Chapter 125

My chest heaved, lungs starved for air that tasted too much like pool water. My fingers clutched at the sheets, slick with sweat, the phantom weight of hands dragging me down into icy depths lingering on my skin. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if I was drowning or just remembering what drowning felt like.

The memory slid away like mist, leaving only pieces behind. I stared into the darkness, heart racing, trying to breathe past the horror coiled in my chest. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. I was too stunned I. But I couldn’t dwell on it. Not today.

Forcing myself out of bed, I began my routine like nothing was wrong. Shower. Clothes. Coffee. Toast. It was all mechanical. My mind kept going back to the memory. By the time I reached the office, I felt like a ghost in my own skin.

The moment I stepped into the room, the energy shifted. Everyone greeted me warmly, everyone seemed more at ease, and then, my eyes darted automatically, seeking the tall figure I hadn’t seen in days.

Neil was at his desk.

His hair was still damp from the shower, his jacket slung over the back of his chair. He looked healthy, strong, and completely unreadable. His eyes didn’t meet mine, and I didn’t call out to him either.

Whatever was brewing between us had been paused, sealed in a glass jar neither of us wanted to crack open too soon.

I sank into my seat, trying not to disturb him as he seemed to sense at my approach. I turned on my computer and started to work. The team was already deep in prep for a massive new project our supervisor had hinted. When she came in and officially announced it, there were cheers, groans, and jokes all around. It meant long nights and a lot of takeout. I wouldn't lie and say I wasn't grateful for the distraction.

We started with a whiteboard session, bouncing ideas, assigning tasks. Neil ran the meeting with his usual blend of sharp intellect and easy charisma. He barely looked at me. I barely looked at him. Everyone noticed and said nothing, but I could see them torn on choosing sides, arguing about who would ask what was going on, but no one approaches.

The day passed in a blur of spreadsheets and strategy maps. By evening, we’d filled an entire glass wall with notes and diagrams. Our brains were half-melted by the time someone suggested ordering food.

Takeout arrived just as the sun began to set.

The break room lights were dim, the glow from our laptops and phones casting everything in a cozy, firelight tone. For the first time all day, I let myself sit back and breathe.

Conversation drifted away from work.

Someone told a story about a disastrous family gathering, someone else chimed in with a joke about their ex’s pet raccoon. I found myself laughing before I could stop it, the sound awkward and raw.

Neil sat across from me, arms folded, watching but not speaking. He looked thoughtful, listening and eating quietly. I could tell that everyone was on edge about the way he'd been acting since he'd gotten back. He hadn't chimed into many conversations, hadn't done any kidding around. If his tone wasn't as kind as it always had been, I'd wonder if he'd been replaced with a totally different person.

After a while, he finally spoke, leaning close, his seemed different, darker some how. Maybe it was just his exhaustion.

“Renee… I’d like to talk. Soon. Just you and me.”

My heart stuttered. “Okay,” I said softly.

He smirked a little. “Just… don’t send your boyfriend after me if it's not today.”

I blinked. Then rolled my eyes. “I think I’ll take a page out of Arielle’s book and do it anyway. Probably go a long way to making sure my boyfriends get along."

The room went quiet.

Then someone choked on their noodles.

Neil raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. My face heated as I realized that everyone had heard that.

"You mean that literally?"

“Goodnight, everyone!” I yelped, standing and grabbing my bag as laughter followed me out the door.

I was halfway home before I stopped burning with mortification.

Why did they choose then to listen in? Why did I say that of all things?

But how could I regret it when his tone, his entire demeanor, had lightened up when I did?

My fists were clenched by the time I got through the front door of our condo. I stomped into the kitchen, ready to call out to Arielle for help from sheer mortification. Then, I froze as a low, hungry grunt reached me.

Zeke and Dev were in the kitchen.

Making out.

