Chapter Text
Chapter 12
You were seething with anger. So frustrated, you wanted to scream with rage. How dare Billy do this? How dare he fucking threaten you? And on top of that, he hurt Calvin – did he really think that would score him points? Was he really that stupid?
“Stop dragging your feet.” Billy ordered from the other side of the room, packing your clothes into your suitcase. The entitlement in his voice was so infuriating, you picked up the closest pillow to you and threw it at him. As soon as it struck his back, he turned around. For a second he simply stared at you, and fear trickled down your spine. This was a man who kidnapped your friend and tortured him. He had you cuffed and bound a few minutes earlier. As much as you prided yourself in being strong and resourceful, he was an actual soldier, a psychopath and rich. He could kill you in a fit of rage and suffer no consequences.
Then he smirked, his handsome face breaking into a magnetic smile while he retrieved the pillow from the ground. “If it’s a fight you’re looking for, I’ll give you one when we get home.”
His friendly demeanor did nothing to alleviate your anxiety.
Throwing the pillow back onto the bed, he turned around and continued to pack your things.
Half an hour later all of your stuff was packed into a suitcase which Billy was carrying to the elevator. “Rest of your things?” he prodded.
“Storage.”
“We can get it tomorrow.”
You didn’t respond.
The elevator ride felt distinctly uncomfortable, with Billy’s eyes on you the entire time. His gaze felt intrusive, like he was trying to crack through your brain and see every running thought inside your head. You tried ignoring him but it seemed to make no difference.
When you both reached the underground parking lot, you headed towards your car. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Nice try.” He gripped your elbow, maneuvering your body towards the guest parking spots. Once he reached the Wraith, he opened the trunk and stuffed your things inside before pulling open the passenger side door open. “Get in.”
You eyed him suspiciously. “I need my car.”
“We can pick it up tomorrow.”
The bastard had an answer for everything. Fuck him. Angrily you slid inside, wishing you could at least have the satisfaction of slamming his door shut. He closed the door and circled the car to get in. Defiantly you opened the door on your side and slammed it hard.
“Feel better?” he asked, sliding in next to you.
“Fuck off.”
There was his smirk again, goading you, but you chose to ignore it.
This was the first time you were in his car, sitting beside him while he drove. He was a smooth driver, expertly gliding his way through traffic like he did everything else. Prick.
“Where’s Calvin?” you asked.
“He’s fine.”
“You need to let him go.”
“I will,” he replied, nonchalant. “As soon as you keep your end of the deal.”
“I’m already moving back in. What else do you want?”
“A guarantee that you won’t bolt.”
“You’re the one who runs, not me,” you retaliated.
“I’m here now.”
You scoffed, shaking your head at his audacity.
“So are you gonna co-operate?”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“There’s always a choice. You’re smart enough to make the right one.”
“I wish I killed you before.” You expected him to snark back or maybe ignore your hostile words. Instead he smiled, a tender, affectionate smile that made your heart skip a beat because it caught you completely unaware.
“You’ll get lots more chances now. Promise.”
Your eyes locked with his, and for a second the world stopped. You forgot how exhilarating his attention could be, making you feel like you were the only person in the world who mattered to him. You were special, you were important, and just as quickly, he would turn on you and throw you aside. Irritated with yourself, you glanced out the window.
Minutes passed before he spoke again. “He’s a decent scammer. Not great, but good enough to fool a lot of people.”
You scowled. “What are you talking about?”
“Your buddy, Calvin. He’s ripped off a lot of people with some kind of Ponzi scheme.”
You recalled the portfolio Calvin shared with you, how the returns on investments seemed too good to be true. Fuck. Even though there was nothing to arouse your suspicions at the time, a part of you had known something was wrong. But there was no way you were going to admit that to Billy. “Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
“I had someone look into him.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you?”
“Want to see what the investigator dug up?”
“Not interested.”
He cocked his eyebrow at you. “Scared to find out the truth about fuckboy?”
“Don’t act like you were punishing him for being a swindler.”
