43

BRICE

What started as a good day has only gotten progressively worse. With the trials coming up and whatever was going on with Thierry, I'm stressed now more than ever.

Granted, I wasn't in the best of moods lately which is why I'd doubled my efforts in training. I knew I needed to channel my frustration productively instead of taking it out on Soleil like I did last night. However, my current state was all on her.

I had to admit that her response caught me off guard. She had me in my feelings and emotions clouded one's judgment. I was somewhere between embarrassed and annoyed. I thought we were solid only for her to prove otherwise.

See, this is why I don't date.

Does she know how many girls want to be with me? What some are willing to do just for a shot let alone be called my girlfriend? I remember Thierry once telling me that women were treacherous and not to trust them. Maybe he was onto something. Even when I posted pics of girls I was with at one time or another, I still received DM's from others telling me they were DTF, some of them coming from their so-called friends.

I'd been too eager with Soleil – played my hand too soon. Never again.

"Just calm down," says Hidde beside me pulling me out of my thoughts.

"What gives you the idea I'm not?"

"I know you better than most. You might appear to be so on the surface, but I can tell underneath you're simmering. You haven't spoken much since lunch." He pauses and looks over at the chopper that's about to take off. "Give her a break, she apologised."

"They're just words, empty platitudes. I'm not ready to accept her apology until she proves she really means it."

"I understand that you can be an unforgiving piece of work hell-bent on making someone pay for any perceived slight, but surely you can make an exception. I don't know Soleil that well but I do know she's not malicious. Try to see it from her perspective. Where is this relationship even going? Are you planning on introducing her to your family? I'm not talking about Oupa and Divin who don't care much for what others think but your parents sure do."

"Since you claim to know me so well then you should also know that those things have never mattered to me."

"And I suspect it's because you're at the top of the pyramid and so far up your own ass you're blind to the politics. What about her? She's different and the upper crust of society will never let her forget it, try as you might. They are ruthless gatekeepers who uphold status and tradition."

"I would thank you for the unsolicited advice, but I'd be lying since I don't appreciate it. The one thing I value most is loyalty and until she figures out where hers lies, I can't be bothered with her feelings or the hypothetical opinions of others."

I walk away back into the house in search of Divin. The exchange he had with Soleil has been niggling at the back of my mind. I can't believe I clocked my uncle because of her not even bothering to find out what transpired between them. She does have the tendency to get under one's skin. Ask me, I should know.

I find him in the study, Brandy in hand paging through an old album.

"How do you know my – " I was about to call her my girlfriend but quickly catch myself. "Soleil."

"I don't," he replies casually, not bothering to look up.

I help myself to the bar, pouring a glass from the crystal decanter.

"I knew you were a deviant, I just never pegged you for one that goes around choking teenage girls. Is that your thing – erotic asphyxiation?"

The man laughs. I wasn't trying to be funny.

"It actually is. However, I outgrew teenage girls quite a few years ago." He winks and takes a sip. "Come look." He taps his finger on the old album.

I walk over to him and stare down at a picture of what appears to be a younger version of my grandfather and Soleil's grandmother on the far left. In the middle are twin girls and Divin is on the far right with his arm wrapped around one of them."

"That picture was taken in Paris. Your grandfather helped get them to Europe at the tail end of the apartheid regime after they'd matriculated. I fell for Michelle, her aunt, hard and fast."

As I listen to Divin, I stare at the picture and focus on Soleil's mother who I'll never get to meet. The memory of her murder flits through my mind. They have the same face except Soleil's eyes are slanted similar to her grandmother's.

"What happened?"

"That's a complicated story I don't care to get into. Just know if things had worked out Soleil would be your cousin. And if your grandfather had been successful in his pursuit, she would probably be your aunt. So, I guess everything happens for a reason nephew."

"Possibly." I look over at Divin who's taken a seat near the fireplace. He's dressed in a fresh shirt and his nose looks perfectly fine. "You look right as rain. I guess I didn't break anything."

