Page 108 of Guarded King

Phillip eyes me curiously as he opens the car door for me. “Got a last-minute date?”

“Something like that.”

Once he slides back behind the wheel, he turns to me. “Where are we going, boss?”

I hold my finger up and scroll for a specific contact in my phone.

It rings three times before she answers. “Roman? Is everything okay?”

The clink of cutlery and the low murmur of conversation accompany her words. She’s at a restaurant, not at Ethan’s house, thank fuck.

“Where are you?”

She inhales, the sound sharp. “I’m at dinner. Has something happened?”

“Yes. Tell me where you are, and I’ll pick you up.”

“I’m at Trio’s. But… are you sure it can’t wait? I’m, uh, I’m on a date.”

My blood boils in my veins at that word. Does she think I don’t know?

“No, it can’t wait. Give your apologies to yourdate.I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Before she can argue, I disconnect and tell Phillip to head for Trio’s. I ignore the shit-eating grin on his face when I do.

Fifteen minutes after I end the call, we pull up outside the restaurant. If I thought Chloe would be there waiting for me, I was wrong.

I’m out of the car before Phillip has a chance to open my door.

“Am I waiting?” he calls after me.

“I’ll only be a few minutes.” I stalk into the restaurant, a feeling that’s almost pleasure coursing through me at what I’m about to do.

The maître d’ hurries over, his face a mask of panic. “Mr. King. We weren’t expecting you.”

“I’m just here to pick someone up,” I reassure him without slowing.

I spot Chloe across the room, and at the same time, her eyes widen on me. Ethan turns around to see what she’s looking at, and his face clouds with disappointment. I’ve got nothingagainst the man, except for the fact that he’s sitting across the table from Chloe.

As I approach, she hastily stands, her eyes finding his. “I’m so sorry, Ethan.”

“That’s okay,” he stands as well. “Maybe you can make it up to me some other time,” he says as I reach them.

She opens her mouth, but before she can reply, I butt in. “Chloe will be very busy over the next few weeks. I’m not sure she’ll have any spare time.”

Her mouth snaps shut, and she stares at me, brow furrowed.

I raise an eyebrow, a smile pulling at the corners of my lips. Now that I know she’ll be leaving with me and not good-guy Ethan, the pressure in my chest has eased.

“I’ll explain everything when we get to the office,” I tell her.

She scrutinizes me, her expression full of confusion and maybe a little apprehension.

Can she feel it? The change?

She picks up her purse and slips it over her shoulder. “Thank you, Ethan. I had a great time. While it lasted.” Her eyes slide to me and then back to him. Her smile is far too warm for my liking.

With an arm held out, I gesture for her to lead the way, then give Ethan a curt nod and follow her out.

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