Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 120: Working It Out

I literally fell at Alec’s feet when he opened the door. I didn’t recall falling asleep, but I must have slept since the fall startled me awake.

"What are you doing?" Alex asked.

"Waiting for you."

Alec looked frustrated. "I told you to go home. I planned to call you once I cooled off."

I sat up. Staring up at him from flat on the floor felt weird, like the position reflected the imbalance in our relationship.

"Just to make sure we are on the same page, care to clarify why you need to cool off?"

Alec put out a hand to help me up. "Coffee first."

Ten minutes later, Alec sat across from me at the dining table with a steaming mug in his hand. I don’t think he’d looked me in the eyes once since he discovered me outside the door.

"I’d rather you stay away from my dad," Alec said. "He’s not a good guy. I don’t want you to get hurt."

"I know. I didn’t intend to get into anything with him last night."

"I can’t protect you against Dad."

"Alec, no one is asking you to. I’m doing my best to avoid putting you in that position."

"I’m the man. I’m supposed to be able to protect you. This is fucking with my head."

"Your dad is okay with me. We’ve made peace, because we both love you. I don’t need your protection. I do need your forgiveness, though. I’ve failed to make you feel secure in our relationship."

"Don’t take that totally on yourself. I need to work on myself, too."

"We both do."

Alec asked, "So, what happened after I walked out?"

I gave him the condensed version of the story.

"That sounds like Dad. He’s said many times that he’d like to walk away, but that would create a void that someone with even less ethics might fill. I think that is part of his power source. The cops and politicians think the same thing. Dad is the lesser evil."

"So, how far can I trust what your dad said to me? Should I be concerned?"

"I don’t know. Dad can lie with as much sincerity as he tells the truth. I can say he’s never lied to me. Estelle either, I think. But Mom would tell you a different story. She doesn’t trust him at all. When I was a kid, she would stress out every time I went to Dad’s house for a visit. She’d cry before and after each visit. Angie would tell me about her not sleeping and doing drive-bys of Dad’s place while I was gone."

"She’s never told you why?"

"No, and I’ve never asked. I don’t want to bring up that anxiety in her again, you know?"

"I can understand that. I avoided a lot of conversations with my mom to protect her. Like what happened to my dad and why she waited so long to deal with her illness."

Alec said, "I think Dad sees you as an extension of me. As much a he can, he will be honest with you."

"That is as much as most people can do." But the big question remained unanswered. "So, what about you and me, are we good?"

"I don’t know. I want us to be, but I feel like we aren’t equals right now. It’s like you are a phoenix, and I’m an eagle. We’re both strong, amazing beings, but I’m just a plain bird and you are a mythical creature with magical powers like the ability to win over my beast of a father with a curl of your little finger."

"It’s not like that, Alec. Your dad responded to the fact I stood up for myself in a mature way. And I suspect he’s still trying to determine if I’m a threat, and if so, how much."

"Are you a threat, Teela?"

That was a hard question to answer. Did I have the ability? Yes. No doubt, but Eugene was not my target.

Unless Eugene or his people are responsible for Colby’s disappearance then all bets are off. The same would probably hold true of anything else that landed on the love list. I wouldn’t go easy on someone just because they were family. I never had. I wouldn’t start now.

"I have the capability, but at present, I do not have an intention. I have plenty of other priorities. I’m not looking for another one."

"Will you tell me if that changes?"

"Yes, Alec. I promise. I won’t blindside you."

"Alright. I can live with that. I’m sorry it is a possibility at all. Unfortunately, we can’t choose our parents, do you know what I mean?"

"I do. In many ways, you are lucky to have Eugene as your parent. He supports you in taking your own path. A lot of powerful people try to force their kids to follow in their footsteps."

"True, but he also knows I wouldn’t respond well to bullying. I would have disappeared."

"I wonder if that is the reason his partner disappeared."

"Dad had a partner?"

"Apparently, in the beginning. He’s asked me to find him or the man’s family so he can rightfully share the profits he’s accumulated over the years."

"I’m not aware of a partnership. I know you are thorough in your research, but take extra precautions. I don’t want you to fall prey to some bait and switch orchestrated by Dad."

"Agreed. I will, but first, I’m determined to locate CK’s brother."

Alec yawned, "Well, I hope that can wait for later. I didn’t sleep last night. I would like to spend some quality time in bed first."

"Am I invited?"

"You have an open invitation to my bed anytime."

"Except last night."

Alec smiled, "Except for last night. Sorry. Dad’s visit had me uptight even before you showed up."

"No need to apologize. I shouldn’t have shown up without calling."

"This is your home. You never have to call ahead. It was just a bad night. Let’s put it behind us. I need to hold you for a long time."

We walked arm-in-arm into the bedroom. It was my turn to yawn. I needed a toothbrush. A shower wouldn’t hurt, either. Especially if I was going to lay in the arms of this guy beside me. I always wanted to give him my best.

"I need a shower. Give me a few?"

"Or I could join you."

"Or you could join me."

When Alec started disrobing, I forgot all about what I was doing. His body was a work of art that was covered by art. As each muscle flexed, my gaze traveled over his body. My mouth watered. I wonder how tired he really was, but then again, I’d be totally content with Alec resting and letting me do all the work for a while. There was something satisfying that could be gained from unfettered access to so much mouth-watering flesh.

When Alec caught me staring, he smiled. "I love the way you look at me."

"Good because I don’t think I could look away right now if I wanted to."

"Then maybe I should help you remove your clothes while you focus on me?"

"Didn’t you say you were tired?"

"I’m never too tired to make love to you." Alec kissed me. He expertly removed my clothes while not breaking the kiss.

He’d just dropped my panties to the floor when my phone rang. I tried to ignore it, but when the caller went to voice mail only to immediately call again, I grew concerned.

I couldn’t ignore the call. Bea was still recovering. What if something happened to her, and I didn’t pick up the call? I’d never forgive myself.

"Alec, I need to take the call. I won’t be able to focus on you otherwise."

Alec moaned his assent as he shifted his attention from my lips to my neck. I inched toward my phone with Alec following me.

I picked up the call with a breathless hello.

"Bea’s gone," CK said.

I pushed against Alec as alarm bells went off in my head. "What do you mean gone?"

"Bea spent the night last night. When I awoke this morning, she was gone. I’ve called around. No one has seen her, so unless she’s with you, there’s a problem."

If this were Eugene’s doing, I’d do more than destroy him. I’d kill him, up close and personal. It felt too much like a coincidence that Bea disappeared right after my conversation with the mobster. He had to have something to do with it.

"She’s not here." I was already moving to put on fresh clothes and dash to the office Alec created for me. "I’ll be online in a minute. We’ll find her, CK."

Alec trailed after me, "Teela, what’s wrong?"

"Bea has disappeared. What are the odds your dad has anything to do with it, considering the timing?"

"I’ll deal with Dad. See what you can find out."

I slipped on my earbuds and booted my computer. If there were any clues to be found, we would find them. So help me, whoever took her would pay.