Page 91 of (Un)Expected

“No,” I said, my voice firm and strong. “I have spent too long hiding from Nate and his games. This ends today.”

Adam smiled at me. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

FORTY-ONE

The room dropped about thirty degrees when Nate and his lawyers walked inside. Theo had set up the meeting quickly, wanting to get everything under control before the story leaked. He’d commandeered one of the hotel conference rooms, which seemed like as good a place as any to meet.

The room was bathed in swatches of reds and oranges, giving it a warm and welcoming vibe. Cole, Adam, Theo, and I sat on one side of the table, leaving the other empty for Nate and his team. When they stepped inside, Theo greeted them, leading them to the empty chairs.

I tried to keep my breathing steady, hopeful this would be the last time I’d ever have to be in a room with Nate, but my relaxed demeanor was almost shattered when his smug smile met mine.

Granted, Cole did a real number on his face, making his sneer less menacing. His face was blotted black and blue, one of his eyes almost entirely shut. Nate limped as he joined us, wincing as he lowered himself into the chair.

You would think the ass-kicking would be an essential life lesson,but not for Nate. He still acted like the king of the castle, probably getting off on the fact that he held our fate in his hands.

“Well, well, well,” Nate said. “Looks like the gang’s all here. Alexandria…” He turned to me, his eyes lazily skimming down my front. “I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Don’t talk to her,” Cole growled, his voice low and lethal.

“Oh,” Nate chuckled. “Now I get it. She’s got you wrapped around her finger. Alex has always had a talent for that. Enjoy it while you can, buddy. She’ll be fucking around on you, just like she did me.”

I bit my tongue so hard, it almost bled. I wanted nothing more than to rage at him, to spew insults about his manhood until my voice was hoarse. That was what he wanted, though, so I forced myself to keep quiet until it was time.

Theo shook his head, pushing a folder across the table. “Why don’t we get down to business? This is a generous compensation package to make up for any injuries or issues that might stem from the altercation last night.”

“Altercation?” Nate snapped, ignoring his lawyer’s warning. “This criminal attacked me for no reason!”

Cole started to speak, but I found his hand under the table, giving it a quick squeeze. He was half a minute away from launching across the table and finishing what he started.

I inhaled slowly, trying to steel my nerves. “Nate, can we talk for a minute? Alone?”

“Absolutely fucking not,” Cole snapped as Nate’s lawyers insisted on the same thing in more professional terms.

They’d forgotten how well I knew this man, how much he hated that he had lost control of the situation. Nate’s biggest downfall always was his ego, and I knew exactly how to use it against him.

“Please, Nate.” I forced my voice to break a little. “I just want to talk, to apologize for what I did.”

“You have nothing to apologize to this asshole for,” Cole snapped, dropping my hand and standing abruptly. “I can’t believe you’d dothis shit, Alex. Fuck this.” Without another word, he stormed out of the room, Theo and Adam rushing behind him.

Once I was alone on my side of the table, Nate’s face contorted into a sly smile. “Leave us.”

“Mr. Gibson…”

“Out. Now.”

The moment the door closed behind his lawyers, a familiar dread clawed into my stomach. Being alone with Nate always put me on edge. I was too familiar with how his mind worked—he was already dreaming of ways to punish me, I was sure.

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my hands from shaking. This man didn’t get to see his effect on me, not anymore. Images of Cole flashed through my mind; he gave me strength, even though he couldn’t be with me right now. As soon as this was over, I could get back to him.

Nate smirked at me across the table, arching his brow. “You were saying?”

“That I’m sorry. Last night—things got out of hand.”

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands. “Ah, that’s a good start, Alex, but I need more.”

“More?”

“You leftme,” Nate snarled. “I gave youeverything, Alexandria. Ilovedyou, and that was the thanks I got? You took off to some bum-fuck town in the middle of the night!” His veins protruded from his neck, his usual calm persona long gone. “I was kinder than you deserved. I let you go, and this is how you repay me?”

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