Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

AELLA

M y first day at work is today, and I'm a nervous wreck. The factory looks daunting, especially from the view of the employee parking lot. The sound of massive machines and air conditioning units running hits my ears as soon as I'm out of my Lexus. I parked far from the building and the other cars. My car will draw attention to itself; I didn't want to aid it in that feat.

When I push inside, an overhead fan blasts cold air down on me to keep the building comfortable as so many go in and out of the doors for breaks and shift changes.

I met the HR person, Isabelle, in the small break room, as she had asked me to on the phone call I'd shared with her. She helped me get set up on the time clock with a punch card—old-school if you ask me—but I didn't question it.

She showed me to my locker and gave me a new padlock set with a key to lock my things inside. She explained that I could have my phone but had to keep it on vibrate. I opt to keep the burner in my pocket instead of my phone because, admittedly, my life is now tied to the burner more so than the other.

After stuffing all my things away and taking a quick tour, Isabelle leads me into the central portion of the factory to the most significant area—the line.

All eyes are on me, and I know why. I've made national headlines since I was lost and again when I was found. They know who I am, and it will make my life here a living hell.

But I need to be here to keep up the ruse. My father needs to think I want this. Looking around at what he's built is mind-boggling as Isabelle leads me to a station next to an older woman in her late fifties. She gives me the stink eye and then goes back to inspecting parts as they roll past. She throws some into a massive discard bin behind her right as the conveyor rolls through and gives her a new one.

"You'll work on the inspection line per your father's orders. I don't know how long you'll be here, I'm afraid," Isabelle says, lifting a page on her clipboard and reading whatever's on them. She shakes her head. "Nope, no date for you to promote elsewhere."

The woman inspecting parts scoffs, and I clear my throat. "No, that's completely fine. He told me I'd be on the line indefinitely."

It's a little white lie to appease the looks I'm getting from the other workers. One that gives Ms. Stink Eye a respectful edge to her face as if my father treats me like garbage, too, so she's going to be kinder .

I'm likely misreading the moment.

"Alright. If you need anything, my office is on the third floor, right off the elevator. Please inform me how you're settling in this first week."

I smile at her as I step in beside the woman working silently. She takes in my exchange with Isabelle and dismisses HR like anyone else here would.

"Low man on the totem pole, hm? Daddy doesn't love you as much as he shows on the television?" She's got a slight Russian accent, and I'm momentarily surprised.

I lift the first part off the line, not knowing what I'm looking for, and slowly turn it over in my hands. The line doesn't move too fast, giving us plenty of time to inspect correctly and get a perfect product to the next person.

"He said I had to start at the bottom. Now that he's finally decided that I don't need to marry for him to gain a son to run this place," I tell her. "That only took twenty-five years of convincing. Though I'll admit, I don't know why I want a piece of this fucking place."

My honesty startles us both. She nods toward my hands. "All we do is ensure no physical damage from the crafting process. If you see anything that looks like scratches or dings, throw it away. They'll melt it down and start again. There are people above our pay grade down the line who will inspect it against guidelines and regulations," she tells me.

I turn the piece over, not knowing what it is, and inspect it. When I see no damage, I put it back down and go to the next piece she lets pass her .

"How long have you worked here?" I ask, and she eyes me with concern.

I sigh, setting the piece I inspected down to go down the line to the next person. "Listen, I'm not close with my father. Nothing I speak to you or anyone else will get back to him. I promise you that. I'm here to do my shifts and make him see I can work as hard as any man can."

She nods, letting another piece pass her to get to my station. "I've been here twenty years."

Her eyes go back to her work as my mind whirls. She likely knew Braxton and Miles's mom. But I don't want to ask those questions directly and raise red flags in the ranks.

"And you've worked in this same position or…" I trail off, remembering Dad said I would start at the bottom. But there's no way she's worked here for twenty years and hasn't been promoted.

She nods once. "Happens when you make the big man upstairs mad."

Even though she sounds as if she's referring to God himself, I know she isn't. What could she have done?

It seems my first day is gaining me more questions than answers.

The day seems to slip by. I learned my inspection partner's name is Anya. She and I talk about everything and nothing. I don't push further into anything about her past here or if she knew Brax and Miles's mom because I want to gain favor with her. I don't want to cause suspicion.