I'm not used to apologising. In fact, I don't think I've had to since undergoing my initiation. The corner of his lip lifts in a cocky smile.

"You have quite the temper, Le Roux but It would take a lot more than one punch to break me."

"Good to know."

"Where is your little girlfriend anyway?"

"She left with the others."

"Did you two not arrive together?"

"Yes. And?"

He laughs again and it sounds sinister making my hackles rise.

"Do you love her?" he asks me.

"No," I reply.

"Good. Keep it that way."

"Why do you say that?"

"I can sense the power flowing through you. Such power comes at a cost. You'll find you have to make certain decisions, dare I say, sacrifices. If you don't love her, it won't hurt when you lose her whether that decision is yours or not."

*

I take my hand off Hidde's shoulder after teleporting us back to the beach house.

"I hate that shit," he grumbles.

"You're welcome."

"How does Soleil handle it."

"Apparently, much better than you do."

We hung back for a couple more hours and caught up with Oupa. He wanted to know what our plans were for the future now that we were done with school.

If I could, I'd play sports or join the army. I enjoyed being physical whether it was fun and games or outright war. Knowing my family, they'd never allow it. I was definitely staying away from anything to do with medicine or the sciences so the only respectable choice I had left was a degree in business.

I retrieve my keys from the pool house and make my way to the carport with Hidde trailing behind. I'm not in the mood for a party but I need a distraction and I have a feeling that any downtime will result in my overly stoic cousin giving me one lecture or another.

Clovis was my trusted right hand. This version of him is downright aggravating. We never seem to be on the same page. I wonder if we're even reading from the same book.

"When are you going to initiate your awakening?" I ask, as we drive over to Remy's house.

"Soon."

"A date would be nice. This incarnation of you is boring, borderline depressing."

"Thanks for making me feel so special."

I ignore his sarcasm and remember the skill he displayed in taking down half a dozen men when I watched him in battle in Soleil's mind.

"From the looks of things, you have quite the gift with a sword if it helps you feel any better."

"Wow! A swordsman in the 21st century. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?"

"Hopefully, that's not your only talent. Why do you insist on remaining in this state? If anything were to happen, you would be more of a liability than help."

"I don't want things to change. I don't want to change. I like the way that I am." He sighs in resignation.

"What kind of... You know what? We're constantly changing." I look over at him. "You'll still be the same. Just more powerful – I hope."

"I don't want more power. All power does is corrupt and place a target on your back."

"I'm sorry to break it to you Miss Congeniality but you were born into the wrong family to be dreaming of world peace. Weren't you the one telling me about ruthless gatekeepers upholding tradition?" I find an open spot not far from the house and parallel park. "Better buckle up, buttercup. Whether you want to or not, it's happening. Preferably before the new year."

I switch off the car and climb out following the crowd in. I don't know how Remy can allow complete strangers to waltz in and out of his premises. It could never be me. Then again, based on his overly friendly personality he could know them all.

When I make it to the front door and look out at the sea of people, I doubt it. The house is so packed that the crowd spills over into his backyard. I greet those that I know and ignore those that I don't. Some I met at inter-school sporting events; others, in passing over the years when my family came down for the holidays.

The ratio between guys and girls is off and I'm sure it's by design. The boys must be happy about that. I make my way outside not caring for closed quarters filled with smoke and loud sound. Once outside, I scope the scene and spot the host.

"Brice, you made it!" He bumps my fist and puffs on his joint. "Hugo," he greets Hidde offering him the joint.

The party-pooper declines so I take it on his behalf. We strike up a trippy conversation that doesn't make much sense because the dude is stoned. He's mid tale about some trip or another when I feel a hand on my back.

I'm hesitant to give whoever it is my attention. I already have enough female problems. I don't need another. I turn around, planning to tell them I'm not interested only to find Soleil.

"Hey," she greets, her soulful brown eyes looking up at me.