The car came to a stop at a red light, he turned towards you. “I don’t give a fuck about that. He is where he is because he touched you. He. Touched. You. After I warned him not to. And he will pay for that. How much depends on you.”
“Don’t you dare! I’m not responsible for this, you are! You’re the fucking psychopath. You don’t get to put this on me.”
Swallowing the angry lump in your throat, you stared straight ahead. But he didn’t. You felt his eyes digging into you until a car honked from behind. That seemed to snap Billy out of his daze and he started driving again.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence, with you contemplating Billy’s murder.
***
It was strange to be back in the penthouse that had been your home for a short time. Everything looked the same yet it all felt different. Tainted. You knew you’d have to return eventually because Alistair was an asshole and would make you, but you purposely avoided thinking about living with Billy again. A part of you had hoped he’d avoid you after humiliating the way he had, but you should’ve known that wouldn’t be his way. He liked playing with your emotions, softening you up before going in for the kill, and tonight was the beginning of the same cycle. All the bullshit he spewed was intended to make you feel something for him again but he’d made a big mistake in underestimating you. Because you felt nothing for him anymore. Nothing. And that wasn’t going to change, no matter how much he tried to manipulate you or threaten you with Calvin.
The lights turned on automatically as you entered your bedroom. Anita must have cleaned it after you left, because it was perfectly pristine. As Billy brushed past you carrying your luggage, your body stiffened. Everything about him felt obtrusive and too close. He was back in your life, in your head, in your room, and now in your things as he started to unpack your luggage.
“Stop touching my stuff,” you snapped, grabbing the skirts he was holding in his hand.
“I’m trying to help.”
“I don’t need your fucking help.” You stormed over to the walk-in closet and started hanging the clothes up.
“Fine. Then I’ll go make dinner.”
“Hope you choke on it and die.”
That elicited a full-fledged chuckle from him, which agitated you more. At least you’d get some satisfaction from pissing him off but he seemed determined not to be provoked. Jackass. Over the next hour while you put away your things, your brain spun with anxiety. You didn’t do well with uncertainty. You were a problem solver and that’s how you got through life. Anticipate. Plan. Execute. Except there was no way for you to anticipate the curveball Billy threw at you. You were prepared for Alistair, but not Billy. And now you had to find a way out of this situation. Not to mention rescue Calvin too. Fuck. You needed to know details, exactly what Billy had planned and then find a way to get through it.
“Dinner’s ready.”
Hearing his voice calling from the kitchen, you made your way to the ensuite bathroom. You took your time in freshening up, washing all the make-up from your face. You stared at your reflection in the mirror, once again pondering Billy’s sick mind. Did he really expect you to play along? Was he so used to women being doormats that he honestly thought you would just roll over and give into him? It was obvious he had no idea who you were. And all signs pointed to him being exactly like his grandfather, a rich, entitled bigot who got off on controlling you. Well, fuck that.
After changing into an extra baggy lounge set that did a remarkable job of making you look dowdy, you sauntered over to the kitchen. What you found there was a complete surprise. The small table was adorned with fresh flowers, your favourite bottle of wine, and candle lights. He had also plated the pasta, which looked unbelievably good, and was already seated and waiting for you. What the fuck? Did he think the two of you were going to have a romantic meal together?
“Seriously?” Your eyes narrowed onto him, shaking your head. “This isn’t a fucking date.”
He looked unmoved by your lack of enthusiasm. “Doesn’t mean we can’t eat.” He stood up to pull your chair back. “Sit.”
“Are you asking me or ordering me?”
He cocked his eyebrow. “Does it matter?”
“You’re unfucking believable.” Refusing to give into him, you walked to the table but ignored the seat he held out for you. Instead, you took another empty seat.
He smiled, and started pouring you a glass of wine. When he tried to hand it to you, you stared back at him defiantly. “Not in the mood.”
“It’s your favourite.”
“Not anymore. You’ve ruined it.”
He smirked. “Fine. More for me then.” Deliberately making a show of enjoying the wine, he held your gaze.