A horn blasts, and suddenly, the conveyor belt grinds to a halt. I screech at the sudden intrusion of sound while I am lost in my head, working for the last hour.

Anya giggles and covers her mouth. "Break time," she announces, and I follow her and the rest of the workers out of the room towards the break area.

Once I have lunch out of my locker, I sequester myself away from everyone and text Miles to check-in.

How are things? I started work today at the factory. Just wanted to check on you.

Things are alight here. Same old, same.

That's precisely what I was worried about.

Are you trying to say we're always up to no good, princess?

It's the first time he's called me princess in so long that my stomach swims. I chew my sandwich as my fingers hover over the keyboard, my heart racing.

That's precisely what I'm saying. Listen, last night, that was…

There are no words for what last night was. I have to agree. How's your first day?

Good. My body aches, though. And I'm only halfway through my shift. I'm paired with a woman who has worked here for twenty years, but I don't want to ask her too much on the first day, you know?

Smart. Integrate some with them and fit in before you sniff around. You don't want to put a target on your back.

My last name already does that for me, I'm afraid.

What are you wearing?

Is this your way of trying to flirt with me? I'm in my Montague Inc.-issued uniform. It's pale blue and made of over-starched cotton. Want a picture?

LOL, no, princess, I don't want a pic. And yes, I was trying to flirt with you.

How's Braxton?

Ask him yourself. 555-657-0122

I smirk for a long time before saving Braxton's number. I decide to save it for later since the lunch break is almost over.

Thank you for that. I have to get back. Try to behave yourselves, hm?

Never, princess.

"Order number 201?!" the small man behind the counter shouts, and I look at my ticket, even though I know it's my number .

Making my way to the counter, I pay and grab the sack of Chinese food from him with a bright smile, even though I'm bone-tired and my feet are screaming at me. When I make it outside and get my dinner loaded in, I'm glad I had the forethought to buy a few days' worth of food, so I don't have to do this every night.

Lord knows I can't cook as well as my grandma did.

Before I know it, I'm home. I wait to ensure no one is following me before I pull down the alley next to the building and get out to head inside. I don't know who they have on me tonight.

When I enter the alley, Kylo looks up at me as he pulls his helmet off. I hand over a container of orange chicken, rice, and an egg roll. "I didn't think to get you a drink," I say, feeling bad, but it's not like he asked for food.

He smirks. "I have a container of water and a flask with me. I'll be alright. Thanks for this."

I nod, turning to head back towards the front of the building.

"You look tired," he says before I'm too far away. "You sure this is the best idea for you?"

I know he means working my ass off at a dead-end job to get what Braxton and Miles need from my dad, but I turn and look at him as I weigh my following words.

"It is. And hard work hasn't killed the people who've worked there for over twenty years. I'll be fine. Thanks for watching over me."

He nods, his face falling as if he's just recalled something, and he puts his food down on his bike's seat before rifling through the inside breast pocket of his leather jacket. He rushes up to me, handing over a card. "Blaze said you have his number already. But this is mine, in case you need me."

I sigh, tension leaving my body. I always like it when Blaze or Sully watches me because they have given me their numbers if I need them. Even though they have keen eyes, someone could slip past them, and the idea makes me nervous to be alone some nights.

"Thank you, Kylo."

Back inside, I kick off my shoes and dig into my food. Setting the burner iPhone onto the coffee table, I FaceTime the number Miles gave me for Braxton. It rings four times before it says it's connecting.

His face pinches in confusion when it comes on the screen, but it drops away as he eyes me.

"Well, look who it is. How'd you get this number?" he asks with a rueful smile plastered on his face.

"Your brother." I shove a bite of orange chicken into my mouth, chewing gleefully as my body realizes how hungry I genuinely am, and I become ravenous.

"That's what you're eating for dinner?" he leans in as if it gives him a better vantage point.

I nod. "It was quick and easy. I bought enough for the next few days. I'm so tired."

"You look it, Bambi. Did it go well, at least? Was everyone nice?"

I shrug. "Nice enough, considering."

"Considering what? You didn't do shit to them besides being born. Want me to come kick their asses?"

The way he's doused in the red lights of the basement makes him look even more alluring on the phone screen, and I bite my lip as I look him over, popping more chicken into my mouth.

