Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1) (26 page)

So,
this was it –
The ABC’s Inc.
coming out party. Sort of. It was another
formal affair sponsored by the International Merchants Society. One more
meet-and-greet rubbing of elbows, being held under the guise of charity. As
always, the evening launched off with the obligatory boring speeches. Yet, it
was the perfect opportunity to reveal to the industry the amalgamation of three
highly respected and successful corporations. Lexi smiled proudly as Dane stood
behind the podium and made the announcement.

The
room was filled with prominent businessmen, women, and their spouses, the upper
echelon from around the world. Dane appeared at ease and sincere; he even
picked out acquaintances from the crowd, teasing them as if at a roast. Lexi had
never seen that side of him before. He had the audience in the palm of his
hand, especially the women, she noticed. And why not, he had the chiseled good
looks of a male model, not to mention the way the tailored tux showed off his
broad shoulders and slim hips. Her thoughts wandered to the image of him
unfettered by the finery, and her own body reacted with symptoms of withdraw
from his touch. She watched him laugh with good humor as a heckler in the
audience responded to Dane’s jibe, with one of his own. Lexi turned to enjoy
the hilarity with her friends.

As
they shared conspiratorially amused glances, the years flashed back to when
they were children. They had been forced to attend innumerable mini-sized
functions similar to this one when their parents had hosted parties for their wealthy
colleagues. The children had been raised with impeccable manners and taught to stand
quietly away from the adult interaction – in uncomfortable formal attire, as if
they were accustomed to wearing it every day. And, it bears reiteration –
quietly
.
So, of course they’d learned to communicate without verbalization.  

Lexi
felt – happy, content in the fact that she was with family. She belonged with
these people. Her eyes conveyed her gratitude to them, and they reciprocated
with their own feelings of rightness. Apparently they all basked in the reunification
of their childhood bond. As one, they returned their attention to the sixth
member of their exclusive club who was currently discussing the move of
Brighton Industries’ headquarters to the US. His European associates questioned
him about the status of his overseas offices, which Dane assured them would
remain business as usual.

“The
only real changes are in my personal preferences to live closer to my family
and colleagues,” Dane revealed, as he turned his gaze to their group. And with
that opening, he announced their decision to incorporate the businesses. The
room erupted in applause while Lexi and the Carstens joined him at the podium, presenting
a united front.

“Ms
Alberton,” a gentleman called up from the crowd, “with Al-Tech in such a
precarious position, what do you hope to bring to the table?” Several others
objected to the man’s discourteous question, and a murmur of uneasy
conversation began drifting through the room. Lexi stepped up to the
microphone.

“Ah,
Sergii,” a mischievous glint in her eye matched the tone in her voice, “I can
always count on you to keep me on my toes, sir.” The room quieted as all ears
tuned to her response. “It is commonly known that Al-Tech holds the patent on
many fine innovations that are still in great demand today. We are putting my
father’s time honored business ethics back into practice and are seeing
progress. There is a project in the works… Well, I will go so far as to say that
very soon Al-Tech will astonish even a skeptic like you, when we unveil my
mother’s last masterpiece. Patience will reward you an answer.”

As
Lexi pulled away from the podium, the atmosphere in the hall effervesced with
anticipation. She turned anxious eyes to her friends. Had she overstepped?
Maybe it was too soon to hint about the robotic eyes. Greig had taken over the
project, recruiting Dill, and a lab technician he knew from Carsten
Enterprises, to aid him. As if Mother knew it would be necessary, her
instructions were simple, detailed, and precise. Or perhaps she needed to
insure that, with her untrustworthy mind, she had covered each aspect
completely. The work was being accomplished in the house laboratory, having all
agreed that it would be more secure. To her relief, she received nods of
assurance from her chums.

»ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

Dane
put his arm around Lexi’s waist and guided her toward the beverage table.
Ordering two glasses of sparkling water with a squeeze of lime, he handed one
to her and downed half of the other, before leaning in to encourage her.

