Rhyett's Pov
“Can you hear us, Mr Storm?”
I try focus on the voice.
“Mr, Storm.”
I can hear it clearer now.
“Rhyett.”
Someone’s calling me.
But the soft voice is replaced by a harsh whisper now.
“Are you stupid? Don't take his name.”
“But he might recognize-”
“If you want to live, don't do anything that can be counted as disrespect, Valerie.”
“But-”
I abruptly open my eyes and the surroundings come into my vision. I start breathing heavily as I try to adjust to the strong lighting in the room.
“Are you okay, Mr Storm?”
I look up to the girl with a gentle voice. I haven't seen her in our clinic before but she's wearing a white coat so she must be a new doctor.
She's looking at me with hopeful eyes, almost like she wants me to be okay. Like she cares that I survive. Like she wants to help me out.
Her beautiful brown eyes contrast with the red hair that's neatly made into a bun. Her skin is as perfect as it gets. She looks angelic.
“Would you like some water?” Another voice that's irritating me asks softly.
“No.” I refuse but my voice comes out groggy due to my dry throat.
“You should drink some, Mr Storm.” The angel in front of me speaks again.
I nod, not being able to refuse her. The other annoying doctor —that I don't bother to look at— helps me sit up leaning against the headboard.
My lower back hurts with a piercing pain and I realize I had been shot. But I don't hiss or think about the pain, I just silently keep my eyes on the angel as she brings the glass towards me.
Rather than taking it from her —which I don't think would be too much of a problem even in my current state— I bring forth my face, signaling her to help me drink.
She brings the glass to my lips and I sip slowly, all the while studying the smallest details of her face. The lightest freckles and the scrunch of her nose as she looks back at me.
“Good to see you all well.” Dad says entering the room. Someone must've informed him I've woken up.
He doesn't express his emotions in front of outsiders but I know he's relieved to see me alive. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to get scolded for my lack of regard for safety that landed me in this position.
“If there's no procedure left then leave us alone.” Dad orders everyone.
“There isn't. Mr Storm is perfectly fine. I'm sure he'll have a really fast recovery. We just need to monitor his healing and dress the wound from time to time.” The annoying doctor spoke again. This better be his last time because I'm running out of patience.
Before they could leave on my father's orders, I spoke. “I won't stay here. Get me a doctor who'd take care of me at my home.”
I make a show of peeling my eyes from my father and looking at half a dozen doctors in the room. Then finally, my gaze return to her.
“She'd do.” I say with finality.
“She's a trainee. If you want I could send Rafael-” The irritating ass abruptly cuts himself off when I glare at him. “I’m sure Valerie will do a great job. We’d be outside if you need anything.”
My gaze follow her as she gets to the door. She doesn't spare me a glance and scurries away with her pears.
“What was that?” I give him a confused look like I don't know what my father is talking about so he drops the subject shaking his head. “Anyways, how're you feeling now?”
“Brilliant.” I grumble to myself as I see Blondie following her inside the room.
He has the audacity to close the door after himself. If he thinks that's how to be a gentleman and help a woman then he needs to learn a few things.
I don't bother with a knock and barge in. The sight in front of me turns my vision redder than it already is.
The guy has his hands on her abandon as he rubs a few tissues on her dress. She's bending towards him and helping him out like it's his job.
I clench my jaw and exhale a deep breath to calm myself enough to not launch my fists on his face.
I don't have my gun on me as it wasn't allowed in the Gala. But I don't need it. I don't need anything to kill the guy who puts his hands on my girl.
“Rhyett,” Valerie looks at me and her eyes widen because she knows exactly the thoughts going through my head at the moment.
“Out.” My eyes were fixed on her but Blondie understood it was meant for him.
He didn't have to be told twice. As expected, he fears me because he knows me. He gets up hastily from his crouched position and practically runs out the door closing it again.
But this time, I appreciate his gesture.
I turn back and click the lock when she spoke again. “What're you-” I cut her off.
“What were you doing, Valerie?”
My voice sounded as deadly as I was. But she isn't scared, she's never been. I already know she's gonna stand her ground and snap at me.
“Don't make a big deal out of it, Rhyett when it clearly isn't. He's my coworker, he was just helping me.” She glares at me and it's the sexiest thing she does.
“He clearly likes you. If you didn't notice he’s mesmerized by you… like every guy at the Gala.” I slowly stride towards her and we both know what's coming next. “Every guy that I'd love to kill for you.”
“And why would you kill them?” She raises an eyebrow in mockery.
When I'm in front of her, I grab the back of her neck and tug her towards myself. Her lips are inches from mine and our breath fans on each other as she tilts her head up to look at me.
I encircle her waist with my free hand and pull her even closer. Her soaked dress starts wetting my jacket but that's least of my concern right now. I want to feel her against me. After months of control, I want to loosen up now.
Her hands stay by her side as she doesn't make any effort to push me away. I take it as an invitation and gently peck her lips as her body shivers in my hold.
