Chapter 67
Alexander
She said that with such sincerity and fragility that I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve never been at a loss for words in front of a woman until today. I know she’s not playing, that she’s being serious. Her evasive gaze and trembling body don’t
lie.
“It was nothing at all. Forget it.”
“It wasn’t nothing, and you know it very well.”
“You don’t owe me anything or anything like that.”
She bites her lip and rolls her eyes.
“You don’t understand. I was weak. I was about to get my skull blown open by Omar’s gun, but you came to help me. I don’t understand why you did that when I mean nothing to you.”
I don’t like where this conversation is heading. I don’t want to have this discussion–especially not with her–or it might actually make me lose it.
I have to leave, now.
“I’ll let you sleep. It’s been a long day.”
I let go of her cheeks and stand up. She grabs the sleeve of my jacket with the little strength she has left.
I could make her let go right away, but I feel like she wants to talk to me–and that this might be my only chance to face the real Inara.
“I don’t want you to think I’m stupid enough to fall in love with you just because you saved me. Or crazy enough to sleep with you to thank‘ you, because that’s not going to happen.”
Yet I feel a damn strong sexual tension in this room right now.
“Usually I’m the one who protects others and stays strong. Earlier, I was paralyzed by the pain. I had no hope of getting out of it. I’m not the kind of woman people fight for.”
She gives a small sad smile to hide her discomfort.
I’m the kind people dream of seeing dead. I’m actually weak, because if you hadn’t been there, Omar would’ve taken everything that matters most to me. I’m not talking about my life, but about the lives of all the employees. I don’t know why you acted like that, and honestly, I don’t care. Maybe it’s to manipulate me and push me to sleep with you, or maybe you’re following a plan to seduce me for some reason–I don’t care…”
She pauses.
“You probably don’t understand why I’m telling you all this crap… I just want you to know I’ll never forget what you just did for me and my family. Maybe it was a small gesture for you, but to me, it’s the most beautiful thing a man has ever done for
me.”
She just fried my brain with her words and her sincerity.
Inara resembles me a lot more than I thought. She’s just as modest with her feelings as I am, and she can’t lie about what she
feels.
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Chapter 67
It must’ve taken a hell of a lot of strength to swallow her pride.
I could take advantage and drop a rehearsed line that would surely make her melt, but I’m not a son of a bitch who exploits. a moment of weakness like this to reach his goal.
She lets go of my sleeve and gives me a little smile.
A damn smile that could make anyone crumble–even a monster like me.
A smile that would make you want to rip the world’s throat open just to get another one like it.
What the hell am I even saying?
“I hope you look after Mathieu the same way you just did for me…”
It’s not human to be that beautiful and charismatic.
She has that strong dominant woman side–and that part is seriously hot. On the other hand, she has this childlike fragility that makes you want to protect her from the whole world.
I understand better now why she drives everyone crazy.
My face remains stoic because I don’t know what to say or how to react to her.
She lies down on her bed and closes her eyes.
I watch her for a few seconds without moving. I’m about to brush her cheek with my hand when I stop myself, realizing the stupidity of what I’m about to do.
I straighten up and leave her room without looking back.
I head down the stairs when I hear:
“Alexander, right?”
I turn around and see the woman who hugged Inara when we came in–Maria.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Can I speak with you in private, in my room?”
I smirk.
“Sorry, it’s nothing personal, but I don’t mess around with women old enough to be my mother.”
She looks at me, confused. I laugh when I see her face turning bright red.
“But-”
“I’m joking. Lead the way.”
She sighs and heads to her room with a determined step. I follow.
Once inside, she crosses her arms over her chest and gives me a stern look.
“First of all, you can speak to me informally. I’m not as old as I look. I’ll be very honest with you, young man─I know
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Chapter 67
exactly what you’re trying to do with Inara, and I won’t let you touch my girl, do you hear me?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Meaning?”
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“Your little act of the protective man was way too perfect to be genuine. Inara told me the circumstances in which she met you. Just so you know, I can spot men like you easily.”
“What do you mean, ‘men like me?”
“You’re trying to soften her up so she’ll sleep with you–or worse! You’re probably trying to seduce her so she’ll fall for you and betray her father.”
She’s sharp–no doubt about it.
“You’re judging me without knowing me.”
“No need to know you to see your intentions toward my Inara aren’t good! Your eyes don’t lie–they’re full of deceit and hatred.”
I clench my jaw.
“You think you know me just by looking into my eyes? Impossible–I don’t even know myself! I would never force a woman to do anything. Everything Inara does will be fully consensual and of her own will.”
“You want to make her dependent on you, get her to follow your orders without question, right? For men like you, Inara is a challenge. I forbid you from circling around her like a wolf ready to pounce!”
Not wanting to continue this conversation, I head for the door, but she grabs my wrist firmly.
“You don’t realize the consequences if Khalid finds out you’re trying to seduce his daughter or that there’s something between you! Inara risks a lot more than a few bills. She risks her life.”
I raise my eyebrows.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let go of me.”
“You played the savior today by standing up to her enemies! She’s too proud to admit it, but I know you’re chipping away at that armor she’s built around her heart!”
“I know what I’m doing
“Inara is like a daughter to me. I swear if you hurt her, I’ll make you pay–with interest! That girl is amazing. She deserves happiness. If you can’t give it to her, you need to leave now! She’s always fought to survive. She’s suffered enough in her life and childhood to finally deserve peace.”
I give her a confused look before asking:
“What do you mean, she’s suffered in her life and childhood?”
She instantly lets go and turns her head as if she just realized she slipped.
“What did you mean by that?”
That sentence meant nothing–forget it.”
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That’s not the impression I got.
“I’ll pretend to believe you–it’s better for everyone.”
She doesn’t answer.
“The only truth you can hold on to is that I don’t want to hurt Inara.”
I head toward the door and unlock it when I hear:
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“I believe you when you say you don’t want to hurt her. But that doesn’t mean you won’t if you’re forced to, does it? I know business always comes first.”
I say nothing.
It’s time for me to leave.
I walk down the hall and quickly head downstairs. Just as I reach the front door, Khalid calls out:
“Took you long enough to help her get settled in bed!”
I put my hands in my pockets and stare at him.
“Is that a problem for someone?”
“You know it’s not. You’re the son I always wished I had since you were born.”
I resist the urge to burst out laughing so he doesn’t realize I’m currently turning his life upside down without him even knowing.
“Funny, I remember you and my father were like a couple. Surprising that you’d think that about me.”
He frowns.
“Years have passed, and I’ve changed too.”
Maybe–but the secrets remain. They won’t vanish anytime soon.
“I said earlier I wanted to speak with you, but I’m heading home.”
“Before you go, know this: Inara is not a woman you can consider,”
I clench my jaw. He continues:
“I saw how you looked at my daughter earlier. I suggest you keep your distance if you don’t want trouble.”
“Trouble? Like what?”
“You’d rather not know.”
“Your daughter doesn’t interest me. I’m just grateful.”
“You trying to say something?”
“I think Inara and I have things in common. Like parents who think they’re gods just because they gave birth to us. You know how my father’s story ended–it’d be a shame if you followed his path.”
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