Chapter eight
Malachi's POV
Alicia's words were still stuck in my head. She sounded like she meant it,but I knew she didn't.
When I arrived at the Blackwood mansion,I was greeted by my father,the well-known Tom Blackwood of Silver Lake City.
He was surprised to see that I had truly returned. When I left three years ago,I never thought I'd ever come back to Silver Lake city.
Immediately I got down from the car,he walked towards me.
"Son,you're home."
He wrapped his arms around me.
I didn't move an inch. More like…I didn't know what to do with the kind of affection he was offering.
"Where's grandpa?"
I asked.
The old man must be dying to see me,given the fact I'm his favorite member of the family. A position the rest of them hated. Especially my uncle, Mario.
"In his study with your sister-in-law."
He smiled at me while pulling away.
"Hmm. We'll talk later."
I said before walking in.
As I walked through the hallway,my eyes lingered on the paintings hung on the wall. I was absent from most of them.
Everyone had a smile on, just enough to pose as a close-knit family to the public. But I knew better,in this family it was survival to the fittest.
And the weak get swallowed up easily.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't see Sasha colliding with me. I frowned at the contact,but my brows relaxed when I saw the fear in her eyes.
"U–uncle." She stammered.
"Next time,keep your eyes up."
I wasted no time walking past her.
Whatever she was doing or whatever she had to say was none of my business.
I paused outside the study door, my hand hovering over the handle.
Alicia was in there.
The thought pulled a smirk across my lips. My father might have embraced me, my grandfather might worship me, but Alicia… she would resist me. And that made her the most interesting part of this entire homecoming.
The door swung open and the sight before tugged something inside me.
Alicia was bent slightly forward, pouring tea carefully. My grandfather sat across from her, watching like she was the most precious little wife in the family already. The image was domestic. Intimate.
And I hated it.
"Grandfather," I said smoothly, stepping inside.
The old man's face broke into tears and smiles, but my eyes weren't on him. They were on her. Alicia stiffened the moment she heard my voice. That alone was enough to make my lips curve. She remembered. She always would.
"Ohh… it's true. My grandson has finally returned," Pa Blackwood said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Alicia dared a glance at me…one quick flick of her eyes that spoke of unease, of awareness. I caught it. I savored it.
"This is your brother-in-law, Malachi," Grandfather said, as though she hadn't already felt my mouth on hers.
"I know her," I chuckled, letting my voice dip into something low and dangerous. "We've gotten along really well. Isn't that right, Alicia?"
Her awkward little smile nearly undid me. "Yeah… yes, we do."
Liar. Her mouth said no, but her blush told the truth. She tasted like fire and guilt, and I wasn't finished burning her. Not by a long shot.
"Sit down, Malachi. I haven't seen my grandson in three years and he still looks so good," the old man went on.
Three years. Long enough for the house to forget me, long enough for people like Mario and Travis to think they'd buried me in memory. But the blood in these veins belonged to Blackwood, and this house had always been mine.
Grandfather lifted the tea cup Alicia had just poured, praising her, sipping her offering like it was salvation.
And under the table, I extended my foot until it brushed her leg. A deliberate kick. A claim no one else could see.
She jerked slightly,her eyes flashing to me.
I leaned back in my chair, mouthing the words I knew would destroy her.
You taste so good.
Her lips parted in shock, color rushing to her cheeks.
"I…I should go."
Her trembling hands held the tray and stood up to leave.
I stood up too. She was silly if she thought she'd be able to escape my teasing. Not after I saw how much it affected her physically.
"Sit down, boy. We have things to discuss."
Grandpa smiled.
I raised a brow.
What he wants to say better be important.
My eyes didn't miss the small smile on her face as she walked out the door.
I fixed my cuff before sinking into the chair again with my legs crossed.
The old man's expression turned serious. It looked more like this warmness earlier was all because of Alicia's presence.
"Why are you really here?"
He asked,his jaw tense.
A small smirk played on my lips.
"Can't I come here anymore?"
"It's not about that…it's just. Don't stir up trouble."
I could hear the fear in his voice.
"The bees don't attack unprovoked."
I smiled, flashing my teeth at him.
The old man sighed deeply.
"One more thing. Since your brother is unconscious,you'll have to take over the company for a while."
He looked at me with pleading eyes.
"No."
I answered without a second thought. I'd never wanted to indulge myself in the family business. All that family politics had been left behind years ago.
"Please Malachi. Do this for the business."
His voice came low and shaky.
"Father can do that. Or uncle Mario."
I raised a brow. What was the old man trying to do?
"Your father handles the companies in Dark city already. And you know Mario is on the edge of banishment."
He frowned.
"And Tyson?"
I asked.
Grandpa's frown only deepened.
"Banished."
I couldn't help but chuckle. Almost half of the family had been banished already.
"I'm sorry. But I'm still not interested in taking over."
I said.
He sighed again.
"I didn't want to do this. But now I think your sister-in-law would handle that. I can't trust anyone else with it. Poor girl,she's suffered over the years."
Alicia?
That name made my eyes brighten. But I knew I had to keep cool in front of him.
"She has been Travis' wife and secretary all these years. And she's helped the company grow a lot."
He went on.
"She's the secretary?"
My eyes widened.
I never thought she'd be the type to handle that position.
"Yes…"
If she's secretary,she'd be mine to control during the day.
"Well then. I wouldn't want my sister-in-law weighed down by work. I'll handle the business while Travis is…unconscious."
I trailed off.
"Good good. I knew you'd come around. Hehe…"
His laughter filled the room.
But my head was filled with how these next few weeks would be with Alicia.
I accepted the company for one reason only. Not for the old man. Not for Travis. But because now she has no place to run.