RAFAEL
The atmosphere in my penthouse had never felt more defeating—not when I’d already longed to hear Savannah talk that I wouldn’t mind if she did all night. She was soft-spoken and curious. Any woman I knew would jump immediately at the opportunity, but Savannah wouldn’t. She wasn’t that type, which I find more challenging.
I had two other candidates on my list.
Jessica, the daughter of the former Governor Grand, with whom I had a one-night stand. I met Jessica on occasion because of our common friends. She was practical and single, and her parents owned a recording label in Los Angeles. Jessica was submissive. She even offered me to engage in a dominant-submissive lifestyle once (which wasn’t my thing), so I knew she wouldn’t mind acting on my terms—the same terms I disclosed to Savannah.
And then there was Georgia King. A failed businesswoman in the trade industry. She was easy-going, discreet, and tactical but broke because her dead husband mismanaged her business. She still had connections, for which reason she had maintained a lavish life on the Upper East Side. When she approached me a year ago, when her husband had just died, she was already looking for a casual relationship. She just wanted a man to satisfy her luxurious regime. She had many reasons to accept my proposition.
In my original plan, one of them only had to marry me with no trial and pretense. Just a formal consensual agreement from which both parties would benefit. I only needed one to sign the NDA and marriage contract, and she would possess a perfectly respectable fortune and a home on Billionaires’ Row. She only had to give children exclusivity to prevent having bastards. She should be free to do whatever she wanted, but she needed to stay out of the media.
My initial proposition to Savannah was special because she was special. She was someone I could consider close to being what they called a friend.
Savannah wasn’t even on the list. The terms I had in mind were for Jessica or Georgia, but those were facts I didn’t need to tell her. However, the current events were beneficial to both of us. When she turned up in the gossip with Carter and me and suggested an absurd idea, it convinced me Savannah was more than qualified.
What coaxed me more was my constant impulse to have her. At first, I thought it was only a mere attraction, and I’d fucked numerous women from mere attractions. I didn’t find it hard to just leave and forget them after a meaningless night. I’d never had lingering feelings with anyone.
It just never came. I’d never loved anyone.
That was my reality.
Until I met a woman who intrigued me more than anything. She wasn’t afraid to show emotions or exhibit her true self to a stranger she had just met, to cry when it hurt, and still stand and smile amid her struggles.
Asking Savannah wasn’t supposed to be hard, but I’d never met anyone like her, which made her more tempting. Now that I’d tasted her mouth, felt her body, and touched her skin, I couldn’t get enough. And that changed everything.
A tenuous ball of anxiety twisted in my chest.
She didn’t know me. Never saw what was hidden deep in my very being. How dark and tragic it was. I chose not to feel, to love because I didn’t deserve any of it. Any of this.
I didn’t deserve her.
She doesn’t need to know. You’ve hidden it for a long time.
I walked to my bedroom, undressed, and then stepped into a warm shower while I listened to Carter’s voicemail.
We hadn’t even solved one problem, and another had just emerged. I listened to the message as the shower’s soft, warm water flowed on my head.
“Emilio found out about Savannah and their daughter’s history,” Carter said. “I don’t know to what extent, but what happened to you? Emilio told me you punched Reed in the face. You were never this reckless before.”
The voicemail ended, and another one played.
“Emilio called me himself because he was concerned and embarrassed—to us, you at least, because he thought you and Savannah were together. I thought our deal was off, but Emilio’s a man of integrity, so there’s nothing major to be worried about. Anyway, he wants another meeting with us to apologize for his daughter and her boyfriend’s actions. Their daughter must’ve told them. It sounds beneficial on our part but might become a problem later, especially with the media. Call me.”
I cursed under my breath. Of course, it would be a problem, and Carter was right; I had been reckless. I’d even confronted Julian for being irresponsible when he was still dating his student wife, throwing paparazzi photographs in his face, and intimidating him. It was ironic how I just did the same thing. Was I beginning to turn into Julian? My brother had always been a hopeless romantic. Good God, I hope I wasn’t.
