Claire: The Forced Virgin Of The Billionaire

“This? This is nothing!”

Dad winced. Azriel was still seated on the conference table. He had his arms folded and he was watching me, looking at me with an unreadable expression.

“I thought I was in control when none of it had anything to do with what I’d planned, it’d all somehow been orchestrated so I’d end up with Azriel ”, I continued, rage propelling my words.

“And then when I escaped because it was f*****g unbearable,” I glanced at Azriel but he made no moves, his expression didn’t change.

“What did you do? Did you help me? Did you? No, you called Azriel and told him where to find me. Do you know what I had endured up to that point? Do you have any idea? Do you even care?

I thought you knew nothing but you knew f*****g everything.”

Dad shook his head, “I had no choice. And you were obviously safer here than down in Mexico. Imagine what might’ve happened to you if I hadn’t told him where you were?

If you’d gotten nabbed before he found you, maybe escaped a bit longer he wouldn’t have wanted to rescue you from Mexico. Maybe you should’ve just did what you were told and stayed put.”

“That’s enough,” Azriel spat. My eyes were wide, I was shocked.

What kind of twisted logic?

“Listen,” Dad drawled, smiling now, trying to salvage this, his eyes darting to and fro between Azriel and me, “I did what I thought I needed to do. I always did. I just wanted you safe.

I was no match for the Clarkes.

I knew you’d have a good life here. Azriel is a good man; he’s taking care of you. You’re happy. I never understood why your Mom wanted away from this life.

I tried to work my way up but Tom wouldn’t let me in. I thought I was a dead man, that Tom would have me taken out after your Mom. But he didn’t.

Then when he came for you, I thought through you, I dunno, maybe I’d know we were now safe and then I’d be a part of your life. Azriel, I’m available. I’m happy to start at the bottom, I —”

“Get out.” I interrupted. Dad looked at Azriel beseechingly and stayed perfectly still. There was silence for a beat.

Finally, Azriel notched a brow and jerked his chin up, “You heard her. Nino will walk you out.”

“Uh,” Dad got to his feet, “Can I uh… can I get a lift back home? I don’t have cab fare, I…”

“Get the f**k outta here,” Azriel pointed toward the door, “Nino!” he hollered, making me jump a little. The door flew open and Nino was in the room, looking ready to crush bones. He hauled my Dad out of the chair and held him by the scruff.

“Escort him out,” Azriel said. Azriel followed them out into the hall and shut the door. I don’t think I was breathing. Then Azriel was back. He shut the door and leaned against it and looked at me. I guess I was just staring off into space.

Dad hadn’t even looked back at me on his way out the door.

I looked up at Azriel finally, not sure what I’d see.

“Come here, baby,” Azriel said.

I stood slowly and fought the trembling that had started in my chin. No, no more tears. Not for him. Azriel pulled me against him and kissed the top of my head and held me.

The strength of his arms around me, the solidness of his chest, the smell of him, he smelled like home to me now.

He softly started to fill me in on the rest of the conversation he had with my father and I kept dry eyes throughout the time he talked, my head just resting against his chest.

My father was a f**k up. My father was probably a rebound for my mother who was looking for a different life than what she’d grown up with but my dad was the wrong choice.

Tom Clarke set out to ruin my Dad, to show my Mom what a loser he was so my Mom would come back to him. It didn’t work. It might’ve driven my mom to suicide.

Tom Clarke might have killed my uncle as he had been allegedly obsessed with my mother and the power my uncle wielded.

Mom’s family were connected, even more than Tom Clarke back in those days. I never knew.

Azriel didn’t have any proof that his Uncle did anything to my mother directly but Azriel had concerns that a lot of what my father had said was true because he said it fit his Uncle’s MO, his MO was get to someone anyway he could and often that was by hitting them where it hurt and sometimes by making their life crumble around them.

Tom Clarke had the power to do that to people. With my Uncle Joe out of the way he had more power than ever.

Azriel said he got off on the power, the control over peoples’ lives. Azriel said his Uncle loved being a puppet master and his eyes were filled with irony, apology, as he told me that.

“So what now?” I asked, looking up at him and trying to ignore the way Azriel’s voice changed as he talked about his Uncle’s love for control.

Azriel shook his head, “I’ll dig for more info. I have plans to talk to Bianca’s ma, she’s been an aunt to me. And to Dario’s mother. Then I decide what to do.”

“What do you mean what to do? What can

you do?”

Azriel shrugged, “Let’s see where the truth takes us and then I’ll decide.”

I didn’t like the darkness in his eyes at that statement. I didn’t know what it all meant but I didn’t like it one single bit.

I heard a commotion outside the door. Azriel opened it. Nino and another guy I didn’t recognize were rushing toward the door, “A, I think you should come outside. Your Uncle and Greg Dawson—”

Azriel booked it toward the door and I followed and outside the front gate was opened and Azriel’s Uncle was beating the snot out of my father out on the street.

Azriel ran, passing James, and hauled his uncle off my father, whose face was gushing b***d.