Hidden Claws: A Dark Romance Novel by MT Addams

Author:MT Addams [Addams, MT]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wet Ink Publishing House, LLC
Published: 2023-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jasmine

Pressing the cool glass of scotch against my forehead as I prop my elbows on the desk helps ease the pounding behind my eyes. Talking to Beastie this afternoon during our walk had been an eye-opener. Seeing his reaction confirms my suspicions. He’d been innocent. His life was uprooted in the span of a few hours. The way the color leached out of his face and his hands trembled, made me want to pull him close.

His family betrayed him, as did mine. And while we were in much different positions, we both suffered.

But while watching him hurt had been difficult, watching the relief blossom on his face had been worth bringing up the conversation. Even now as I suffer through flashbacks, my breakthrough with Beastie has been worth it. I get butterflies in my stomach even now as I think back to how those hazel eyes had brightened with hope.

A shiver works its way down my spine. Maybe it isn’t just his emotional response that has my body still reacting.

Beastie is quite a handsome young man. With all that self-loathing and bitterness gone, it was like staring into the sun. His grooming certainly helped, but I’d always assumed…

The phone on the desk rings. With a sigh, I place my glass down and answer it.

“Ma’am, Mr. Nicolas Monroe is here to speak with you.”

It feels like someone has yanked the chair out from under me. My hands slam down on the desk to brace myself and I choke on air. Nicolas is here? Why? What for? Given that it’s nearly nine o’clock at night, this isn’t a social call.

My stomach twists and bile threatens to crawl up my throat. Whatever he wants, it can’t be good. Having been best friends with Michael, I saw him a lot. And he saw me and liked what he saw. Desired what Michael had. Coveted what wasn’t his. I can still feel his hands on my back, sliding down toward my butt then down between… No. I won’t go there. I won’t replay those nights. It’s over. Now I’m in control.

“Bring him in. I’m in my office.”

“Right away, ma’am.”

I hang up slowly. Mentally, I brace myself.

By the time my security opens the door and leads Nicolas into the room, there’s no fear or anger present. I don’t stand as he approaches the door. Rather than acknowledge the man right away, I look around him and give my security guard a nod. He returns the gesture and shuts the door. It gives me a small comfort knowing he’ll be close by. Not that I’ll need him. No, Nicolas is much too refined to jeopardize his standing in the community by doing anything to me now.

Once the door shuts, I give Nicolas my attention. Dressed in a simple button up and khakis, he’s the epitome of a rich, middle-aged white man. Though he lacks the beer belly most men his age are sporting, his hair is styled minimally, his tanned skin is now sporting a few

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