FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE DEVIL'S SON

ELENA CARLSON

"Let us raise a toast to the newly engaged couple," Mr. Grant, my husband's father, announced and everyone raised their glasses with smiles plastered on their faces.

The clinking of glasses was the last thing I heard before my head started spinning and my eyelids became heavy with a sudden drowsiness. My legs wobbled and I slumped to the ground just as my vision went black.

I blacked out.

At my husband's engagement party. He was getting married. To another woman that wasn't me.

A few hours later

"I love you, Elena. I will bring down the world for you. I will swim through oceans and move mountains for your sake " The words of Braden echoed in my ear once again. Those words kept me sane.

I slowly opened my eyes, and the world around me was a blur. My head was pounding and my mouth felt dry and sticky. I tried lifting my hand to my forehead, but it felt like a wobbling leaf so it fell back onto the pillow.

What happened? I thought to myself.

I tried to remember, but my memories are foggy and unclear. I struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me and I fell back onto the bed. Where was I? This didn't feel like my bed. It was too soft and comfortable.

Was I back in that prison cell where I had spent the last seven years of my life?

Okay, think. What was the last thing that happened?

"Oh, you are awake," a voice echoed in the background. A voice I knew all too well. My husband, Luke Grant. The man I had just walked in on his engagement party.

I frowned, my head was still a lightweight from the blackout. I lifted my body from the bed and that was when I was able to make out my environment. I was in a familiar room I never thought I would be in again. it was a room I knew all too familiar.

It was a holding cell.

What the actual fuck!

"What is going on Luke?" I asked, still trying to wrap my mind around the absurdity that happened to be my life.

"Sit down, Elena," He instructed, gesturing for me to sit on the chair in front of an iron desk. His gesticulation drew my attention to the middle aged man at the far end of the room. My heart skipped at the sight of the man. He was familiar.

Mr. Sanchez, my lawyer, or rather, the legal representative of the Grant family, served as my lawyer when I was charged with second-degree murder.

I dragged my legs to the chair, staggering a few steps before I finally made it. I collapsed on the chair, breathing heavily. Luke and his Lawyer strode to the opposite chairs and settled down, his gaze stern. It was almost like I wasn't staring at the man I had known and married for the past eight years.

"Why didn't you inform me that you were getting out?" Luke asked in a cold, almost robotic tone.

I gazed at him with a blank face. I wanted to surprise him. I had been very excited when I got out but I didn't tell him even when every part of me wanted to. I got out a few months early on good behavior and I wanted to surprise my husband.

Guess I was the one being surprised now.

I did not respond as my mind was still trying to comprehend all that was going on here. The Lawyer, Mr. Sanchez drew out a folder from the briefcase and handed it to me.

I glanced at it with a racing heart. My entire world literally crashed when my eyes caught the content of the file he handed to me. I swallowed nothing, my heart beginning to race.

DIVORCE PAPERS.

"What is this Luke?" I asked as tears began to well up in my eyes. Everything was suddenly beginning to make sense to me but I don't want them to.

"I am sure you can read, Elena. What does it look like?" he retorted, his voice very cold.

"Was this why you didn't come visiting for the past one year? Because you are engaged to another woman?" My lips wobbled as I belt out the words to him, sounding unintelligent. Luke made a mocking sound that not only broke my heart but made my fingers tremble.

This was too much. This was way too much for me to bear.

"You foolish bitch!" He began to say before I could start talking again. "Did you ever think for a second that I would stay married to an ex-convict like you? I am a fucking Grant!" He snapped, sending cold shivers down my spine.

An ex-convict. That was all I was to him.

I didn't know which hurts more; his words or what he was about to make me do. But everything hurts. My chest hurt so bad.

"I went to prison because of you Luke, or don't you remember?" I asked, using my palm to wipe away the droplets of tears that were flooding down my cheeks.

