Ward's Castle

“You were dating Drix?” I say again, needing to be clear. Drix had said he hadn’t dated anyone in years. It had been an offhand comment, but it was one that stuck with me.

“Yes, he came to see my last show a few weeks ago.” She smirks.

My mind flashes to the night he’d gotten all dressed up and missed dinner with Beau and me. I’d been so annoyed I’d snuck out for ice cream. Funny, that was the same night Drix told Beau he didn’t date, but then we’d smelled perfume on him. It was hers. She’s who he’d been with at the opera. I don’t know much about her. But she seems to know a ton about me, though.

“You befriended me.” I can’t help the hurt that comes through in my voice.

“You stole my man.” She shrugs. She’d gotten me to confide in her. I’d told her about how I was in love with Drix but he didn’t see me that way. Until that night in the kitchen. I’d told her about that, too. She’d told me to forget him. Listed off reasons why I shouldn’t be with Drix and then… oh, God. She set me up last night.

“Why are you here?” I take a step back as fear starts to take hold.

“I thought you should know that while you were away at school, your man was fucking me. That when he sends you away again to college, he’ll be fucking me again.”

“I think you should leave,” I say, not willing to give her a reaction. That only seems to enrage her. She suddenly lunges for me. That’s when something shiny catches my eye. She has a knife.

“You bitch!” she screams. I jump, darting away from her. She stumbles, falling to the floor. She quickly gets to her feet, holding the knife out in front of her, pointing it at me. I hold my hands up.

“Mari, I think that—”

The front door swings open, slamming against the wall as a handful of police come flooding into the home with their guns raised and pointed at Mari. I don’t know where Drix has come from, but he’s suddenly there in front of me. He scoops me up into his arms.

“Tell me you’re okay.” He carries me through the house and away from a screaming Mari. The cops are still trying to convince her to put the knife down. Drix doesn’t stop until we’re in the bedroom. He sits down on the bed with me in his lap. “Tell me you’re okay,” he says again, his hand cupping my face.

“She didn’t touch me.”

“That’s not what I asked.” His eyes search my face. “She’s crazy, Lila. She’s also what I had to handle today after I dropped Beau off. You were drugged last night, and it was her that did it.” I nod. I had a feeling that was the case. “When the police raided her home today, they found the drugs, but she wasn’t there. When no one could find her, I called you and you didn’t answer. I rushed home.” He closes his eyes, dropping his forehead to mine. “I could have lost you.” His words are thick with emotion.

“I’m…” I trail off because I’m not fine. Drix opens his eyes and lifts his head. “Were you two—”

“Nothing. We’ve never been anything. I’ve been working a deal with her father. I’ve made it very clear to both of them when they tried to suggest that she and I be anything that I wasn’t interested. The only time I’ve ever touched that woman was when she threw herself at me and I pushed her off.”

“At the opera?”

His brows lift. “Yes, at the opera. I left after she did that and came home to be with my family. That’s why I’d been so on edge that night. That’s when I suggested that you and I could date. Which you shot down before coming into my office accusing me of smelling like I’d been with a woman.”

“You told me I should go to my room. When I didn’t move you snapped at me.” He had a wild look in his eyes that night.

“I did. I didn’t trust myself. I felt you slipping through my fingers. I was fighting myself not to pounce on you.”

“You were never with her.” I believe him.

“I haven’t been with anyone since long before you and Beau came into my life. You two are my world. I don't have time for anyone that isn’t this family.”

“Then the answer to your question if I’m okay is yes. I’m more than okay.”

“Good. We’re getting married this weekend.”

I snort a laugh. “You’re so bossy.”

“And you love it.” He smirks.

I roll my eyes. “Maybe a little,” I admit as his mouth claims mine. I moan when he starts to deepen the kiss, but the sound of someone clearing their throat breaks the moment. I glance over to see a man in a suit with a badge clipped to his belt. Right, I almost forgot a crazy woman with a knife was in the house.

I came way too close to dying a virgin.