“Maybe she's casual, but you're whipped. I get it though. You like the chase.” He smiles with a tactless grin. “Now get the fuck out of here."
“What about the guy?” I ask.
“The boys handled him.” Spiro grabs an olive out of a fruit tray and pops it carelessly into his mouth. “I don’t think he’ll be bothering her again. Or any other woman for that matter.”
I nod. “Just what I wanted to hear. See you Thursday. I’ll hit you up tomorrow,” I tell Mac.
“Later, bro.” We clasp hands, then I’m out.
I find Alana sitting in her car. I lean down into the driver’s side window. “You ready? I’ll follow you.”
“Okay.” She nods.
I pull my Jeep up behind her Audi, and we take off, making the drive to, actually, I don’t know where. I just follow her as she heads west. I realize Emily also lives in Colts Neck when the houses start becoming mansions. They’re all perched on large sprawling properties with manicured lawns. This area is out of control money.
We pull up a long driveway leading to a massive brick house. Really, it feels more like a compound. Shit. I am way out of my element here. Alana parks in front of a three-car garage with decorative doors. I pull right alongside her. I squeeze Emily out of the car, again not so gracefully, and carry her lifeless body to the front door made of textured glass. Alana already has it unlocked and wide open by the time I make my way up the three stone steps. The house is dark, but you can feel the spaciousness as you walk through the foyer. This place is sick, and completely intimidating, at least to me. I know Alana’s family has money, but seeing it firsthand is eye-opening. I follow her up the carpeted stairs and down the hallway to Emily’s room. Alana flicks on a light on the nightstand, giving me a good look at the space. It's massive. All purple with stark white furniture and a huge walk-in closet that's literally the size of my kitchen.Damn.
I place Emily on the turned down bed, and Alana removes Emily’s heels before tucking her in. She then stands over Emily with her arms wrapped protectively around her.
“She’s going to be fine,” I try to reassure Alana, smoothing my hand over her pale blonde hair.
“It just amazes me how many assholes are out there." She shakes her head, zoning out.
"Unfortunately, babe, that's the fucked-up reality."
“Don't I know it,” she grunts, and suddenly all my defenses are on high alert.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I fish.
Alana doesn't respond. She just stares up at me with the small light illuminating her eyes.
“Alana?” I urge.
“No,” she finally responds. “I just don't think any woman escapes life without at least one run-in.” There’s pain in her voice even though the emotion isn’t displayed on her face. I wrap one arm around her with the blood boiling in my veins. I know after tonight — actually, I've known ever since that first night — that I would kill for this girl. Murder anyone who hurts her even if she doesn't reciprocate my feelings.
She drops her head onto my shoulder. “Can you stay with me for a while?”
“What?” Her question derails the murderous path my thoughts are on.
“Will you stay a little while? I don’t want to be alone.” She peers up at me, and her dark brown eyes melt straight through to my core.
“Of course, I’ll stay.” This girl can make me crumble. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Alana holds all the power.
Alana slips one of her hands in mine and leads me out of Emily's room, back down the stairs, through the enormous kitchen, and into the shadowy living room.
We make ourselves comfortable on a big cushy couch I know Sean would give his left ball to sleep on. Hell, I would give my left ball to sleep on it.
It’s softer than a bed.
I'm sitting up with Alana's legs bent over my thighs. Her back pressed against the arm rest. It's a cozy, close position, and I love the feeling of being trapped underneath her.
“Emily sleeps in that bed all by herself?” I ask.
“Usually,” Alana laughs. “It’s hers. When I sleep over, we share it.”
“Naked?”
“Ryan,” she huffs likedon’t be ridiculous.