Echoes and Intuition
1033 Words
Alexandra’s POV
I watched him leave from the balcony, my lips still tingling, pulsating with the ghost of that kiss. For a moment, I honestly felt like I was going to die in his arms. He was so commanding, so sure, and it turned my resolve into mush. I’d had a gun pointed at his heart, but the moment he spoke, the melody of his voice made my brain black out. I am many things in business, ruthless, cold, a predator but I am not a murderer.
I wanted to run after him, to grab his shoulder and demand the truth, but I remained frozen in the exact spot he’d left me. The way he looked at me... No. I shook my head, pacing the stone floor. He was using me. He has a girlfriend, and I’m just a distraction, a way to scout the mansion for whatever plan they’ve concocted. How dare he? How dare he make me feel that electric spark just to check out the perimeter?
Through the French doors, I saw him leave Kyle behind. My brother and Kyle looked sickeningly happy as they retreated from the yard toward the house. I slipped into the darkened hallway, intending to head to my room, but the sound of voices from the living room stopped me cold.
"I'm sorry, Linny," I heard Kyle say. "I’m sure Kevin wanted to stay. He usually makes it up to me when he misses things. Four years ago, he’d only make it home once every two weeks."
That was back when he worked for me. My chest tightened. He was always here but why did he leave? Why would he betray me like that?
"I know," Lindon replied softly. "He used to talk about his family all the time when he was here. I’m just glad I ran into the right guy."
"Same here. If you ever leave me, I don't think I’d survive it," Kyle admitted, his voice dropping an octave. "But I worry. He’s put his life on hold for me. He doesn't date. Ever since he came back from the Army, he told me that if he meets someone who doesn’t get along with me, he’d leave them. I mean, who does that?"
"Babe, it's all good. Your brother just loves you," Lindon reassured him.
I heard their footsteps moving toward the entrance.
"Umm, babe? Shouldn't you check on your sister?" Kyle asked. "It’s been ages since she went inside to answer that call. She seem to be in so much pain, she smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes."
My heart hammered against my ribs. If they turned the corner, they’d see me standing there like a ghost, eavesdropping on their lives.
"No," Lindon said confidently. "She always gets those kinds of calls. Besides, Austin is watching her. I think she needs some time to herself but I will check on her later."
I released a breath I didn't know I was holding as their footsteps faded toward the backyard. Thank God they went the other way. I wasn't sure I could handle a confrontation without taking my frustrations out on them.
Lindon’s POV
I knew Kevin leaving early had absolutely nothing to do with "paperwork."
He and Alex had clearly gotten into it. I’d seen Kevin’s face as he walked toward the SUV, his lips looked... different. Swollen. Either they’d finally kissed, or Alex landed a very heavy-handed slap. Knowing those two, it was probably both.
I’m only twenty-two, but I have eyes. For years, I’d caught them ogling each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. I’d seen Alex lick her lips while scanning his back, and I’d seen Kevin’s jaw set whenever another man breathed in her direction.
One thing I knew for certain, what Alex said about Kevin being a traitor wasn't true. Kevin once told me he would die before he let anyone harm Alexa or me. I still believed that. Someone had crawled between them years ago, and now they were both fighting a war without the facts.
"Babe? You okay?"
Kyle’s voice snapped me back to reality. The barbeque was over, the guests were gone, and we were finally alone in my room.
"Yeah, I’m alright," I said, offering a small smile. "Why?"
"Because I’ve been calling your name for the two minutes. You look like you were on another planet."
"Sorry," I chuckled, pulling him closer. "I’m just worried about Kevin and Alex."
Kyle tensed instantly. "Why?"
"Because they’re clearly in love, but their egos are standing in the way of anything actually happening."
Kyle looked dazed for a second, then burst out laughing. It wasn't funny to me, but clearly, he thought I was dreaming.
"You’re funny, babe. Kevin isn't into her. We’re talking about sworn enemies here."
"I know, Kylie. But people put up a front to avoid feelings. Kevin leaving like that tonight? Without a word? Someone manipulated them into this mess, I'm sure of it."
"But who would be that vile?" Kyle asked, his expression turning serious. "Do you have proof?"
"No idea," I said, letting my hand rest on his thigh. I didn't want to talk about them anymore. I leaned in and kissed him hard to stop the questions.
The air in the room changed instantly. Kyle took control, pinning me back against the mattress. The world outside the feud, the gun, the secrets, all faded away. We moved together, our breathing synchronized and heavy, swallowing each other's moans to keep the noise down. I’d forgotten to turn on the soundproofing, but in that moment, I didn't care.
The last thing I remembered was the feeling of us wrapped around each other, exhausted and content. When I woke up later, the bed was empty. He was gone, likely heading home before Kevin could come looking for him.
I lay there in the dark, praying Kyle wouldn't repeat my theories to Kevin. If my brother-in-law-to-be knew I was digging into his past, he’d kill me.
- Writer
