Darius left the room right after that and he didn't return. I went to sleep hoping he would be there when I woke up but he wasn't. I felt a pang of disappointment in my chest. I didn't know if it was intentional because he was upset or if he got busy with whatever he was doing and he just didn't have the chance to come home. Regardless, I decided I was not going to spend the day moping around and I decided to do something useful- like my date with Serena.
I was getting dressed up when Darius walked into the room. He looked exhausted and annoyed and I knew that he hadn't been in the house since he left because he was still in yesterday's clothes. There were some cuts on his forehead and his knuckles and for a split second, I was worried that he had beaten up Brandon.
"Don't tell me that you beat him up," I protested dropping the lip gloss I was applying. "What were you thinking?"
"Does it matter if I beat him up?" his tone came very dismissively and I had to take a step back because Darius never spoke to me like that.
"I don't know what's going on with you but I don't like the attitude. Brandon didn't do anything to warrant you beating him up. He stepped into a bar which is his right as a free human being. He didn't touch me or hurt me."
"Why are you so keen on defending him?" I instantly knew what it was about and I burst out laughing. "Of course, you would find this funny."
"It is funny how jealous you are. I am living in your house, in your bed and you are upset because you think I'm defending my ex?" he stayed silent. "Did it ever occur to you that I was defending you? His father is one of the biggest lawyers in the city. He will throw you behind bars in a second and your werewolf status won't matter because they don't know. So unless you plan on outing yourself then be my guest."
"I don't need you to defend me."
"You know what, Darius, screw this. I'm not going to have this conversation with you when you're upset. I don't even know what you're upset about."
"You FUCKED him," he practically exploded in my face and I backed away so fast that I hit my hip on the dresser. "Shit, Leindra, I should never-"
He reached out to me but I held out a hand to stop him. "I told you about him. I told you about everything. You have no right to hold that against me. You have fucked tons of women before me and I have never held that against you. When you're ready to stop being a dick then you can find me."
"Leindra, I'm sorry. It isn't about you, there is just so much going on at the moment."
"If it isn't about me then don't pour your anger out on me. I am not your punching bag. If it is bothering you so much then go to the fucking gym and let out your frustrations or better still, learn to share."
I brushed past him and made my way towards the door. Just as my hands brushed the knob, I heard him speak.
"I didn't beat him up. I went training with Ian to let out some stress."
"That information would have been useful five minutes ago. Right now, I just don't care anymore."
I walked straight out the front door, took the first of Darius' cars that I saw and drove all the way to Serena's house. She looked shocked to see me because we had planned to meet a little later but she took one look at my face, dashed inside and came back out ten minutes later completely dressed and ready for our date.
While I drove, I told her everything that happened. She listened intently and didn't say a word until I was done. I was expecting her to take his side but to my shock, she shook her head and muttered the word 'men'.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I think he probably went to meet Brendan because if you told him about you fucking Brendan and he didn't have a problem with it then, why does he have a problem with it now? My guess is that Brendan said something and Darius is pissed about it. Also, I heard that something is going on but it is being kept perfectly tight-lipped between Darius, Ian and Jared. It isn't enough reason for him to snap at you though." "I'm just so upset."
"Then get back at him."
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"He gave you his card, didn't he?" when I nodded, she smirked. "Perfect."
Serena directed me to a store that I didn't even know existed in Lunarius. According to her, it had been standing for over thirty years and the prices were enough to send anybody into cardiac arrest. I made the mistake of glancing at the price tag on a pair of shoes and I instantly understood what she meant. She had to grab my arm to keep me from wobbling over.
"I don't think I can do this," I mumbled but she clicked her tongue at me.
"Darius has more money than you will ever imagine. Spend some of it and give him hell when you get back home."
"Won't he get mad?"
"He loves you way too much."
I was still hesitant but Serena was not. She picked whatever she thought was pretty and would fit me and threw it into the basket. She took everything from clothes to shoes to hygiene products. My palms got sweaty the more I thought about how much it would amount to. By the time we got to the counter and the cashier was about to say the price, Serena stopped her.
"We don't need to know," she snatched Darius' card out of my hands and handed it over to her. She just shook her head and swiped it. I retrieved the card but Serena retrieved the receipt before I could. "Just go home. He won't do anything." "I hope that's true."
I allowed Serena to drive us back home because I knew that if I drove, we would probably end up in a ditch due to how much I was shaking. She was so excited because apparently Darius never let anyone drive his cars except me. When we got to the house, everywhere was quiet and I began to worry that something was wrong.
As soon as I crossed the threshold, Ian rushed up to me. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," I raised my hands in mock surrender but he looked behind me and saw Serena struggling with the bags. "Women, handle your mate please before he torches his own home to the ground with the fire burning on his head from his rage."
I swallowed deeply and it was at that moment the realization of what I had done settled. I slowly made my way upstairs and cast my eyes to the ground. When I got to the room, Darius was seated on the chair. Everything was in place and if it weren't for Ian's words, I would have thought everything was okay.
"Eighty grand on shopping," he began in an almost humorous tone. I opened my mouth to apologize but he cut me off. "I'm impressed."
I reared back in shock. "You are? I thought you would be pissed."
"I thought you were going to spend more."
"I should have." He sighed and gestured for me to come over and I obliged. "What did Brandon say to you?"
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Now that I think about it, it doesn't matter," he pulled me into his lap and pressed a kiss to my temple. "I already knew about your past and I should have never judged you for it. You can spend millions if it makes you feel happy. Hell, I can give you all of my money."
"You're bluffing."
"Never with you. You're it for me, Leindra. There will never be anyone after. If I could cancel the befores, I would in a second because no one compares to you." It felt like my heart was about to beat out of my chest. "Do you forgive me?"
"Tell me after one more shopping spree?"
He laughed and kissed me. I deepened the kiss and his hands delved into my hair like they usually do. He pulled back from the kiss enough to whisper. "Please tell me you bought lingerie."
"You'll just have to wait and see."
He threw his head back and groaned then kissed me again. The kiss was getting heated and I knew it was going to escalate when he picked me up and walked me over to the bed but there was something I wanted to talk to him about first and I knew if I allowed him to get me naked, I would never have that conversation.
"Darius, stop," it came out as a whisper but he froze all movements immediately and lifted himself off me.
"Did I hurt you? Are you still upset with me? Did I misread the room?"
"No, it isn't that," I assured him. "I just want to ask a question."
"What is it?"
"Earlier you said something else was going on and Serena said there was an issue that
was being kept tightly secret. What is it?"