“You
were stunning up there,” he praised, and he was being honest. She always did
have her father’s knack for decorum when it came to these functions. The little
firecracker he knew as a child would have blasted the guy between the eyes
before he had time to bat one of them. But, she grew up to learn the time and
the place to release her temper for such confrontation. Dane’s heart surged
with pride. “Talk about grace under fire.”

“Thank
you, I’ve never cared for being in the spotlight,” she shared, bringing the
glass to her lips with a shaky hand. Fani and Greig Carsten drew up beside her.
Fani squeezed her in a hug.

“You
were great,” she enthused.

“You
don’t think I said too much?” Lexi asked Greig.

Greig
shook his head. “You were almost forced to say something encouraging. I would
have been tempted to do the same thing, although I’m not sure about the ‘very
soon’ part.”

“Oh,
I know – I’m sorry.” She gave him a hug.

Dane’s
attention was drawn away by a tap on his shoulder.

“You
were very magnetic up there,” cooed a tall buxom blonde. He’d noticed her open
interest in him earlier, and hoped that their eye contact hadn’t encouraged
her. Guess his hopes had failed. “I was wondering if you would be interested in
finding out if our electrons align,” she suggested, moving in to give him a
closer view of her showcased bosom. The old Dane might have taken her up on the
offer, corny as it was, but just the thought of it, now made him feel dirty.

“Thank
you. I… I’m…” he stammered as a set of pale blue eyes, darkening in disgust,
lit on him. “I’m with someone,” he finally poured out.

“Oh,”
she said, “I thought these were your friends. Well, perhaps we will meet again
– when you’re free,” she added with a wink. She turned to walk away, her hips
swaying seductively. “Leena,” she threw over her shoulder, “My name is Leena.”

Dane
jerked his head back to his companions, smirking when he saw the Droid with his
mouth hanging open as he watched the woman walk away. But, then the smirk
quickly disappeared when Lexi’s eyes lasered into him.
What?
His
eyebrows rose in innocence. Hers came down in warning. He hastily looked to his
friends for backup – right, they’d vanished fast enough.

“I
see you are still trying to tame your recent acquisition,” a highly accented,
yet familiar voice, crowed. Dane’s neck cricked, as he yanked his eyes from
Lexi to Prince Ahmad, twisting his head back to Lexi – and finally returning it
to Ahmad, who was chortling wickedly. “It was the best transaction I’ve ever
made, although my father may not agree. He still fumes. Take my word; you will
never beat her into obedience. Write it off as a loss – she is better off dead,
that one.”

Dane
could feel her stiffening beside him.
Shit!
It wasn’t going to be easy
to smooth this one over with her. He wanted to punch that superior sneer off of
the arrogant little jerks face, but upon remembering where he was, he instead
decided to set the dimwitted twit straight.

“First
let me make one thing clear,” he spoke low and stern, “Ms Alberton paid for her
own freedom. I was merely the front man. Secondly, she is not a piece of merchandise.
Although very beautiful to look at, she is an intelligent, highly productive
member of the human race. I will go on to say that I can understand the
sheikh’s frustration, having such a bullheaded son, so allow me to aid in your
education,
Prince
. The most precious jewel is the one that starts out
perfect. A wise man knows that to try and change it would mean its ultimate
destruction.” Dane paused to allow his words to sink in, before turning away in
dismissal. “Oh, and no charge to your daddy.”

Turning back to Lexi, he found
she’d disappeared from his side.

»ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

The
crisp night air beckoned. Lexi’s face was flushed with anger, humiliation, and disbelief.
He had purchased her like a piece of livestock!
Again!
Well, maybe she
was an ass for believing him when he gave assurance that he held no more
secrets from her. Still, she did not have to stand there and listen to them haggling
about her assets and faults. She slithered away before Dane could open his
mouth.