“Tell me what I have to do to get Calvin away from you.”
There was that dark glint in his eyes again, the one reminding you of who Billy truly was. “Let’s have dinner first.”
“I’m not eating with you.”
“If you want to save Calvin, you will.”
You shook your head. “That’s how it’s gonna be from now on, isn’t it? You think this is how you’ll control me. You’re exactly like Alistair.”
“I’m nothing like him.” Jaw clenched, eyes darkened with anger, he moved towards you. A part of you was glad for striking him where it hurt but you didn’t like the closing distance between you two. Especially when he sat next to you.
You didn’t like his proximity, the way his body was turned to you. You were the sole focus of his attention and it made you uncomfortable, reminding you of how easily he played you in the past.
“I don’t want to control you.”
The softness in his voice was a ruse, you reminded yourself.
“That’s not what this is about,” Billy continued.
“What is it gonna take for you to let him go?”
He paused a few seconds before answering. “This. I want this. Dinner. The two of us. Every night.”
“Why? What are you hoping to get out of it?”
“I just want to have dinner with you. That’s all.”
“But it won’t stop at dinner, will it?” You sent him a bitter smile. “How long before I have to fuck you?”
“You’re the one who keeps bringing up sex.” He smirked. “Do you want to fuck me?”
“Go to hell!” His eyes wandered over your face, like he was memorizing every inch of you – and it made your heart beat faster. Immediately you chastised yourself. “How long do I have to suffer these dinners with you?”
“Three months.”
You scoffed. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
He shrugged his shoulders. Throwing one arm around the back of your chair, he leaned in. “This is what I want. Three months. After that, I’ll let him go.”
“You’re gonna hold him hostage until then?”
“Don’t worry about him. He’s being looked after.”
“I’m supposed to take your word for that? How do I know you haven’t killed him already?”
“I haven’t. But if you want proof, I can show you.”
Your face twisted with disgust. “You’re getting off on this, aren’t you?”
He didn’t respond, still peering at you closely. When his fingers slowly smoothed over the loose strand of your hair, you steeled yourself to his touch. “That’s not why I’m doing this.” There was longing in his gaze, his voice hoarse with emotion.
It was incredible how convincing he could be but you saw him for what he was – a manipulator.
You touched his hand to brush him away but the instant you made physical contact; sparks flowed through your veins. You withdrew immediately. “Then tell me why.”
A heavy sigh escaped him, he finally leaned back against his chair and you breathed a sigh of relief. “I love you. And I want you to love me back.”
The sheer audacity of his response, how he casually stated his intention – it was so flabbergasting that you couldn’t help but laugh. You laughed and laughed, while he simply studied you with a serious expression on his face. And when you struggled to catch your breath from laughing so hard, he handed you the glass of wine from earlier. This time you took it, your throat parched, and swallowed most of it in a big gulp.
“Easy there.”
You put down the glass. “You’re unbelievable.”
“You wanted the truth.”
“Oh, I know.” You gave him a condescending smile. “So I fall in love with you in this pipe dream of yours, and then what? You dump me? Humiliate me again? This time in front of dear old Gramps and the whole family?” Your smile stiffened. “Is that the plan, Billy?”
His voice was sincere, regret looming over his face. “I’m sorry about what I said to you at the wedding.”
“Nothing you said or did was a surprise. It’s what I expected from you.” It wasn’t true, he shattered you that night and made you doubt yourself – but you would never admit that to him. You stood up, casting him a snide glance. “You want me to be your puppet? Fine. I will. Because you’re holding someone I care about hostage. But don’t think for a second I’ll buy your bullshit act. I know you. I see you.” You bent forward so that you were at his height, staring into his eyes directly. “And I’ll never love you.”
Grabbing the bottle of wine, you turned your back on him and sashayed back to your room.
A/N - Sorry about the long wait, lovely readers. With the holidays and me getting into another fandom, I was a little negligent towards GY. But I'm back now :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter. And, as always, comments are loved and cherished :)