Chapter fifteen
~ADRIAN~
I storm out of the elevator and into the private garage.
I didn’t bother calling for Mac. It would have only set me back.
I snatch a set of car keys from the row of hangers and press the unlock button, scanning the lot for any response.
A soft beep draws my attention to my Audis, its lights flickering to life as I stride towards it.
I hope fifteen minutes is enough for Elana to say goodbye to everyone.
I don’t care who I’ll have to bulldoze through to get to her.
As I slide into the driver’s seat, the anger coursing through me begins to simmer.
Why the hell am I doing this? This isn’t how I normally act or react.
I’ve never gotten this angry over… what?
A college girl going to a party? I snort to myself.
There’s a pile of paperwork waiting for me to go through, and here I am, going feral over a girl who just hung up on me. I’m being ridiculous.
With a deep breath, I start the engine and peel out of the garage.
I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m well aware that tracking her phone wasn’t the most legal or moral thing to do, but I’m just as aware that I couldn’t care less about it.
All I care about, all I can think about, is Elana, drunk and surrounded by horny frat boys who would do God-knows-what to her.
The possibility that Elana is with her friend is the only thing keeping me from flooring the gas pedal.
What was her name? Lilly?
Navigating through the streets, I find myself driving faster than usual, the need to reach her driving for me.
I release the gas a bit. Getting pulled over will eat up more time than driving within the speed limit.
The voice navigating me through the speakers is the only thing keeping me from zoning out as my mind races.
I’ve never felt this overprotective, this possessive over someone. This is dangerous territory, especially after what went down the other night.
I wanted you to kiss me, Adrian. What she told me over the phone replays in my mind over and over again.
I wanted it, too. My whole body was screaming for me to take her, just like hers was begging me to kiss her.
But that’s the issue. I don’t want to kiss her.
I want to devour every single goddamn inch of her.
As I pull up to the address that I tracked her phone to, a surge of adrenaline courses through me. She’s in here somewhere. I park the car and take a moment to compose myself, running a hand through my hair as I gather my thoughts.
Go in, find her, get out.
I step out of the car and lock it, already striding to the house. A small crowd of people are gathered outside, yelling, drinking, and making out, some half-naked, some looking like they’ve been swimming with their clothes on.
“Lilly, come on!” I hear a girl yell to my right and snap my head towards the sound. “Let’s go jump in.” The girl’s pulling at another’s arm. Lilly. It’s a common name, so the chances are slim, but I’m already walking towards the small female.
“Lilly?” I shout over the music. The girl turns her attention to me and eyes me up and down with a raised brow. Right. I’m wearing a suit surrounded by half-naked college students.
“Am I in trouble?” she asks over the music, and I shake my head. Easier than shouting. “Are you, like, a detective or something?” Her eyes sparkle with mischief now that we’ve established that she’s not in trouble.
“Or something,” I reply and scan the people nearby for Elana. No luck. “Do you know a girl named Elana?” I lean in, yet still shout.
Lilly pulls back, her eyes roaming my face. “Holy shit!” A hand flies to my chest, pushing me back playfully. I raise a brow at her, and she lets out a laugh, throwing her head back. “I never thought we’d meet like this. You’re the infamous Adrian, aren’t you?”
“In the flesh.” I guess that confirms both of our identities. Thank fuck. “Where’s Elana?”
“I don’t know, maybe somewhere inside?” She shrugs and gestures at the open front door with her chin.
“You don’t know?” I grit my teeth, my voice low.
“What? I can’t hear you,” Lilly shouts over the music. I don’t bother saying anything else as I walk past her and through the front door. Fuck, this place reeks of sweat and vomit. I don’t remember college parties smelling so bad.
Cause you were too busy fucking to pay attention to the smell. People stop and stare at me as I pass by.
“Can we help you?” A girl emerges from a group by the stairs.
“I’m looking for a girl with long blonde hair,” I tell her, and another girl emerges from that same group, her blonde hair spilling around her bra, the only thing covering her upper half.
“You found her,” she says as she leans against the railing. I guess I’ll have to find Elana myself.
After going through every room on the ground floor, I make my way past the group of people blocking the stairs and climb up.
“Let us know if you need help up there,” another girl shouts from somewhere behind me.
