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SIXTEEN
Shane
F
or the next couple of days, Melanie stayed with me. I was surprised how good it felt having her around, waking next to her every morning, making love to her. I never thought that I could actually make love with someone. It wasn’t in my nature, but after what Melanie confessed to me and after the concussion she had, I couldn’t help but be a little too overprotective.Fuck me. I hadn’t expected that from myself, but she had that effect on me. For her, I’d die. We even created our little routine. I would drop her off and pick her up at the university. We would eat every meal together and work out together. It was just a few days, but I got so attached to her that I couldn’t imagine my day without seeing her. She was like a dose of my favorite drug—a drug I desperately needed.
There were days when I had to leave her alone for some time to take care of work-related stuff. And considering my profession and her identity, it was too dangerous to let her tag along. In her eyes, I was a successful businessman, which was partially true. But the companies my family owned were mostly just covers for our Mafia. We had to have an explanation for our wealth, position, and connections, and it was the best way to blindside ordinary people. Although Melanie suspected something, I knew I would have to confess to her the truth eventually. She was a clever woman, and I’d rather have her learn that from me. There was just one thing that alarmed me. Melanie seemed tense whenever Callan was around. And Callan wasn’t himself around Melanie. I caught them exchanging secret looks as if they had a history together or shared a secret, but for some fucked-up reason, I kept pushing that thought away.
~••~
Melanie agreed with her professors that she would be taking online classes for the time being. Less than a week later, we landed in New York. My drivers were already waiting for us at the airport. Melanie and I got in my black Lamborghini Veneno Roadster and headed straight to one of my penthouses at Park Avenue. Callan left with Wyatt, my second-in-command’s right-hand man, who would take care of my orders whenever Callan wasn’t available, and the driver took them to their places.
“Wow, I love the view!” Melanie ran through my living room to the window showcasing the view of Manhattan as soon as we entered my eight-thousand-square-foot penthouse on the very top floor of the skyscraper.
“Yeah, it’s pretty impressive from the ninety-sixth floor.” I embraced her from behind, admiring the view I’d never really paid much attention to.
My phone rang, and Melanie turned to nod, smiling as if giving me a sign it was okay if I answered. I took my phone out of my pocket to see Elena’s name on the screen—my stepmother. Elena was my parents’ close friend who started an affair with my father shortly after my mother’s death. I wasn’t sure if she was just a rebound for him, helping him get through the hard time after my mother passed away, or if he had any feelings for her. But things escalated quickly because barely a year after my mother’s death, Elena gave birth to my half brother, Anders. I was six at that time. I couldn’t blame my father, though. He was just a thirty-four-year-old man left alone with a son, and Elena was a beautiful ten-years-younger woman with a heart of gold. She cared for me like I was her son, supporting my father ever since. I had to admit that she tried her best to be like a mother to me, and although I could never forget my birth mother, I had a great bond with Elena.
“Elena?” I slowly walked toward the hallway.
“Shane, I hope I haven’t interrupted anything?” I heard her warm voice through the speaker.
“No, of course not. We just entered my apartment.”
“Oh, I won’t take much of your time. Karl and I would like to invite you and your friend for dinner tonight.”My friend, huh?
I turned back to glance at Melanie, who was texting on her phone. Probably her friend, Scarlett, because she told me she promised she would message her first thing after landing. I took a deep breath, knowing my father was watching my every step, and he didn’t approve of my relationship with Melanie. I assured my father I was doing all of this to get closer to Dedrick and that I had every intention of sticking to our plan, but I knew it was just a matter of time until he would see right through me. Therefore, I had to be prepared day and night for every possibility because I wouldn't know what he was planning behind my back. And my father was the kind of man who always had a card up his sleeve. But so was I.
“We’ll come. Thanks for the invite.” I figured it would be best if Melanie met my family before the charity event we were supposed to make an appearance at. Besides, I knew I had to face my father sooner or later.
“Wonderful! We’ll be expecting you at six. Bye, Shane.”
I ended the call, turning to Melanie. “Elena, my father’s wife, invited us for dinner at six. I said we would come if that’s fine with you?”
“Sure,” Melanie said hesitantly. “That’s kind of her.”
I approached Melanie and slid my hands around her waist. “I know my father is intimidating, but I’ll be right next to you. You’re safe, I promise. And you’ll love Elena and Aaliyah.”
“Aaliyah?” She narrowed her eyes.
“My half sister. She’s only twelve, but she’s adorable.”
“I had no idea you had a sister.” Melanie seemed abashed.
“Yeah, and a half brother.”
“Wow.” She bit her lower lip anxiously. “That makes me think I don’t know much about you, Shane. Except for a few details anyone could Google.”
I leaned into her ear, whispering, “You know way more about me, Melanie. I assure you.”
She smiled before looking into my eyes, her tone seductive. “Is that so, Mr. Vergoossen?”
“Yes.” I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. “Besides, we’ll have eternity to explore each other.”
“Eternity? Those are big words, mister.”
I smirked, looking at her angelic face. Fuck, she was so gorgeous, intoxicating. “Let’s start now.”
