Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I didn’t go home because I didn’t want to deal with her.
I didn’t want to deal with her now.
I ignored her, my mind fuzzy from the lack of sleep and the quantity of booze. I’d been awake for over a day, and I’d probably collapse on the bar top at some point.
She called me next.
I ignored it. I felt like an asshole for doing it, but I knew she was okay. It was in her best interest not to talk to me because I would just ruin her whole fucking day. Would say shit I didn’t mean. Sabotage the first good thing I’d had in my life for a long time.
Minutes passed, and my phone was quiet.
Then I get a text from Axel. Call Astrid.
I sighed in annoyance, irritated that she’d run to Scarlett in a panic.
And tell me you’re alright.
Fuck off.
Thank you.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before I texted Astrid. I’ll be home in a couple hours.
Her dots immediately appeared. You’re okay?
Yes. Now leave me the fuck alone.
She must have sensed my mood even over text because she didn’t message me again.
I couldn’t drive, and I couldn’t ask my guys for help. Looking weak in front of the men who followed my lead was career suicide. I finally left the Underground before the others started to arrive again. Went through the door of the restaurant, and all the workers stopped what they were doing to stare. They’d never seen the door open before because it was locked during business hours. And I’d been there before the manager unlocked the restaurant doors, so they must have realized I’d been there for hours. “Carry on.”
I left the restaurant and walked to my Range Rover parked on the street.
Axel was leaning against the door, sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, arms crossed over his chest. “Thought you might need a ride, like last time.”
I wanted to punch him in the jaw, but I was too drunk to swing. “I can get a lift, asshole.”
“Then you’ll have to come back and get your car—”
“That’s my butler’s problem, not mine.” I pulled out my phone to order a ride, but I’d been out so long that my phone was practically dead. Probably wouldn’t even last the ride home.
“Come on.” I was close enough for him to unlock the car by gripping the handle. He opened the passenger door like some kind of chauffeur.
“You’re the last person I want to talk to right now.”
“Then we don’t have to talk. Just let me get you home.”
“Deal.” I got into the passenger seat and yanked the door out of his hand to slam it shut.
Axel got behind the wheel and began the drive home, the sun dead center in the sky because it was high noon. He didn’t say a word as he drove through traffic. Didn’t make small talk when we stopped at the red lights. Kept his word and didn’t ambush me with a conversation I wasn’t ready to have.
Fuck, I was so drunk. My vision was blurred, and I could barely think straight. If someone came at me in that moment, I wasn’t sure if I could even aim my gun at their head. I’d just waste bullets missing my target.
It took forever to get home. Axel pulled through the gates onto my property and parked the Range Rover next to Astrid’s car.
“You need help—”
“Fuck off.” I got out of the passenger side and slammed the door shut before I walked to the side door. The world was spinning, and a migraine was coming. I should probably go to the hospital and get my stomach pumped, but I was too proud for that.
I’d rather die.
Axel followed me inside.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I turned back around.
“Your butler is like a million years old, and Astrid weighs a hundred pounds—”
“You aren’t welcome in my house. Now, get out.”
“Just let me get you upstairs—”
“Fuck. Off.” I turned to the staircase and stilled when I saw Astrid on the bottom step, her expression timid like she knew she’d walked into something she shouldn’t have.
I ignored her and walked past her, gripping the banister for the first time ever and making my way upstairs. I was sick, so sick I’d probably hurl the second I arrived in my bedroom. My body was pure strength and muscle, but I’d never felt so weak.
Astrid’s voice was quiet down below. “What’s going on?”
“Theo and I…had an argument.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” Axel said quickly. “Give him some space until tomorrow.”
“What happened?”
Axel was quiet for a long time. “I was an insensitive jerk and said some shit I shouldn’t have.”
“Oh.”
“Text me when he’s doing better. I’ll come by to talk to him.”
“Okay. Thanks for bringing him home.”
“I always have his back.”
I felt like shit when I woke up the next morning.