“Because you're mine, Val.” I peck her lips again. “And nobody gets to shamelessly stare at what's mine.” I whisper to her.
“I’m not yours, Rhyett.” She said bitterly. “I'm just a dirty little obsession of yours.”
I close my eyes and rest my forehead against hers. “Don’t call yourself dirty. You’re one of the purest thing I know, angel.”
“Pure?” I open my eyes to look at her again. “Purity is shown off, Rhyett. It's not hidden from the world, it's worn with pride. But all you do is hide me. Our relationship.”
Her words are as bitter as the smile playing on her lips. But behind all that, I know she's hurt. And I'm the reason for it.
I fucked up bad.
Everything was going so perfect in our life. We were happy together. I hadn't let her go since the time she moved in our mansion as my doctor. My family loved having her around. It felt like my family was complete.
Until four months ago, Valerie proposed to me.
I was shocked. We'd been dating for long enough for her to expect a proposal but when I didn't, she took it upon herself to take our relationship to the next level.
But I wasn't ready.
I don't know why but putting a ring on my finger felt like too big of a commitment.
I knew she's the one I'd like to spend my whole life with but I needed time. I didn't think myself capable of taking care of her and making a marriage work.
I thought she was content with how we were.
I never considered marriage a thing that I would ever participate in. I didn't even consider dating until she came into my life.
When I didn't speak, she shook her head and lets out a mocking laugh. “That's your problem, baby.” She pecks my lips, just like I did hers. “You're a kid who wants a toy but don't want the responsibility that comes with it.”
I take a deep breath again. “Can’t we go back to how we were?”
“You think I don't want that?” Her eyes shine with the tears emerging in them. “I was ready to spend my whole damn life with you, Rhyett. I proposed to you and you made me look like a fool.” She spat the words at me.
“Val-”
“Four years of dating, Rhyett. It's not a small amount to time. You made me feel like I've wasted four years of my life on someone who doesn't even love me enough to keep me forever. I was stupid to stay with you, knowing fully well the type of person you were.”
I don't know what to say. I don't know how to convince her to stay with me. And I don't have a valid point because I know she's right.
She's just asking for what she deserves.
“I can't be with someone who wouldn't commit to me. No matter how much I love you, I can't accommodate your silly tantrums.”
“It's not a silly tantrum, Valerie. I-”
“I don't want to hide out relationship like we're sinning. I want the world to know that we belong together. You just want me behind closed doors but I want to tell everyone that you're mine. I'm want to be more than just your sex doll.”
“You're not my sex doll, Valerie.” I snap at her. But she doesn't flinch. She already knew she was stepping on my nerves when she said the words. “I love you. More than you could ever think. How can you forget it when I told you a thousand times?”
“If we both love each other then why can't we be together?” Her voice was a gentle caress on my clothed chest. She wasn't looking at me as she whispered with a few tears coming loose.
“You knew I don't do relationships, Val. I told you from the beginning.” I move my hand to stroke her cheek and wipe off the wetness on it.
“Then blame my stupid heart because now I want more than you could give.” My chest constricts painfully at her hurt voice.
I couldn't help but engulf her in a hug. I felt terrible for doing this to her. I broke the girl who always kept a smile on her face.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…” I repeated kissing her hair with each set of words as she clung to me seeking the comfort I used to give her.
I gulp the tension surging through my veins. “I was fool. I shouldn't have let you go. I was confused by how sudden everything was happening. The proposal, our fights and then your threats to break up…. I couldn't think straight.”
I pull back and brush my thumb against her beautiful red stained lips. “But trust me when I say, I regret it every single day. I hate myself for taking the worst decision of my life.”
She looked back at me. “Your regret won't do anything. I can't be with you unless-”
“If I give you what you want, you’ll be mine?” I know the answer to it but I ask her anyway.
“You’ll tell everyone that we’re toge-”
“Will you marry me, Valerie Peterson?”
Her eyes widen and she looks like she's been hit by a truck. Even the tears streaming from her eyes stop to gape at the shocking revelation.
I bite back a smile and stroke her cheek again. “Hurry up and answer, angel. Don't want anyone else taking what's yours…”
She wipes her tears away and look at me with her big hopeful eyes. “No one ever will,” She takes hold of the back of my head and tugged me down. “Because I will marry you, Rhyett Storms and then you'll be forever mine.”
Her lips descend on mine and I return the kiss with equal fierceness. It's been so long since I last tasted her and I want to devour every inch of her now that I have her back.
Her hands slide down to my waist but I stop her. “Patience, angel. You have me all for yourself tonight. Let me help you with an orgasm first.”
She smiles and kisses me again. I raise up her dress enough for my knee to slide under. I can feel her heat and wetness even through the layers of my dress pants and her panties.
She starts rubbing against my thigh and my mouth moves lower to suck on her neck. She moans my name and my cock jumps at the sound. She has the prettiest moans.
