Page 105 of Unleashed

“I’m not. Maybe that’s why I didn’t get the promotion.”

Slade sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes. “Maybe they thought Thomas was more qualified.”

“To do what? Sit around clueless? Everyone knows he was incompetent.”

“Morgan,” Slade’s voice was strained. “It’s in the past. We’re engaged now. Can we move on?”

I hesitated. “Can I think about lunch?”

“What’s to think about?” His temper flared. “I don’t give your parents a hard time.”

“My parents don’t dislike you.”

“My father doesn’t dislike you either!” he snapped, his voice rising. “Are you trying to start something?”

I recoiled. “No, Slade, I’m not.”

“Then maybe you should go home before we say something we regret.”

“Fine.” My voice was cold, my heart pounding as I grabbed my things and left without another word.

CHAPTER 21

As I stepped into my apartment building, my mind raced with thoughts of Michael. The last thing I expected was to hear my name, spoken in a low, familiar whisper behind me.

“Miss Kincaid.”

I turned sharply, my heart freezing in my chest.

Michael stood there, alive, as if the last few months had never happened. His hair was shaggy, his beard thicker than before, but it was unmistakably him.

“I must be seeing a ghost.”

His lips curved into a wry smile. “I assure you, I’m very much alive.”

Without hesitation, I jammed the key into the lock, twisting the knob, desperate to close out the figure looming behind me. Before I could, Michael surged forward, shoving me into the apartment. The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding thud.

My heart raced, fear creeping in. I wiped a bead of sweat from my upper lip.

“Get out!” I snapped, backing away. “You can’t just disappear and waltz back in like nothing happened! What you did was—fraudulent.” My voice wavered, but I held my ground.

Michael’s ice-blue eyes drilled into mine, cold and searching. His gaze burned into me until I had to look away, but his hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcing my face back toward his.

"It wasn’t fraudulent if I didn’t remember," he said, his voice low and steady.

“Huh?” I blinked, confused.

“You’re still as beautiful as I remember. But I see I’ve got you tongue-tied,” he added, the corner of his mouth curling.

I jerked my head out of his grip, retreating further into the kitchen. My hand flew up to stop him as he followed, the large emerald-cut diamond on my finger catching the light. His eyes landed on it, darkening as he grabbed my hand, inspecting the ring with a frown.

“I see I’ve lost you,” he muttered.

“You never had me.” I yanked my hand back and stalked toward the counter.

I expected him to argue, to push, but the Michael I knew wouldn’t give in that easily. I grabbed a bottle of wine, uncorked it with a pop, and took a long gulp, hoping it would steady my nerves.

His gaze never wavered. “I see I’ve upset you,” he remarked with a mocking tilt of his head.

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