Broken Cheaters (14 page)

He led me out to the hallway and we sat on one of the couches. On the way out, Axel grabbed a glass of water for me, for which I was grateful.

And just as I calmed down and thought about asking Axel to go visit my family this weekend instead of the next, I heard a familiar voice.

“Axel Wagner. Just the man I was looking for.”

I realized that my evening was about to take a turn for the worse.

T
he entire world
collapsed around me as my body stiffened into an ice statue.

“Jack Powers. It’s good to see you. I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.” Axel stood up and shook Jack’s hand. All the blood I had in my body drained as I somewhat hid behind Axel’s frame. Maybe he hadn’t seen me? What if I just got up and left for the bathroom? I could explain to Axel later that it was an emergency.

But it was already too late. Axel turned and pointed to me, “This is Trish Summers, my girlfriend.”

I kept my head lowered, praying there was a slight possibility that Jack was suffering from amnesia. I stood up, but as Jack reached out to shake my hand I grasped both my hands around Axel’s arm so that I wouldn’t have to touch him.

“It’s nice to meet you, Trish,” he said.

I nodded to his reply and felt Axel’s wariness increase when I didn’t return the handshake.

Why was Jack pretending that he didn’t know me? Wait…maybe that was a good idea? There was no way I was ready to explain our acquaintance to Axel, but I couldn’t understand what kind of game Jack was trying to play. Meeting him here put my body into shock, and I wasn’t about to have a conversation with the man who’d ruined my life. What was he doing in New York, anyway? Not that I kept tabs on him, but I would have sworn that Jack would have followed his father’s footsteps into Congress. It was an easy way in, and for a douchebag like him, it was a no brainer.

“I don’t mean to mix business tonight, but you know my property on Fifth Avenue?”

He had property here?

“You mean the one I’ve been trying to convince you to sell?”

“The penthouse floor will be vacant as of next weekend. This would be a perfect time to list it.”

“I’m going out of town then.” He looked at me.

“No, Axel, it’s okay.” I hadn’t had a chance to tell him that after the conversation I had with his father, I had decided to go back home this Sunday.

“You’ve been waiting for this for over a year, Axel, just like I have. I can’t miss this market, and if you can’t list it, I’m sure there are other reputable companies.” Jack’s gaze was fixed on me, as if trying to figure out what I was doing here with Axel.

“Trish, I thought—”

“—It’s okay. My plans have changed as well, so you’re good.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, absolutely.” His phone rang, and when he looked at the display, he said, “I’m sorry, but I have to take this. Will you keep Trish company for me?”

No, no, no!
I couldn’t stay here alone with him.

“It’ll be my pleasure,” Jack said. As soon as Axel turned around, Jack got that look in his eyes I recognized all too well. A sly smile from the son-of-a-bitch curved each corner of his mouth.

“Well, well. How long has it been,
Trish
?”

“Apparently not long enough.”

“Oh, come on. We should let bygones be bygones.”

Once you pay for your sins the way I have been the past five years.

“Are you still at NASA? My father received significant backing from a CEO contributing to one of your projects.”

“No, I work at a restaurant now.”

“What? What happened?”

You.

He didn’t even wait for my answer— not that I owed him an explanation. “With your education and background, I was sure you’d be paving a driveway to a multi-million dollar mansion by now. I guess you’ve opted to go for the easy kill with Axel.”

Was he suggesting that I was a gold-digger?
Fucking asshole!

“Things have changed.” I sipped on my water, trying to ignore him. Jack lifted the whiskey he was holding to his lips and sipped.

“Yeah, I’m sorry to hear about Chloe.”

“Are you, Jack? Her death meant a clean slate for you, didn’t it?”

His face twisted before turning a new shade of red. But Jack composed himself, set the glass he was holding on a side table, and crossed his arms over his chest in defiance.

“Don’t be stupid, Trish. I didn’t do anything.”

We both knew that was a lie. Jack was hiding something else, though, and I wondered what it was. He seemed nervous.

“What are you doing in New York?” I asked.

“Business. I’m here a few times every month.”

“So, you’re not following daddy’s footsteps into Congress?”

