Page 66 of Lethal Infatuation

"Yes." We were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Of course, the culprit was Ares.

"Do the two of you need a room?" He smiled widely, but Amala managed to wipe that smile off his face in no time.

"If you're feeling lonely just say that, but don't deprive other people of clearly sharing a wholesome moment together."

He grimaced, gripping his glass tightly. "Do you ever stay quiet or must you always fill the air with useless, nonsensical thoughts?"

Before the argument could escalate, I intervened, stepping forward and placing my hand on Ares' shoulder. "I think we need some fresh air, don't you agree?" I asked sternly.

He slowly turned to look at me. "Yeah, I agree."

"I'll be right back for that drink." I smiled at Gabriella to which she reciprocated the action. "Wait for me."

Unfortunately, she didn't wait for me. Gabriella was currently elsewhere, talking to the same man I saw her with outside of her office building. I clenched my jaw, walking closer to her with slow, purposeful steps.

I loosened the buttons of my jacket as I approached them. "Gabriella," I said lowly, and I watched her face fall. "Are you done?"

The man looked at me, but I wasn't paying attention to him. "We were still talking," he said sarcastically.

I turned to look at him and that's when she stepped forward. "I'm done. We're done," she said quickly, but it was too late.

"What the fuck did you just say?" I asked the man. Gabriella's eyes widened and so did his. I could sense his nervousness. My blood boiled at this point and I was itching to punch him in the damn throat.

"I-I'm sorry, man. It was a joke." She grabbed onto my arm, but I easily stepped past her, standing toe to toe with the audacious bastard.

"A joke?" I looked down at him, clenching my fists. "I didn't know we had a comedian in the building tonight." He stammered backwards. "Would it still be a joke if I fucked you up in front of everyone in this vicinity?"

"Nicolas," Gabriella warned. "Please don't do this, not here."

I kept my gaze on him, glaring. I was conflicted, torn between wanting to ensure I didn't upset her, but also tempted to break this man's jaw.

"I'll tell you this once andonlyonce. Stay the fuck away from her. Next time, nobody will save you." He scurried away, walking faster than I've ever seen possible.

"What is wrong with you?" Gabriella whispered. She pulled me to a far corner, away from listening ears. "Why would you behave like that?"

I was tempted to wrap my hand around her throat, but refrained. "This is the second time I've seen you with him, that’s twice too many. Does he think he stands a chance?"

"No, he's just an acquaintance."

"Oh, just an acquaintance. Is that supposed to reassure me?" She pursed her lips, folding her arms across her chest. "Aside from that, he decided to make a joke with me, as if we're old friends."

She looked away, furrowing her eyebrows, so I grabbed a hold of her chin. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you, Gabriella."

"This is an important event, Nicolas, but you clearly don't care about that. You don't care about me or the people you work with because these are your colleagues."

I squeezed her face with a little more force, making her gasp. "The fact that you'd even insinuate that I don't care about you is really insulting." I stepped closer. "You're so lucky we're in public right now, because if we weren't, I'd bend you over my knee."

She glared at me, her chest heaving slightly. "That fire in your eyes, hold onto it for now because I'm going to extinguish those flames and then feed it again. It'll be an endless cycle for you and I, because I want you to realise that you are mine. Forever."

"You seriously infuriate me. You know just how to get under my skin," she spat.

"That may be the case, but you love it, don't you?" I leaned forward. "Admit it. Say you love it."

She shook her head, making me chuckle darkly. "That's okay, I'll have you repeating it like your personal hymn by the end of the night."

TWENTY SIX

Gabriella was being a stubborn, teasing little brat. She avoided me after our last conversation. She was trying to ignore me, but wasn't doing a very good job at it.

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