Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Noah
“What’s going on?” I swing my gaze between Chase and Cordelia while dread settles in my stomach like lead. Is Chase secretly meeting with Cordelia? No, he wouldn’t, would he? He hasn’t texted me today yet, which is unusual, but I didn’t read anything into it except that he was busy.
I’ve been equally as busy. Half my time I’ve spent contacting my clients, and whilst asking them to be discreet, I’ve been sounding them out about joining me when I have my own agency.
The rest I’ve been trying to help Rafe, as the agent ANC have put in place for him has been nothing short of useless, and the reservations and transport he’s booked for him are all in the wrong places or for the wrong dates.
I’ve managed to sort out the next couple of days for him, but I still have work to do, arrangements to make, which I’d been assured had been handled.
“It’s nothing, Noah. I’m dealing with it,” Cordelia says dismissively and turns back towards Chase with a sickly smile that he actually recoils from.
Which, if I’m honest, the look that comes over Cordelia’s face is almost worth it.
Almost. I might actually have enjoyed it if I didn’t have this hard knot of worry that now I’d found a way out, it’s all been for nothing.
“The hell you are,” he says and takes a step away from her. “Noah, will you let me explain?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak yet, and retreat to my office.
He follows and closes the door behind him.
I lean back against my desk and fold my arms. Normally, when I’m nervous I’ve a tendency to gabble on, but now I have nothing.
I just press my lips together and wait for whatever Chase has to say.
“I’m sorry, really sorry, Noah. Elsa took the call and said ANC wanted a meeting. I assumed it was you, and in my excitement I didn’t question it. I had no idea it was Cordelia I was set up to meet.
“As soon as I realised what was going on, that she was going behind your back, I put a stop to it. I was just leaving and about to let you know when you saw me.”
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, and when I release it my stomach settles.
I open my eyes and look at Chase. He’s worrying his lip in a way I’ve never seen before.
Like he’s nervous. The mighty and powerful Chase Knightly is worried about my opinion of him.
The truth is, I do believe him, he’s always been straight with me. Whereas Cordelia . . .
“That explains her outfit today, then,” I say, and Chase’s mouth twists into a smile. He lets out a huff of breath, part laugh and part a release of tension.
“I’d like to say that I can’t believe it of her, but sadly I can.
I should have known she’d pull a stunt like this after she questioned me about you last week.
I’ve been so busy with Rafe’s tour I didn’t give it much thought.
What a mess. There’s no way I can trust her again after this. ” I drag a hand through my curls.
Chase closes the gap between us in two strides and my breath hitches at his proximity. He gently takes my hand.
“I was going to contact you to ask for a meeting. I’ve been working for the past week on an investment proposal for your agency.
I know you said you needed to think about it, but I think you’ll find it a very attractive offer.
” He smiles warmly, his eyes crinkling in that way that makes my heart flip.
He’s so gorgeous that it takes me a minute to remember I’m supposed to reply.
“I have thought about it. At first I didn’t think it was possible as my contract doesn’t allow the transfer of clients. But my dad found a loophole that there’s nothing to stop them quitting the agency and joining me.”
“Your dad?”
“Yes, he’s a lawyer. A really good one. He helped me look through the contracts,” I say strongly, and he nods.
“Did . . . did you tell him about me?” Chase frowns slightly, concern etched across his face. He looks so earnest I give him a little smile and can’t help teasing him.
“He’s very keen to meet you.” Chase’s eyes widen with shock before he schools his face into something near normal.
“Oh lord. Don’t you think I’m a bit old for the whole meeting the parents thing?”
“They’re good people, Chase,” I say, and he looks suitably contrite. And despite how shitty everything is with work right now, Chase always makes me feel better, so I add, “Plus, they know my appreciation of ancient things, so you should be okay.”
“I’m going to regret ever saying that in the first place, aren’t I?” Chase laughs and I shrug, managing a half smile. We’re interrupted by a knock on the door and Ben looking round it.
“Aiden wants to see you in his office, now,” he says, and I can tell by his face that the message wasn’t given to him politely.
“I’ll be there in five,” I reply, and he withdraws to take the unwelcome message back.
I groan. For a minute there I’d almost forgotten I need to sort this shitty mess out.
“What do you want to do?” Chase asks, leaving it up to me without pressure.
“I want to hear your proposal. But in any case, I can’t stay here, not now. Three of my clients will definitely follow me. I’m not so sure about the other two just yet.”
“You’ll get other clients. Me, for a start,” Chase says and I know it’s true. It’s just scary.
“But I’m still trying to help Rafe out with his tour. The contact has been no good and I’m trying to coordinate from here.”
“Anything I can help you with, just ask. If you need to be there, you know I have a jet—”
“Chase . . .” I start but trail off. I was about to say he can’t just do that.
He can’t just come in and try to fix things with grand gestures.
But I see his face, and he’s not saying it because he can but because he wants to.
He wants to help . . . me. Me. Because I matter to him.
And a feeling of warmth, strength, and something else I can’t name floods through me.
“Actually, could we talk about that later? There’s something I need to do first.”
I quickly pack up my laptop and the few notebooks I have into my bag. There isn’t much else in my office that’s personal. Except my mug that says “I’ll make a spreadsheet for that,” so I add that to my bag and give the room a quick once over. I hold out my bag to Chase.
“Do you think you could hold that for me? I’ll meet you at the reception desk by the lifts in a few minutes.”
His warm hand touches mine as he takes my bag.
“If you don’t appear in five minutes, I’ll come and find you,” he promises in his rich voice, and my chest swells because I know he means it.
“I’ll be there in four,” I whisper.
I march into Aiden’s office, only hesitating slightly when I see Cordelia is also in there. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind if she hears. I let him get two sentences out about how disappointed he is in my performance, which is bullshit, before I cut across him.
“I’m quitting, effective immediately. I know I’m supposed to give you a month’s notice, but I think you’ll find my explanation in here.
” I throw down a letter my dad helped me draft just in case I needed it.
It outlines the way I’ve been treated, how it was almost bullying, and that I’ll leave immediately with no penalties or I will seek recompense myself.
Aiden doesn’t even pick it up. He just sneers at it.
I turn on my heel and leave. As I get to the door Cordelia calls out.
“You can’t take your clients with you.”
“I know.” I wrench the door open and let it slam behind me. I don’t bother telling them that some, if not all, will follow me. They’ll find out soon enough, and I don’t want them contacting my clients and pressuring them to stay.
“I’ve quit,” I say to Chase as the lift doors ping open and we step inside. My chest is heaving with the exhilaration of what I’ve just done.
“Well done. How do you feel?” he asks with a proud look on his face.
“Elated, free, strong, scared,” I rattle off and he grins.
“That’s pretty normal, but you have exciting times ahead, and I’m here to help you achieve your dream.”
“Thank you.” I take a couple of deep breaths to steady myself as I lean against the lift wall.
“So, with Cordelia, did you defend my honour and stuff?” I ask, trying to sound casual even though I’m still keyed up inside.
“I did.” His mouth quirks slightly.
“Like my very own knight . . .” I watch his eyes darken with lust and I can’t hold back anymore. I launch myself at him and crash my mouth into his, wanting him to feel everything I am right now.