His Alone (For Her #2)

Reaching up, I cup her neck and run my thumb along the bottom of her jaw. “Nothing, kitten,” I say softly. I like the nickname for her. If she could purr, she would, given the way she leans into my touch. Fuck, why can’t she see she belongs to me? Her body knows it, but she can’t let go. That’s okay, kitten. I’ll fight for us, and I won’t stop until I win.

As if she realizes what she’s doing, she takes a step back from me. As I’m about to make a grab for her, someone comes up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Mr. Justice. We’ve got a situation. I tried to speak with you a moment ago.” I turn to see the security guard who tried to talk to me earlier, when I was kissing Paige, and again I turn away, ignoring him.

I catch sight of Paige making her way to the entrance of the building, and I think maybe she’s getting ready to leave. But I know her well enough to know she wouldn’t walk out on a job, and even though we’re extra tonight, she would still check in before she left. I catch a glimpse of her auburn hair and black dress as she exits the double doors and they close behind her.

“Sir, I wanted to let you know—”

“In a moment,” I say, cutting him off and trying to go after her.

I speed up my steps, not wanting to miss where she goes next, so I can catch up with her. After I’ve made it to the doors and opened them, I stop dead in my tracks. Paige is across the room, standing in front of a man I’ve tried to keep her away from all these years.

Alexander looks up, and his blue eyes—just like Paige’s—lock on me, and before I know it Miles and Mallory walk into the foyer, and the four of us are alone with him.





Chapter Three


Paige



* * *





I WAS ABLE to walk away from Captain again, so I guess I have superhuman, strength after all. All I wanted to do was to melt into him, but he doesn’t know about my past. He doesn’t know that deep down I don’t think I’m good enough for someone like him. Maybe one day I could be. Maybe if I took charge of my destiny and got the revenge I really want, then I could focus on myself. Hide what I’d done. But the way my life is right now, I’ve got one focus and that’s to pay back the son of a bitch who killed my mother. But that revenge could make me lose him. Lose everything. Captain always plays by the rules, and I’m on a path to break everyone I come against if it gets me what I want.

When I step through the double doors, I keep walking, thinking I’ll go outside and get some fresh air. Cool down a little. I’ll take a moment alone and then go back in to tell Mallory I’m leaving for the night. There’s plenty of security here, and Ryan can more than handle things without me. I often wonder if Ryan would even want me on his team if it hadn’t been for Miles making him hire me. Sure, he wants to fuck me―he may even want something more―but I’m not certain he thinks I can do my job. He’s often looking over me. He’s even put a guard on me a time or two.

I’m lost in thought as I’m walking, not paying attention to where I’m going. Before I realize what I’m doing, I bump into someone and ice-cold hands wrap around my arms. They steady me and keep me from falling over, and I look up to apologize. But the words stick in my throat as I look into the cold blue eyes that mirror my own.

“Hello, Paige.”

My father’s voice sends a chill down my spine and I shiver involuntarily. I manage to swallow the scream building in my throat, and he smiles at me, enjoying my terror. He always liked when people flinched away from him. It gave him some sick high. He’d almost savor it. His hands give me a squeeze and then let go. I think he’s going to walk away, but he leans down and whispers in my ear. They’re the first words I’ve heard him speak to me since he killed my mother. Back then he told me if I ever spoke a word I’d end up like her.

“My, my, you’ve grown to look exactly like your mother. Such a beauty, sweet Paige. It was such a shame to end her life. What a waste. She looked magnificent every time I had her under me. Especially when she cried.”

He leans back a little and looks down at me, a soft smile on his face. He reaches up, and his glacial finger wipes away a tear I didn’t know I’d shed. The fear inside me leaches out in the only way possible. A single tear formed of my shame and my hate, and he derives joy from it.

“Just like her.” His voice is full of reverence, maybe even desire. How my mother loved him, I’ll never know.

This time when he smiles, it’s wide and sinister, and I want to run. I want to leave this place and get as far away from him, and the memory, as possible. He looks past me, and I see his gaze lock on someone over my shoulder, but I don’t turn to see who it is. I’m frozen, fear crippling me into stone.

“Look at our little family reunion,” Alexander says, and I’m shaken out of my trance.

I take a few steps away from him, off to the side, and watch as he speaks to Miles. I look over and see Mallory partially behind him, with Captain nearby, staring at me. Understanding passes between us. He knows Miles and I hate our father. Miles has been working for years to tear Alexander’s world apart.

My mind is churning as I look at Ryan. I want him to run over and hold me, catch me before I crumple to the ground. Sink into all that protective strength I know he has. But then I want him to stay where he is and not come near me. I don’t want the evil that my father gave me to touch him. Or for my father to see another weakness I have. He’s great at using anything he can against you.

I hear raised voices, and out of the corner of my eye I see a scuffle. Before I know it Miles has Alexander pinned to the wall beside me. Still I don’t move. Just like all those years ago, I’m standing here doing nothing. Still as weak, no matter how hard I try to fight it. To pretend otherwise. I watch as Miles chokes Alexander and Captain stands by, letting it take place. The two of us do nothing to stop what’s happening, but allow it to continue.