His expression did that funny thing again, but he cleared his throat, leaned his head to the side as if cracking his neck, and smiled. He ignored my question before saying, “It’s nice to see you again, Trish. Time has done you well.”

Jack appeared as arrogant as he had been back at school – a confident prick with too much money stuck up his ass and no worries about the consequences of his actions.

“You didn’t tell Axel that we know each other. Why?” I asked him. Of course it was to my benefit as well, because while I was ready to tell Axel about my past, I couldn’t do it here, tonight. Not with Jack in between us, at least.

“I figured there was a reason why you disappeared. And obviously you didn’t seem keen on telling your new boyfriend that you know me. So, why the secrecy? I overheard my father say that your parents were worried about you.”

I knew from experience that Jack was a master manipulator, and he was trying to flip the tables on me. I was not the bad guy. I wasn’t the one who had forced my sister on that pool table, held her legs spread open and hands together in a tight grip as one after another, the frat guys raped her. Jack had been the last one to finish. And that was the tame part my sister had written me about in a letter. I had led her downstairs to that pit of hell, and I would never forgive myself for that.

Seeing Jack here now, all those feelings of guilt and hate for him began to surface again. And why did I have the feeling that Jack had more secrets than there were fleas on a stray dog? What else was he hiding?

“The only secret I have is the one I should have told to the whole world, after what you did to my sister.”

He took a step closer, this time without an effort to camouflage his oncoming anger.

“You better not start spreading any lies about me, Trish, the way Chloe did.” He was only a breath away from me, towering above me. His eyes shone with annoyance as the violent temper I recognized glossed over. “Look what happened to her.”

What the hell?

Was that a threat? “What did you do?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Chloe was in a car accident. You drove off the cliff. She drowned in that car because of you. I always wondered what she was trying to say to you before she disappeared underwater.”

“How do you know all the details?”

He shrugged. “I’m guessing, Trish. I’ve seen the newspaper articles. The reporters were very thorough in covering the death of the daughter to one of the best lawyers in Washington.”

And I knew very well that my father had ensured privacy, and there were a few general reports only — all approved by the family before the papers went to print, and none containing the details Jack was aware of.

My heart was hammering in my chest to the point it was hurting. I turned around to leave, but Jack grasped my wrist. “If things don’t work out with Wagner, I still have the same number. You were always the one I wanted anyway, not your sister.”

I think I’d rather be buried alive.

I ripped my hand away without replying just as I saw Axel turn the corner. I hurried toward him, trying to appear as composed as possible.

“Hey, everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes, Jack had to go take care of business.”

“And leave a lady all on her own? That’s not polite. I’m gonna have a word with him.”

“It’s all right. He didn’t strike me as someone you would hang out with anyway.”

“That’s because we don’t hang out. We do business from time to time, that’s all.”

I held onto Axel’s arm as he led me through the hallway that surrounded the entire ballroom. I didn’t like him and Jack doing business together, and wondered just how well they knew each other. Curiosity as to why Jack wasn’t working for his father was twitching in the back of my brain.

“So, how long have you two known each other?” I asked.

“A while, I guess. I’m pretty sure we met just before Trevor was born.”

“What does Jack do? Invest in properties, like you do?”

“Among other things, yes. He invests. His father is a reputable Congressman. I’m surprised Jack didn’t follow in his footsteps, actually, instead deciding to be a financial advisor instead.”

Aha! I knew it.

“Oh, well, maybe he just wasn’t smart enough.”

“Something gives me the impression that you don’t like Jack.”

“I don’t. He gives me the creeps.”

“Believe me, you’re not the first one to say that.” He chuckled.

“So you agree he’s a jerk?”

“Jerk? That’s a little harsh for a man you just met.”

“I read people well,” I lied. “And Jack has this weird vibe going on. Maybe it’s just me.” I brought my hand to my chest. “This evening reminded me about my sister and my family, and I guess I’m just over-emotional.”

We stopped in front of an elevator, and Axel pressed a button.

“The last thing I wanted tonight was for you to feel uncomfortable.”