"You are so dumb, Elena. Can't you see it? Even after all these years, you are still this gullible and naive. It was so easy to convince you to take the fall for me because you were so blinded by love,"

"You are my husband, and you were drunk. You would have gotten life imprisonment," I muttered, glancing at the man who I had sacrificed my life for in the worst possible ways. Yet, he sat there and dared to make fun of me like that.

"As I said, ever so gullible. The same way you foolishly signed all the properties my brother gave to you over to me,"

My heart began to race, as it was all becoming clear; he used me.

"Just so you know, Elena. I never loved you. I was just supposed to marry you because my mom made me," he revealed.

"What do you mean?" This time, I snapped.

"My brother's inheritance, he willed it to you. I was just supposed to get it back and divorce your sorry ass. And then, the accident happened. That was a perfect avenue for me. You took the fall for me, I get to keep his property,"

I was once married to Luke's brother, Braden. He was the love of my life until cancer stole him away from me, and he willed all his property to me, the poor girl from the suburb whom he had married.

"You are wicked and cruel," I spat, realizing I was just a pawn in Luke's game.

"Yes, now sign the fucking divorce papers before I lose my patience," he snapped, banging his fist hard on the table, sending a jolt of fear through my spine.

"And if I refuse to?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as fear began to creep all over me. I didn't even know why I was hesitating after hearing everything he had done to me.

Suddenly, he yanked me by the collar of my shirt from the other side of the table towards him, strangling me and draining the air from my lungs.

"Don't you dare me, Elena. I can easily kill you and get rid of your body, and no one will fucking know because you have no one. No one fucking cares about you, so stop being a bitch and sign the fucking paper, Elena," he yelled in my face.

The tears wouldn't stop running. He was right, I had no one. He shoved me back to the chair and I let out a deep exhale, I stared at the papers as tears streamed down my cheeks even more. And with trembling hands, I picked up the pen and appended my signature to the file.

A devilish grin formed on Luke's face, as he stood up from the chair, "Good girl. You can still reach out to me if you want to get fucked,"

"I will rather fuck the devil than let you ever touch me again," I snapped back.

He grinned, "Your loss, bitch," he turned around and made his way to the door with his Lawyer who had just sat there as a loyal spectator. He was about to pull the doorknob when he paused, swerving his face around to glance at me, "Elena, if you ever think of telling anyone..." he trailed off for a moment as if to make the words sink in. And then, he continued.

"I will kill you and bury your body in a shallow grave in the middle of nowhere," he swore.

I swallowed, knowing fully well, that he could do all that and more. I collapsed to the floor as soon as the door clicked back in place, letting all my hurt and pain flow through my tears as I wailed at the predicament of my life.

I was so fucked.

ELENA CARLSON

"Oh my God, Elena," Emily wrapped me in a bear hug, one of her hands tightening around me while the other hand pushed through my hair after I concluded the ordeal of my life to her.

Emily had been my friend since we were in kindergarten. I had shown up in her house unannounced as I had nowhere else to go and she had welcomed me with open arms.

"I hate him, Emily. I hate him so fucking much. He used me, he never loved me. I went to prison for that man, and this is all I got in return," I mumbled as more tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I can't believe he was married to you for seven fucking years just to get back his brother's money," Emily said in disbelief.

"I am so stupid. Why didn't I see it from miles away? The way he approached me, flirting at his own brother's funeral with me. He made me feel loved, less lonely. He love-bombed me, I thought he was like Braden...." I couldn't even finish my words. Braden would never do this to me. Luke is anything but Braden.

"It was the trauma, girl. You had just lost the love of your life, and you couldn't have seen it even if he was strapped and decorated in color red. Don't blame yourself, he showed you the part he wanted you to see," She tried to console me.

She was right, he had manipulated me from the start.

"You know what?" Emily pulled back to wipe away my tears. "We are not going to sit here, sobbing because of some asshole on a weekend. We are going to go to the club and get fucked up tonight," she said with such excitement that only she could have. Typical Emily.

"I don't know, Emily," I grunted, in no mood to go out.

"You can't say no, baby. You dodged a bullet, being married to a psychopathic narcissistic son of a bitch, and that is worth celebrating. And if you say no, I swear to God, I will drag you to the club," she swore.