I'm still pissed at her. She may be able to act as if everything is fine but I can't, not yet anyway.

"'Sup."

"Who's this?" asks Remy forgetting about his story.

"A family friend," I quickly reply, not wanting to discuss my personal life.

I don't miss the hurt that shines in her now glossy eyes. I turn away not willing to cave in. She walks away and for some reason, it bothers me. Not having her at my side bothers me. I may not be ready to get into it now, but that doesn't mean I don't want her around.

Fuck me! She has me whipped and we haven't even smashed yet. I don't know how much longer I can keep my distance. I hate the gulf that's made its way between us.

"Brice?"

"Yeah?"

"I was asking whether you'll be in the country for Christmas?"

He passes me the joint and I take a few pulls before passing it back.

"No."

I leave the group in search of my girl. I think it's time we buried the hatchet and I'm ready to go home where there's better weed and alcohol without the all-round nuisance. I think MJ is getting to my head because I suddenly miss her even though I saw her only a few minutes ago.

I'd barely seen her today with everything I had going on and then when I did things quickly went south. I didn't like the look in her eyes before she walked off. I want to make her feel good. I want her to make me feel good. I weave my way through the bodies in the house in search of Soleil in that white dress I want to take off.

Lo and behold, I find her in a hallway bent over a table taking aim, that little dress of hers riding up. It shows off her sexy legs that are accentuated by the heels she has on. She's in the middle of a game of beer pong. There are a lot of filled beer cups on her side.

Where the hell is everybody she came with? Good to know I can't trust those nitwits. I hang back for a bit and watch her. She misses her shot and it's the other guy's turn. Why the fuck is the douchebag topless? If she misses again, I'm pulling the plug on this shit. She had enough to drink back at the estate already.

To my surprise, my little sunshine blocks his ball and goes on a streak sinking one shot after another until she wins the game. I can't help the smile on my face or the pride I feel. She's adorable especially when she does her corny little dance in the end.

I let her bask in her moment until the big douche walks over to her and hands her some money. She fans herself and tucks the winnings into her chest. I don't like how suggestive it looks or how he eyeballs her. She then has the audacity to offer him her hand.

Are they flirting?

In my face?

The fuck.

I've seen enough and decide to step in.

"Want to play again?" he asks.

"I don't think so," I interject, walking up behind her.

Her opponent looks up at me before his eyes travel back to her.

"Your boyfriend?"

His question pisses me the hell off. The fuck does it look like I am? Her bodyguard?

"Yes, he's my boyfriend."

I let go of a breath I didn't realise I was holding. I would have lost my shit if she said no again. Soleil turns around with attitude written all over her face.

"Are you done with your other friends?"

"Yes." I place my hand at her waist and pull her closer to me. "Are you done with your game?"

"Yes."

Her face relaxes and the smile she gives me brightens her features. I reach into her bra, pull out the wad of cash, and toss it back onto the table. Her smile falls and her brow creases in confusion.

"Keep your money. My girl doesn't need it," I say to her topless opponent. "Buy yourself a shirt or something."

I take her hand and lead her out of the hallway. We're going home.

"Hey, I won that fair and square!" Soleil protests behind me.

"Well done, baby. Consider it an act of charity for the less fortunate."

I feel her halt and attempt to pull her hand back. I don't let go. However, I do stop and turn to face her. She squeezes my hand and pulls me to the side. We enter what looks like a storage room of sorts. She closes the door behind her and flips on a light.

"Are you still mad at me?" she asks.

"Maybe."

She rolls her eyes and folds her arms over her chest.

"If you plan on ignoring me like you did last night and most of today, I'm going back to the game. I was having fun without you."

"You're not going anywhere except home, with me."

I take hold of her hand, uncrossing her arms, and draw her to my front.

"Who says I want to go home."

"What do you want to stay here for?" She looks down and shrugs her shoulders. "Talk to me Sunshine."