Zeke was leaning against the counter in nothing but boxers, grinding up against Dev who was pinned between Dev and the counter. One leg twined around Dev's, they other hiked up on his hip as they rocked. Dev was dressed in scrubs. They didn't eve turn to look at me, didn't seem to notice or care.

"Zeke, I have ---"

"Let me get my fucking fill first. They can wait."

Dev gasped, groaning as Zeke dropped his head to his neck.

"… imagine that you could have your own set of something like this soon enough." I whirled around to see Arielle, drying her hair, in nothing more than a robe.

"I--"

"You think Dominic would be Dev or Zeke in this situation?" My face heated. "My bets on Dev. Your alpha daddy is repressed as fuck."

"Arielle!"

"Sorry," Dev said, breathlessly. Zeke groaned, not looking at me.

"Not fair."

"I didn't mean to…"

“Hey, no worries,” Arielle said casually, stretching. “We figured you’d be late.”

“I'll keep it in mind to let you know when I'm coming home early.”

Arielle shrugged. "Your choice. I like a good show after work."

Zeke grinned at me, but Dev wiggled from between him and the counter.

"As I was saying, I have to go."

Arielle tutted. "Zeke…"

"Sorry." Dev looked between them then slapped his hand to his neck where there was a slowly blooming bruise.

He scowled at Zeke. "You aren't."

"I'm not." He winked and Dev headed down the hallway.

Arielle slapped his ass as he passed. "You're not on duty tonight, love. I've already called you out. So don't bother."

"But---"

Zeke groaned pushing off the counter. "You love me, Ari'?"

"Of course, dear." She lifted up and kissed his cheek. "I expect our little healer thoroughly ruined by the time I get back."

"Mission: accepted."

Dev's jaw hung open but before he'd made it another step, Zeke had swooped him up and carried him down the hallway.

Arielle looked at me and beamed. "Beautiful view, isn't it?"

My whole body was hot. I couldn't speak. All I could do was turn on my heel and escape to my room with her cackling following me.

Vivian

We didn't stay in the larger area long. I followed him to the more private area as soon as he'd gotten me a drink. Men watched me, stopped and stared. I looked good. And I felt better than I had in weeks.

The private club beneath this one was massive, nearly two stories below ground modeled after an old-world estate's ballroom. The scent of alcohol and sex drifted through the air. His private events were always like this. I'd missed the thrill of them. I'd never brought Tyler to this kind of place. It would have been weird if I decided to climb into his father's lap and ride him until he seemed convinced to take over.

Expensive liquor poured freely. The bartenders added drugs of all sorts to them. Men in designer suits, and women paraded like trophies. It would be the first time I'd be here like this. Like more of an offering.

From the attention I was drawing, it felt like I should have done this sooner. The appreciative looks fed something in me.

I pasted on a smile as we passed. He stopped one of the waiters for another drink for me. It was in a crystal glass, pink-gold liquid with a few shimmering flecks of something magical swimming in the mix. I raised a brow, but I didn’t hesitate. I had heard about potions, euphoria brews, and party tonics. This was probably nothing different, and it was clear that all the other offerings had a glass just like it.

Maybe my pride didn't like being lumped in with them, but I told myself it was just for the night, just this time, and there was a chance that someone richer than Tyler's father would want to be my benefactor, even if just to create a tie with Dominic.

The moment it hit my tongue, I felt it. The warmth rolled through me like honey. Sweet and thick, coating my limbs and fogging my thoughts. I felt good. Relaxed. Light. Maybe for the first time in weeks.

Later, Tyler’s father pulled me into his lap like I was a pet.

“Your sloppiness has cost me a lot,” he murmured into my ear, his voice like silk over barbed wire. "It's about time to talk about how you're going to repay me."

I tilted my head, eyes half-lidded. “You like how sloppy I am.”

“Don’t get mouthy, or I'll have you right here.” He gripped my hip, and I leaned, up whispering in his ear.

"Don't threaten me with a good time."