Chapter 10 DUTY CALLS

Deimos' POV

It takes too long to shut my body down. I never thought I could be that conscious of a woman but every minute I spend around her, I can smell her perfume. Feel her body warm up. I can't get my eyes off her hair. The way she bites the edge of her lips. The curve of her waist. Her suit pants hug her body in all the right places, showing off thick thighs, hip dips and full ass. We're seats apart and I can't let my imagination run wild. As much as I'd love to take Perseus' advice, she's too young for me and I doubt she'd want my attention anyways. The only thing binding us is a piece of paper.

So I thought.

That is until she pressed herself down on my thighs and I had to struggle to keep my hands to myself. The softness of her body on mine. Those innocent eyes. It makes me want to corrupt her. To squeeze hard on her flesh. To bite down on the nape of her neck. My self control is hanging by the thread.

And that moment in the car.

I run my hands through my hair and look in the mirror. Did they take pictures of us with me looking this way? Oh God. My thoughts run wild. Did she feel that heat too? Our bodies melding together.

I'm still stuck on it at dinner. The food going down my throat tastes like nothing. I watch her mouth wrap around the forkful of pasta and try to focus on my meal. It's not working. I scrowl. I'm still a fool. She knew who I was and lied to my face but here I am, agonising over her.

"Why did you agree to the contract?" I ask, fingering the food in my plate.

She looks up with an apologetic look on her face. "If this is about Max, if you can just let me explain–"

I grow pissed at the sound of his name on her lips. "Is it about Max?"

"I don't understand. What are you–"

"Is it because you're still in love with my nephew then? Are you hoping to make him jealous using me? Do you want to get back together with him?"

"I'm not–"

"You said you loved him." I cut her off again, not wanting to hear her excuses.

"And I did but I don't –"

"Or is this because of my money? You want your share of the Escarrá wealth?" I watch the fire in her eyes light up at my words. Hurt and anger cover her features. Maybe I've crossed the line but I can't stop now. "Do you love him? Is that it? You agreed to this to be somewhere close to him? To hurt him with me?" The words keep flowing out my mouth.

"Deimos, I–"

My phone rings cutting her off. It's my father's doctor. There's only one reason why he'd be calling so late. I snatch the phone off the table, picking up immediately. "Doctor, I'm here."

"Deimos, your father collapsed. I've stabilized him but he'd need to be here for a few days. I just thought to give you a call."

"I'm coming over." I hang up just as he's about to tell me I don't need to. I need a breather anyways and it's been a while since I saw my father. I can't help the intense jealousy I'm feeling. I turn to her, rigidly. "This conversation is over. I don't care what history you have with my nephew. Consider it dead for as long you remain my wife. You belong to me now, do you understand?" She nods stiffly, her eyes shining defiantly. I reach out and take her chin in my hand, forcing her to fix her eyes on me. "I expect you to perform your duties to me exceptionally well, Anesha. Do not disappoint me."

I walk out before she can say another word and rush over to the hospital. My father is talking to my stepmother when I get there. He gives me a bright smile but she's just as expressive as a metal rod. My sister is inside as well, playing a good daughter. When I walk in, she gives me a smile and I know what's coming.

"I heard you collapsed but you look uncharacteristically happy. I wonder why." I say to him, placing the gift I brought along on his bedside table.

"Forget about that. I hear you have a woman staying in your house." He grins like we're high schoolers and I try not to smile back.

Our conversations replay in my head and I sigh. "Yes, I do. I wonder how you heard." I say, eying my sister.

"News travels fast. Is it true she's Max's ex beau? How's he taking it? I'm sure he's throwing his feet in the air, crying and screaming." his laugh turns into a fit of coughs. I go to his side with a glass of water but he waves it away. "I want to meet her. This vixen that's finally caught your heart. What kind of woman is she?"

"Honey, we talked about this. It's embarrassing behaviour for someone of our status to be involved with someone so low." my step mother says. Right, like I give a fuck.

"He's old enough to do whatever. Leave him be. You shouldn't even be here. You should be enjoying whatever it is you two are up to in that castle of yours." My father laughs and I crack a smile. Guilt hits me square in the face. I'm almost sorry to him but there's nothing I can do about this.

"What did the doctor say?" I ask, not wanting to talk about Anesha anymore

"Same old. I'll be dead in a year, yadda, yadda. Hopefully I get to see New Year's. That doesn't matter. I don't care how long I live as long as I see your children before I die."

"Don't talk like that. You will."

"When are you getting married?"

"Soon. Why? Are you leaving anytime soon?" I avoid his eyes and fluff his pillows so he doesn't see the pain in my eyes.

"You know I'm not. The doctor's worrying over nothing. Next time, come over with your girlfriend. Let me see her." We share a smile and I nod at him. My stepmother is being a bit too quiet and I don't think I like that. We talk for a little while longer about work. When he falls asleep , I walk out of the room as quietly and quickly as I can. I'm walking down the hallway, headed to my car when i hear her walking behind me. "What can I do for you?"

"Stop disgracing us for one." Her voice is just as cold as the first time I hear it over 20 years ago.

"Unfortunately, I can't do that."

"Well, you won't be disgracing me. Your entire existence has always been a stain on our name. One that I was forced to wear with pride." I clench my jaw tight, hiding my fists in my pockets. I should be used to this. I am used to this. Nothing's changed. "Perharps you feel a bit of kinship to this girl seeing as you share similar back stories. Mothers who love to chase after wealth. Only hers isn't dead yet. I hope you'll utilise decorum in your dealings. A gold digging wrench like her–"

"Don't talk about her like that. Don't think for a second that I'll let you say a rotten word about her to my face. Insult me all you want, like you always have but keep her out of this."

"You really are your father's son. I don't care about your sentiments. I couldn't care less where you sow your wild oats. Just remember whose space you're occupying. And so after Aaron dies, I expect you to leave this family. You were never one of us and you never will be."

She walks back into the room and I can breathe again. I let go of the anger with each breath. Of course I can't forget that I'm just a replacement for her dead son. If Eric was still alive, no one would know who I am. She'd make sure of that. If it wasn't for her deadbeat children, I wouldn't be here. Even after all she did to me, I still had to maintain the image of a perfect son, just like Eric was.

And yet, nothing I did was ever good enough to her. She and her family sabotaged everything that brought me even the tiniest bit of joy. Ripped me of my one chance at love. Forced me to live a lie. Not anymore.

In a year, I'd take my life back.