Veil of Deception: The Replacement wife

On us

The morning sun shines on my face and I stretch my body groaning softly as my bones pop.

I don't see Alexander which is odd.

I shrug and grab the robe off the chair wrap it around myself and open the door.

I heard him talking to someone in a hushed tone on the phone.

"Harry im busy handling it, I do not care how you do it just clean up your mess," he tells Harry over the phone in a slightly noticeable agitated tone. I tried to keep listening hoping to understand what was happening.

For a brief moment, his nature always gets pushed at the back of my head.

But it's always there.

He hangs up and stands up straight.
"It's not polite to eavesdrop," he says without even looking at me.

He was shirtless at the island with sweatpants on his v line on display and his tattoos defined by the light above him these shadows sculpting his toned body.

I step in his direction and start to chew on my nails in nervousness.

I knew his conversation wasn't a good thing.

Once I'm within arm's distance he looks at me softly.
"How did you sleep beautiful?" he asks me as he slides his phone on the island.

"Uh, I slept fine, thank you," i say trying to remain neutral as possible.

I stand there and my fingers trace the soft fabric of my robe brushing against my skin, feeling exposed under his piercing gaze my finger still in my mouth as I bit down on my nails as anxiety surged within me.

Alexander's expression shifted ever so slightly, and I could see the flicker of annoyance mixed with concern in his eyes. Without so much as a warning, he steps closer and reaches out and gently, yet firmly, pulls my hand away from my mouth. "You know I don't like it when you do that," he says lowly and yet authoritatively. The dominant nature he has is shown within moments of waking up.

I feel my cheeks flush as he scolds me. "Sorry," I murmur as I feel like a child. I knew he cared about me a lot and yet I could not shake the lingering fear from his earlier conversation on the phone with Harry.

He looks at me for a moment, his brow furrowed and then softens slightly. "I need you to trust me, okay? Whatever I'm dealing with, it's not your concern." He says with a mix of command and also reassurance. "Understand?"

"Okay. I understand," I reply to him as I try to push the uncertainty engulfing me as though lost to the sea. But I could not ignore the obvious tension that cracks between us. I knew that his world was dangerous undeniably so i knew that, and my heart raced with the realization that it was a part of the life we shared now. I cared about him and I hated the danger that shadows us constantly.

He steps even closer, his body radiates warmth as he lowers his voice he makes his tone intimate yet authoritative. "Promise me you won't let this get to you. I want you to be here with me, fully present it's our honeymoon, after all, Scarlet."

"I promise," I whisper as i look at him.

"Good," he says as he smiles. "Now let's go get dressed. We have things to do today. I can't have you going out like this." he finishes as his eyes roam over my body with lust.

His eyes seem darker now.

His words hang in the air heavy with both command and care. I shiver as his eyes continue to linger on me, his eyes dark with intensity. He was right—it was our honeymoon, and I had promised to be present with him, yet the shadows of his dangerous world crept into our moments together, always reminding me of the dangerous world he controlled.

I nod still unable to form words under his watchful gaze. He steps closer, his warm fingers brushing along the collar of my robe before tilting my chin up to meet his eyes. "I mean it," he said softly low but filled with authority. "Don't let what you heard get in your head. Focus on us."

My breath hitches as his touch sends warmth through me for a moment so I push away my unease. I could see the tenderness in his eyes, though it was always framed by the controlled dominance he carried with him.

"I will," I whisper quietly as I feel my heart start to pound in my chest as he releases my chin and takes a step back.

"Good girl," he murmurs with a cocky smile before his tone shifts back to its usual commanding tone. "Now, let's go get dressed baby. We're not staying in all day, and I have plans for us."

I hesitated for a brief moment, not wanting to break the brief moment of intimacy between us and give him a piece of my mind, but I knew better than to question him when he was in this mood. I turned to leave, feeling his eyes on me the entire time, his presence as powerful as ever.

As we walk to the bedroom.

Just as I reached the door, he said sternly, "And no more biting those nails, or I'll deal with you later."

I glance back and my heart skips a beat as I meet his eyes. There was no mistake in the promise in his voice. It seemed like he always followed through. I nod as I try to suppress a smile as I leave the room, the tension between us both thrilling and unnerving.

As I got dressed I slipped into something light and easy some Alexander had picked out for me. Honestly, most of my clothes had been replaced. I could not shake the feeling that today would bring more than just the plans Alexander had in mind something was going to go wrong. His world always seemed to seep into ours, and no matter how much I tried to distance myself from it seems to always come back even here it felt so real and personal. I knew it was only a matter of time before it came crashing in again. But for now, I would do what he asked and be present with him, savor our time together, and push away the gnawing anxiety that lingered in the back of my mind when reminders came into my life a fact I tried my best to ignore.

I return to the kitchen. I started to feel more composed but I was also still aware of the electricity in the air. He was waiting dressed with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his eyes softer than before.

"Ready?" he asks me slightly softer his voice almost smoother the earlier edge almost completely gone now.

I nod. "I'm ready," I say with a smile.

"Then let's make the most of today baby," he says as he takes my hand, his grip firm but yet I feel reassurance. "It's just us." And for now, Im going to try to believe him.