Fracture

Part 3

"Let me go." I demanded, forcing myself to fall deadweight onto the man's shoes.

"Don't be childish." He said, letting my arms go. I fell onto the cold sidewalk beneath his feet as he stepped around me, reaching back down to pull me by my hand. "I'm Lex, let me help you." Reluctantly, I took his hand, my eyes never leaving his gaze. Damn, he was beautiful. His eyes were icy silver and his jet black hair was cut closely, almost to a shave. His beard was well trimmed, filling out his strong face. His plump lips turned to a slight pout and scowled slightly at my stares.

"H-how d-do y-you-" I stammered, attempting to collect my thoughts.

"Stuttering isn't attractive, Ms. Kristoph." His voice was warm and dark, sending shards of electricity into the air when he spoke. His gaze was still captivating me as I stood, mouth open, anger rising. How rude.

"You're an ass. There, was that clear enough?" My sudden confidence caused his brows to rise in shock, one slightly higher than the other. He cocked his head to the side just enough for me to see the vein in his neck. His dark chuckle showed his slight amusement.

"Better, Ms. Kristoph. Come, I can explain." His touch softened slightly, guiding me into the restaurant before seating me in a private room next to one of the offices. My eyes gazed over the menu before glancing back at him, his gaze fixated on me.

"Alright, alright. Joke's over, where's my dad?" I looked around the room, hoping he'd come around the corner. "How else would you know my name? It's a prank, right?" I laughed at myself.

"I can assure you, Ms. Kristoph, this is no prank. Please, allow me to explain-" He started.

"Jesus, are you a blind date? I mean, I know it may have been a while since I brought someone home, but damn. Did my dad send you?" I leaned forward, flabbergasted. Would dad actually do that? He's always bugging me about getting out, but a blind date?

"Sarah, if you'd just listen, I'll explain. Stop your damn rambling." His hand slammed on the table, causing a startled shriek to escape my lips. I sighed, grasping one hand to my chest as my nerves began to overwhelm me. My other hand grasped to the dining table, keeping my focus anchored and my breathing at bay.

"If you're not a date, and this isn't a prank, then who are you and-" He leaned forward abruptly, placing his hand on mine, pressing it deeply into the rich wood of the table.

"Do you ever just shut the fuck up?" His voice was cold and curt, muffling my calmed breathing with a frustrated sigh of his own.

"No." I responded, digging deeper into his frustrations. A proud smirk crawled over my face.

"Keep that spirit, it's just like your mother's. She's eager to see you." The world stopped.

"My mother? She's alive?" I hated the way the shock crept from my mouth, lurching from my heart as it shattered bit by bit. Another fracture to my already fucked up mind.

"Yes. She's at my home, anxiously waiting. You're all she's talked about for the past 6 years." My heart thundered through my ribs, echoing into my ears. I was shocked the entire restaurant didn't freeze when I stood.

"Take me to her." I demanded, not waiting another moment. I walked to his end of the table, sauntering while holding his gaze. My hand rested softly on his shoulder, squeezing tightly. "Take me to my mother." His eyes blinked with reflections of shimmering blues before he stood. He towered over me. I'm quite petite and his frame easily overpowered mine. His long torso was well decorated with an unbuttoned dress shirt over a cotton tee and jeans. His rolled up sleeves revealed the tattoos on his arm, my eyes traced the intricate lettering before snapping back up to meet his. He exuded confidence and masculinity. His powerful, broad chest and back huffed slightly at my order before he spoke.

"Oh, I will, Sarah, but don't say I didn't warn you- ignorance is bliss." His eyes snapped to two men at the door of the private room, giving them a nod and an order to bring the car. His hand wrapped around my waist and he walked me to the door, holding it open instinctually.

"And they say chivalry is dead." I smirked.

"Oh, on the contrary, Ms. Kristoph, you'll find I'm quite accommodating." My breath caught in my lungs as his palm traced the small of my back. He walked me to the car, sliding into the seat behind me. "Before you meet your mother, there's something you need to know." His eyes looked at me with sincerity and compassion.

"And what is that? That she's lived in the same city as I have for the last 20 years and not once reached out? Oh, that she loves me? That's it, right?" My frustration grew with each passing second, forcing its way through the pit of my stomach, clenching deep into my core. She was so close and I didn't get so much as a phone call. Fuck her.

"Well, none of those things are wrong, but, you have to understand, your father is not a good man, Sarah. Your mother had no choice. " His words were like daggers.

"My father raised me when my mother abandoned me on a park swing. You know nothing of his character." My retort was full of disdain and anger. How could this total stranger have the audacity to try and sell me bullshit about my own father? He angled his body to start to speak again, but I interrupted him. "Fuck you." His jaw clenched tightly, brows furrowed. His visage turned to stone.

"Your father sold your mother like a common whore. He couldn't help himself when his gambling debts rolled in." His eyes flicked to mine, frustration and annoyance overtook his expression.

"He what? What are you talking about?" Hot tears padded down my cheeks as the man in the passenger seat turned to speak.

"Why the fuck would you tell her like that?" The passenger's chest heaved in a sigh as he fisted his hair.

"She was going to find out, regardless, Chris, what does it matter who from?" Lex's voice sounded in a low growl.

"That's wrong. You're wrong. That was her mother's story to share, not yours. Look, Sarah, I'm sorry for my man's shitty attitude. We are almost home, your mother can fill you in." He turned slowly to face forward, running his hands through his hair. Silence fell over the car as tensions rose, frustrations climbing to a volcanic high, craving for release. Visceral anger crept up from my lungs, climbing, screeching, ready to start thrashing my body. I shuddered in frustration, sobbed in anger, until finally, I let out a low, rumbling sigh, emptying my frustration and tears.

"There ya go, Krisoph, let it out." Lex's chuckle vibrated from his chest, thrumming into my very core as his hand patted my thigh. His thumbs traced soft circles over my knee in an attempt to comfort me. I slapped his hand away abruptly, desperate to be left alone. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I lost my patience. It won't happen again." His hand moved back to the seat before I turned in response.

"What you said is true? My father sold my mom? Like, straight sold her to the highest bidder because of debt?" I started to lose control of my tears, yet again. They fell freely down my cheeks, staining the silk blouse I adorned.

"Well, you don't even know the half of it. Your mother will tell you the details, Ms. Kristoph, but your father is a very deceitful man. That's why you're here. This time, though, your mother wasn't for sale." His eyes fell to my hands, trembling with emotion.

"Oh? And who was?" I sighed, knowing damn good and well I wouldn't like the answer.

"You." Lex squeezed my hand gently before turning to look out of his window.