Chapter 25
Evan
Tonight, I found myself in an exclusive member-only bar, having drinks with Harrison, Nathanial and Parker.
Since last night, the only thoughts playing on a loop in my mind were Anais and that damn kiss.
I needed a distraction. Stupidly, I thought drinks with my friends would help me forget the best kiss of my life.
It hasn’t. My mind was a mess of all things the brat, and worse, I’d willingly thrown myself into the hole I had found myself in.
Worryingly, I was starting to believe I wouldn’t be able to crawl out of it unscathed.
Not now that I knew how it felt to have those perfect lips on me.
I never should’ve kissed her. Hell, I never should’ve dragged her into that room to begin with.
But the possessive side of me had taken over, and I lost all control of myself.
It wasn’t the first time. And I was quite sure it wouldn’t be the last. Realization of the unsettling kind washes over me, and a groan bursts from my lips.
Jesus Christ. Deep… deep, deep down, I know I’m royally fucking screwed.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Maxwell?” Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I blink, my eyes snapping to his. The curious look on his expression makes me scowl.
Clearing my throat, I mutter out. “Nothing.”
Harrison cocks a brow. “Nothing?” he repeats slowly.
“You just groaned like you’re in pain or have constipation.
And you’ve been spaced out since we have been here.
” He points an accusing finger at me. “What gives? Hmm? Is our company,” he gestures to our friends, “not good enough for his royal assholeness.”
Bristling, I run a frustrated hand through my hair, ignoring the knowing look on Nathanial’s face. “Fucking hell, Lauder. I’ve got a lot going on at work. Didn’t realize I was required to shower you with attention at these get-togethers. Needy much?”
His eyes narrow. “Not needy,” he shoots back, not missing a beat. “But if you’re going to be here, at least be fucking present.” The bite in his tone makes my jaw clench.
Tamping down the response I really want to give him; I settle back in the leather chair. My gaze shifts between my friends, narrowing at the smirk on Nathanial’s face. “So, what were we talking about?”
The smirk on Nathanial’s face sets me on edge. And when he speaks, there’s no words for the burning sensation that slithers through my veins. “Nothing important. Harrison was just telling us; Anais has a date with a prince tonight. He’s taking her to Rodrigo Central Park. Fancy, huh?” he muses.
Red.
My vision turns red.
A prince?
She is on a fucking date with that prick prince after our kiss.
No fucking way.
I abruptly shoot up out of my seat, my body trembling with barely contained rage. Right now, I don’t care that my reaction might look strange. I only care about one thing.
Getting to Anais.
“What are you doing?” Harrison barks, hands clamping the table to steady it.
“I just remembered, I have an… important conference call.” I mumble the first thing that comes to mind.
Harrison stares at me dumbfounded, but it’s Parker that speaks. “You have a conference call?” he repeats, his brow raised skeptically.
I turn my gaze on him, clearing my throat. “Yeah. Must’ve slipped my mind.”
“You’re fucked up, you know that, Maxwell?” Nathanial adds, chuckling knowingly.
I glare down at him. “Maybe.”
He shakes his head, a smirk twitching at his lips. “You better go before you miss that important conference call.” I don’t miss the sarcasm in his tone.
“If you’ll excuse me, gentleman.” Without another word, I turn on my heel, pulling my phone from my pants pocket and typing out a quick message to my driver.
Anais thinks she can go on dates with that asshole after what happened between us?
Yeah, no. Not on my fucking watch.
This might be one of the most reckless things I’ve ever done, but at this point, I’ve lost all control of my senses. Every single part of me demands I go claim the girl who is consuming my every thought.
And I’ll be damned if I ignore it.
Even with the image of Harrison’s suspicious expression flashing through my mind, I stride out of the bar and into the night air, determined to show Anais exactly who she belongs to.
We pull up at the restaurant a little while later. I’m out of my town car, before it even stops, making my way into the building that the object of my annoyance is currently holed up in. On a date.
Moving through the entrance, I’m stopped by a tall, blonde, hostess wearing a seductive smile. She bats her long lashes up at me, her voice taking on a purring edge when she speaks. “Welcome to Rodrigo Central Park. Do you have a reservation, sir?”
“No,” I attempt to move past her, but she stops me with a hand to my arm.
“I’m sorry, sir. But I can’t let you through without a reservation.” She grits out through her now fake smile.
My eyes narrow. No matter what I have to do, I am getting into this restaurant.
