Page 77 of Guarded King

And it’s impossible not to wonder what it was about her that drew Roman in with so much force that he married her. Considering the beautiful women he must be regularly surrounded by, what was it that caught his eye and stole his heart?

With a flip of her long hair, Katherine spins on her heel and sashays away.

When I look back at Roman, he’s watching her go. More little thorns of jealousy prick at my chest.

Jealousy that is so misplaced it isn’t funny.

Ugh. How did I end up in this situation?

With a sigh, I pick up my wineglass and drain it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ROMAN

Anger tightens the muscles at the back of my neck as I glare at Katherine’s retreating form. I have no idea what she said to Chloe, but I doubt it was anything good.

Keeping my anger leashed, I take another couple of questions from the crowd, then gesture to the emcee to wrap things up.

Moments later, I’m striding down the steps from the stage to a round of applause.

I barely notice it. I’m too focused on Chloe, who’s fidgeting with the stem of her wineglass as I approach. Her smile when she looks up at me is stilted but genuine.

“Let’s go.” I refuse to talk about Katherine in the middle of these people, and I’ve done what I came here to do.

With a farewell to the man next to her, she stands and follows me out of the room.

Once we’ve left the ballroom, I pull her into the nearest alcove. “What did Katherine want?” My tone is more abrupt than I mean for it to be, but I don’t bother to temper it.

Her eyes widen. “She just wanted to introduce herself.”

I scoff. “I know my ex-wife. She’s not the friendly type.”

Brow crinkling, she averts her gaze. Quickly, though, she steels herself and faces me again. “She wanted to tell me thatyou’re a workaholic and you put your company first. I told her I already know that.”

I study her, certain she isn’t telling me the full truth.

By the way she keeps her eyes fixed on mine as she raises her chin, it’s clear she won’t reveal anything else. She doesn’t look upset, so I’d like to think that Katherine wasn’t as catty as I expected her to be.

“Okay.” As the word leaves my mouth, her shoulders lower a fraction. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes.” She checks her watch. “If we leave now, we should make it to the airport with plenty of time to spare.”

“Actually,” I say, drawing the word out. “I’ve made a last-minute appointment to meet up with a business acquaintance, so we’re going to stay one more night.”

Her lips part. “We are?”

“Yes, and I’ve already contacted your father to make sure he was okay with it. He said to let you know that Carol is taking good care of him.”

Chloe blinks rapidly, bewildered. “You called mydad?”

“He’s listed on your contact form.”

With a shake of her head, she huffs out a little laugh.

Her response makes my mouth twitch. “What?”

“It’s just… you keep surprising me.”

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