Page 18 of Concealed Deception

I can detect the exact moment she finds what we’ve done.Her breaths change before her mannerisms, then comes the storm.Fury covers her heart-shaped face, her own eyes becoming dark, as if they are the very eye of a storm.Her lip’s part, ready to accuse me of my wrongdoing, however, she surprises me by staying silent.The storm she’s created in her head continues, and I know it’s my turn to keep my promise.

It's time she knew the truth.

The memories of that night play forth as I replay the past to her.

As I walk up the stairs to bed, I hear two men fighting, but I can’t make out their exact words.Camille sent me to bed an hour ago, but I wasn’t ready for sleep.Instead, I sneak out of bed, intending to go downstairs to the library where Mother used to read to me before bedtime.

Losing her broke my heart.Without her here to help me, I’m left feeling lost and alone.

I know that soon I’ll need to step up and become the man that Father has always expected me to be.

As I walk past my bedroom and toward Father’s office, I hear Mr.Carlisle’s—my father’s accountant—anxious voice.

“I’m telling you, William, I’ll pay the money back.I’ll have it for you by the end of the month.I swear on my unborn daughter’s life.”Mr.Carlisle doesn’t sound much like his confident self.And he owes my father money?

Knowing Father will punish me if he finds me, I stay still against the wall and keep listening in on their conversation.

“Do you think using your unborn child is going to help you in this situation, Eric?That doesn’t make you a man, it makes you a coward, but I’ll tell you what...I’ll be lenient, only this once, old friend.If you don’t have my money by the end of the month, with twenty percent interest, your daughter is to be promised to my Alexander.If you choose not to agree, I’ll have no choice in taking your family away from you.”

I hear stuttering and pleas of reconsideration, but my father has made his mind up.I know the tone he’s using, and he never gives in to anyone while using it, including me.It’s the first thing I’m going to make sure I learn to do when my time comes.

“William, please, leave my family.I’ll have your money with the extra.”

I hear footsteps in the office and know the meeting is about to end.Quickly and quietly, I rush back to my room and jump in bed, pretending I’m asleep.

Moments pass before I hear heavy footsteps on the stairs and the main entrance door closing.Then I see the light shine through my room from someone opening my door.I’m faced away so they can’t see, but I can tell Father knows I’m awake.

The door closes again, and I’m left in darkness with the thoughts of what this girl might one day look like and if I’ll ever get to meet her.

“So, you see, it was your father that betrayed you.He betrayed your whole family.”I can see the many questions bubbling to the surface.Then the most destructive of all comes forth.

“What happened to my family?”She paid attention well enough to know that because she sits here with me, her father did not keep his word.

“My father killed yours before you were born.Your mother disappeared with you before my father or his men could get to her.I was young at the time, but I know my father spent a lot of time looking for you.Now I know why he couldn’t find you.Your real name is Savannah Carlisle, not Ava Pierce.You should ask your aunt what happened to your mother.”

Her eyes gloss with unshed tears as a pain laced anger I’ve not yet seen from her burns at the surface.It’s a sight to behold.

“So what?I’m supposed to marry you?Be your slave?Obviously, I’m already your prisoner.”She widens her arms, motioning around my suite.“You have me right where you want me.”She pauses, then grabs handfuls of her delicate waves.“Why did you bring me here?”

“Because my father is after you, and I won’t allow him to put one finger on you, let alone a fleeting look over you.This is guaranteed to be the safest place for you, that’s why we moved.He would see great pleasure in using you to have his debt paid, and whether he likes it or not, he fucked that up.Count yourself lucky I found you first.”My tone is harsh and my authoritative edge is back.“I told you before that I would tell you what you needed to know.”Looking at my watch, I dismiss any further conversation.“I’m needed at Envy.Camille has arranged for your wardrobe from the townhouse to be brought over, but for now, this will have to do.We are leaving in ten.”I stand and walk to my office, seeing how much of the conversation Tony managed to eavesdrop.

“Nice.Now she’s going to ring the cops and tell them she’s been kidnapped.You gave her phone back then told her the truth,andabout your father’s intentions.Way to go, boss.”

I’ve had enough with people telling me what to do around here.Grabbing Tony’s throat, I slam him against the wall.“Need I remind you of who’s in charge around here?You don’t get to question my actions, nor will you bring them up again.”I have a slight height advantage on Tony, but when it comes to physique, I know he’d flatten anyone in a heartbeat, including me.He’s not retaliating out of respect for me, which shows me where his loyalties still lie.

“Perfectly.I’ll have Knox and Vince get the cars ready.I’ve rung ahead and got your room ready, too.Your demons need placating, Xander.”

I let go of Tony, knowing full well I’m not going to like what he has waiting for me at Envy.The one thing I do know is that Savannah needs to be kept safe.

From my fatherandme.

Eleven

Ava

I tried many times to message Lacey and tell her to call for help, but the psychological part of my brain stopped me.The moment Alexander told me his father killed mine for his betrayal, I felt sick to my stomach.How could someone bound by blood do such a thing as promising a child, unborn at that, to a dangerous man and his teenage son?

Let’s not forget that Alexander fucked me senseless in the shower earlier.I had sex with a man fourteen years older than me and liked it.

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