Brandon“That’s pretty complicated,” Oliver comments after I tell him who that fucking mayor is to Alayna’s life, minus the most sensitive parts of her story. We’re in my penthouse in Belltown, killing time while the girls are at the spa.
I’d been inconsiderate of her feelings because I was fucking angry—not with herBut I understand. No, I’m really trying. She’s important to me than anything else I have now, and I’d rather lose everything than lose her. Not again. Theoretically, if that happens, I’d probably have to beg her to hold my hand.
I pinch my nose bridge, thinking of what else I should do. Honestly, I have no concrete plan. I’m not sure how I can help Alayna with her problem. Her problems are mine now too. I am claiming it all, so her burden won’t be so heavy.
“He’s a mayor,” I say something that’s already a fact. “As much as I just want this fucker out of our lives, Alayna is expecting something else from him. Her father’s death. I know exactly how it feels to lose someone, and she’s suffering through the same thing now. She needs justice for his demise.”
“And this fucker’s dad is a senator. Senator Mallory, I know him.” Ollie looks at me with such intent that it will not be easy.
“I can’t let her get hurt again.” I clench my fist. The image of her being near that sleazeball makes me sick in my stomach. “Even leaving her here alone isn’t such a good idea. She doesn’t want to go back to New York yet, and I understand that. She can decide on her own, and I’m not taking that away from her, but I don’t know what else to do, Ollie. She’s not safe here.”
“There is some point in our lives that we just have to face our problems, Brandon. I think she’s trying to do that now. She doesn’t want to run anymore. I didn’t know she had such an issue settling in Seattle, and I’m sorry for bringing her here.”
I nod. “She didn’t want to tell us.”
“Perhaps she felt ashamed of her honor. She was in an abusive relationship, Brandon. Of course, she wouldn’t tell us. No woman would confide in something like this easily with a man. We have to be more understanding.”
As usual, among all of us cousins, Oliver is the most considerate. I could never be as patient as him.
“I frightened her,” I confess. “I even forced her to tell me. I must avoid something like this again in the future. I was just mad. It was so wrong of me.”
“You’re human, Brandon. I’m sure this will alarm me too. But eventually, she’d have to tell you. But anyway, you already know. What you need now is a solution. She’s not alone anymore. She has you. And you have me. Let me help.”
A ball of lump slightly loosens in my chest. “Can you? What can we do?”
“Brandon, we’ve been through a lot worse than this. I’ll ask the twins.”
That’s actually a good idea. It is more appropriate to engage the twins in this case rather than relying on our own limited knowledge of the law.
“But don’t tell them anything about… you know,” I request, referring to Alayna’s misfortune in the hands of that fucker. “I’d like to know how to confront a senator, but before that, we have to make sure the fucker is telling the truth.”
Oliver rests his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands. “So we’re after the mayor first?”
“We don’t even know if he’s only saying that to manipulate my fiancée. There must be something, Ollie. She should be free of him.” The notion of his existence alone is making blood boil.
I remember how he looked at Alayna like a piece of meat when I saw him last week. I was almost close to breaking his hands.
My head is flooded with sorts of physical torture for that bastard. I can peel him off his skin alive or throw him in a sea of alligators while he begs for his life.
Only if I could. Alayna deserves justice too. She’s just like me.
“But, anyway. Congratulations on your engagement.” He beams. “Finally, huh?”
I can’t help a smile. “Yes. We’ve been through a lot.”
“But I’m happy about your decision. Two Katrakis weddings in the same year.” He smirks with a hint of sarcasm at his end, I suppose.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
He shakes his head. “Daphne is a piece of work,” he opens. “She didn’t have to agree to this bullshit law, but she did. It was supposed to be Selena, but I don’t know what the fuck is playing in her mind when her sister is obviously… gentler—especially towards me. But wait, are you?” He frowns. “Nervous?”
I nod, chuckling. “I have never felt this way before.”
I know she’s also still sensitive to things about him, so I have to be more considerate—especially about her feelings. I’ve done enough damage to her in the past year, and last week was one of our dark times. I should avoid that.
Patience. I need more patience.“You shouldn’t be surprised after that roller coaster ride. What are you worried about?”
