Chapter 210: The Past [16]

My legs felt heavy as I walked closer to them, and with their eyes on me, I’d never wanted anything more than to bolt. This was nothing like any situation I have ever been in.

This was hell. My own nightmare came to life, and I can’t wake up from it.

The sight of Zade in a formal three-piece suit only escalated the situation. It was as though the aura he had all those times we met at the club didn’t compare to the one rolling off him right now... like a deadly perfume ready to poison your lungs.

He was a billionaire CEO, and a Don. Those two combinations, along with the ones I knew he already had, made this man a force to be reckoned with.

I should have known... I discerned the signs, but I didn’t pay heed to them. I chose to believe he was just an unknown man who had nothing to his name.

I wanted him that way because that was the only way he could continue to be my dirty little secret.

So much for that now...

"P-Pleased to meet you, Mr. Salvero," I said, trying to keep my voice professional, and avoided his eyes as much as I could.

I was the first to drop the bomb because I’d just acted like I didn’t know him. I kept my features as unfamiliar as possible, determined not to give myself away.

The corner of Zade’s lips twitched briefly before he spoke, amusement lacing his tone. "The pleasure’s all mine."

He’s playing along.

As much as I wanted to be relieved, I couldn’t find that sensation. My dread only zoomed.

"And to what do I owe this unexpected honor?" He threw that question at Annabeth.

The way he spoke, that confidence, that authority, and subtle edge of smugness. It had always been there, but I’d never quite allowed myself to acknowledge it in those times we met at the club.

Now that I had, he only seemed sexier.

"I was under the impression a client was coming. Not a Morri."

"Apologies for that, Mr. Salvero. I didn’t think you would see me otherwise."

From Annabeth’s voice, I could tell she was doing her best to keep her composure. He had the same effect on her.

"Is that so? What reason might that be then?"

"I think you’re aware of that reason, Mr. Salvero."

He was a Don and so was Father. Dons were territorial about their quarters, and meetings like this were usually done by other means.

Annabeth was literally playing with fire.

Zade’s eyes moved to me, and my skin turned to ice as he spoke.

"If you’re aware of that reason, then there must be a perfect explanation why you’re here."

Annabeth stepped between us, a simple move, but I knew it was to keep Zade’s attention fixated on her only. A twisted feeling settled over me when his focus pinned on her.

"Yes, Mr. Salvero. I have a perfect explanation. I’d like to interview you."

"Interview?"

"Yes, I’m here in place of a friend who couldn’t make it. Recently, you acquired a piece of land, yes?"

Leave it to Annabeth to evade the fire without so much as breaking a sweat. She’d carefully planned this out. And yes, Annabeth had a friend who was a journalist.

"Yes, I did. Tell me, Ms. Morri, are such interviews made with family?"

I tensed.

"My sister is here to assist me. I hope you don’t mind. Recently she had an eye for journalism and would love for her to catch on one or two."

"I don’t mind at all."

There was an undertone there I didn’t miss, especially when his eyes zeroed in on me.

"I’ve a little time to spare for this interview."

I glared at him, and his smirk only widened. He strolled toward the door, checked his Rolex, then pulled it open. "After you."

"Thank you," Annabeth said as she cat-walked in, and I followed behind her.

In that split second, Zade took his eyes off his watch. It lasted just a second, but in my mind it was over an hour as we stole glances like two moths to a flame.

It took everything in me to look away as I walked toward the seat.

"Give Mr. Salvero the cupcake," Annabeth whispered to me.

I snapped my eyes to her. I didn’t say a word, but the look on my face spelled volumes.

She can’t be serious right now. She knew I made these cupcakes for a special occasion, and now she was gonna take advantage of that?

Annabeth fixed her smile as Zade sat in his chair and leaned back to get comfortable.

"I brought cupcakes if you don’t mind," She said. "Baked them myself."

"Cupcakes?" Zade amused.

I clenched the box tightly when I felt Annabeth’s eyes urging me. Scowling, I pushed to my feet, dropped the box on the desk, and sat back down.

