Vaughn pauses. “Fuck. It’s her ?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Alexander, someone called me to say Matthew’s sister was going to show up. I thought I was doing you a favor, man. Fuck. I sent her to John. Conference Room eight. You’re not going to like this.”
Chapter 9
E lena
I sip the tea one of the secretaries made me and nearly scald my tongue. I’m restless and nervous. It doesn’t sit well with me that they knew me by name. This has Elise’s name written all over it. I’m certain this is a trap of some sort, but I can’t walk away either. Not when there’s even the slightest chance that I can save my mother’s life this way.
Maybe it was June who let them know I might drop by? It seems unlikely, but I’d rather have that than falling into another one of my stepsister’s traps. The last time I walked into one of her schemes, I was almost charged with possession of drugs. Not just any drugs. One hundred grams of cocaine. Elise takes going hard or going home to a new level, and for some reason, she’s always seen me as the bane of her existence. I’m not sure why, since I’ve never treated her unfairly. She’s one of the reasons I couldn’t wait to leave home. My heart sinks at the thought of my mother’s nurse and Elise colluding. If that’s the case, it means Elise and Jade have access to my mother. If they can get to June, they can get to Mom .
I look around the room, trying my best to battle my nerves. It looks more like a meeting room than anything else, with its long table and the cushioned chairs. This whole building is unlike what I expected. I thought I’d be walking into a nightclub, but instead, I found myself in what appears to be a downtown version of a very luxurious country club. I saw signs for countless facilities. If I’m not mistaken, I even saw one for a swimming pool and a golf area.
God, I hope I’m not in the wrong place. I shake my head. No, the receptionist knew who I was, so I’m definitely in the right place. I just hope they know why I’m here. I really hope I won’t have to explain myself. If I do, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go through with this.
Part of me wonders if running into Lucian and Alexander was a sign, a final chance to turn back around, before I lose any and all respect I have for myself. But then I think of my mother, and I know I’ll always regret it if I walk away now. I’d never forgive myself if she died when I could’ve done something to save her. Even if she never wakes up again, I need to know that I tried everything in my power to give her the chance to. If our roles were reversed, I know my mother would do the same for me.
The door behind me opens, and it seals my fate. A tall blond man takes the seat opposite me, a lecherous smile on his face. A chill runs down my spine when he leans back in his seat.
“How’s your tea, Elena?” he asks, his eyes on my chest. I frown. I’m not sure what’s going on, but something doesn’t seem right.
“I never gave anyone here my name.”
He smiles, a hint of cruelty in his eyes. “You didn’t need to. There isn’t much that we don’t know about you. I’m John, by the way. You and I are about to get very intimately acquainted—as part of your job interview, of course.”
I swallow hard, tremors running down my spine. I try to push down the fear I feel, but I can’t. I start to tremble, my heart pounding, yet I smile. I knew what I’d be getting into… I knew what would be expected of me.
“So, tell me why you’re doing this, Elena. Rich girl boredom? Daddy wouldn’t buy you a new handbag?”
I’m at a loss for words. I wasn’t really expecting that question. But then again, I wasn’t expecting them to know who I am at all. I’d been intending to go by some alias. Something like Crystal or Candy. Or better yet, Chastity . So far, nothing is going the way I’d planned it.
“I need the money.” It sounds stupid and obvious, but I’m not sure how else to explain why I’m here. I don’t want to tell him about my family situation. I don’t want him to know much about me at all.
“Well… this interview will certainly be fun for me. How about you stand and take off—”
Before he can finish his sentence, the door behind me opens and slams against the wall. I jump in shock and turn around to find Alexander walking in with Lucian right behind him.
Alexander’s eyes are on John, his expression murderous. “You. Get out,” he says, his voice deadly calm. John hesitates and Alexander looks at Lucian. “Get him out of here before I knock him out. Make sure you escort him to Vaughn’s office.”
Lucian nods and leads John out, a concerned look on his face. John looks back at Alexander, a vicious glint in his eyes. He grins at me and pauses at the door. “Not bad,” he says. “Already have a high roller interested, huh? Can’t even blame the guy. Not to worry. I don’t mind having seconds.”
My stomach lurches, and I breathe a sigh of relief when Lucian tightens his grip on John and pushes him out.
I blink in disbelief when the door slams closed, leaving Alexander and me alone. He clenches his jaw and walks toward the door slowly, the sound of the lock clicking closed making me tense further. He walks up to me and I take a step back, only to feel the table behind me. There is nowhere for me to go. I’ve never seen him look so angry before.
“Alexander…”
He pauses, his eyes raking over my body in disbelief. “Do you want to explain what you’re doing here, Elena? Or do you go by Diana now?”
He takes a step closer to me and pinches my chin, forcing me to look at him. Disappointment and rage darken his eyes, and I inhale sharply. There’s no doubt in my mind he knows exactly what I’m doing here. He just wants me to admit it.
“Alec,” I whisper, shame coloring my cheeks crimson.
“Alexander,” he corrects me. “We’re not that close.”
My heart breaks and I look away from his intense gaze, but I nod nonetheless. I’ve always been one of the few apart from his family that could call him Alec, and it kills me that I’m a stranger to him now.
“You’re right, Alexander. We’re not that close. There’s no reason for me to explain to you what I’m doing here. Nor should you care.” My voice is even, and I don’t stumble over my words like I expected to. I stare into his eyes, praying my poker face is as good as I imagine it to be.
Alexander’s grip on my chin tightens. His eyes travel down my body, taking in the skintight black dress I’m wearing. I chose it knowing it would highlight my body. Right now, the outfit makes me feel like a cheap whore. Quite appropriate, I guess.
“It just so happens that this club is owned by my friend, Vaughn,” he says. “I understand you’re here to apply for a position. Vaughn, being the good friend he is, allowed me to conduct your interview on his behalf.”
I look away in shame, unable to face him. Alexander’s hands move to my waist, and he hoists me up onto the table behind me. Before I can react, he’s nudged my legs apart so he can stand between them. I know he must’ve gotten a glimpse of my red lace underwear when his eyes darken. If I thought he was angry before, I clearly hadn’t seen anything yet. His eyes are flashing with rage and his expression is tense.