How could I argue with that?

*****

Three hours later, I'd had three shots of tequila gone, screamed my heart out while dancing my ass out in the middle of the club. I was on top of the world, right now and I didn't care. I wanted to be reckless and make decisions I would regret tomorrow. After all, there was nothing more to lose.

"There is this guy that has been staring at you since we got here, at the bar," Emily whispered, subtly pointing toward the bar at a man wearing a black suit. She was as drunk as I was so she could be wrong.

I giggled taking in the man I could barely see. "He is handsome, I should go talk to him," I gulped another shot of tequila as I made my way toward him.

"Be Careful, he could be a serial killer," Emily called out after me.

I gave her a thumbs-up as I made my way to the stranger. He had his eyes on me not even pretending not to stare. Somehow, the intensity of his gaze almost made me change my mind. I was nervous, I couldn't even lie.

"Has anyone ever told you that it is rude to stare at people?" I teased as I approached him. A small smile formed on his lips and instantly my heart melted.

I was drunk, but I could still make out his facial features. He had brown eyes, the most gorgeous pair I had ever seen in my life. Maybe it was the depth of them that wouldn't stop searing my skin with a burning intensity.

"What is a stunning woman like you doing in a place like this?" He tilted his head toward me while I stood in front of him.

I let out a soft chuckle, glancing at him in amusement.

It was the first time any man had called me stunning in seven years.

"I hardly think I am stunning and as for what I am..."

"You are exquisitely beautiful" He cut me short before I could undermine myself. When I wouldn't look at him, especially as those eyes continued to burn through me, he brought his hand up to my face, slowly tilting my head back to face him with a gentle flick of his finger beneath my chin.

Although his eyes are brown and filled with warmth, they are stormy...exactly like those of a man I had seen before.

"You..." I muttered, at loss for words. I was sure that I had seen him before but it could be the alcohol.

"Me?" He drew back in reply. "What about me?" He arched a questioning brow at me.

My eyes followed the curve of his sensual mouth as they lifted in a smile. Shameless. I was Shameless.

"You look so familiar. Have I met you before?" I asked, my lips curling in a smile. It must be the alcohol.

"Am I now?"

He leaned forward then, brushing his lips against mine. I gasped while my toes curled in my heels and every thought of self pity I had been feeling for myself vanished with the wind.

"Yes,"

"Maybe our hearts have met before and yours recognize mine and it leaps for me. It wants me," He teased as he pulled away.

"I want you," the words escaped my mouth before I could stop myself. It was the alcohol.

The alcohol was messing with my head.

"Do you now," A sly smile formed on his lips, but before I could respond, he pulled me to him. I spinned around and my hands fell on his hard chest, putting a distance between us. He pulled me by my waist until my breasts were pressed against his chest, burning me, sending a rush of heat waves down my nerves.

"You are so damn gorgeous. You take my breath away," he whispered as he lowered his mouth to my ears, nibbling at them gently.

"You have fine eyes, I could stare at them forever," I tilted my head up to gaze at him since he was towering over me. His strong arms steered me to the music for and for a second, I wanted to run my fingers over them and feel them flex under my touch.

Alcohol. Alcohol. Alcohol.

"Let us go upstairs," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. He didn't utter a word, instead he pulled away from me. Disappointment sank to the bottom of my stomach but then he stretched forth his hand, gesturing for me to follow him. I smiled as I silently followed behind him while he led the way out of the place, up a fleet of stairs.

My fingers trembled with nerves and impatience as I watched him pay for a room. This man who I didn't even know was the most beautiful person I'd ever seen in a very long time. And I wanted him. He paid for the room and beckoned for me to follow him which I did.

Why wasn't I regretting this? I should turn back now. But every fiber of my being wanted to be with him. We made our way to the room in tension-filled silence.

My breath hitched and my eyes closed in pleasure as his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me to himself the moment the door went shut.

"You smell like heaven, Kitten." He inhaled, placing his face in between my breasts.

