"Mira I"m... I"m sorry that..."
"Toni please let it go. I should learn to shut my mouth, it"s like I look to deliberately tick him off. It"s okay really I"m fine." Toni looked lost.
"Why does he do it? How did it start, this obsession of his? Why do you allow it?"
"What would you have me do Toni? I"ve escaped only to be found and punished for it. I"ll not let anybody else get hurt so he can keep me under his control. That"s it I"ll do as he wants." Toni was shaking her head.
"Do you love him?" Oh s.h.i.+t this is too much.
"Honestly Toni, not today I don"t." they shared a little laugh.
"He was scary, I actually was afraid for you."
"Don"t get involved, I find he becomes determined to a.s.sert his dominance when somebody interferes." It felt good talking to Toni, "What did you mean by hurting anybody else?"
"Please leave it Toni, it"s nothing" Miranda didn"t want to involve Toni with the truth. How could she tell Toni she married a murderer?
"I"m sorry I hurt you Mira, I wasn"t thinking straight, I a.s.sumed he cheated on me with you and you were somehow to blame, I was overwhelmed I couldn"t quite grasp the concept of you and him" Toni looked like she was ready to cry. "Why didn"t you tell me? Before I married him, why didn"t you just tell me the truth?"
"It"s complicated. I really didn"t know how to deal with him finding me. Its okay I get it, he"s very convincing in a manipulative way. It"s fine, you were shocked, you just found out your best friend was f.u.c.king your fiance, hey I would"ve reacted the same way. But let me tell you until the day of the rehearsal dinner I had escaped him for over a year. That night I thought my life was over. He was furious."
"He tampered with your car." Miranda nodded to Toni"s discovery. "How long has he been this way with you?"
"Since I met him, it"s always been weird, my uncle owed Alec a lot of money, he traded me in as a way to promise he"ll get the money. Long story short Alec apparently felt that he needed to control me and didn"t want the money anymore he was going to keep me until he was over this obsession. Almost two years later he"s worse than when I met him." Toni was trying to absorb it all in "So all this time you were with him until you escaped?"
"No he let me go at one stage... But that"s another story all together anyway now we are here and this is truly a f.u.c.ked up situation."
"You"re telling me. I f.u.c.king married him. Honestly I didn"t think for a minute it was like this" Toni was remorseful, really sorry for everything. Miranda could see it in her eyes.
"I"m sorry that I ...I couldn"t tell you more at the time. It doesn"t make sense even to me. I don"t know how this is going to work, I just hope it ends soon."
When Toni left Miranda felt a sense of relief. Toni knew it wasn"t her fault, but Miranda couldn"t tell her that her life was literally at stake. Miranda didn"t know how Toni and Alec were going to work now that Toni understood the extremity of the situation. One day at a time Miranda one day at a time...at least she had her friend back.
Next day Alec worked himself hard. He was finalizing all paperwork and Crystal was busy preparing decorators, caterers and live bands for the upcoming party. Miranda stayed well out of Alec"s way probably hoping to avoid conflict. Alec was all over the place when he thought of Miranda, she was stirring emotions he never felt before. She was truly taking over his whole world, and Alec found it very hard to deal with. His monster wouldn"t be contained and when he wanted his fix of Miranda n.o.body could stand in his way. Poor Toni was lost, she didn"t know how to deal with the situation. Maybe he should just offer her a divorce, he didn"t want to hurt her deliberately. Miranda would behave he was sure of it.
Miranda spent the day by the pool, wearing her black shorts and a top with a picture of the Mona Lisa with no eyes Imprinted at the front. She wore her no name sun gla.s.ses and lounged by the pool reading a book that she wasn"t quite interested in. Alec was overly busy today and Miranda did her best to stay away from him. Anything she did ticked him off. Miranda wasn"t about to get in trouble for her big mouth again. Still she wanted to ask Alec if she would be able to find a job and help Katie out, she wasn"t holding her breath but it was worth a try.
"Hey lazy." Carlos with his s.e.xy grin sat next to her.
"Lazy? h.e.l.l I wish I had something to do, I"m bored!"
"Just for f.u.c.ks sake stay out of trouble your mouth needs to learn to watch what it says." Miranda pouted and pretended to keep reading.
"Your cute when you pout," he laughed.