“Get me Rodrigo.” I order. It’s a dick move asking for the owner, but Rodrigo and I go way back. When he wanted to start this place, I loaned him the money he needed to open the restaurant. And if he has to do my bidding, then I’m not above asking for him.
There are no lines I won’t cross to put a stop to this bullshit.
She frowns, then blinks. “Rodrigo?”
“Yes,” I hiss, losing all patience. I know I’m being an asshole, but I can’t help it. Time is of the essence and this woman, despite only doing her job, is stopping me. “I want to talk to Rodrigo. Now.” My tone leaves no room for argument.
She startles before reaching under the hostess stand and retrieving a radio. She talks through it, in a hushed voice then drops it behind the counter. “He’s on his way,” she says, forcing a smile.
Sliding my hands in my pants pocket, I summon every ounce of self-control I possess, tamping down my anger and trying to collect myself before I speak. Gritting my teeth, I nod. “Thank you.”
A couple of minutes later, a tall figure in a three-piece suit appears. A look of confusion crosses Rodrigo’s expression when he spots me, his eyebrows jumping to his hairline. “Mr. Maxwell?” He steps in front of me. “What can I do for you?”
“I think we’re way past formalities, Rodrigo,” I drawl sardonically, eyebrow arched.
He chuckles. “What can I do for you, Evan? Why are you harassing my staff? Do you need a table?”
No,” I state simply, shaking my head. “That favor you owe me. You’re about to repay it.”
Rodrigo glances around, and noticing the hostess’s interest directed at us, he gestures down the hall. “Shall we step into my office?”
I nod. “I think that would be wise.”
Rodrigo nods, before turning on his heel and leading me to his office. Once inside, he closes the door and motions for me to take a seat.”
He settles into his chair, eyeing me curiously. “Well, say whatever it is you came here for, Evan.” He sighs tiredly.
Nodding, I skip the niceties, getting straight to the point. “My…” I trail off, frowning. What is Anais? Not my girlfriend. But she’s also not just Harrison’s little sister. Not after that kiss… I shake my head, focusing on the task at hand. “I need you to shut down the restaurant for the night.”
His mouth drops open, as his eyes bug out of his head. “You want me to shut down my restaurant for the night?” he splutters in disbelief, before laughing nervously. “Are you fucking crazy? It’s Saturday, my busiest night of the week.”
I shrug. “Don’t care. Kill the power, say the chef went home sick. I don’t care. Just shut down this damn restaurant.” I order, feeling not an ounce of remorse for my ridiculous demand.
“Why?” he demands.
“Because my best friend’s little sister is on a date she has no business being on.” I grit out, running a frustrated hand through my hair. I glare, quickly running out of the last slither of patience I possess. “You owe me a favor. I’m calling it in.”
He studies me like I’m insane. And maybe I am. I don’t know anymore. But as long as it gets me what I want, I don’t care.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Evan. You’re serious?”
“Deadly.”
“You realize how much this is going to cost me, right?”
“I’ll cover the loss.”
He stares at me for a long moment before exhaling. “Fine. I’ll tell my patrons we are closing due to unforeseen circumstances. Fuck.” He curses, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
A smirk tugs at my lips. “Good man. Now tell me, in which private room is Prince Fredrik dining?”
It’s an assumption, but I have no doubt I’m right on the mark. Of course, the prick prince would choose one of the private rooms. I’m proven right when Rodrigo responds. “The one at the end of the hall.”
Rising from my seat, I nod. “Good. Now hurry up and get rid of everyone. Time is of the essence.”
Rodrigo stands, grumbling out. “You’re really fucked up, you know that, Maxwell?”
“I’m aware.”
He looks at me once more before shaking his head and brushing past me. “Give me fifteen minutes.”
Pacing his office, I constantly check my watch, obsessing over every minute that passes.
When the allotted fifteen minutes pass and Rodrigo still hasn’t returned, I growl, yanking the door open.
Stalking down the hall, I pause, smirking when I spot the disgruntled, confused patrons filing out of the restaurant.
My gaze lands on Rodrigo, who shakes his head as he walks toward me. “I’m going to my office. You have thirty minutes, Maxwell.” he growls, pushing past me. “And don’t forget to deposit me a hundred grand. That’s more or less what you’ve cost me tonight. I’ll send you the details.” He grumbles.
Smirking, I head toward the private dining rooms, briefly wondering how the hell I’ve managed to drop a substantial amount of money on this girl in less than a month. I really have lost my fucking mind. But honestly… it will be worth every penny to see her reaction when I disrupt her date.