I almost yelped when he knelt in front of me, his fingers crawling up my thighs taking my dress with it until I was bare in front of him.

"You are going to be the death of me, little kitten. I am going to devour you,"

"Don't keep me waiting then," I pulled him to me, hungrily kissing him before he pulled away.

"Patience, kitten. I am all yours tonight,"

I found it sensuous that he was calling me that and when his fingers grazed my opening in a teasing touch, my legs buckled with need.

"All mine," I repeated his words as my mouth met him in a kiss. His mouth didn't taste like alcohol so I knew that he had not been drinking. I pulled away, our breath mingling with each other. He pressed kisses to my breasts and I felt myself shudder from the pleasure raking through me.

His mouth caught mine briefly while his fingers pushed my panties aside to graze over my clit once more. I couldn't help myself as I moaned into his mouth, desperate for more. As if he heard my thoughts, he broke the kiss and slowly tugged my panties down.

My eyes followed his movement as I stepped out of my panties but still wearing my heels. He crouched down and picked up my panties, bringing it to his nose to drink in the scent. I felt a thousand times hot.

"Fucking apples, you smell like apples," He growled low in his throat.

I couldn't even say a word as I watched him, mesmerized by how wet he was making me. Meeting my gaze, I watched him fold my panties neatly still smeared with my juices before he tucked it away into the pocket of his pants. I should ask for them back but it brought me great pleasure that he was willing to keep a reminder of me.

Tugging at my hand, I allowed him to lead us to the bed where he sat down while I climbed his laps to straddle him. His fingers trailed down my naked back and then my waist and my thighs until he touched my wetness.

My back arched in pleasure, wanting more.

"Do I have permission to fuck you?" He asked as though he wasn't already playing with my pussy. My eyes fluttered open once as I nodded.

"You do," I muttered just in case he was thinking of stopping this after getting me so wet.

He let out a low growl, gripping my waist before he gently shoved me onto the bed. He lowered himself on me, giving me a part of his weight that I could handle. I closed my eyes in anticipation.

"Keep your eyes open, little dove... I want you to watch us. " He ordered and that was all the warning I got before he drove into me.

ELENA CARLSON

My eyes slowly peeled open and the world around me felt like a blur. A sharp pain ran from my head down to my eyes as the light beside me shone on them.

My eyes slowly adjusted to the light and that was when my eyes fell on the man by my side. He was naked, and he had his back turned to me. Since his breathing was slow, and peaceful, I could tell that he was asleep.

My eyes fell on my body, I was naked too.

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!

It was all coming back to me now. I had met this man yesterday and I had asked him to take me upstairs. I had requested for him to fuck me.

Fuck, why did I remember every detail of how I screamed when he made me cum multiple times? I thought hangovers made people forget things like that.

I had to get out of there before he woke up. I couldn't stand the shame of looking a stranger in the eyes and saying, "Sorry, last night was a mistake,"

I gently tiptoed out of the bed, picking up pieces of my clothing that was scattered all around the room. I slipped into them as quietly as I could and that was when I noticed that my panties were missing.

"Fuck," I cursed out, squatting to see if it was under the bed. It wasn't.

I heard a sound coming from above me and I almost froze in place. It was from the stranger.

Shit. Was he waking up? I decided to crawl my way out of the room, forgoing my panties. As soon as I reached the door, I got on my feet to scurry away.

But I heard my name and I froze again. "Elena, Elena," a masculine voice called out.

Fuck! It was him. I didn't bother turning around to confirm as I bolted out of the door, descending the steps, hurriedly. I didn't stop running till I was at the bus stop. And my heart didn't stop beating wildly till I got on a bus.

My head was spinning with a mixture of an early morning sprint and hangover. That was the worst walk of shame ever. My mind flickered back to the stranger.

"He called my name," I whisper to myself.

I didn't remember telling him my name. How the fuck did he know my name?

TWO WEEKS LATER

I made my way to the elevator and pressed the button that would take me to the tenth floor. I exhaled as the elevator doors slid close.