Leaning
against the railing of the outside portico, Lexi strained to fight back tears
of self-pity. Instead, she took a deep breath and released it slowly. She was
strong, invincible – woman! At least that was how the song went. She didn’t need
a protector, didn’t need a caretaker or an owner! She didn’t need Dane, or so she
tried to convince her heart. Again she performed the breathing technique, this
time trying to blow out her love, affection, and longing for the man.

“I
recognize that maneuver,” a voice, floating from a dark corner on her left,
shared. Gretchen stepped into the dim light. “Been there, my friend.”

“Sorry,
I don’t wish to imply that you’re lying,” Lexi said, as her friend joined her
at the balustrade, “but, I find it hard to believe that you would ever allow a
man to play you for a fool.”

Gretchen
gave out a laugh. It echoed bitterness. “How else do you think I acquired this
thick crust?” She tapped on her chest. “Hell, I’m even famous throughout the
industry for it! Only, their word for it is
bitch
.” Neither girl laughed
at that.

“Is
that why you’re hiding out here?” Lexi asked.

“Deep
breathing is more effective outdoors,” she answered, blithely. “But, being
called a bitch? No, that doesn’t bother me. Hiding? Maybe. There are some men
who still consider me to be a challenge. A sought after trophy to be hung on
their wall. Their persistence tires me out, makes me want to…”

“Hide?”

“Well,
I was going to say drink,” Gretchen laughed, “but, yeah that too.” She gave
Lexi a friendly nudge. “Wanna get out of here?” she asked.

“I
would love to!”

»ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

Droid
swung up beside Dane. “I just got a text from Gretch,” he shared. “She and Lexi
split, and since she was my ride, do you mind if I bum a lift off you?”

“Smooth,”
Dane mimicked American slang. He had been looking for Lexi, knowing that she
was annoyed with him, just not sure how much. Greig answered that mystery, plus
offered friendly support with his request for transportation. Surely Stefan or
Fani could have obliged him with a ride – or hell, even a cab. “Of course,” he
answered. “You coming back to the house, or do you need to go home?”
Translation: I wouldn’t mind if you stuck around awhile.

“Your
place would be good,” Greig agreed, “that way I could get an early start on
Al-Tech’s promised unveiling.” He rolled his eyes witheringly. Dane gave his
arm a friendly pat.

“Ready
when you are,” he said.

Dane
pulled his Mercedes into the garage next to the empty slot where Lexi’s powder-blue
corvette normally housed. Shit, she’s already been home and left again! He
shared a look with Droid – this did not bode well.

“Go
on ahead, I can manage on my own,” Greig said.

Dane
took the small flight of stairs two at a time. His chest contracted with panic.
Just when things were perfect between he and Pips… Edith met him in the foyer,
with an envelope in her outstretched hand, sympathy and worry showed on her
face.

“She
packed a bag and said she’d send for the rest,” she told him as he grabbed for
the envelope. He knew the motherly housekeeper, desperate for answers, was
waiting for him to speak. He saw the anxious tears in her eyes. Still, he had
no comfort to give her, no explanation – even if he could actually form the
words.

Denial
had him running up the stairs to their second floor bedroom, before dealing
with the envelope.
I don’t understand. I did what I had to. Did she expect
me to leave her in the desert to die? I don’t understand.
The closet door
was open, the bedding wrinkled. He collapsed into the cushioned chair near the
door, staring down at the unopened envelope in his hands, tears blurred the
writing.
I did what I could, I love her, doesn’t she understand?
Pain
attacked him from the inside out. A gentle hand grasped his shoulder.

“Give
her some time,
jungen,” Oma said.
“Alexiah will retreat within herself, when she is hurt. She knows no other way.”

Dane felt his pain
turn to anger. Why am I always cast as the bad guy? Everything I’ve done has
been for her. I even moved my headquarters and Oma here – for her! She is a
spoiled, unappreciative brat! He stood up and grabbed his suitcase from the
closet.