Alex watched her stand up and gather her things. He couldn’t help but think one day Cecily was in diapers and the next she was a teenager. Where had the time gone? Still, there was something that would never change; he would always protect her from harm from anyone.
*****
Gina sat in the backseat of her luxury sedan as the driver crept up alongside the curb of the all-girls academy. She was several cars behind Alexandro’s black SUV, but her car blended in well. Going unnoticed should be easy. However, if she were caught lurking, today would be that day. If necessary, Gina was more than ready for it. In truth, it has been a long time coming.
Once her car came to a complete stop, she put on her mirrored glasses and pressed a button. The blackened window slowly lowered a crack. It was just low enough for her to peer through and see Cecily get out of the truck. There wasn’t much that would make her lose her breath, but the sight of the beautiful young girl did it. She hadn’t seen her since was a baby. For a moment, her heart threatened to beat outside of her chest. She was a Xiou through and through.
Cecily turned around and smiled in the direction of Alexandro’s truck. Even that smile looked familiar. Gina hated that it was meant for him. She pressed her lips together as her heart ached watching the entire scene unfold right before her. That was her family only she wasn’t a part of it.
Gina continued to soak in every detail of Cecily as she waved goodbye to Alex. Her gazelle-like features; so tall and thin. Perhaps, a little awkward now but she would eventually grow into all of those legs and arms. Her skin was the color of warm honey and the rounded eyes with a definite slant to them were too big for her face. The young beauty met up with a couple of her girlfriends before walking into the school. Every smile, every wave, and every tender glance from Cecily to Alex enraged Gina. Her nails cut into the palms of her hands as she balled them up into tight fists. The pain in her palms was nothing like the pain in her heart. A life, love, and a relationship were stolen. Not only did she want them back, Gina was determined she would get them back.
Briefly, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try and get her bearings. After a moment, when she felt somewhat in control, Gina opened her eyes just in time to see Alexandro’s SUV drive away. Once he was gone, she rolled up her window and pulled her phone out of her purse. She needed to make one important call.
She dialed the number and waited for an answer. After what felt like an eternity, someone finally picked up. After the initial hello, Gina didn’t give the person any time to respond. “Is everything all set?” She listened closely before replying. “That yes had better mean that nothing can be traced back to me or anyone in my family. It wouldn’t be good for you if it did. One mistake is all you get, and you’ve already exhausted that.” Again not waiting for a response she angrily disconnected the call.
Gina needed to make a couple more stops before a very critical meeting this afternoon. She crossed her shapely legs before motioning to the driver that she was ready.
Chapter 3
Since Braylee began dating Alexandro, she’d been coming into the office a little later. It was nothing too dramatic. Instead of being in the office by 6:30 or 7:00 AM, she was now in by 8 AM.
Smiling to herself, Braylee couldn’t help but think their early morning romps were worth it. And, while their sex life was incredible, the intimacy between them wasn’t just physical. Sometimes Alex would just hold her in his arms, and they would do nothing but talk. He listened, and that was equal if not more satisfying.
Although, Braylee had to admit that there had been one big change to her daily schedule. Pulling those all-nighters that were once so routine were now a rare occurrence. If her relationship was going to work, they both needed to invest the necessary time, and Alex and Braylee recognized this without the other having to say it.
Braylee checked her watch as she rode up the elevator to her floor. This morning she was even later than usual. It was just last night that Alex had gotten home from his business trip. Even though it felt as if he’d been gone forever, it had only been a week. The moment he entered their bedroom they couldn’t seem to keep their hands or mouths off of one another. They spent most of the night and part of this morning getting reacquainted. Her cheeks flamed just thinking about it.
It had been a long time since Braylee allowed a man into the hidden spaces of her heart. She felt lighter and more carefree even if other parts of her personal life were still a mess. Alex was worth the risk. It was both exciting and more than a little scary given the circumstances of and how quickly they started their relationship. Braylee always had to fight for everything she’d ever achieved, and this wouldn’t be any different.
Alex was probably feeling the same things she’d been feeling, and that’s part of the reason she didn’t press him too hard when he came back upstairs from answering the door last night. Braylee couldn’t put her finger
