Chapter 109

***Kenya.***

Levi helped me dress.

I was unable to get my eyes off him. My entire body strumming from him being inside me, moments ago. We finished cleaning up and went downstairs to meet the others.

Dancing was already in full swing, but we were both hungry.

I had to redress his wound, after our lovemaking. Cleaning the sweat. He had watched me all through, his fingers trailing my skin. Not a flinch from the pain of the wound.

The wound was a jagged 'C' shape that stood on his side. I wanted to press him further about it, but he had promised to talk tomorrow, so I just stayed my questions. Choosing to enjoy the aftermaths of our lovemaking.

I was hungry, so Levi went to grab us something to eat. I didn't want the sea food snacks. I wanted something chicken or beef.

"Mrs Ruthford, can you join me for a dance." A voice offered behind me.

I turned and saw a tall man in a black tux, wearing a dark, ferocious mask. I shuddered at the sight of it. Knowing I was to be a courteous host, I nodded and gave him my hand. He took It, leading us to the dance floor.

I saw Levi talking with Senator Marlowe, his smile, reaching me, even from the distance.

"You do love your husband very much." The man interrupted me.

I turned my attention to him. Embarrassed that he caught me ogling Levi. I tried to maintain my composure.

"So, who are you supposed to be?" I asked, trying to make polite conversation. I didn't like his mask.

"An Unseelie. A dark Irish fairy," he said. I swallowed at his menacing tone. "It means unblessed."

I blinked. An odd mask for a happy occasion. I suddenly didn't feel like being in his presence. Funny thing was that I didn't think he was familiar. No introduction, nothing.

"Can I ask, who you are?" I was uneasy.

"Isn't the essence of a masked ball the element of mystery," he artfully said.

He was right. Nonetheless, I felt a bad vibe around him. I tried to pull away from his hold and he pulled me back, roughly. I looked at him, flabbergasted. His face, lowered to mine, just enough to hear him.

"Sir, you are too close." I struggled to say. He snarled. I darted my eyes for Levi, but couln't find him.

"Isn't it delightful. Little Mrs Ruthford. In love." He sneered. I hitched my breath at his tone. My lips pulled tight. I didn't want to cause a scene, yet he was being a jerk.

"Did he ever tell you what happened to his first wife? Why he asked his former brother in-law to never step foot in New York again?" He smiled darkly from the half mask. I struggled, trying to pull away. But his hold was strong.

"Let me go." I fiercely spat. My anger simmering. He laughed darkly.

"I would. But first I must tell you something." He held my gaze.

His fingers came up to the small of my back. I flinched. "The next time he fucks you, ask him what happened to his first wife and the journalist that had been investigating his company's involvement in war torn African countries."

I stilled. A warning bell ringing in my head.

"Ask him what happened to your father. What happened days ago in Columbia. Additionally, tell him that for destroying BB's business enterprise, I would fuck him where it hurts, until he loses you. Like I'm about to lose everything." He looked at me one last time, as if to ensure that his words had the desired effect.

They did.

Smoothly, I watched him blend with the crowd. Disappearing, like the dark fairy he assumed.

I arrived the house, panting from all the anger and confusion that simmered in me.

I wanted to believe that the man had lied. That his accusations were false. But a crippling feeling nudged in my gut. Eating me from inside.

I hadn't let Levi know that I was leaving. As soon as I managed to will my limbs to move, I walked out of the party, into the night air. The air felt wrong against my skin. I wanted to crawl into the shower and wash every feel of Levi on my skin.

Then again it was fair that I heard him out. Allowed him defend himself.

He had lots of enemies, and someone might be doing this to destroy his reputation. To ruin his marriage. I inhaled a shaky breath, allowing the words saturate me. Fill me with a certain guarantee that barely existed at the moment.

I thought about how much love I felt for him. His adoration for me. And then my mind flicked to Hank and how he had died. No. Levi wouldn't murder again. He asked for forgiveness. And I decided to offer him that. To let us see this go through.

My body shuddered from the intensity of feelings that coursed through me. I needed to calm down.

I went upstairs and stripped bare. Climbing the shower and allowing the cold water infuse me.

I needed to give Levi a benefit of doubt. At least hear his own side of the story.

I came out of the shower, wrapping myself in a robe.

Stepping into the room, I was greeted by a pair of flaming, green eyes. He really lost some weight. And I could see the strain in his eyes, even though he masked it.

"Stop doing this, Kenya. You keep going out of parties, without informing me. It kills me when you do that." He fiercely said.

I locked gazes with him, my body trembling with fury. *How could he stand there and care for me, with all these lies and secrets between us?* I almost believed he cared for me. This time I was getting the truth.

I tried fighting my tears, but they fell anyway.

"Who is BB?"