"Shut up stop making fun of me." She really did care for Carlos, he had been there with her from the beginning. If anything, she owed her a lot.
"Can I join?" Toni was wearing a s.e.xy white bikini that didn"t leave much to the imagination, designer all the way for the wife of Alec deAngelo.
"Of course you can, I was leaving anyway." Carlos stood up and walked away.
"I don"t think he likes me much." Toni looked a little sad.
"Na he"s okay it"s hard to get him to really be comfortable around anybody, he keeps to himself, but he"s a gem."
"And s.e.xy as..." Miranda didn"t know how to react to Toni"s comment. She would never ever allow herself to voice that comment. Not if she wanted to stay alive.
"Shhhh Alec will hear you."
"Alec will hear what?" Miranda almost fell out of her seat when she heard Alec"s voice come from behind.
"Was just telling Miranda how s.e.xy Carlos is." Miranda felt the color drain from her face.
"You find Carlos s.e.xy Toni?" Alec was smiling yet to Miranda it looked menacing. Please Toni don"t be stupid oh please don"t say something stupid.
"Actually I find him a lot s.e.xy... Does it bother you?" Alec moved toward Toni predator like, Toni was walking back slowly smiling. Within a split second Alec held Toni and threw her into the pool. Despite herself Miranda laughed. Toni came up and laughed, "You"ll pay for that."
Turning to Miranda his eyes darkened and his mood seemed to change. "How about you Miranda, do you find Carlos s.e.xy?" Miranda lost her smile in an instant.
"No... Of course not master," she was physically going to be sick.
"You sure?" Miranda was swallowing hard. f.u.c.k this was going to be an issue, d.a.m.n you Toni!
"I"m sure master."
"Oy you big bully leave her alone! I told her that I thought Carlos was s.e.xy so shut up and get in the water." Toni yelled out to Alec.
"Who thinks I"m s.e.xy." Carlos walked out.
"Well it seems my wife thinks you"re a lot s.e.xy... Women."
"Hey man don"t be a hater if you have the goods..." He punched Alec in the arm before he dove into the pool.
Miranda couldn"t help smiling. Alec was so charming when he wasn"t hurting her. Miranda did love him, too much sometimes. I need serious help she thought grinning to herself.
"What"s so amusing kid?" Alec bought her back to reality.
"Just thinking," she shrugged her shoulders. Alec took seat on the pool lounge beside her.
"Yes I got that bout about what?" How to answer this one? She needed to be calculating and cunning with her answer.
"That I love you despite what you do to me." Way to be cunning you moron. Alec looked deeply into her eyes.
"And that makes you smile? A little twisted there kid," he was teasing her "If I"m twisted Your Holiness it"s only because you made me this way." Alec laughed at her reply.
"Smart a.s.s."
"Takes one to know one." Miranda use that filter child.
Alec was really laughing at Miranda and her witty replies. She was a little too c.o.c.ky so he did the only thing he could... He tossed her into the water. Miranda came out coughing and gasping for air, nothing as dignified as Toni but it was adorable that she had no facade. She didn"t want to be pretty when she was drowning and that tickled Alec"s humor all the more he was in fits of laughter.
Chapter 24.
The day of the party was upon them. Miranda promised herself that she would stay out of trouble, especially since Alec"s mood had been a little lighter. He was adorable when he wasn"t being a bully. Toni found a way to keep the situation a little less awkward by actually addressing the issues as opposed to pretending like everything was normal. Miranda would sleep alone yet find Alec in her bed every morning. He hadn"t really touched her since he f.u.c.ked her in the kitchen. Still Miranda was always apprehensive afraid of his next episode.
Miranda didn"t know what to wear she didn"t want to overdo it because she didn"t want to draw unwanted attention. So she opted for a black simple dress that reached just above her knees with a simple thin gold belt. She matched her shoes to the belt. Miranda never felt overly comfortable wearing heels, yet it completed the look. She didn"t want to do anything with her hair so she braided it loosely to the side of her face. It dropped down pa.s.sed her chest. The dress was spaghetti straps and showed just a little part of her milky b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Adding dark eye makeup and a little gloss Miranda was done. Now to get Alec"s approval.
Alec was complimenting Toni on her appearance. She wore a silver one piece that looked like she came out of the seventies. Her body looked immaculate. Her hair had a Farrah Fawcett look, flicked back. She looked drop dead gorgeous.
