CHAPTER FIVE
1067 Words
Amanda felt like melting ice watching the tension growing between the two brothers.
Shawn's hands held a possessive grip on her waist screaming “She is mine” and Julius’ face held a sharp taunting smirk screaming “You think so”
Amanda was trapped in the middle of an unspoken battle.
“I was not expecting to see you here today, Julius,” Shawn said coolly.
Julius took a slow sip of his whiskey, his eyes coruscating with amusement. “You did not think I would miss such a grand occasion, did you?” He turned his eyes to Amanda. “You look ravishing”
Amanda gave a shy smile. “Thank you.”
Shawn flexed his hands around her waist.
Julius laughed quietly. “Chill, big brother, I was only paying your wife a compliment.”
Shawn's expression did not change, but Amanda could feel his body stiffen beside her.
Julius leaned in lowering his voice. “Do not be so tense, big brother. We all have secrets, right?” then he looked at Amanda. “And Some…more dangerous than others.”
Amanda felt her throat go dry and her stomach twitch.
Julius was playing a foul game.
And she had a terrifying feeling that she was the prize.
Before Shawn could respond, an investor drew closer and pulled him into a conversation.
Julius took the opportunity to step closer to Amanda.
“You are not getting away with this,” Amanda murmured.
“Get away with what, my darling” a smug grin spread across Julius’ face.
Amanda swallowed hard. “Whatever game you are playing.”
He squinted his eyes. “Who says it is a game.?”
Her heart raced.
Julius leaned in, his breath brushing her ears. “Careful now Amanda, you don’t want your husband asking the wrong questions, do you?”
Amanda clenched her jaw looking straight into his eyes.
She wanted to strangle him.
But she could not afford a scene. Amanda: the perfect wife of a perfect man.
No, Not now.
Not with Shawn already suspicious.
Instead, she turned away determined to put a distance between her and Julius.
But she knew that this was far from over.
****
Amanda stepped into their penthouse suite.
She had barely made it into the room before shawn’s voice stopped her.
“What did my brother say to you?”
Amanda froze.
Slowly, Amanda turned.
He stood near the window with hands in his pockets, his tie lossened and his sleeves rolled up. The city lights cast a shadow his face making him look more dangerous.
“Who?”
“Julius!”
She responded with a casual tone. “Nothing that is of importance.”
His eyes darkened. He removed his hands from his pockets and placed them on his waists. “Try again, my love”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Shawn” she curled her fingers into fist.
Shawn moved towards her. Slow. Deliberate.
“Tell me why Julius looked at you like that?”
Her pulse hiked. “Like what?”
“Like he owned you.”
Amanda’s breath seized.
Shawn stopped in front of her. She could literally feel his heat.
“Amanda, Tell me the truth.” He asked softly placing his hands on her shoulder.
Her throat went dry. She had no defense against this.
If she lie now. He would know.
And if she told the truth….
She looked into his eyes searching to understand what she’s seeing.
And for the first time, she realized something that sent chill through her spine.
He wasn’t just angry.
Shawn was hurt.
She tried to swallow but her throat was deprived of natural moisture. “Shawn…”
He tightened his jaw. “I should have destroyed him years ago.”
“Then, why didn’t you?” Amanda asked shakily.
A bitter smile spread across his lips. “Because I thought blood still meant something.”
Amanda knew this was the perfect time to walk away. The moment to put up the wall she had spent months building.
Instead, she reached out. Her fingertips just slightly brushing up against his wrist.
Shawn’s breath caught.
For moment there the coldness melted.
Then, just as quickly, the disappeared.
He pulled back.
“Get some sleep” he said turning away.
Amanda stood there, looking at his back, feeling something she cannot explain shift between them.
This felt dangerous.
And she had no idea on how to stop it.
****
Amanda could not sleep all night.
So, when she saw Julius text message to meet him in the morning, she agreed.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she needed to know what he was cooking up.
She found him staring at an African art laying on the wall at the art gallery connection of the hotel. He dressed in an all-black suit with dark shades. He looked like he was ready to kill someone.
“You are brave, I must give you that” he smiled as she drew nearer. “Meeting up like this in secret”
Amanda crossed her arms. “Julius, what do you want?”
His eyes flickered with amusement. “What I have always wanted.”
She felt irritated. “You are insane, Julius”
He laughed quietly.”you say that and here you are.”
Amanda tightened her jaw. “I’m only here because I want this to stop.”
“What to stop?”
“The mind games. The threats.”
He took a slow, deliberate step towards her. “Tell me something, Amanda”
She looked into his eyes and swallowed. “What?”
His eyes burned intensely into hers. “Do you love Shawn?”
Her breath seized.
“I…” she stammered.
Julius smile widened. “You do not even know, do you?”
Amanda’s heart raced.
“Stay away from me” she said through clenched teeth.
“Make me” Julius said leaning in.
Amanda spun on her heel and turned away.
He continued after her.
“I wonder what Shawn would think when he finds out.” He scoffed. “Do you really think shawn would forgive you?”
Amanda did not stop.
She did not turn.
She did not want him to see the fear creeping through her spine.
Because deep down.
She was not sure of the answer.
- Writer
