Chapter 25
REGGIE
“You okay?” Drago asks.
I stare blankly at the monitor. I had this weird feeling after my and Bella’s interaction this morning that she’s changing tactics.
And for some reason, I immediately regretted asking for Rowan’s help today.
She’s trying to get under my skin. Push my buttons. And I think I gave my jealousy button away the other day with the cookie fiasco.
My brother just almost kissed my fucking fiancée. Not just that, but in her wedding dress fit for a funeral, another jab right at me.
I’m always the fucking bad guy.
I rub at my chest and nod, trying to ignore the shooting pain there.
But what I just witnessed with my own eyes wasn’t them wanting to fuck. It was way more than that. It’s something I’ve never seen in Rowan. It’s an attraction between them that sparks to life.
The fact they didn’t kiss makes it worse. Because they’re hiding something deeper.
And it hurts me harder than I ever thought it would. I knew that the moment I laid eyes on her. And the worst part is, I pushed them together.
I gave her the cold shoulder. Made her a business transaction. And here I am, staring at a screen, realizing what a prick I’m being.
“Reg?” Drago says.
“Yes. Fine,” I say sharply.
“Want me to cut this? Have you seen enough?”
I run my fingers through my hair.
“No,” I tell him, pulling out my phone and dialing Rowan.
Even as he pulls out his cell to answer me, he’s biting his lip watching Bella walk away.
“Yes, bro?” he answers.
My teeth clench.
“Everything okay? How’s the dress shopping going? Is she behaving?” I ask.
“Uh. Yeah. All good here.”
Bella stops before the changing room and turns back to Rowan. I hear his breath catch in his throat.
“You’re distracted,” I say flatly.
Her smile is infectious. So is Rowan’s. They’re similar in a way. Carefree. Brattish.
I squeeze my fists.
“Your fiancée is demanding, Reg,” Rowan tells me.
“Really? Can’t say I’d noticed.”
He scoffs, and Bella closes the curtain to her changing room.
“Yeah. Cause you keep avoiding her.”
“I thought she seemed okay this morning with me.”
He rolls his eyes.
“You upset her, Reggie. It’s going to take more than pancakes to make up for it.”
A lump catches in my throat.
“She told you that?”
Rowan walks away and nods to Lily.
“No. She’s here alone because you dragged her here. And now even you’re isolating her. What do you expect? It’s not rocket science. I thought you were supposed to be the smarter one out of us,” he whispers.
I didn’t expect him to be the one pissed off here.
“I-I didn’t know. After the whole agreement thing, I thought she wanted me out of the way.”
He laughs, and that irritates me more.
“She’s not a business transaction. She’s a woman. A very smart, beautiful, sassy one. Who for some reason, wants you to like her.”
Drago clears his throat and I take a deep breath.
“What does it matter about me? She’s more than happy with you,” I spit.
“Jealousy doesn’t sound good on you, bro. That ain’t how we work. You said if she came to me, you didn’t care. But, we haven’t. We’re just friends. I’m all she’s got here, nothing more.”
“Right,” I say sarcastically.
Not like he was prepared to step over that line just now.
“She’s fine without me,” I add.
“And you’re fine without her?” he snaps.
“Yeah,” I lie.
But it’s what I need to do for this alliance. Feelings would fuck this up. Her becoming mine would fuck everything up. I’m not built to do relationships. I do agreements.
And Bella? She has the potential to erupt everything.
“Just look after her.”
“Whatever, Reg.”
He cuts the call and I toss my phone down on Drago’s desk.
“Cut the feed, I don’t give a fuck anymore,” I snap.
He arches a brow at me.
He chuckles. “Are you sure about that?”
I shoot him a glare.
“I have to do what I have to do. Loyalty to the Quinns comes first.”
He scratches his stubble.
“Sure. I get it. I’ve spent years working for other people, pleasing them and forgetting about myself. We’re all cogs in a machine, Reggie. Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices for yourself—before it’s too late.”
He nods back at the screen where Rowan walks back up to Bella.
I chew on the inside of my mouth. Rowan’s words circling in my head. She wants me to like her.
And I’ve been a cold cunt to her. That’s who I am. And probably why she naturally gravitates to Rowan instead. They have a spark together.
But then, I felt it too. I feel it every time she’s near, that’s why I stay away.
“Whatever happens, I’m the one she’s marrying, regardless.”
Drago taps on the table.
“But the alliance stands if it was Rowan too, I’d assume.”
Fuck. He might have a point.
“Have you got a location for The Crow yet?”
Drago chuckles and shakes his head.
“Keep avoiding it, it’ll send you crazy.” He hits the side of his head.
“Yes. Well, sort of. I’m arranging a meeting with Hunter Sterling in Phoenix. Enzo gave me his details.”
“Cool. Keep me posted. And don’t forget Lily’s art gallery, it’s a few weeks away. We’re on security detail.”
His face straightens.
“I’ll check the dates. I might not be able to. I gotta send in some of you for her birthday party this weekend too. I’ll keep you posted.”
Great. A party to watch. Just what I need.