AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It is strange how nice it can be when you don’t let negativity and fear shadow such a beautiful moment.
“Ladies, I’m sure you were talking about me. What did I do this time?”
He smirks, embracing me from behind, and rests his chin on my shoulder. I am in love with his cockiness as with everything else.
“Baby, you might as well just ask Chloe now because it slipped out of my mouth. I’m sorry.”
He lifts his face and kisses the side of my head.
“It’s okay, baby, you did me a favor. She hates being put on the spot, but she wouldn’t throw a tantrum with you.”
He chuckles like he won some kind of battle as Chloe pushes at his shoulder playfully.
“Still a jerk.”
“I know you missed me.”
Their closeness warms me. It reminds me of what Alex and I have, maybe not as deep, but it’s there. Two souls who went through life-changing processes and had the other as support.
We reach the others, hand-in-hand, when tension sneaks around us. I search for the source of it, and my eyes stop at my brother, his normally stoic face crumbling in some unknown emotion. It’s hard to define what he battles inside because he always appears in control. He stares at Chloe, like in one moment he wants to punish her and the other to devour her. Everyone holds their breath as my brother and Chloe fight a battle of wills. Gone is the almost timid and sweet persona. She transforms into something icy, ready to deep freeze my brother. The only one who finds it entertaining is Alex as he fights to suppress a grin.
“It seems like you two know each other well?”
They both snarl their answer at the same time.
“Unfortunately.” My brother’s nostrils flare, and he adds, “I need something stronger.” He turns, and Chloe pokes his back. He eyes her over his shoulder, her voice turns to saccharine, no doubt letting out that she’d rather punch him.
“Come back with two glasses. The night will be long.”
Whatever is going on runs deep. Only lovers with unfinished business or suppressed feelings can be consumed by such a potent mix of hatred, lust, remorse, and a longing for something one wants to escape.
“What just happened?” says Alex, and Chloe extends her hand.
“Hi, sorry for the drama. I’m Chloe. What I mean is nice to meet you officially as I know who you are.”
“Alex, yes, sounds familiar.”
Not even Alex trying to subdue the tension works. The nagging question is what happened between those and when? She has been a constant in Damien’s life. I am sure they had to cross paths from time to time, but I can’t shake the feeling there’s more. Damien eyes her, trying to recall a memory. I know he has his answer the moment his face clears, and he looks at her with sympathy and genuine affection. Whatever it is, it has to be personal. Chloe remains silent, raising more questions.
My brother reappears with a Macallan bottle, and like they are in a challenge, he fills their glasses, and they drink it in one swift movement. The pain consumes them both, but they are too stubborn to acknowledge it. It would only need a fizzle for fireworks to blast the way they stare at each other.
“Let’s go before they drink my entire collection,” urges Damien. Even though it’s supposed to break the tension, no one laughs. With these two in the same room, it won’t last long until they explode. Yes, one can hide, or try to hide, but the heart is stubborn and impulsive when it comes to love.
Chapter Nineteen
BRIA
A black van picks us up, and Damien cradles me in his arms. Alex rests his hand around Sophia’s shoulder as she plays with his fingers. Meanwhile, the other two lovebirds face each other, stabbing each to death, just mentally, thankfully.
“Anyone have a knife to cut the tension coming from the two of you.”
“Bria, not now. I have a headache already,” my brother mumbles, massaging his temples, giving Chloe the possibility to attack, and she goes for it.
“Aren’t you charming as always? You’re the best when it comes to making a woman feel bad for caring about you.”
He bends forward, his voice lowering, “You would know, wouldn’t you?”
She fumes, seething in her anger. I have never witnessed my brother lose it like this. His insolence is only a mask, but he uses it like a pro. If looks could kill, my brother would be six feet under the ground for sure with the way Chloe pins him down with a stare.
