Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Because I want her for myself.
My greedy girl.
“Mhm. I think you’re falling for her,” Adele says, catching me completely off guard.
“What?” I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t fall for anyone.”
It’s true. I’ve never been in love, and I never will be.
I don’t want it. Have no use for it. The feathers of her swan cloak can stay in plain sight, because I never plan on taking it from her.
“That might be your problem,” Adele says.
“Who says I have a problem?”
Adele raises a thin brow. “I didn’t say you did. I just think you should explore your feelings.”
I laugh, quick and loud. “What about the no-fraternization rule?”
Adele spins on her heels, glancing at me over her shoulder before she walks away. “Well, you’re the silly man who came up with that rule.”
I may have instituted it, but it’s an important rule to have. A rule I wish I hadn’t broken.
I watch Adele walk away, wondering if she has what it takes to shove a dagger into my back. Could she be the one running a ring in my club?
I’ve known Adele for ages, and she was one of the first employees I hired at this club. I’d hate to think it’s her, but right now I don’t trust anyone.
Swan holds my attention throughout her shift, and when it’s closing time, I linger around so I can be the one who walks her to her car again.
“Rough night?” I ask, when she’s ready to leave.
“It was a busy one,” she says, hiking her purse strap on her shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever served so many drinks in one night.”
I open the door for her, and we head to the parking lot. “My club is gaining the wrong attention. Everyone’s showing up wanting to see some action.”
Swan’s beautiful green eyes gaze up at me, and I remember how it felt to have her staring at me like this the other night, before the cops were called. “I’m sorry. Everyone loves a scandal. Right now, your club is that for people.”
I brush my hand over the stubble on my chin. “Yeah, doesn’t make me happy though.”
“I heard there’s going to be a masked ball.”
“Yeah.” I slow my pace so she can keep up with my longer strides. Hell, I should probably offer to carry her because her feet must ache after her shift. God, what is wrong with me? “I think it’ll take the focus away from all the bad things happening.”
“I love balls.”
I grin. “That’s what she said.”
Swan laughs a little under her breath. “I’m sure I’ll be working it.”
My hands drift into my pockets before I do something like brush my fingers through her hair. Fantasies of having Swan by my side at the party are vivid in my mind. “Yeah,” is all I can say as we reach her car.
I turn toward it, and my vision becomes a violent shade of red when I see the slashed tires and busted headlight.
“Oh, my god,” she breathes out. “My car.” She reaches for the door handle, but I pull her back.
“No, don’t touch anything. We need to get the cops down here right away.” I fish my phone out of my pocket but Swan grabs my arm.
“Please, no cops. Not tonight. I just want to go home and take a long bath.”
I slide my phone back into my pocket. “Are you crazy? I’m not letting you go to your house.”
She tilts her head. “What do you mean?”
“You’re coming home with me tonight, and in the morning we’ll take care of your car.”
She rolls her lips inward and I expect her to disagree, but she says, “Ok.”
“I can swing by your place and you can pick up a few things.”
She nods. “That would be wonderful.”
I lead her to my private parking spot at the back of the club, and she slides into the front seat of my Bugatti. As I round the hood, I’m livid thinking about her vandalized car. When I get home, I’ll have to review the security footage on my phone. Hopefully, we’re able to catch the asshole who touched her car.
Someone could have hurt her.
That thought has my hands balling into fists and my jaw clenching. I won’t ever let anything happen to her.
Having her stay at my house is the only plausible solution. Even if I’m not sure how I’m going to keep my hands off her.
Chapter 24
Chloe
* * *
Most people say plans rarely work out. Like the saying, “Life happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Because the truth of the matter is, you can plan something down to the tiniest detail, and it never goes as planned.
When Vin told me we should slash my tires, so it would make me look like the next victim, I thought he was crazy. I seriously wanted to have him committed.