Crystal looked amazing also. She wore a blood red strapless dress that had a Hawaiian look to it. It dropped to the floor with a split on either side. It had a gold braided cord under her breast that tied to the side and dropped down. She completed her look with a red flower in her blond hair. "Wow ladies I"m speechless." Alec was praising them. Now for his little witch to make her grand entrance. Carlos walked in and whistled at the women "Wow! Better keep these women on a leash tonight dude," Carlos winked at them.
"Why thank you. You boys scrub up okay as well." Crystal was always cla.s.sy in everything she did. Alec really respected how she always held herself together. His attention was directed to the stairs. He drew in a breath, there she was in all her beauty and innocence coming down the stairs. f.u.c.k she took his breath away. He walked over to her and took her arm sensing she was nervous.
"Is it okay?" She asked clearly seeking his approval. He raised an eyebrow.
"Turn around," she did so this time adding a little s.e.xy edge to it. He groaned and pulled her to him. "Swear to G.o.d I"ll f.u.c.k you here and now," he was. .h.i.t with a ma.s.sive erection. She pouted... The little vixen pouted and his c.o.c.k throbbed. He pushed her with his body until she hit the railing of the staircase. He pressed into her smelling her neck. He wanted in her, cupping her face he kissed her slowly and erotically at first then his need overtook and he ravished her mouth.
Miranda wasn"t able to understand his reaction. Toni was standing in full view of them yet Alec couldn"t care less. His hands were on her a.s.s pressing her into him. "Ahem... Ahem boss... Guests are arriving." Alec stopped kissing her and pressed his forehead onto hers.
"f.u.c.k!" He adjusted himself and moved to Crystal where they went to greet the guests. Miranda was left dumbfounded she felt very guilty at the display in front of Toni. She looked apologetically at Toni only to have Toni turn away clearly upset. Miranda decided it would be best to leave her alone for a while.
Alec was being a gracious host as was Crystal. Carlos was on high alert security and Toni played the loving wife. Miranda kept to herself for most of the evening. Alec noticed a few men trying to engage her with conversation only to have Miranda cut them short. She was behaving extremely well. Alec was proud of his little rebel, still he was eager to get her alone and f.u.c.k her into another world. Toni wasn"t too happy with Alec"s actions with Miranda, she was trying to act like life was okay. Yet she would make comments when they were alone.
"Did you have to do that in front of me? Not to mention in front of Carlos and Crystal! Do you know how humiliating it is for me to watch? It"s one thing to do it in private but so openly?"
"It was unintentional, I"m sorry Toni."
"Sorry? You"re sorry but you"ll continue to do it? I can"t do this Alejandro, seriously I"m done." He looked at Toni, he was actually shocked that it took her this long to reach this point. "You never loved me did you?" Alec ran a hand through his hair.
"Toni I do love you babe, but it will never be enough. I can"t help myself, it"s not like I"m f.u.c.king every other women it"s only her, and it"s not all the time."
"It"s the way you look at her Alec. It"s the way you touch her, like nothing else in the world compares. Why did you marry me?" Alec debated whether or not to be honest.
"Toni please I really don"t want to hurt you."
"Yes well that s.h.i.+p has sailed. Tell me the truth it will be easier for me."
"I needed you to keep Miranda put. I threatened to kill you if she ever tried escaping again. I told her I"d slit your throat as she watched." Toni"s face turned white. She shook her head trying to take it all in.
"She sacrificed her life for mine and I just tossed her out like she was n.o.body. And after everything I had done she still stayed and protected me. You really would have killed me? After all the time we shared together? Did I mean nothing to you?"
"Toni you mean something to me I do care about you, but you need to understand I was desperate. I couldn"t have her leave me again. I cannot breathe without her. I would have done and said anything to keep her put. She"s the only thing that makes sense to me. I really am sorry Toni, I will set you up for life. I never planned for things to get this far. I honestly thought I"d be way over her by this time."
"So this is it? I"m unsure how to feel. I"ll call myself a cab." Alec watched Toni walk away. It was for the best. He would make sure she lived well financially. Alec although sad for Toni felt a huge burden lift off his shoulders. After telling Carlos to see to Toni, Alec went to find Miranda.
