X: Command Me through Alexander's Eyes - Geneva Lee Page 0,43

not alone, and she’s perfectly safe here. No one will touch her inside.” His certainty is reassuring.

Clara is safe—physically. But she’s not in physical danger here. The wounds those closest to me will inflict are more of the mind-fuck variety. It’s how my entire family communicates. Sticks and stones might break bones, but the old nursery rhyme fails to realize that words can be poison.

“I’m going to check on her first,” I say. I owe her an apology at the very least.

I’m halfway to her when Pepper accosts me. Tonight, she’s motherless and not playing the demure lady. She’s on the prowl, and I’ve inadvertently stumbled into her trap.

“I’ve been looking for you.” She makes a show of brushing some invisible speck of dust off my shoulder.

“I can’t imagine why?” I bite out, still managing a smile. I brought Clara here to avoid a scene, but that means I must play by the same rules as well.

“Why are you acting this way?” She pauses and brings her gaze up to mine. “We’re practically family. I was your sister’s best friend.”

“And you’re fucking my father. Don’t forget that,” I say pleasantly, nodding to an old school acquaintance as he passes.

Her false smile shatters. “Don’t be vulgar.”

I know Pepper would like to remove the practically from this sentiment—it’s why she’s shagging my father. What I can’t figure out is where I play into it? Why bother with me when she’s got his attention? I know she wants to secure a place in the royal family. I don’t know why she thinks either of us is a viable option. I’ve made my feelings on marriage clear: I’m not about to continue this charade of a family any further, and I won’t be adding to its number by marriage or otherwise.

“I’m sorry, I need to see to my date.” I move away, but she follows at my heels.

“I want to be introduced,” she says hastily.

“Why?” I stop in my tracks. No good can come of that.

“Alexander, no matter what you think, we are friends. We’ve been through so much together. We both lost Sarah.” She blinks, and I swear she’s near tears. “I don’t want to lose you, too.”

It’s a ruse. It has to be. Pepper has two settings as far as I can tell: simpering sycophant and raging bitch. But they will eventually meet, and, at least, I can control the encounter here. Another time and place, I may not be so lucky.

“Behave,” I order.

“I just want to meet the woman who finally captured your heart.”

I cast a warning glare at her. “Don’t try so hard to sell your act. It makes it easier to see through.”

Clara’s toasting with her black-haired friend—the one I don’t know—as we approach. She hesitates, glass at her lips, body going still. Can she feel that too? The invisible thread linking us. She’s tugging on her end now, calling me to her. I can’t resist the pull—I don’t want to.

“Clara,” I say in a low voice as I step behind her. “I see you found a drink.”

She spins around, startled, champagne spilling from her flute onto Pepper’s dress. I fight the urge to laugh and win—but only barely.

“I’m so sorry!” She looks horrified, nearly dropping the glass as she tries to find a way to help Pepper mop it up.

Pepper shakes her head, plastering a smile on her face, but her eyes stay on the ruined fabric. “Don’t worry about it.”

Their eyes meet, and I wonder what they see. The two couldn’t be more different. Pepper is tall and blonde and spends so much time at the gym it’s practically her career. She wears her sexuality like a beacon. It’s a siren song she howls at all times, and God help the poor bastards that fall victim to its lure. Clara, on the other hand, with her curvy body and dark hair, has no idea how sexy she is. She knows she’s pretty. She’s not exactly confident, though. She doesn’t need every eye to turn when she walks into the room. I suspect she doesn’t want that kind of attention. But any man who catches sight of her wants her. I know that. I’ve caught their stares this evening.

“Clara, may I introduce you to an old family friend, Pepper Lockwood?” I say stiffly, placing as much emphasis on friend as possible—and hoping they both get the message.

She smiles, obviously a little lost as to what to say, and before she can think of it, Pepper leans forward to