse surveillance. Cy was sure it looked like he had invited them to entertain the guests. He was fine with taking the credit, but really wished he could give Alex the credit, he deserved it.

Cy found Eugene Harrison mingling with the cougars here to see Thaddeus. One of them scanned Cy from head to toe and smiled like she spotted a tasty treat, but Cy shook his head at her. Her face fell in disappointment. Cy knew he attracted that attention. He had his mother’s golden hair and his dad’s penetrating blue-gray eyes. Cy and Alex both had that striking jawline and strength in their features. “Mr. Harrison. You slipped past me on your way into the party,” Cy acknowledged.

Eugene smiled at Cy, “Well, I couldn’t wait to make my acquaintance with these lovely ladies.”

One woman rolled her eyes while Eugene was looking at Cy, causing Cy to have a hard time keeping a straight face. “Well, now that you have met Widow Mercer and Mrs. Frey, perhaps I can introduce you around the room. There are many businessmen that attend these parties to get close to my father. They, too, have unique funding opportunities that can be very lucrative.” He steered Eugene away from the women. “Enjoy yourselves, ladies,” he added over his shoulder.

Cy saw Alex, Chloe, and Angela appear from the elevator just as he was steering Eugene down a line of Thaddeus fans. Angela bowed her head slightly and headed another direction, with a drink in her hand, to go after her assignment.

Chloe was getting nervous again. Alex put an arm around her shoulder. He leaned over to be closer to Chloe before he said, “Kitten, I am right here. You are safe. You are worthy and deserve happiness. Now prepare to meet my father and stepmother.”

Chloe put a smile on her face even though she was afraid, and nodded. Alex worked them across the room slowly toward his father. Once they arrived in front of Thaddeus Moore, Chloe grabbed Alex's hand up by her shoulder, crossing her arm over her body in a self-protective stance. Alex was pleased at the added show of affection in front of his father and smiled. His mask fully in place, he greeted his father and introduced Chloe, who simply nodded at the introduction. She then focused on a point across the room and felt herself pulling out of her body when Thaddeus spoke.

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