Serving Him

“Thanks,” I said quietly. “But it’s okay. I’m ready, are you?” I asked with a fake, chipper smile, my cheeks stretched so wide I thought they would crack.

And the big man looked at me hard, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he grabbed my bag, swinging it over his shoulder before pulling me to him for a kiss on the forehead.

“I’ll miss you Rebecca,” he rumbled in a low voice, his breath hot against my skin. “I won’t forget you.”

And my heart broke then, shattering into a million pieces. Because this didn’t have to happen. He could ask me to stay, he could extend the engagement and hire me again. Heck, I was so desperate that I’d even work for free, I wanted more time with the big man. But it was way too late for that, and besides I wasn’t at the controls. I was here at the big man’s request, and my tour was up. It was time to go, and that was that.

So swallowing thickly, I plastered another fake smile on my face and reached up to kiss his lips quickly, swiftly, a peck and nothing else.

“Bye Kane,” I said merrily, reaching for my bag. “It was nice meeting you.”

And before the big man could stop me, I’d swung my backpack onto my shoulder and was out the door.

“I can find my way to reception, thanks!” I called in a bright voice, my tones echoing in the hall as I speed-walked to the nearest elevator. “Thanks again!”

And making sure to smile, I stepped into the lift, waving again as the doors hissed shut. But once I was alone, my face crumpled, becoming a ugly mass of tears. Because had I really just done that? Had I pretended like the billionaire didn’t mean anything to me, that he was just a job? I’d left my heart with the big man, it was still in the suite with him even if my body was making its way out of the compound, back to my real life. The problem was that I was head over heels in love with the alpha, and unfortunately, he didn’t feel the same way.

Stop it, I scolded myself. Stop it Rebecca, this was never supposed to be anything more. You were hired. You’re the help, and you always have been. Why are you crying now, like he actually owes you something?

But I couldn’t help it, my heart hurt, aching with sorrow. Somehow in the two weeks I’d grown attached, I’d fallen for my captor, I was totally in Kane’s thrall, in love and lust. And to tear myself away now while pretending it didn’t matter took the daylights from me, wiped out my soul until I was nothing more than a frail shadow. But this wouldn’t do. Kane had never promised me more, in fact no one had ever promised me more. The only bargain had been my virginity for money, and that had certainly happened. So I had no right to expect more.

And stepp;ing into reception, I wiped my face, lifting my chin and straightening my back, taking a deep breath. This was the end. My time at the Billionaires Club was over, and it was time to get back to my real life, where Becky Wright really existed. So with slow steps, I followed a porter back up to the surface of the Earth, a black car humming at the curbside, anonymous, luxurious, ready to transport me to another private plane.

But the flight back to New York, alone in the luxury of a G5, barely even registered. Kane had broken my heart, and nothing could penetrate the misery. Even though I was excited to see Mattie and Nana again, joyful to re-join them after two weeks away, the thought of the reunion was still dulled after my painful experience. The man had taken my sunlight, and I was nothing without Kane, just the shadow of the girl I’d once been.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Becky

Life has been incredibly normal since returning to the East Coast. Sure, there was the tearful reunion with my little brother and grandmother, but after a few excited hugs, and some “Becky, Becky, you’re back!” everything settled into a routine.

Well, as routine as things can be given that we now have a new apartment, and my bank account’s flush with cash. Because during my two weeks away, Kane put his minions on it, and my grandma and brother were moved into a brand-new complex on the edge of the water, a real three-bedroom where Mattie and Nana can each have their own room instead of sleeping on a big mattress together. I walked slowly around the apartment, marveling with wonder at the bright and sunny space, huge windows overlooking the sparkling Hudson.

“But how did this happen?” I asked, perplexed.

Nana smiled, holding Mattie to her, stroking his hair as the little boy cuddled close to her elderly form.