Chapter 24
The sun had barely cleared the top of the gates before the quiet came crashing right down around me.
I was sat at the little wooden table in the lounge corner, mug of black tea in hand, when Swift and Gears walked past. I caught what they were muttering – something about dropping a note off at the coffee shop on the high street.
My blood ran cold. I was up and in the hall before I even thought, snatching the paper right out of Swift’s hand.
It was a resignation letter. Printed on club headed paper, saying I was done, effective straight away.
Fire roared through my veins. How dare he! How bloody dare he!
I stormed down the hall, kicked his office door open hard enough to rattle the frame, and slammed the paper down on his desk so hard it slid halfway across the wood.
Rage was leaned back in his chair, cup of espresso in his grip. He looked up slow as I burst in.
“What the actual hell is this?” I demanded, voice shaking with raw anger. I leaned right over his desk; eyes locked straight to his. “Who gave you the right to decide things for me? Who said you could just take my life into your own hands?”
He didn’t flinch. Didn’t even shift. Just set his cup down slow on a coaster, calm as you like.
“I did,” he rumbled, deep voice rough and steady. “That place isn’t safe no more. That P.I. already cornered you there once. You’re not going back.”
“I don’t care if it’s compromised!” I shouted, every bit of frustration I’d held in for months spilling right out.
“That job was mine! The first thing I ever had that was just me, not my father’s money or his name!
I worked every shift, every hour, for every penny I earned!
It was mine! You don’t get to just wave your hand and wipe it all away because you’re overprotective and stubborn! ”
I stood there heaving for breath, waiting for him to explode – for that scary Enforcer temper to snap. Back home, speaking to anyone with half his power like this would’ve had me destroyed before I finished the sentence.
But he didn’t look mad at all.
He just watched me, that slow dark look in his eyes, the corner of his mouth tugging up like he liked seeing me this fired up. Leaned forward, elbows on the desk, gaze dragging over my flushed cheeks and the fire in my eyes. He wasn’t angry. He was impressed.
“You done yelling yet, sweetheart?” he murmured, voice low and smooth, sending a shiver right down my spine.
“No, I am not –” I started, but my sharp edge was already softening just a little under that heavy look.
“Good. ‘Cause you look fucking beautiful when you’re riled up,” he rumbled, that smirk growing wider.
“Still ain’t happening. You can shout all you want.
You can call me whatever names you like.
But you stay behind these walls. I’d rather you hate me than let one of those pricks get anywhere near you. That letter stays sent.”
I just stared at him, completely thrown, mind scrambling to catch up.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you two.”
I jumped right out of my skin, spinning round to see Rose leaning in the doorway, holding an oversized mug and a tall glass of orange juice. She’d clearly been stood there watching the whole show, grinning like the cat that got the cream.
“I swear the sexual tension in here is thick enough you could chew it,” she said, walking in like she owned the place, and gave my arm a playful nudge.
“Honestly, you two are just like we were. Yell like cats and dogs, tear strips off each other… then jump each other’s bones five minutes later.
That’s how I ended up pregnant, you know. ”
My brain completely short-circuited. Heat flooded every inch of me, redder than my hair, and I just stared at her completely mortified.
“Rose!” I squeaked out, barely more than a whisper.
Across the desk, Rage let out a roar of laughter so loud it shook the walls. He threw his head back, that deep rough sound bouncing off the bricks, looking at me like this was the best thing he’d ever seen.
“Right then, I’m off to check on lunch,” Rose said, winking at me like she’d done absolutely nothing wrong, and strolled back out the door. “Have fun, you two!”
She left a trail of total chaos behind her. I stood there frozen, burning up so bad I could barely look up.
“Fine!” I blurted out, staring hard at the floor. “Fine! Send the stupid letter! Let them do whatever they want! Next time, just tell me instead of acting like my keeper!”
Before he could say a word, I turned and stormed out. I walked fast down the hall, face on fire.
I made it back to my room and shut the door, leaning back against it.
My heart was hammering. I’d lost the argument and lost my job, and Rose had completely humiliated me – but the craziest thing was…
standing here safe behind these walls, with all of them watching my back…
I didn’t even want to leave, I was just too stubborn for my own good.