Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
Hayden
Present
After Jaclyn’s nightmare and the talk we had, we went back to sleep. I just held her in my arms in silence as she fell back asleep.
I myself didn’t end up falling back asleep because I couldn’t stop thinking or staring at her.
I kept my eyes on her as she was cuddled up against me and I would notice the way her lips parted at times or goosebumps would randomly appear on her skin making me wonder what she could be thinking about.
There is still so much we both need to talk about.
And one of these days we will. We have to if we want this to work and God, I want this to work.
But priority right now is breaking things off with Nicole and then talking to Killian about it.
I’m not worried about breaking things off with Nicole and how pissed her dad will be. I’m worried about how Killian will react.
Yes, I am Rowan Valentino’s brother and practically a part of the family as they say but, actions speak louder than words.
Rowan may have found me and helped me but Killian is the one I work for and who I answer to.
I’ve done everything Killian has asked me, no questions asked. But this is the one thing I just can’t move forward with.
I’m currently walking to the restaurant in the hotel, because that’s where Nicole and her friends are having breakfast.
Before I left Jaclyn’s room, I told her I was going to be back late tonight to see her and that I had a lot of things to do today, but didn't specify what. But she understood. I kissed her, of course and then she pulled away when it started getting heated which she always does but in a teasing way making me want more.
Eventually I end up near Nicole’s table. When I walk up to her, her back is to me as her friends look up at me and stare with confusion.
“Nicole-”
“What do you want Hayden? I’m busy,” she says in that bitchy tone.
I look at her two friends again. “Leave.”
They do it, no questions asked, because they know exactly who I am and what I can do.
I walk around and sit in the chair facing her. “Can’t wait until the wedding, husband?”
“Don’t call me that,” I say, making the smirk wipe off her face. “Wedding’s off. I won’t be going through with it.”
Nicole’s eyes darken and her jaw clenches. She looks like she is going to start throwing that tantrum she throws with her dad whenever she doesn’t get what she wants. “You can’t do that. You and Killian made a deal.”
“I’ll deal with Killian. But you, I don’t need to do shit for you.”
“My dad. He’ll be pissed.”
“Again, I need to deal with Killian. Killian will deal with your father. But you and I, it’s done, Nicole,” I explain and all of a sudden she just starts laughing and shaking her head.
“So you finally got her huh? After five years of obsessing over this girl, you finally got her back? Seems a little easy if you ask me.”
I glare at her. “You don’t know shit. I don’t remember asking you for your opinion on her or me.”
“I was trying to fucking get something out of this but you had to go in and ruin it all,” Nicole sneers, her good mood vanishing. “I was supposed to get my cut of his company, making me set for life.”
I shrug. “Not my problem. Figure out your own shit.”
“You better hope and pray that my dad or Killian don’t fuck you up for this.”
“As long as they don’t touch Jaclyn, then we shouldn’t have an issue.”
Nicole licks the inside of her cheek and crosses her arms over her chest. “You really care about this girl more than yourself or your own life?”
“Yes.”
God, I love her.
I’ve never loved or been so protective of someone before. But Jaclyn, she was always it.
She was never and never will be just some girl.
She is the girl.
My girl.
Nicole scoffs. “Pathetic. Watch her run away like last time. Like you told me, she doesn’t even know who you are. You aren’t the same guy I met five years ago. You weren’t ruthless or controlled. You were impulsive and easy to read. No one knows what you’ll do or what moves you’ll pull.”
“People change and I happened to change for the better.
“Yes you did,” she says while giving me a once over. “You aren’t that weak boy you were when Killian and Rowan found you. What will Killian think? His best friend betrays him for a girl? Gonna be one hell of a show.”
“I know how to handle him.” I get up from the chair. “I’m done now. You can enjoy your breakfast and the rest of your trip. I only needed to tell you that. I’ll take care of canceling everything and it will be as if this wedding and trip was never meant to happen.”
“My dad will ruin you and then he will destroy Killian right after he’s done with you,” Nicole says with a straight face.
I almost laugh because she has no fucking clue.
I put my hands on the table and lean close to her. “Do you know who Killian’s family is? Who his father is? What he and his family can do to you if you simply disrespect them? If they heard what you just said right now, you would have been dead a minute ago. Keep your mouth shut. Understood?” Nicole’s face goes red again and she clenches her fists on the table. “Do you understand, Nicole?”
“ Codice di verità ,” Nicole mutters.
“Good,” I say before turning around and leaving.