Endless Love by Bianca Borell
Chapter Six
BRIA
After surviving the shaving experiment, his words because I definitely knew what I was doing, Damien and I lie on the couch in the living room. I kiss all the minor cuts on his chin while his lips find the curve of my neck when the intercom rings. I startle and almost drop off the couch, but Damien’s arms shoot out, catching me in time.
I frown at the door, and he drags a hand down his face.
“I am not expecting anyone. I’m not answering it.”
“Let’s see who it is first,” I say, and Damien sighs, but stands.
We walk to the security panel and find Sophia’s face beaming in the camera. Damien’s chin drops in acceptance of the interruption. Minutes later, both Sophia and Alex storm in, and chaos erupts. Alex embraces me as Sophia jumps into Damien’s arms.
“Hi, guys. We weren’t expecting you,” I say and welcome them in.
“Surprise,” replies Sophia.
Still observing us, Alex says, “I see you’re doing fine.”
“We were just getting ready to head out for a bite to eat. Care to join us?” asks Damien.
“Great,” Sophia exclaims.
Alex nods his approval. I raise my palm to my forehead, thinking I don’t have any spare clothes here when Sophia squeals, pointing at my finger. “Is the ring what I think it is?”
“What ring?” asks Alex, frowning.
Sophia grabs my hand, inspecting it so closely it edges on the ridiculous, and whispers, “It’s beautiful. I have never seen anything like it before.”
“I’d be rather disappointed if you had seen it somewhere else.”
Pride laces Damien’s words as he embraces me from behind.
“What are you talking about? What’s with the ring?”
“It’s an engagement ring.”
Sophia beams as she flashes my hand to his. Alex’s mouth hangs open, his eyes scanning my ring, then my face. Something resembling objection flashes in his eyes, and my heart deflates.
“He asked me, and I said yes. We’re engaged.”
“We’ll marry next month.”
When Damien adds the last part, Alex coughs, and Sophia slaps him on the back. It’s distressing to see him not really approving.
“What, Alex?” I ask, my voice a tad higher.
“It’s too soon.”
His answer deflates my good mood. “It’s seven years too late, Alexander. So, no, it’s not too damn soon,” Damien cuts in, his jaw set.
I release myself from Damien's embrace and cup Alex’s set-in-stone face in my hands.
“I respect your concern but try to understand,” I say. “Look at me, I’m happy, Alex.”
“I’d do anything for your happiness, and you know it. But you’ll get my complete approval when I’m sure it’s the right thing for you.”
“Then why did you bring me the one thing we needed?” I ask, somewhat dumbfounded, and my hands drop at my sides.
He dips his head and points out, “You decided you never needed it, didn’t you?” I twitch, opening and shutting my mouth as no answer finds its way out, and Damien grits his teeth.
“You are with my sister. To be jealous over my wife-to-be is fucking inappropriate. Back off.”
Alex’s eyes turning into a deadly look sends an icy shiver through me. It’s something I have never witnessed in his eyes ever before, and it startles me.
“I’ll never tolerate your lack of disrespect toward your sister. I will say just one more time, and I hope, you arrogant bastard, that you will finally understand it. Bria is my family. I didn’t save your ass for you to accuse me of being jealous over your fiancée. I’m a man of my word, Damien, and I still wait for you to prove yourself worthy of her. It’s easy to put a ring on the finger of the woman who loves you completely. The question remains if you deserve her,” he says, and Damien balls his hands at his sides. How long will Alex use this against him? He’s aware it’s Damien’s weak spot, and he uses it to torture him.
Alex has always been carefree around me. Like his father, he is imposing and demanding respect, but he exudes something more dangerous, unlike his father. I’m not sure what to make of it, not that it makes a difference. It’s still Alex, my Alex, and the love I have for him will never diminish.
“I reacted poorly,” offers Damien, making me proud of him. He takes in a long breath, and then looking at me, says, “Soph, let’s go get some refreshments while these two talk.”