"It is going to be fine, Elena," I muttered to myself.

But I knew it wouldn't.

I was on my way to another job interview, the fifth I had been to in the last two weeks. As soon as they check my records and see that I was an ex-convict, they immediately end the interview and never call me back. I was beginning to get really frustrated.

The elevator door flung open, and I stepped out. I adjusted my blue skirt, which I borrowed from Emily. It wasn't even reaching my knees and I was trying so hard for it to appear professional. So I wouldn't look like some ex-convict slut here to seduce the boss.

I made my way to the front desk and approached the brunette lady at the receptionist counter.

"Hi, I am Elena Carlson, here for the interview," I greeted her with a smile on my face, but she didn't smile back.

"Ms. Carlson, you are a minute late." She eyed me as if that would make up for the lost time. "The CEO is already waiting for you,"

My heart skipped a wild beat, "The CEO?" I asked.

"Yes, The CEO of ATLAS HOLDINGS. Right this way," she gestured as she made her way through the hallway while I trailed after her, my mind racing. Why was I meeting the CEO of this big corporation? As soon as he finds out that I was an ex-convict, he would have me thrown out for wasting his time.

"Right here," she announced when we got to our destination. She pulled the door open, revealing a gigantic modern office. I took a glance at the office but my eyes fell on the figure who had his back to me, staring at the window, staring at a distance.

He had broad shoulders, wearing a navy blue tailored suit. I stepped into the room and the door shut behind me. The brunette had left me to my fate.

He turned around to face me and that was when my heart actually left my body. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

"You...you..." I stuttered.

A knowing smile formed on his lips as he strode toward me, extending his hand to me, "Nice to meet you again, Elena,"

No fucking way. He was the stranger I had sex with two weeks ago.

"You are...You are..." I stuttered.

"I am Atlas Grant, the CEO of this company," he introduced himself.

Atlas Grant. The name echoed repeatedly in my head.

Atlas Grant.

Grant.

Grant!

"Grant!" I exclaimed, "As in, Son of Richard Grant?"

He nodded and my head began to spin again.

I was so fucked. So so fucked.

"Elena, Elena," he called out, as I began to back away, staggering. He held me, his hand gently gripping my wrist. "I know what you are thinking," He muttered in a low tone.

"You are... you are the brother to Braden and Luke Grant?" I asked again, even though I damn well knew the answer. He nodded again and that was when I realized how fucked I was.

I had fucked the brother of my late and ex-husband.

Talk about the worst luck one could ever have.

I yanked my hands away from him, "You fucking piece of trash. You knew who I was, you fucked me knowing who I was," I spat at him, my eyes burning with tears. Why did the Grants kept fucking me over?

"Hear me out, Elena. It is not what you think," he tried to explain himself but I held up a hand to his face.

"Oh, please," I scoffed a bitter laugh before I turned around to leave, making my way to the door. "All you Grant family are sick and fucking sadist," I snarled about to pull the doorknob when I heard it slam back shut.

"Let me the fuck out, you Psycho," I yelled at him, surprised that I didn't hear him follow me. That was when he pulled me to him, by my waist. My fist clenched, ready to hit his rock-hard chest, but he pulled me closer, closing the distance between us.

"Let me go,"

"Calm the fuck down Elena," he growled and that was when my eyes met his, I tilted my head to meet his gaze as he towered over me, his chest pressing against mine, burning me, sending heatwaves all over my body.

"Listen to me Elena, It is not what you think,"

"Then what is it? you fucked me knowing who I was and pretended not to, was it revenge sex, haven't you Grants done enough?" I snorted, trying to wiggle my way out of his grip but he tightened his grasp on me, leaving no distance between us.

"No, it is not like that, yes, I am a Grant but I am the illegitimate son of Richard Grant, Braden and Luke are my half-brothers,"

I stared at him, Braden did mention he had a half-brother, but I never met him.

"I know what they did to you, and I am here to help you bring them down, I am here to help you make Luke pay and get back all he had stolen away from you."