Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chloe
T he fragile bubble of safety that Blake and Nathaniel’s presences have built shatters, plunging me back into the terrified weeks I spent confined in Louie’s penthouse.
The chandelier above casts shimmering patterns around Louie and his thugs. My pulse thunders louder than the soft hum of the air conditioner, and every detail, from the ornate wainscoting to the delicate vases perched on pedestals, comes into hyper-focus.
This can’t be happening, not when things were finally looking up.
Blake’s hand finds mine, reminding me that I’m not alone this time.
Nathaniel’s broad shoulders tense under his polo. “Chloe doesn’t belong to you.”
Louie barks a laugh. “Oh, but she does. And you two…interfering in a signed courtship? I could have you charged with interference in another Alpha’s claim and arrested for kidnapping.”
“They didn’t kidnap me.” I twist the pillow in my hold. “They saved me. From you .”
The bodyguards’ hands drift to their waists, pushing back their suit jackets to reveal their weapons with casual ease, the gleam of their guns jarring in the curated luxury of the lobby.
Oh god, they have guns. Panic claws at me. I can’t let Blake and Nathaniel be hurt because of me.
“Now, Chloe, darling.” Louie extends a hand, the heavy emerald ring on his finger flashing. “I’m willing to forgive this little indiscretion. Come home with me now, and all will be well.”
I tremble, clutching my pillow tightly to my chest as if it can shield me from his poison. How did I ever think I could escape him? I only stayed free as long as I did because Louie allowed it, but now that time is over.
Nathaniel steps forward, placing his lean body between me and the armed men, his scent spicy with his anger. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Blake’s muscular arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back toward the elevator.
“He’s right, Louie.” My voice shakes with fear, stripping away my confidence. “The Omega Registration Office invalidated the courtship. I don’t belong to you anymore.”
Louie’s face contorts, transforming from false charm to icy rage in an instant. “That’s not possible. I would have been notified and given a chance to renew the contract.”
The poison of his pheromones pushes outward, commanding that I bow, that I submit, but Blake keeps me upright. “Our contract was misfiled. It’s void.”
Louie’s eyes narrow to sapphire shards. “You’re forgetting something, darling. The sizable debt your mother still owes me. It would be a shame if she faced the consequences for your disobedience.”
Bile rises in my throat, guilt hot and choking. I felt so much stronger about my decision to cut my mother off when I was safe on Misty Pines. When I didn’t have to stare the executioner in the face.
A wounded noise escapes as my knees buckle, but Blake’s arms catch me. “Breathe, sweetheart. Your mother is a resourceful woman. Her current circumstances are not your fault.”
When his threat fails to bring me to heel, Louie’s focus snaps to Nathaniel, recognition dawning. “You’re Maxwell Burton’s boy, aren’t you? Your old man and I have had dealings in the past.”
Nathaniel’s jaw ticks, the silver ring on his finger glinting as his hands curl into fists.
Louie’s attention shifts to Blake, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. “Which means you must be Walter Harris’s son. Your father just pitched my pack for the construction of a new casino. It would be a shame for your actions here to jeopardize his business. Especially after the scandal he’s already going through with your sister. How is she doing in rehab?”
The blood drains from my face. How does Louie know so much about my Alphas already? Has he been watching us? Gathering intel to use as a threat?
Blake’s arms tighten around me as a growl rumbles through his chest.
Nathaniel holds out a hand toward him to calm down. “Our fathers are grown men who can handle their own business.”
Blake’s growl cuts off, but his fury scorches the air. I thread our fingers together, offering comfort and taking it in turn.
Louie’s eyes flick to our joined hands, his nostrils flaring. “Oh, darling. If you think you can walk away from me after everything I’ve invested in you, you’re mistaken.”
His bodyguards step closer, hands resting on their guns, and my mouth goes dry. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not when I have a chance at happiness.
I swallow hard, my heart thundering in my chest as I step out from behind Nathaniel. “Louie, just let me go. We barely know each other, and whatever you think you can gain from my career as an author is nothing compared to your casinos.”