I shrug. “Her safety? Her feelings toward all this? Something is just making me restless.”
“Are you worried that she might have feelings for him?”
I wince. “God, no.” I wipe my face in continued disgust. “But she’s still afraid of him. I feel it. I see it in her eyes. And because of this fear, he still has some power over her. He’s trying to use it on her.”
I’m in the middle of a whirl of emotions. I am most happy, yes. She’s finally mine, but somewhere out there, a bastard is trying to shake her. He knows her vulnerable state and points and how to use it for his selfish intentions, while Alayna cannot overcome such fears overnight. I know because I’ve been through the same thing. When your demons are chasing you, it doesn’t have a shortcut to the exit. You have to eliminate these feelings to the deepest core. A part of her past still lingers in her heart and mind—her core. And he’s taking advantage of that—that fucker. He really is a fucker.
“She loves you, Brandon,” Oliver says, breaking me out of my intrusive thoughts.
“I know.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” he concludes. “Fear is nothing over love.”
I’m surprised. “I didn’t know you were poetic,” I joke.
He laughs. “I’m just trying to ease your mind. But do you know what else you can do?”
“What?”
“Stay with her. All the time. She needs you now the most. She has to feel that every time she’s afraid, you’re there for her.”
I nod. “Just like when you didn’t leave her side when I was away,” I mumble.
“I’m her friend. I might have helped her a little during those times, but it’s different with you. It’s you who she needs.”
My heart clenches. I’ve hurt Alayna a lot too. I’ve been such a fool. I’ve done the same thing to her—unintentionally, but I still did. “I’ll make up for my mistakes for the rest of my life if I have to.”
“That’s more like it. So no more leaving. Stay here while she’s here until she’s finally ready to leave this place. I’ll handle the company.”
Silence.
“Oliver?”
“M-yeah?”
“Have I ever thanked you?”
“Yeah, you did that many times. This is nothing,” he says casually.
“But you’ve helped me… my entire life.” He’s sacrificed his freedom. For me, for everyone.
“Ah… that.” He smiles kindly, then stares into space. “I don’t know. This is just the way I am, I guess.”
I ask about his fiancée. He was talking about her earlier. “Having trouble with Daphne?”
“She is“Would you rather choose Selena over her?”
“Her sister… She’s not intense. She’s kind, and she’s…” He sighs. “Whatever, man.”
“And Daphne is intense.” I curl the side of my lips. “Interesting.”
“Oh, don’t give me that look.”
“What look?” I grin meaningfully at him. “Let me guess. She hates you. But with Selena, we know that you’re close to her, and you’re the same age.”
“It’s not that. I just… I can’t handle her sister.”
“No, Ollie. It’s because she defies your principles. She disturbs this—I don’t know. Side of you?”
“What side?” he says irritably, and Oliver rarely shows exasperation.
“See what I’m talking about?” I tease. “This side of you. She disturbed your peace.”
“She scratched my neck. She’s wild. She’s… She’s complicated and makes me feel uncomfortable,” he complains.
“I didn’t see this side of you before. That’s what I am saying. We’ve been together for a long time, Ollie.”
“It’s a bad thing, isn’t it?”
“No, I’m actually enjoying it.” I laugh. Oliver has always been stable and sensible, but right now, he’s ruffled. “You and Daphne are clearly opposites. Give her time. She’s still very young.”
“Fuck that. Daphne is already twenty-three. Not young enough,” he points out. “Okay, maybe because she’s young. I’m a decade older than her. I feel like babysitting a child.”
“That’s not so bad, and she’s not a child.”
“She’s acting like one. A brat, Brandon.”
“She’s your type,” I add.
Despite opening his mouth, he stops talking. “Okay. I’m out.” He springs up and raises his hands in surrender. “I have to wake her up. She’s been in her room the whole morning now. My heart broke when Alexei called me, disregarding his daughter. And, yes, to answer your question, I prefer Selena.”
“Whatever your decision, I’m here to support you. Anyway—” I stand up as well “—I’m following the girls to the spa. Good luck, man.” I pat his shoulder, then head to the door.