AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"By the time we got back, Alexander, my twin, was dead. He'd been murdered. I should have been, too."
I didn't know the details. I'd been too young to ask, and besides, I don't think the news talked about a murder at all.
"It was my uncle, Tristan," Jason said. "See, the Aldens might have had old money, but most of the family squanders their trust fund, whereas my father built an empire. After starting his political career and leaving his company, he hired his brother as CEO. Tristan had smoked, drank, gambled, and fucked away all of his money, but my father knew Tristan was smart enough for the job. They could use each other and be one happy family." Jason's jaw is shut tight. "Tristan lost it when my brother and I were born. Somewhere in his mind, he was my father's heir. The company belonged to him. We threatened that. So, he decided to eliminate the threat."
I'm appalled.
"Your uncle worked that out, too," Jason said. "His team was already on the way to the woods with my dad by the time I escaped. They caught my uncle trying to flee. Do you know what happened then, Nadia?"
Of course I know. They killed the bastard who'd murdered an eight-year-old. I would have too.
"It's not just the occasional attack. There are rumors following my family all the time—hurtful things. We all grew thick skin to deal with it."
"That's not an excuse." I'm shaking my head. "None of this. Just because your life is crappy doesn't give you the right to make mine a nightmare, too."
"I'm not looking for any excuse," he replies. "You asked me why I did this to you once. I'm answering you. You've been part of my life for ten years, Nadia. A ghost I see when my eyes are closed. You could be part of my life for the next ten, twenty, fifty years. I needed to see you could take it. The madness that comes with being an Alden."
I stare at him in utter disbelief.
No.
Just no.
"You're joking." I can't imagine another reason.
"Do I ever joke?"
"Well, you are now. I don't believe you."
Jason shrugs. "I don't see why. I made my intentions clear from the start. I want you, Nadia. That's dangerous for you. And now we both know you can deal with danger. You fight your own battles. You don't run to the nearest authority figure expecting them to fix shit for you. And you keep a cool facade no matter how you feel inside."
"So, what, you were tormenting me to test me? That's sick. You're sick."
He nods. "Most definitely. And you still want me. Even after today."
My stomach drop as I see poor Bella's broken body again.
He reads my expression well enough to know what I’m thinking about. "I promise I never asked anyone to hurt the cat, Nadia. Or break your artwork, for that matter."
"You have zealous fans,” I snarl bitterly.
"And zealous enemies," he replies, his mouth tightening. "I'll protect you from both if you let me. We can make a deal.”
We're almost at the dorms. And a good thing too; I need time to think, to process everything he just said.
“What sort of a deal?”
He tilts his head, thoughtful. “I’ll think about it and get back to you.”
“I’m not dating you," I tell him. Just becausehedecided he wanted me doesn't give him the right to interfere in my life to this extent. I'm simply not letting him get away with it.
He snorts."I didn't ask you out."
"Well, so long as we're in agreement." Then, I ask, "What do you want from me? Seriously." I'm just confused by this point.
Jason smiles. "Everything. When you're ready for it."
"I still don't believe you," I say honestly. "When you locked me in my room and touched me, you did it because you loved seeing me helpless. I could tell. That wasn't a test. That was your kink."
