AllFreeNovel
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Thirty minutes later, I’m in Kace’s robe, rather than the pink silk robe I’d found in the bags, and beneath it, I’m wearing a lacy bra and panty set that cost a small fortune. My makeup is done in soft pinks and my hair is flat ironed to a soft brown silk, compliments of amazing products. And Kace’s violin notes are still hauntingly, beautifully present. I shut the bedroom door to try on clothes because no girl wants the man in her life to see her wearing something that looks horrible. I settle for a pair of dressy black jeans, a light V-neck black sweater, and a beautiful pair of high heel ankle boots. I also yank the tag off the adorable round black Gucci purse which is thousands cheaper than the pink Chanel bag. I have no history with this bag that won’t be created this weekend with Kace. I fill the bag with the personal items I will need to have handy, and then pack the Gucci suitcase I’ve been given as well.
Kace’s violin goes silent and I quickly prepare to join him, checking my phone to find it only ten percent charged. I consider dialing Nancy to check on the shop before I lose the little charge I have left, but decide better. I gave her time off for her protection. I’m about to slide it into my purse when it rings with a call from Alexander.
It’s a call I’d like to avoid, but he represents money I desperately need. I take the call. “Alexander,” I greet.
“Have you considered my offer to work for me?”
“Yes, but being frank here,” I say, “I’m uncomfortable. I don’t like being in the middle of you and Ed’s war. And he was my client first.”
“And I’m concerned. You seem to have a pattern of putting yourself in the path of powerful, ruthless men. First Ed, and now, from what I understand, Kace August.”
My lips purse. “Please don’t go there with Kace again. I’m not a part of whatever squabble is between you two.”
He laughs. “Squabble. We have far more than a squabble between us. Let’s meet tonight. Let’s get this contract signed and if we must, we’ll talk about Ed.”
“Look, Alexander—” In that moment, I feel Kace, even before I look to the doorway to find him standing there tall and strong, his jaw hard, his eyes harder, a pulse of dark energy waving off of him.
“Aria?” Alexander prods.
I wet my lips, cut my gaze from Kace’s, and force my reply. “I’ll call you Monday and we’ll talk about the contract.”
“He’s there, isn’t he?” he asks, the phone line now charged as tense as this room. “You’re with him. Of course. He moves fast.” When I would argue that far from true, he’s already moved on. “When can we meet? Commit to a time and place now.”
Kace must hear the question because his stare sharpens, his expression tightening.
“I’ll call you Monday, Alexander,” I say. “I need to go.” I hang up. “That was—”
“Alexander,” Kace supplies. “I heard.”
“Yes,” I say, not sure why I was even telling him who it was. He knew. I said Alexander’s name.
He saunters toward me, closing the space between me and him, stopping in front of me, his hand sliding possessively to my waist. He pulls me to him. “What are you doing with him?” His voice is low but tight, his mood dark.
“He offered me a retainer for some wine purchases. He’s trying to push out one of my other clients he apparently used to work for. I’m caught in the middle.”
“Because he’s a manipulative bastard. And he wants to fuck you. You know that, right?”
“You’ve said that. And he would say the same of you. He has. You both keep telling me the other one is the bad one.”
His energy jabs at the air. “And you say what, Aria?”
My hand settles on his chest, the thundering beneath my palm defying his cool exterior. He’s bothered by Alexander. He’s bothered by my connection to Alexander. “That I’m right here with you, Kace, where I want to be. And I know that he’s manipulative, but so are many people in business.”
“He doesn’t want it to be just business and I have a problem with that. On a personal level, you’re with me or you’re with him. I won’t share.”
“Because it’s Alexander or because it’s me?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Baby, I couldn’t give a fuck about Alexander.” His voice vibrates and softens as he adds, “You are what matters to me.”
He means that, I believe. I read that in him, and for that reason, his words matter to me, as does his jealousy. I know what I felt with Kiki. I didn’t like it. “I’m with you. Just you, Kace.”
His hand slides under my hair and he tilts my face to his. “He’s dangerous, Aria, in ways you cannot imagine. Stay away from him.”
