Page 59 of Beast

The moment I stand and his hand drops from my thigh, I grieve the loss of his warm touch. An ache igniting in my chest. But it doesn’t matter. He bought me. I can’t stay of my own free will, not after everything.

I turn and look back at Gaston, my heart pounding in my chest. This is what I wanted, isn’t it? To be free from his control, to return to my old life. So why does the thought of leaving him behind fill me with such sadness?

Gazing into his stormy gray eyes, I see a raw vulnerability that catches me off guard. The usual confident, domineering facade has crumbled, revealing the man beneath—a man who cares for me.

“Thank you for letting me go,” I murmur, my voice thick with emotion.

Gaston remains silent, his expression unreadable, but I can sense the turmoil raging within him. I want to reach out, to comfort him, but I can’t. This is the moment I’ve been longing for, the chance to reclaim my freedom.

Turning away, I force myself to walk toward Alice, my steps heavy with indecision. I can feel Gaston’s eyes burning into my back, willing me to stay. But I know I have to go for my own sanity.

When I reach Alice, she wraps me in a tight hug, her relief palpable. “Oh, Blake, I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispers.

I nod, my gaze drifting back to Gaston. He stands there, unmoving, his hands clenched at his sides. I want to run to him, to throw myself into his arms and beg him to come with me. But I know that’s not possible, not after everything that’s happened. Instead, I get into the elevator and ride it down to the bottom with Alice and Taren, wondering why the hell he’s here. The man who ‘trained’ us.

When we get to the sidewalk outside of Elysium, we’re stopped by a chauffeur. “Mr. Marques has arranged for me to take you to the airport.”

“Why?” Taren asks.

The chauffeur’s jaw clenches. “Mr. Marques doesn’t explain himself to me.”

“Because I’m coming with you,” a deep, velvet voice speaks. A voice that sends heat through me. A part of me relived to hear it, and another part horrified.

Taren turns to Gaston. “What the fuck?”

I step closer to him. “What do you mean you’re coming? I thought you said?—”

“I’ll win you over back in your country. Where you feel most comfortable.” There’s a flicker of darkness in his eyes. “I love a challenge, as you know, baby girl.” He tilts his head. “Not to mention, you look pretty torn over parting with me anyway.”

Alice shakes her head. “She’s upset because of the trauma you put her through!”

Gaston ignores her. “Is that what she said?”

“She doesn’t need to,” Alice says.

“You coming wasn’t the deal,” Taren points out.

Gaston smirks. “I didn’t make any deal. I merely said Blake is free to go, and she is, but I’m going too.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I growl.

His smirk widens. “I know.” And then he gets into the back of the limo, looking at us expectantly.

Alice shakes her head. “Can’t we ignore him and go in a taxi?”

Gaston clears his throat. “Do it. I dare you. See what happens.”

“You better not be threatening my girl,” Taren growls.

Gaston’s smirk grows and around people, I see that darkness resurfacing. “I knew you had a thing for the gringa when I was looking at them. I must admit, I was tempted to mess with you and but her.” He shrugs. “But I couldn’t resist my beautiful angel. Get in,” Gaston demands.

We all exchange glances before reluctantly getting into the car with him. I try to sit as far away from him as possible, but he grabs my wrist and forces me next to him. He firmly grips my thigh. “Don’t worry, beautiful. I had no intention of really letting you go. You’re too damn addictive.”

“And you’re a cocky asshole,” I reply.

“A cocky asshole who owns you.” Gaston’s grip tightens on my thigh.

I swallow hard, not breaking his gaze. “I don’t belong to anyone since you just let me go.”

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