Once I’m upstairs, I’m met with two hallways. One to my left and one to my right, with people littering the floors. I scan the two hallways, deciding to start with the one on the left, bracing myself for what I’m about to be met with behind each door.
After going through four rooms and getting a few curses and middle fingers, I walk back towards the right side of the hallway.
I’m about to open the first door when I hear a familiar voice coming from one of the rooms down the hall.
It’s muffled, but I would recognize that voice anywhere. Her voice.
I freeze in place. What will I see once I’m in there?
I squeeze my eyes shut, banishing the image.
And who are you to deny her the pleasure of someone who actually kisses her?
Someone who isn’t just toying with her, teasing her, only to pull back and leave her high and dry.
Another muffled sound comes out of the room, and then another louder one. My heads spins.
What the fuck is wrong with me? If someone had pulled that shit on me while I was in college, in a room with a girl, I would’ve bitten their head off. Yet, here I am, ever the hypocritical bastard, about to walk in on Elana and whoever is with her in that room.
“No.” Her voice pulls me back. “Don’t come near me.” Clear as day, the desperation in her voice slams through me.
Before I know it, I’m pacing towards the door. I grab the handle and press down. Locked. She’s locked in there.
“We’re a little busy here,” a male voice calls out from behind the door.
I lift my leg, and with one swift kick, I send the door flying open, shards of wood scattering.
“What the fuck?” the man protests as I enter the darkened room, two figures standing in front of each other.
I can make out Elana’s silhouette as she struggles with the bastard who’s stopping her from leaving the room.
White-hot rage washes over me. Without hesitation, I storm over and throw the man, sending him tumbling to the ground.
I turn to face Elana, my eyes already adjusting to the darkness. Her entire body is shaking, her hands wrapping around herself.
“Stay the fuck down.” My voice is hoarse from rage as I bark at the figure scrambling to get up off the ground.
A sob escapes Elana’s lips as she throws herself into my arms, her small hands clutching onto my suit.
“Motherfucker.” The man gets to his feet, the light coming from the hallway illuminating his face, wild with anger and confusion. I know that face. I’ve seen the sorry piece of shit before.
“It seems like ignoring the word ‘no’ runs in the family,” I tell him, ice dripping off my tongue.
“What the fuck are you tal-” His eyes widen as soon as he takes a moment to study my face. Yeah, recognize me now? A sharp breath wheezes its way into his lungs as he straightens his back.
“I’d say your father would be disappointed, but we both know that’s not true.” I take a step towards Frank’s son, glaring at him, ready for him to lunge. But instead of attacking, he raises both hands, palms facing me as he slowly stands.
“You know him?” Elana’s voice comes from somewhere behind me, filled with disbelief.
“This has nothing to do with you, Mr. Morgan.” His words are clipped.
“Oh, it has everything to do with me.” I cock my head to the side.
“Now I know why you broke up with me.” He turns to Elana. “You wanted to fuck a billionaire.” No fucking way. Elana’s ex-boyfriend? “Is that how you got the internship? Spreading your legs for a job?”
That’s enough. With a swift twist, I throw a punch at his nose, putting most of my body weight behind it. My fist connects with a wet crunch, and he falls to the ground with a yell.
“I’ll break more than your nose if you even think of talking to her again.” I keep my voice as calm as I can while I watch him slither on the floor.
Small hands grab my suit and tug me backwards.
“Adrian.” Elana’s voice is small and panicked.
The fucker grunts and struggles to get back on his feet, blood coming out of his broken nose.
“Apologize.” I take Elana’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze as my eyes follow her ex’s movements. His eyes meet mine, wild with anger. “Apologize, Carson,” I repeat myself, finally remembering his name.
“Fuck you,” he spits out.
I click my tongue and release Elana’s hand.
“You’ll find out soon enough that pride is useless in the situation you’re in.
” I take a step towards him, and he backs away cautiously.
“I’ll be pulling my money from your father’s companies first thing tomorrow.
Feel free to explain to him why he’ll go bankrupt. ”
“No.” His eyes rage with anger as he absorbs my words. I raise my brows enough to tell him what I need to hear. “I’m sorry,” he chokes out the words reluctantly.
“I don’t believe you, and neither does Elana.” Elana who has gone frozen beside me, observing with wide eyes. “Try again.”
His eyes travel to Elana. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”