"When I try to get close to you, you push me away. And when I pull back, you chase me. The only time you're interested in me is when someone else is. I think... I think you like the idea of me more than you like me."

"You think? What about you? You said I wasn't your boyfriend so why do you care?"

"It was my gran. I panicked. When Cheslin asked if you were my boyfriend I said yes," she mutters with her bottom lip poking out.

"What the fuck makes you think I care about him or any of these people? You failed me when it mattered."

"I said I was sorry," she whispers, looking up at me with glossy eyes.

I take her face in my hands. She better not cry. In her heels, she's a little taller but I still tower over her.

"Don't start with the waterworks. If you're sorry, prove it. Actions speak louder than words."

She blinks the tears away and chews on her bottom lip. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans in placing a gentle kiss on my lips. She gives me a few more soft pecks before running her tongue along the seam and teasing my mouth open. Her tongue tangos with mine when she deepens the kiss.

I can taste her cherry gloss, a bit of beer but above all the passion she pours into it. I harden in my slacks and groan when she pulls back. Her fingers play with the hair at the nape of my neck.

"I haven't stopped thinking about that moment B."

She places a kiss on my chin, my jaw, the apple at my throat before going back to my lips. I want to devour her. I cup her head to prevent her retreat. Her hands slide down my chest and abs until I hear the buckle on my belt jiggling. The feed of the zip parts releasing the rising tension in my pants. She then grabs a hold of my dick.

"Soleil," I call in warning.

"I want to make it up to you."

She sticks her hands in my briefs and nips on my lips until I let her lithe tongue in. She gives me a few strokes and squeezes the wide girth in her small hand. Her thumb swipes over the bulbous tip on its strokes up, spreading the pre-cum. She pulls back from the kiss to look down at what she's doing.

In an instant, she's on her knees pulling out my dick. I can see the curiosity and wonder on her face as she strokes it and watches the red tip weep for her. Soleil guides the head to her mouth and gives the viscous liquid a few swipes with her tongue before swallowing it whole.

She's eager and tries to take it all in. I feel myself hit the back of her throat and she coughs.

Fuck. Me. I grow a little harder.

I want her to choke on my dick. I want to use her pretty little face like my personal toy and fuck her mouth.

She pulls back and licks along my length. I close my eyes in an effort to control myself. At this rate, the first time I come with her, I'll be spilling down her throat and that would be a waste. If I'm going to break my abstinence, then I want it to be at the same time I break her virginity. I need to be inside her. Despite the pleasure of it all, I have to stop us before I lose control.

I open my eyes and notice someone at the door watching. As if that's not bad enough, the fucker is recording us with his phone. I pull my dick out of Soleil's mouth for a different reason and tuck myself back into my pants.

The little shit makes a run for it.

"Stay here," I tell Soleil and follow after the weasel.

He manages to make his way out of the house but I catch him at the bottom of the stairs in a tackle. I turn him over and straddle him, my hand around his throat.

"Where is it?" I ask him.

He knows exactly what I'm talking about. He pulls out the phone from his pocket and offers it to me with a shaky hand.

"Password?"

"931909"

I take it and tuck it into my back pocket.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

I don't give him the opportunity to answer this time. It's a rhetorical question. Instead, I pull my fist back and punch him in the face.

"Please man," he has his hands up partly in defense and partly surrender. "I wasn't recording you, just the girl. I didn't mean any harm."

I must have hit him a little too hard if he thinks he wasn't harming anyone. Is the fact that he was recording my girl, watching us in our most private moment, supposed to make me feel better? Because I don't.

I'm furious.

I lose it and start throwing hit after hit. The only thing that stops me from breaking his face is whoever it is that manages to peel me off him and get me in a headlock.

2024 / 04 / 07

WC: 3 466

Brice giving the ass-whoopin' this creep should have gotten from his mom & pops! People who do this kind of thing need to be beaten because you can't erase what's put up on the net. Or do you believe in the court system to solve such matters?

Read ahead to Chapter 53 on REAM!