"You'd do that for me?" I ask him playfully.

He sits back in his desk chair, his bare chest and stomach on display. I can't help how my eyes trail down the dark hair leading from his belly button down under the waistline of his boxers.

"I'd do far more than that, dirty girl."

I catch what he's called me and look upward at the camera.

He sits up closer. "My eyes are up here, Bambi."

"I know that. Don't be an ass." My smile is huge, and slowly, the day is fading away, tension going out of me like a calming breeze rustled through and took it with it.

"Why don't you get out of those work clothes? Show me what's underneath?"

I nearly choke on a mouthful of rice, but my pulse beats faster.

He sits back again, and my stomach forgets all about hunger as it creeps lower in my body. Slowly, I remove each piece of my uniform, and then, when he says nothing else, I take off my bra and panties.

I sit back on the couch, opening my legs and letting air skim over my slit as he watches me.

His hand rubs down his stomach, slipping under the hem of his boxers. "Very ballsy this evening, aren't you, Bambi?"

I am, I realize. The lights of the living room are on, and yet, I don't feel embarrassed at all at how on display I am for him. Usually, the red lights of the basement give me cover. But not tonight. Tonight, he gets to see it all.

"Do you miss me?" I ask, and I know it's unfair, but I need to know. I want to hear him say it.

"More than I can put into words, Aella. I'm even missing your little sounds when you drift to sleep next to me."

The admission makes my eyes water. It makes my pulse thrum right along with my heart.

"I miss you, too. So much!" It's raspy as I let my hand slide down my stomach, with one heading in its sights.

"You going to let me watch you touch yourself, Bambi?" he asks, and I watch as the head of his cock pops free from his boxers.

I nod, mouth dropping open as my hand finds my clit. I'm so wet, even with him as far away as he is, and I spread my lips open to let him look his fill.

"Fuck, you're so wet for me." His growled tone is so sexy, and it spurs me on as I push a finger inside tentatively.

It's the first time I've touched myself like this; I pushed my fingers inside myself and felt what I could do to my body when needed, even if I'd rather have his hands on me instead.

"Add another finger, baby," Braxton says, and my heart leaps, and I nearly moan.

When the second finger is inside me, I let a moan free .

"Crook them upward," Brax says, and I do so. It's as if he's teaching me my body.

"Now, push them in a little further, that's it, baby…" He's stroking in time with me, and it's making me hotter and hotter the more I watch him through heavy lids.

"Now rub your g-spot for me. That's a girl. Feel that? Does it feel good?" His questions are a fog under the feel of the pressure building in my pussy, but I nod anyway.

"You look so beautiful, Aella. Fuck, I wish I was the one touching you."

"Tell me what you'd do!" I beg.

His voice gets closer to the phone as he sits forward. "I'd slide my cock into that beautiful cunt, stretching you as you scream for me. I'd sink my teeth into your neck as I fuck you deep and slow, the top of me brushing over your clit. I'd listen to the feral noises you make for me as I wait for you to come for me so that I can fill you full of cum."

I break, screaming as I orgasm hard and fast. Liquid squirts into my hand, and I gasp. My eyes fly open, and I look down.

Brax grunts, watching me as I know he's coming all over the floor. "Fuck, Bambi. You squirted for me? What a good fucking girl."

My breathing is ragged as I grab a napkin to clean my hand off. "That was intense, but damn, I needed it."

Suddenly, Miles comes into the frame, leaning over the back of Braxton's chair. "We all did."

"How long were you there?" I squeak, and he laughs .

"The entire time, baby," Miles answers.

I shake my head at them. "Fiends."

"You need to finish your dinner and get to bed, Aella," Brax orders, and Miles gives him a stern look from behind.

"Thank you, is what he means to say. For doing this for us. Going undercover, I mean…" He smirks, and I can't help but laugh.

"It's the least I can do. But I am going to have to get showered and go to bed. Goodnight, boys," I say with a smile.

They both grin before cutting the call.

I sit there momentarily, reveling in the calmness that's washed over my body.

Until a knock sounds at the door.

I wait a moment, hoping they have the wrong apartment. But another knock sounds.

"Aella, open up, it's me! Carter!"

My heart races all over again. I grab the burner and text Kylo before I shove into my clothes and decide whether to open the door.

What the fuck does he want?