David Pov
The city lights outside the building window are a thousand cold, glittering eyes, each one a witness to the chaos that has become my life. I haven't slept in what feels like weeks.
Every time I close my eyes, I see him, Leo. His face, his smirk, the way he looked at me in the club, like I was a puzzle he was just waiting to solve. He's not subtle. I know he's watching me. I've seen his car parked down the street from my office, a ghost in the traffic. He's not even trying to hide it, and the audacity of it sends a jolt of something through me that is both fury and a dark, humiliating thrill.
Today is the day of my fundraiser, I'm surrounded by rich people each trying to lick up my ass just to get a little favour from me
My phone buzzes on the counter. A text from Maya. "Dad, Leo and I are almost there!"
I stare at the message, the words a hammer to my sanity. Ready? How can I be ready? My daughter, the one person in this world I am supposed to protect, is bringing her boyfriend to my fundraiser, a boyfriend who is a predator, a ghost, a poison in my veins.
A boyfriend I can't stop thinking about. A boyfriend whose presence makes my blood run hot and my body betray me. I hate that my own body responds to him, that my dick, against all logic, against all my carefully constructed walls, recognizes him.
The door opens and I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. Ivan, my loyal best friend and business partner, is already here, making his way towards me at the bar section. He sees the storm in my eyes.
"David," he says, his voice low. "You need to pull yourself together. The Johnsons are expecting a seamless event. You look like you haven't slept in days."
I run a hand over my face. "I haven't. I know you want me to tell you everything but I can't yet, I don't want to see the same look I have on my face, on yours" he doesn't respond just stares at him with a worried look.
The doors open, and Maya enters, a vision of youthful innocence in a beautiful gown. And then he follows her in, Leo, looking breathtaking in a tailored suit, his eyes dark and knowing. My stomach twists.
"Dad!" Maya says, beaming. "Look how handsome he is! I told you we'd be the best-dressed couple here."
"You look… beautiful, Maya," I manage to say, my gaze flicking to Leo. He gives me a slow, private smirk, a silent acknowledgment of the lie.
"Mr. Petrov," he says, his voice a silky drawl. "A pleasure to see you again."
I force myself to shake his hand, and a jolt of heat shoots up my arm. His grip is firm, confident. He's not a scared college kid anymore. He's drinking in my feelings.
"Leo was just telling me about the new security protocols for the event," Maya says, completely oblivious. "He's so smart about these things."
I can feel the blood draining from my face. He's a tourist, a boy playing a man's game, and he's talking about security? My security?
"I'm a quick study," Leo says, his eyes fixed on mine. "And I've been… observing."
Ivan steps forward, his voice a low, warning rumble. "Leo, I believe our head of security, Dmitri, has things well under control."
Just then, the doors open again, and Robert, my stepbrother, walks in. A chilling smirk is on his face, the kind of look that promises chaos. He is the snake in the grass, the poison I have been trying to contain.
"David, darling," Robert says, his voice dripping with faux-sweetness. "I'm so glad you could make it. We were all starting to think you were losing your touch."
I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to tear him apart. "I'm a bit busy, Robert. Unlike you, I don't have time to play."
Robert's eyes flick from me to Leo, a slow, predatory appraisal. "Hmm. I've heard you've been rather… distracted lately. Let's hope you don't let a few personal issues jeopardize the merger."
Leo's eyes narrow, a flicker of something in his gaze I can't quite place. Protectiveness? No, that's not what this is.
"I can assure you," Leo says, his voice cutting and cold, "Mr. Petrov is more focused than he has ever been."
Robert's smirk widens. "And who are you, exactly?"
"He's with me," Maya says, her voice full of a naive pride that makes my stomach churn.
Robert chuckles, a dry, humorless sound. "Of course, darling. How… charming."
I grab my glass and down the scotch in one gulp, the burning in my throat a welcome pain. This entire evening is a farce. I need to get out of here, to breathe, to get away from the suffocating tension. I need to be alone.
I excuse myself to the restroom, my body on autopilot, and a moment later, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn, ready to confront him, but it's not Leo. It's Robert.
"Thinking of what this time?" Robert asks, his voice a low, venomous hiss. " I have eyes everywhere and I know something is bothering you, not that I care but it will be fun messing with you"
I slam my hand against the wall beside his head, a loud crack echoing in the silent hallway. "You've said enough." My voice is a low, dangerous growl.
He simply smirks. "Oh, I don't think so. I've heard things, David. Whispers. About your… acts."
Just then, a sound from the bathroom at the end of the hall makes my blood run cold. It's Maya's laugh. And then Leo's voice, a low murmur. I can't make out the words, but the sounds, the sounds of intimacy, are like a physical blow.
The thought of them together, in there, while I am out here, filled with this rage and desire and shame, is a torrent of disgusting emotion. I am a monster, a monster who is jealous of his own daughter.
I turn from Robert, the bile rising in my throat. I push past him, stumbling into the men's room. I slam the door shut and lean over the sink, dry heaving, the taste of bile and shame on my tongue.
I look at my reflection, and I am a stranger. My eyes are wild, my hair a mess, my jaw clenched so tight it hurts. I am losing control. I am falling apart.
My fist connects with the mirror, a loud, echoing crack in the silent room. The glass shatters, a thousand jagged shards reflecting my broken face. My knuckles are bleeding, a raw, burning pain that feels like a release.
"You want to play games?" I whisper to my broken reflection, the words a raw, venomous promise. "Then let's play. You want a war, Leo? You've got one."