Louie barks out a harsh laugh, and I flinch. “Oh, my sweet, na?ve little Omega.” He steps closer, his expensive leather shoes clicking on the marble floor. “I didn’t invest in you seven years ago, when you were nothing more than a poor, dying child , because of your current career.”
My breath catches in my throat, confusion warring with the dread settling in the pit of my stomach. “What are you talking about?”
A predatory look slithers across Louie’s face, making my skin crawl. “I’ve invested far too much in our bonding to let you go now, darling. You’re mine, and you always will be.”
His words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. I stumble back, pressing against Blake’s solid chest, his arm wrapping around my waist once again to steady me.
“No.” My hands tremble, my chest tight as I take a shaky breath. “I’m not yours. I never was.”
“You think you have a choice in this? That you can walk away after everything I’ve done for you?” Louie’s jaw clenches as he steps forward, closing the distance between us. “For your mother?”
Nathaniel growls in warning. “Back off. She made her choice.”
One of his bodyguards pulls his gun, pointing it at Nathaniel. “Step aside.”
“You think you can protect her?” Louie smirks. “You’re only delaying the inevitable.”
I shrink back, and Blake’s fingers tighten around mine.
Nathaniel remains an immovable wall between Louie and me, unwavering even under the threat of being shot.
“What’s going on here?” The door to the manager’s office opens, and the older woman steps out, taking in the scene before settling on Louie and his bodyguards. “Guests are not permitted in the building without a resident escort. State your business.”
The bodyguard swiftly hides his gun, and Louie’s attention shifts to the manager, assessing this new obstacle. I hold my breath, praying her interruption will be enough to force him to back down.
But Louie won’t be so easy to deter.
The charming smile that spreads over his lips doesn’t reach his eyes. “My apologies, ma’am, but there seems to have been a misunderstanding. I’m here to collect my Omega.”
The manager juts out her chin. “I don’t care what your business is. This is a private residence, and you’re trespassing.”
She steps closer, her presence commanding despite her small stature. “Those weapons your men are carrying are forbidden on the premises. I suggest you leave now before I call the authorities.”
Louie’s scent spikes with anger, the bitter almond turning acidic. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“I don’t care who you are,” the manager retorts, her expression steely. “In this building, my word is law. Right now, I’m telling you to leave.”
She gestures to the security cameras mounted on the walls. “Everything is being recorded. So unless you want to deal with the police, I suggest you take your men and go. Now.”
Louie stares down his nose at her. “Not without my Omega.”
“It appears Ms. Richards already has Alphas.” She arches her brow. “If you disagree, then you can wait outside for the police to arrive and sort this out.”
Muscles in Louie’s jaw jump, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a moment, I think he’ll lash out.
Then he takes a step back, his focus shifting to me. “This isn’t over, darling. You can’t run from me forever.”
He leans forward, his nose inches from Nathaniel’s face. “She belongs to me, and I will have her.”
My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat. I want to run, to hide, to bury myself in the safety of my blankets and pillows.
But I force myself to stand my ground. “I will never belong to you.”
Louie’s lips curl into a sneer, rage twisting his handsome features before he steps back, smoothing his slicked-back hair with a hand.“We’ll see about that, darling.”
With a jerk of his head, he motions for his bodyguards to follow him toward the entrance.
Louie pauses at the threshold, turning back to face us. “Until next time, my dear.” He blows me a mocking kiss. “I look forward to our reunion.”
The door swings shut with a metallic clink, and silence falls over the lobby. My knees weaken, and I sag against Blake. Nathaniel steps to our sides and rests a hand on my shoulder.
The manager turns to us, her expression softening. “Are you all right, Chloe dear?”
“I’m fine.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I’m fine. Just freaked out.”
“Alphas like that are always bad news. Best to take the fire exit. I’ll be filing a report, and I suggest you do the same. Men like him are trouble.” With a hard glare toward the door, she turns and walks away, leaving us alone in the lobby.
“It’s okay.” Blake’s lips brush my temple. “We won’t let him hurt you.”
Even as he says the words, I can’t shake the feeling of dread that settles in my stomach.
This isn’t over. No matter how far I run, Louie will always find me.