“Sasha’s made a break into the modeling world. She’s doing very well,” I said, turning to my mother.
“Really? That’s exciting,” she said. “Although I’m hardly surprised. You’re a true beauty, dear,” she said to Sasha, whose cheeks flushed.
“Thank you,” she murmured, setting her knife and fork aside and leaning back as Alfonse cleared her plate. “I couldn’t have done it without Alec.” She smiled at me. “He’s been so supportive.”
“I can imagine,” my father said drily. “Though I can’t say I blame him. You’re certainly a looker.” I could see her shift uncomfortably.
“She has great style too,” I broke in. “She picked out this shirt for me.” I held up my arm, still ridiculously pleased at the gift. It didn’t matter what it was. She could have come home with a pet rock. Nobody had ever surprised me with things. That had always been my role. I did the buying. I did the spoiling. It was something I’d simply assumed was normal in relationships.
“I noticed that,” he said, his eyes moving over me coldly. “Hardly surprising that you look like a pimp then.”
“Nonsense, Drew!” my mother disagreed. “I think it’s perfect for you, Alec. You’re always so formal. I’m glad to see you relaxing a little. Sasha must be good for you.” Sasha’s cheeks were now flaming red.
“Never been happier, Mom,” I said, surprised at how true the words were.
“Relaxed? Jesus, woman. Don’t give the boy incentive to fuck around any more than he already does,” my father said sharply. Alfonse had reappeared with another course of food. Sasha was pinching her lips together, her eyes on a beautifully presented plate of scallops and greens.
“Drew, really…” my mother began, but my father had clearly lost patience.
“Reallywhat, Eleanor?” he laid into her. “He arrives here dressed like Daddy-fucking-Cool, in a car I probably bought for him, spouting about his upcoming wedding to a girl who’s clearly a whore. And you’re saying he needs to relax more? He’s spent enough time relaxing with every tramp he can afford. It’s hardly surprising that he’d have to pay for one to settle down with.”
I set my cutlery down sharply, prepared to do battle. I may have spent my entire life sucking up his constant insults, but Sasha had done absolutely nothing to deserve this.
Before I could open my mouth, however, she’d shoved her chair back and was standing, her face red…but with fury now.
Chapter 12
Sasha Ramirez
Ithrew my napkin on the table and stood towering over the man sitting at my side. The man who’d been leaning too close for comfort since we’d sat down.
“Mr. Walker,” I began with as much ice as I could muster, “you are a cruel, vulgar, horrible person!” He gaped at me, clearly too astonished to reply immediately. I carried on quickly, before he could get his wits about him. “I’ve sat here the whole evening listening to you saying terrible things about the man I care about. I will not tolerate another second of it!” Across the table, I could see Eleanor and Prince – my Alec – staring open-mouthed.
“Sure, I may have had to date men – men likeyou, I’ll add – to pay my bills at one time. But that does not mean you have the right to turn that into a weapon against your son. And I’ll say that again, Mr. Walker. Yourson!” I glanced at him now. He was sitting as still as a statue, his eyes on me.
“My son is an idiot! A lazy reprobate who…” Drew began.
“Your son is the most amazing man I’ve ever met!” I almost yelled at him, feeling tears prickling at his unfairness. “He’s generous, he’s hard-working, and he’s probably the smartest human being I’ve ever encountered!” I wanted to stamp my foot but that may have been too much. Eleanor was speechless, but I had a feeling she was enjoying the show.
“Bullshit!” Drew burst out, his eyes glittering with rage. It was unbelievable that those emerald eyes were so similar to my lover’s and yet so very different. “He’s a fucking degenerate!”
“Really? I’ll tell you who’s a degenerate! You are! You’ve been feeling my thigh since we first sat down, you filthy old man!” I raged. Prince shot furious eyes at his father, who didn’t bother acknowledging him. “And I’ll tell you something else…I’ve met men like you before. Men who are so insecure that they prey on those who care about them to fulfil their black hearts.” I didn’t know where the words were coming from, but they were pouring out like lava.
“Your thigh…?” he spluttered, angling a look at Eleanor, who was openly smirking. She knew exactly what her husband was capable of and was loving watching him squirm.
“Don’t bother denying it,” I interrupted. “You like feeling up young girls. I could be your daughter. Fuck, I bet your daughter is older than I am! But that wouldn’t stop you, would it? Oh no! Because you’re so determined to show your son that your balls are bigger than his, you’ll behave like a pig in front of your own wife! A woman who is too good for you, I might add. Just like your son.” I looked at Eleanor with sympathy, but was pretty sure she could hold her own against this man. In fact, the grin spreading over her face was beginning to reach Cheshire Cat proportions. Prince, on the other hand, still looked shellshocked.
“I don’t know where this is coming from, young woman, but—” he began.
“I’ll tell you where it’s coming from. It’s coming from a place of having enough! Enough of your bad attitude. Enough of people making wrong assumptions. Enough of being bullied! Because that’s what you are, Drew Walker. A bully! A bully who preys on loved ones and young girls.” I was panting with fury and the words I’d just spewed out. As I stared down at that cold, hard face, it occurred to me that many of those words were not just aimed at this man. They were about my own grief. The bullies I’d fought over the years. It was time to fight back.
I looked across the table and attempted a small smile at the silent woman sitting there.
“I’m so sorry, Eleanor,” I said hoarsely, my voice giving out now that the emotion had sapped the strength from it. She shook her head. I turned to Prince, who was beginning to rise from his seat. “I’d like to go.” Without a word, he nodded and stepped away from his chair.
“Darling, I understand completely,” Eleanor replied. The look she aimed at her husband warned of a rocky night ahead for the man. Prince was at my side, handing my purse to me.
“Thank you…Alec,” I said pointedly. I turned and marched to the entrance hall, feeling Drew’s eyes on my shoulders. He still hadn’t moved from his place at the table.