“No, the evening has been wonderful. Although I wished I’d danced more with you.” The thought of being in the same room as Jack was making me sick, and I was glad that Axel was leading me away from the party. “Wait, where are we going?”

“To make this evening perfect.” Axel’s voice was lowered. He had that familiar look in his eyes, which brought my blood to the right temperature. I could feel it flow more quickly through my veins.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound grumpy. This was a wonderful cause.”

The elevator chimed as his hands slid down my body and rested on my hips, bringing me closer to him. “Want to know a secret?”

“Yes.”

“I have never liked fundraisers.”

Keeping his gaze trained on me, we moved inside the elevator.

“Liar, but thank you. I think I felt out of place because I haven’t been to a party in years.”

“Well, then I guess I have my work cut out for me. Trevor’s fifth birthday party is coming up soon.”

“I will take Trevor’s party over anything. Even a presidential dinner.”

Without warning, Axel’s lips found mine. My body snugged against his, yielding to his hot lips and meandering hands. Forgetting life when in Axel’s embrace was easy. He was the perfect distraction and encouragement. When he kissed me, a new breath of life permeated my lungs. Each time he kissed me, I wanted to live longer, and for the first time in a while, enjoy life.

When he pulled away, I blinked, trying to steady my footing as we ascended in the elevator. “Is it working?” he asked.

“What?”

“Me trying to lift your spirits.”

“I don’t think so,” I teased. “You need to try harder.”

“Hmm, I was hoping you’d say that.”

His lips were back on mine, and this time I knew he wouldn’t let go. Starved for his affection, I wound my hands around his neck and kissed him like he was the only man I ever wanted to kiss again. The feeling struck me deep in my chest, and my heart began beating with happiness. When the elevator stopped, we pulled apart and Axel led me to a hotel room. Inside, red roses filled the hallway, and their floral scent overpowered the room with sweetness.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“I wanted to make tonight special. No interruptions from nightmares. No phone calls with temperatures. Just you and me.”

“Wait, what if Trevor does get sick?” I asked.

“He’s fine. I checked in with Ms. Avery already.”

“But what if he has a nightmare?”

“Then he has my phone and can call us. He said he’ll be sleeping in the fort you built in his room, with the raptor claw underneath his pillow.”

“Okay, what if—”

He shut my mouth with another kiss, his tongue lazily swiping through my mouth, searching for a response that matched his intensity. How could I not kiss him back? Axel had been nothing but the perfect man since the day I met him. Okay, so our relationship might have started off as a passionate fuck, but there was so much more to him. I clung to not only him but his entire family, like they had been a part of me even before I met them.

We moved further into the suite, never breaking apart. I removed one of my high heels, then another, while loosening Axel’s bow tie, pulling the suit off his shoulders, and popping the top few buttons off his shirt. His hands were all over me, searching, pleasing my bare skin with his touches, skimming his fingers over the sensitive parts on my lower back, slowly drifting upward to the one long zipper underneath my arm which held the dress on my body.

My feet touched a soft carpet and the back of my legs a couch. An intriguing warm glow appeared underneath my eyelids and I opened my eyes. Dozens of candles were scattered around the room, among the gorgeous bouquets of roses. There must have been a hundred of gorgeous flowers here. I couldn’t help but gasp. Axel took the opportunity to remove my dress, and I was left in my nude bra and panties. I heard him suck in a sharp breath but I couldn’t stop turning around to see all that he’d done to this room.

“Axel, this is beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” The voice full of lust behind me held a hint of something else I couldn’t recognize. I turned around to face him. The curves of his jaw had softened, and looking at the glow on his cheeks, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Really, you shouldn’t have.”

“Of course I should. You deserve it. You’re so great with Trevor, and my parents adore you.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Well, I do. And I adore you beyond what I can say. I don’t know what’s going on, but I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”

“What way?”

“Deliriously happy whenever I’m around you.”

“I know the feeling.” I laughed.

“So, what happened to our trip to see your parents next weekend? I can cancel the appointment with Jack if you’d like.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t think I can wait that long, and I was hoping we could go this weekend.”

“Will you be disappointed if I can’t join you? I already have plans I can’t break this weekend.”