Evie was waiting for me at the elevators, behind the row of security so that none of the reporters could sneak onto the upper floors. I lifted Elliot up and held him, also reaching out for Evie’s hand. We entered the elevator and Jason raced in. He shook his head. “That was ridiculous. I can’t believe you just decided to chill with the reporters.” Shrugging, I stole a kiss from Evie. “I’m enjoying this…being relaxed. If I could have shown up in jeans without the stock market plummeting, I would have.” “It absolutely would have dropped by ten points at the very least.” Jason laughed as he pressed two different buttons and the elevator started to rise. He turned, holding his hand out to Evie. “It’s nice to meet you. It’s been a crazy few weeks but I feel like we are friends already. Especially if you have the patience to handle him.” Jason nodded in my direction. I tightened my hold of her hand but eventually she shot me a glare and pulled it out to shake his hand. “You as well. I
***Three years later*** “Honestly, I don’t know how I agreed to this. You know I don’t do this shit anymore.” I huffed, looking in the mirror. “One, it’s for charity. A charity that we frequently work with and help out. Second, your brother is actually putting this on. You haven’t seen him in two years, Z. It’s getting ridiculous.” Sighing, I shook my head. “I have a reason for that, Evie. It’s not all going to go away.” “I get that, Z but he is still your brother. You help him from the shadows and he doesn’t even know. It’s ridiculous. Just confront him.” “At a charity event with a red carpet and all the kids there.” Evie let out an exasperated growl. “For fuck’s sake, Zachary Anderson, grow up. I swear to god.” “Mom! Fuck is a bad word!” “Then why did you say it, Elliot?” She called back. “Shit!” I looked out the door. “Elliot!” He chuckled. “Sorry, Dad. Rissa is ready, as am I.” I walked out, rolling my shoulders and adjusting my sleeves. It had been so long since I dr
I thought it was my father shaking hands with people as they walked in, but I realized that there was no grey hair. I was looking at Adrian. Evie touched my arm, and the metal was cold. It jolted me to glance at her and there was a concerned look on her face. “Sorry. I saw Adrian for a second.” I whispered in her ear. “Why do you look like you saw a ghost, then?” I looked down at her, my lips pressed together in a thin line. “Because I thought he was my father.” Her eyes widened and then she nodded. The grip she had on my arm tightened and we waited in line for the final photo to be taken. Walking in front of the logo, I stood with Evie close to my left side. Rissa was in my arms, and Elliot between us. I hadn’t spoken to my father since the night I told him I was done. He had tried to worm his way back into the company and bring his Mafia influence with him. At first, I was able to fight alongside Adrian until my father started to give Adrian something he always wanted, recognit
Hello everyone! I know it's been a minute since I've updated on the things going on. I just wanted to update those who enjoyed my writing that I also have a new story I am writing called The Rogue Kings. It's currently being updated and I know fans of Alpha Desmond and of this story, which it's emotional pressure points, will enjoy the new one. It's a stand alone werewolf book, that will actually be in two parts. However, it won't be separated into different stories but all one. I chose to mark it as a more mature story since the themes and the things that happen within the story will be strong emotionally. I really hope you guys will check it out. I think it is one of my bigger undertakings and has been a labor of love that I've been working through for a while. Rrecently, I've been hit one after the other with health issues. The last of which I was out for two weeks with covid + pneumonia and landed myself in the ER. I was already in a compromised state but here we are. I'm slowly
“Can I? Can I really, Zack-y?” I choked down a cringe at Jennifer’s nickname, but forced a smile on my face as I looked at her. Her 5’9” thin frame with her perfectly placed hair and five hundred dollar outfit, with her bright blue eyes staring at me with glittering anticipation over the prospect of spending my money. “Of course, darling. Have fun.” She lifted up on her tip toes and kissed my cheek. Her hand slid down my back and into my back pocket. Grabbing my wallet out, she scurried off to the store we were standing in front of and started ordering the store associates to help her. “Sir, there is a call for you from Mr. Galliara.” I looked over at my assistant, who was leaning forward, my phone in his hands. Sighing and running my hands through my hair, I took it from him. “Mr. Anderson, I’m glad I was finally able to get ahold of you. I know you are a very busy man.” “I am, Mr. Galliara. How can I help you?” My voice was curt but professional. I don’t like being called on m
I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples. The headache that had been a constant companion for me over the last couple days was getting worse. I knew I needed to go to the doctors but my schedule was so packed that I didn’t have time to even breathe. “Zach, you okay?” I glanced up at my longtime friend and head of security, Jason. He looked at me worriedly. I flashed him a smile. “I’m fine. Just a slight headache.” “Do you need me to get your medication?” I shook my head and reached down in my drawer, pulling out the bottle. “I already had one. It took the edge off it.” “If you’re already to the point where it isn’t helping fully…” “Thanks, Jason, but I’m fine.” I smiled again at him and leaned forward, looking at the paperwork on my desk. A knock on the door pulled my eyes away from the words. “Come in.” Stacy, my other longtime friend and current head assistant, poked her head in. Once she deemed the room was clear, she walked in and closed the door behind her. She sm
Three more months. That’s all I had left of this fiasco. Three more months and I would be married to a woman I didn’t even remotely like. But then I could finally be rid of the stupid planning. The idiotic ruse of being the attentive fiancé who cared what flowers were chosen to line the aisle or if they should match the centerpieces on the tables. Being called to eat cake just for Jennifer to decide she hated them all and they needed to go back to square one with the flavors. “You okay, man?” Jason placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, worry was written all over his face again. “I’m fine.” Taking a drink from the dry bourbon I ordered, I looked back at the five women huddled around a table dissecting the plating, silverware, flower arrangements, and color choices. “Have you been…” “I said I’m fine, Jason.” I snapped at him. “Go do your job and quit bothering me.” His hand left my shoulder and I sighed. Rubbing my eyes, I moved to pinch the bridge of my nose. Every so ofte
Jolting up out of bed, my head felt like someone had taken a jackhammer to it. I let out a scream as I grabbed my hair and squeezed my eyes shut. Suddenly, I felt my stomach turn and I leaned over the bed and vomited. I couldn’t see, my vision was dancing with black and gold dots. My head felt like it was going to explode. Reaching out to the night stand, I knocked over the lamp and it shattered. The sound making me scream again. My eyes were tearing up, but I couldn’t even feel anything past the pain. Reaching out again, I grabbed my phone and unlocked it with my fingerprint. “Call Adrian…” My voice was hoarse and gravelly. “Call Adrian “Butthead” Anderson?” The phone replied. “Yes!” I screamed again as the throbbing turned into a stabbing pain. I started to cough and I could feel my consciousness leaving me. The phone rang three times before a tired and gruff voice answered. “Seriously, asshole? Do you know what time it is right now?” “A…A…rian…” My voice broke apart as the wor