Chapter 26
GRAVES VILLA VILLA
9:04 PM
Alexander’s villa is impressive, gigantic, and luxurious. It reeks of wealth.
The most awaited man of the evening didn’t even bother to give us the “honor” of his presence.
I have to admit, Alexander knows how to throw a party in very little time.
In the reception hall, many of my enemies are present and shooting me dirty looks. In response, I give them big, provocative smiles.
“Stop looking at the other guests like that if you don’t want this party to end in a bloodbath,” Khalid reminds me.
I had almost forgotten he was there. His guard dog isn’t by our side because he’s talking business with some women in the back of the room.
Khalid is wearing a beige suit that must cost a fortune, a pair of Italian shoes, and perfectly slicked-back hair for the occasion. However, his attire doesn’t change much from usual since he’s always dressed sharply.
“If they try to touch me, I’ll kill them.”
I know I wouldn’t be able to take them all down. Still, I have to maintain the mask of a strong and untouchable woman, even if it’s just a facade.
“At least make an effort to hide your weapons. Your dress barely covers the knives underneath.”
I tried to dress well, even if my dress is provocative and shows off my curves. Don’t ask too much of me.
“I prefer my weapons to be visible so they’re discouraged from trying anything.”
“You are a pain in the ass by nature.”
“And it’s your fault all these people hate me, don’t forget that.”
“Wrong, it’s because of the missions you’ve carried out.”
I shrug, then my father heads over to the woman barely older than me. He starts his usual charm routine. It’s disgusting.
All eyes turn to the grand staircase at the center of the room. I hear everyone applaud. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my father and his companions clapping too, while I stand with my arms crossed.
Alexander Graves has just made his entrance for the pleasure of these ladies and gentlemen.
He flashes a dazzling smile, glancing left and right as he walks down the steps like he’s being photographed on a runway. They all seem captivated by his presence.
He’s still as sexy as ever, even if I hate him. He’s wearing a black suit, a white shirt, Italian shoes, and his hair is even wavier
than usual.
I look away when I catch the scent of Hakim, who has somehow ended up beside me even though he was across the room just minutes before.
I focus again on the man’s dramatic entrance as I take a sip from my glass.
1/4
Chapter 26
When his eyes meet mine, he winks, letting all his arrogance and insolence shine through.
I look away to avoid fueling the hatred and attention of the other guests, especially Khalid.
“I’m glad you’re all here to celebrate my release from prison. During my absence, I heard some of you got a little too comfortable. I’m here to set things straight.”
I saw a flash of stress in my father’s eyes. The other guests begin clapping like they’re thrilled to submit to him. Khalid ends up clapping too, hiding his anxiety.
“I hope you enjoy the evening. This is just the beginning of my grand return among you!”
He raises his glass, drinks half of it, and the guests keep applauding a bit longer. Alexander sets his eyes on me, noticing I’m not clapping.
He walks toward me with a predator’s smile.
Tell me he’s not doing this.
I don’t even have time to think before he’s next to me, watching me with a playful glint in his eyes.
I feel all eyes on us, including my father’s, who’s probably glaring daggers at me, but I try to ignore it.
Alexander grabs my hand and places a light kiss on it while eyeing me up and down, as if undressing my body—and my soul.
“Alexander Graves.”
“Inara.”
“May I ask why you’re not clapping like the other guests, miss?”
I feel his gaze piercing through me. Still, I remain unmoved and hold my glass tightly.
He emphasizes the word “miss.” If he thinks I’ll be intimidated by being made the center of attention, he’s wrong. Half the people here already hate me; might as well give them more reasons.
“I only clap when I think it’s deserved, which is rare, and in this case, it’s not.”
“You’re at my party. When I want you to clap, you clap.”
I immediately raised my eyebrows.
“No one dictates my behavior, Mr. Graves, not even you.”
“Yet I just did.”
“You’re not an exception to the rule.”
“When I give an order, it gets followed without question.”
“No one forces me to do what I don’t want to do.”
“I’m not just any man, miss.”
“And I’m not just any woman. I belong to no one.”
He smirks.
2/4
23)
Chapter 26
He grabs my arm tightly, locking eyes with me.
“We’ll see about that, miss. For someone like me, owning someone is quite easy.”
We glare at each other under the shocked eyes of the other guests.
“Half the people here hate you, you know why? Because you’re a spoiled, arrogant brat.”
“Let me explain how little I give a damn about what your guests think of me.”
At first, he spoke playfully. Now, I can tell my attitude is seriously irritating him.
“Weren’t you taught respect in your little castle? If not, I’d be glad to teach you.”
I’m boiling inside. He’s humiliating me publicly and talking to me like one of his men who lowers their gaze in front of him. But there’s no way I’ll bow to this man.
“Listen to me-”
I don’t get to finish. Hakim steps between Alexander and me, pulling me back.
“Don’t touch me again unless you want big trouble.”
“Inara, we’re not here to cause a scene. It’s a party to celebrate his release. Stop acting like a brat who needs the last word.”
I look at him with disdain and hatred. He’s always ready to bow to someone more powerful than him, and it’s pathetic.
Alexander eyes him from head to toe, smirks again, then looks back at me.
“Sounds like someone’s on her period.”
I hear some of the guests laughing. To stop myself from drawing one of my weapons, I break the glass I’ve been holding tightly since the beginning of this conversation to release my frustration.
I cut myself, and the blood starts to flow. Still, I remain completely indifferent, despite the guests’ shock.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I need to treat my hand.”
I don’t even give him time to reply as I head toward the villa’s grand staircase under mocking and shocked gazes.
I walk down the large hallway leading to several rooms, even though my blood is dripping.
I reach the bathroom. I carefully remove the small shards of glass lodged in my hand. I grab a tissue next to the sink and wrap it tightly around my hand, fastening it with an elastic that was holding my hair in a bun, letting my hair fall loose.
I leave the bathroom and walk through the lavish mansion, looking for a place to find my weapons.
I won’t leave this damn house without what’s mine. It’s a matter of life or death. This villa is far too big to search entirely.
One room catches my eye in particular. The door is red while all the others are black.
I try to open it, but it’s locked. I’m about to pull out my gun to shoot the lock, but I stop immediately, touching my forehead.
A gunshot would attract all the guests.
I think, then I take out the small dagger hidden in my chest. I insert it into the lock to tamper with the mechanism, checking
that no one sees me.
3/4
The lock finally gives way. I slip inside, close the door quietly, and turn on the light.
I’ve just entered an office-Alexander’s office, to be exact.
I take off my heels and toss them in a corner. I start searching the room.
Where the hell did this psychopath hide my weapons?
I examine the desk and notice the rug is slightly lifted. I walk toward it decisively when a voice stops me:
“On top of being a spoiled brat, you’re also a thief who breaks into people’s places without permission.”
4/4
I
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