“I don't want to wait anymore, take off your clothes.” She says breathing heavily.
I love it when she tries to take control. It only encourages me to edge her more until she begs —or snaps. But tonight I lack the patience, I want her now.
I pick her up effortlessly. She feels so perfect in my arm, flushed and turned on.
When I drop her on the bed, I take off my suit jacket and move to my shirt when a ringing sounds through the room.
I look around to spot where the sound is coming from. It's her bag. I ignore it but she gets to her feet to see it when I hold her wrist pushing her down on the bed.
“It could be something important.”
I know she doesn't want to stop either but she still wants to take the bloody call. It's always been her rule to pick up every call since it could be a call from work. A call for help saving a life.
“Later.” I mumble and start kissing a spot between her neck and shoulder.
That's her sweet spot and that's the only way to keep her from taking the call. A relief sets in me when the ringing dies down.
When I sense that she's far too gone to think of anything else, I straighten up and undo my shirt buttons. The moment the shirt is off my chest, another sound stops me from reaching for my belt.
It's my phone now. I swear I'll kill the people stopping us when we're finally together after four god-damned months.
I plan to ignore this call like I did with the one on her phone but since my jacket which houses my phone is next to her on the bed, she takes it out and tries to hand it to me to answer.
“Put it on silent.” I tell her but when does she ever listens to me without an argument.
She glances at the screen. “It's Julian.”
“Leave it. He just wants to rant about how he has to meet all the blabbering businessmen and their overly sweet wives.”
I discard my belt when my girl decides to rush to her bag. I sigh and go after her, hugging her from behind as she stands in front of the table now.
I start to unzip her dress, ignoring how she's completely focused on getting her phone out rather than reaching her release like I am.
“He called me before you.” I freeze when I realize what it means. “Maybe it's-”
“Adeline.” We both say at the same time.
How can I be so dumb when I'm horny?
Four months of pent-up sexual frustration has gotten the better of me tonight.
I zip her up again and grab my phone turning to the door when she stops me. “You're shirtless.”
I was so caught up in getting to my sister that I didn't realize there's too many people outside and they'd sure look at me suspiciously if I run out half naked.
I hastily throw on my now wrinkled shirt and I'm already out of the room. I hear clicking of the heel behind me and I know Valerie’s following.
I dial my brother and he picks up in a single ring. “Rhyett, oh thank fuck, you picked up. It's me Reign.” I frown. I'm confused why he would call from Julian's phone and what's weirder is that he sounds worried and relieved. “Your sister-”
“Where's she?” I ask immediately.
“We’re trying to reach your doctor —Valerie or something— Julian said you might know where she is.”
“I'm bringing her there. Where are you?”
As we pass the hall full of people, they look us up and down. I know that my nonexistent efforts to correct my appearance didn't do shit.
As Valerie follows me with equally rushed steps and ruffled state, it's clear we just tried to pull up a quickie.
“We're- ask a staff for the directions to the fourteenth guest room in the west wing. Julian's taking her there.”
I grab a guy from the staff by his collar to get his attention. “Take me to the fourteenth guest room in the west wing.”
He looks at me fearful and Valerie politely adds a “please”. It was unnecessary because he was already convinced to do as I said. I leave him and he starts taking hurried steps further down the hall as we follow.
“What happened to her?” I ask Reign, silently praying it's nothing too bad.
“I don't know. She threw up and then fainted.”
“We’ll be there.” I try to say in my calmest voice.
I cut the call and I'm thankful that the guy's fast enough to not test my patience. Within next two minutes we’re at the door which I enter without a knock.
I see dad sitting next to her holding her hand as she lies on the bed unconscious. Julian and Ewan are standing next to her bed while Reign stands near the door at a good distance.
Their heads snap to us as we enter and Valerie spoke before any of them could say anything.
“I'd appreciate if you all could leave the room.”
Reign keeps looking at her for a few moments and I'm scared if he’s figured out that she's pregnant. But then he abruptly leaves the room like he knows his presence isn't appreciated here.
He has a thing of making everything about himself so maybe Adeline spoiling his Gala wasn't the most preferred thing of the heir.
Ewan and Julian leave as well and I stay in the room with dad like always. I know she doesn't like doctors and hospitals and I hate it that she has to go through all this.
But it's necessary. And I'll stay by her side all along to make sure she's fine. I can't let her go through this alone, like she did all those years.
I want to be there for her.
She's like my little baby.
My brothers always looked at me as their strict older brother and kept their distance to not get in trouble. I didn't mind it because they had an understanding that I do love and care for them but I'm incapable of expressing it.
But when I learned that I had a sister, I suddenly felt a fatherly affection for her. Something I had never felt before. I wanted to take care of her. To baby her. To spoil her. And to love her to pieces.
I felt an urge to keep her safe, away from the prying eyes of the filthy world. But she had experienced the brutality of it all before I could get a chance to protect her.
But now that I have her, I'll never leave her.