Chapter 21 #2
“My father’s realtor called this morning,” I said, pushing the words between gritted teeth. “Told me my father’s house was purchased. Under my name. And guess who signed the check?”
I stared at him, waiting for an answer. Expecting some kind of explanation. But his face stayed maddeningly unreadable—steady, unmoved, like this was just another business meeting on his calendar.
I went on. “As if that’s not enough, I just came from the Syndicate, and they told me my debt’s been cleared.
And by they, I mean Blaze—the same man you punched in the park and would’ve beaten to a pulp if I hadn’t stopped you.
” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing the broken nose is also your handiwork? ”
Luca’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with something feral. “Did he touch you?”
“Oh my God, Luca.” I flung my hands into the air. “That’s not the point!”
“No? Then what is the point?” His tone was sharp. “Because if he so much as looked at you wrong, I didn’t do enough.”
“It’s not your job to insert yourself into my life and fix my problems like you still have that right!”
“Insert myself in your life?” His chair creaked as he leaned forward, eyes burning into mine. “I am in your life, Leila. For fuck’s sake—I’m your Mate.”
“Ex-Mate,” I shot back instantly. “In case you’ve forgotten, you rejected me.
You don’t get to play the protective Mate card now.
You don’t get to swoop in and act like it still means something.
” I pointed to him. “You lost every right to me the moment you turned your back on us. And the five years that have passed don’t undo that. ”
His expression didn’t flicker. “But nothing has changed.” His voice had gone quiet now. “You know it. You feel it. Every time you look at me, every time I walk into a room, your body remembers what your mouth tries to deny.”
I straightened, my spine stiff with defiance, refusing to let the trembling inside me show.
“I didn’t come here to argue with you, Luca.
The only reason we’re even speaking is because of your wedding.
And once it’s over, I don’t want anything tying me to you.
I don’t want to owe you anything. So, I’m going to pay you back. Every cent.”
He laughed. “You’re going to pay me back half a million dollars?”
I froze. Half a million?
Five hundred grand? I’d need at least three years, a miracle, and probably a black-market organ sale to make that kind of money.
And Luca had just thrown it out there like it was a ten-dollar bill.
Even ten dollars were precious to me right now.
I counted coins before grocery runs. I budgeted toothpaste.
The knot in my throat swelled and tightened. My lips parted, but nothing came out.
“Yeah. That’s what your debt cost me. Five hundred grand. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
God, he was so infuriating. So maddeningly calm in his ruthlessness, in the way he wielded power and control like a weapon.
I tried to remain composed. “We can reach a financial agreement. Weekly payments, monthly payments? I’m going to pay you back every single penny.”
He smirked. “I thought you didn’t want to see me after the next two weeks? It’s going to take you years to pay back five hundred grand.”
My chest tightened. My pride wanted to snap back, but my stomach was already sinking. Because he was right.
“But I have a better idea.” He pulled open one of the drawers of his desk and brought out a brown folder I recognized—the same one he’d brought to my house the other day when I found him playing with LEGOs with Ollie.
“Oh, hell no,” I said, already knowing what was coming.
He ignored me. “There’s the Alpha’s Grand Summit in exactly a week from now.
The Alpha Regent is building a new headquarters in Brooklyn, and he intends to offer the multi-million dollar contract to the person with the best pitch.
He wants a combination of technology, modernization, and heart.
If there’s anyone I know who can bring all three together and deliver an excellent design, it’s you, Leila. ”
Was I supposed to feel flattered?
Why the hell were butterflies fluttering in my stomach like idiots? Why was my wolf practically wagging her tail inside me?
I steadied my stance. I couldn’t afford to let him see how easily he still got under my skin.
“You see, Leila,” he stood and rounded his desk, walking toward me, “you’re fiercely independent.
That’s your foundation. And when something shakes that, you fight to take back control.
I knew you’d offer to repay me—somehow, some way—which is ridiculous, because you can’t. And I don’t want you to.”
He stopped in front of me, close enough that my skin prickled.
“I want you to work with me. I need that contract. And the only person who can help me get it is you.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms like they could shield me from the way my body was already reacting. “So, this was all a ploy to get me on the project? You cleared my debt just to trap me into saying yes?”
“No, Leila.” His voice was calm. “I cleared your debt because I can’t stand the thought of that man—or any man—putting his hands on you.
Harassing you. I cleared your debt because I can’t stand to see you burdened, not when I could do something about it.
” He looked at me then—really looked. “I did it because I care about you—so much that I’d rather have you hate me than feel unsafe. ”
My breath hitched. The air in the room shifted—thick and dangerous, like the moment right before he kissed me at the observatory. I couldn’t let it happen again. Not here, where someone could walk through his door and catch us.
I took a cautious step back.
Much as I hated to admit it, he was right. The Grand Summit was in one week. If I helped him land the contract, I wouldn't have to owe him anything. And after the wedding, I’d never have to see him again.
I felt a sharp pang at the thought, but it was for the best. I told myself that. Forced myself to believe it.
“Fine,” I said. “But let it be known—this is blackmail.”
He chuckled. “It’s business, Leila.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever,” I muttered, grabbing the brown folder from his desk as I turned toward the door.
I could feel the heat of Luca’s gaze on me—on my ass—trailing my every movement.
And God, I liked it. I liked it so much, I felt heat pool in places it shouldn’t.
The image of him pinning me against his office window flashed through my head, vivid and taunting.
It took every ounce of willpower I had to shove it away.
My fingers tightened around the edge of the folder.
Working with Luca Vaughn every day for a week?
Yeah, I was in deep shit.