Zade eyed the box and then me, lingering for far too long until it seemed as though he was trying to read my mind.

Annabeth cleared her throat, breaking the tension in the air. The tension only Zade and I sensed.

"So, Mr. Salvero..."

I tuned out Annabeth’s voice, not having it in me to listen to anything at all. I wished I could melt into my chair and become just another piece of furniture, rather than exist in this moment.

How did it get to this? Of all the millions of men that could have been Annabeth’s obsession... it had to be Zade.

My chest rose and fell heavily, the sweetheart neckline of my dress tightening around my boobs until it felt like I couldn’t breathe.

Of all the men... the one that I have...! That train of thought ended before I had the chance to process it, and the moment I did, the air in my lungs was depleted.

Have I fallen for him? Has a secret turned into something real now that I could feel him slip away?

Is he slipping away from me?

I lifted my gaze from my hands resting in my lap and darted my eyes toward him.

How couldn’t he?

This is Annabeth, for fucks sake. There was no one who could resist her.

He could have easily not gone through this interview and said he was headed somewhere else. That somewhere else was our date. But he didn’t; he chose to be in this interview.

"Excuse me for a moment."

"Of course, Ms. Morri."

Annabeth blushed before pushing herself to her feet and leaving the room.

I already knew she was heading to the restroom to powder her face. It was one of her nervous habits that fixated on perfection.

The door closed behind her.

"If I’d known this was what you had planned for today, I would’ve made different plans for our date," Zade said.

"Date?" I replied sternly. "I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Salvero."

"Are you playing dumb with me right now?"

"Dumb? I don’t know what you—" The words died in my throat when he suddenly pushed to his feet.

He moved, and before I even had the chance to get out of my seat, he leaned over me, planting his hands on either armrest and trapping me.

"I played along with your little game. Isn’t that what you wanted when you acted like we were strangers?"

My chest heaved.

"Unfortunately, I’m no longer in the mood for games."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it.

"Try to play dumb with me one more time and see what happens, kitten."

I glared at him.

"It wasn’t because of your father, was it?" he asked. "The reason why you wanted me a secret was because of your sister."

I inhaled sharply. "Mr. Salvero, again... I don’t know—!"

I gasped when he snatched my neck and forced me to my feet.

"Wh-What are you doing?" I clawed at his hands, but he didn’t budge.

"Scared now, are you? Good. I wouldn’t have enjoyed this either way."

"Z-Zade..."

He chuckled. "No longer playing dumb with me?"

"What did you expect me to do?"

"I expect you not to treat me as a stranger." His jaw clenched. "You did it so easily I almost believed you."

Why is he doing this? Isn’t he—!

Before I was made an account, my front was pressed against the table, his solid chest against my back.

"Zade!" I panicked, knowing my sister was gonna be back any minute. "What are you doing?!"

"Teaching my little kitten a lesson."

My blood ran cold when he lifted my dress, exposing my ass.

SMACK!

My body lurched forward by the mere force until my face pushed into the cold desk.

"How’s spanking me gonna teach me a—"

SMACK!

OH MY GOD!

SMACK!

In a raspy breath, I planted my hands on the desk to brace myself, my ass pushing into something solid that made me freeze. Is that—!

SMACK!

"Not even a single sound. Maybe I’m too easy."

I lost it.

I grabbed him right at the bulge, and he growled. I seized that opportunity to peel myself off him.

"That look in your eyes is new. Do you hate me, Anastasia? Or do you hate yourself for wanting me more than you imagined?" he said amused, desire swirling in those eyes that mirrored mine.

My nostrils flared. "Go to hell."

"I think we have a problem there, my pretty kitten. I’ve always belonged to hell. Now you’ve gone and made me want heaven. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for that?"

His words took me off guard, a warmth rising in my chest unlike anything else I have ever felt. But dread filled my mind and Zade was quick to catch this.

"What are you so scared about, Anastasia?"

I’m scared my sister will take you away from me! I’m so fucking scared you’re gonna choose her, just like they all did!

So please, Zade... stop making me feel like this when I know in the end it won’t matter.