I finished my shower, got dressed, and called Carter on FaceTime.
“When did he want to see us?” I asked first as soon as Carter answered. I saw a glimpse of a woman’s hand curled on his chest. He carefully put it aside and got off the bed.
“You’re only calling me now?” he grumbled. “What do you think is the time?” He stood by the window.
“I have a lot in my hands, Carter. Now, answer the question.”
“Fine, boss.” He scratched his head. “In three days. He’ll come to us with Sue this time. But damn, man. What did you just do? You just caused a scene in that restaurant.”
“You should’ve heard what Reed said to Savannah.” I’d been tempted to do so the first time she cried in front of me. Reed just made my blood boil.
“What is it to you? You already have issues with the older brother, and now this. You never acted rashly like this. Do you like Savannah?”
A beat passed. Was it necessary to answer that question?
“Of course you do,” he concluded.
“It’s not like that.”
“Yeah, deny it all you want, but that is what’s happening now. You’re finally giving in to Dad’s demand.”
“I didn’t call to talk about this, Carter.”
“I’m only trying to help you here, you see.” He sighed, but he wasn’t looking at the camera. “Here’s what I think we should do. Let’s talk to Savannah because she’s involved in this now. We need her help until this deal is over. It has gotten out of hand and has become more… personal, at least for Emilio. He thinks this might affect your possible partnership if it isn’t regarded. In short, they think you might change your mind. This is our chance. Let’s use this.”
“Really?” I relaxed. “He never agreed to anything yet.”
He sighed. “Let me finish. I told him you’re not aware of his daughter and Sofia’s history, which is true, so none of it doesn’t bother you.”
“Sounds sensible. What’s the problem, then?”
“Business and our personal lives have mixed up here. We’ve never encountered a partner like Emilio before. Emilio isn’t the type to think they’re a separate thing. He’s very cultural, family, and friendship driven. He spoke about hierarchy, personal relationships, and loyalty for quite an hour, Rafe. I almost want to hang up. It’s been a pain.”
It must’ve been torture. The man spoke about it as well when he had a meeting. Less about the business and more about his etiquette and morals as a father and a human being. He was traditional, indeed, even more than our own father.
“Well, he’s Mexican. Dad already advised me about this.”
Carter shoved his fingers through his hair. “He’s very bothered about his daughter, Sofia’s, sinful actions toward Savannah. He said it exactly like that.”
“He should be concerned if he’s really a man of virtue.”
“And he is actually thinking about apologizing to her. So here’s the good part, he’s already considering signing with us. We’re top of their list. Jacob, in particular, is already in favor of us.”
I drummed my fingers on the desk. “Nothing is certain until Emilio signs.”
He nodded. “Well, he already wants a good relationship with us. What should we do about Savannah? Emilio already thinks she is your girlfriend and even your future wife. It’s too late to deny it now. I’m just worried that this might reach the media.”
“I’ll protect her now from here. But just so we are prepared, I already asked her if she could play that part until the deal is closed.” Or until she’s ready to be officially mine.
When Savannah agreed to my proposition, she would become a target of the media and gossip reporters. That wasn’t new, but there would be advantages.
Dad would see it, and he would be convinced I was ready to settle down. Other media bullshit and unnecessary gossip would be taken down.
I also needed to take care of her divorce as soon as possible. The tabloids put an article about it on their worthless pages.
“You already saw this coming,” Carter said. “What did she say?”
“She said she’ll think about it.”
Carter grinned. “Does she like you back? Or should I just start congratulating Dad for getting another thing he wants from you?”
I clenched my fist. “Say that again, or I’ll break your fingers. I’m hanging up.”
I ended the call by cutting into Carter’s infuriating laughter.
This had nothing to do with Dad’s demands. Savannah was a different case. She wasn’t supposed to be a part of this.
She was just there, in the right place and at the right time. At that thought, something unfamiliar… a feeling ignited in my chest.