Miranda was drinking at the bar, she kept ordering funny named c.o.c.ktails only because she felt bad for Toni witnessing the kiss and she was bored. The barman was cute, he was trying to keep conversation going. "Can I have another frozen margarita please?" Miranda graced him with her dimpled smile.
"Anything for that smile," while watching him make her a drink she felt somebody tap her shoulder. It was Alec looking mighty fine.
"Well hi there Mr. s.e.xy... Where is Toni? Is she still upset with me?" Miranda pulled a frown and tried to show how bad she felt.
"How many have you had to drink kid?" Miranda started counting on her fingers and thinking hard.
"One or two," she scrunched up her face. Moving over to Alec she stood on her toes to whisper in his ears "I love you... But shhhh don"t tell Toni, she"s my friend again, I think maybe not after today... Don"t tell Toni it"s our secret master." Miranda was feeling a little light headed, she knew she drank too much. Maybe she should go to sleep.
"Miranda where are you going?" He watched her as she seductively walked away swaying her hips side to side and by G.o.d her a.s.s was delicious. Turning her head around she yelled out.
"To bed, I don"t want to get in trouble... Shhhhh." Putting a finger on her lips as if to keep their secret. Alec shook his head clearly unable to understand this kid. Her effect on him was unreal. Her unsteady walk caused his c.o.c.k to come to life. He needed her like he never needed anything before. Ok back to his guests...
Next morning Miranda was ready to apologies to Toni that wasn"t fair, it wasn"t her intention for Alec to put on a show. Miranda genuinely felt bad for her friend. Wearing a simple yellow summer dress Miranda made her way to the dining room for breakfast.
"Good morning," she greeted them. Surprisingly Toni wasn"t there. Alec, Carlos and Crystal were seated having breakfast. Taking a seat and pouring herself a coffee Miranda felt like something was amiss.
"Where"s Toni?" She asked. The three of them looked a little uncomfortable. "What? Where is she?" Feeling a little worried.
"She"s gone, it"s for the best." Alec said so casually. Miranda was struck dumb.
"What do you mean gone? Gone where?" Alec took in an exasperated breath.
"Miranda she went home, it"s over between us. She couldn"t get her head around the whole you and me concept. Let it go kid. She felt bad for you and blamed herself for everything. I a.s.sured her it was purely me to blame. End of story." Miranda wasn"t going to let this one go.
"She just left? It was because of the kiss in front of her wasn"t it? Oh my G.o.d I"m the worst friend in the world. I totally screwed up her life!"
"If I recall Miranda you didn"t have any choice in the matter. It was bound to happen eventually. Just accept it and move on." So Miranda thought to herself, if Toni was out of the picture that would mean he didn"t really have the upper hand with her. Interesting.
Alec watched Miranda working it out in her head. She would have realized that hurting Toni was no longer a threat. Despite himself Alec started to get p.i.s.sed, she would want to leave him? His mood went sour and he wanted to remind her who she f.u.c.king belonged to. Steady Alec she will slip up eventually and then you can release the beast within.
Miranda was feeling a little relieved that Toni was no longer around. The guilt was eating her alive. Maybe she could ask Alec if she could visit her. Which reminded her of Katie, s.h.i.+t she was supposed to be helping Katie. Ok Miranda put your courage cap on and ask Alec a favor.
Summing up enough courage Miranda walked over to his office, it was midafternoon and she had delayed asking him long enough. Knocking on his office door she waited anxiously. "Enter," he yelled out. Here goes nothing. Walking into his office he was doing something on the computer, he looked up at her then proceeded to type. Miranda was biting the inside of her cheeks feeling a little nervous to say the least.
"Yes Miranda how can I help you?" He looked so f.u.c.king s.e.xy in his suit pants and striped s.h.i.+rt, he had a way about him like he owned himself. Very s.e.xy indeed... "Miranda are you going to stand and ogle me or have you something on your mind?" Miranda felt her face flush in an instant. How embarra.s.sing am I? She thought to herself.
"Sorry, um the lady that I worked for at the library isn"t feeling all that well. I told her I"d try and check up on her, if you"ll allow me to. And um the thing is she is going to lose her shop because she cannot pay the repayments soooooo I was thinking maybe I can get a job and help her out?" She spoke so fast.