Page 38 of Forbidden Want

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, unhooking her hands while nodding at Niall.

The lieutenant came over to put an arm around her.

“What?” she asked as Niall led her toward the curtain. “What’s going on?”

The office door opened and a parade of beautiful women came in, accompanied by a bunch of Connel’s guys.

That was his meeting? A harem?

“You stay upstairs tonight,” Niall said. “We’ll put a guy on the stairs.”

So she couldn’t go down or the women couldn’t get up? “Wasn’t he expecting me back?” she asked. “He told me he—”

“Plans change,” he said, pushing her toward the bedroom. “He’s not kicking you out.”

He walked away.

“And I’m supposed to be grateful for that?” she called after him but got no response.

Feminine laughter carried up to her. Bed. Did she want to sleep there?

They weren’t a thing, hadn’t spoken about fidelity and commitment. Still, being in his bed when there was a chance of him bringing another woman to it… Wouldn’t be the first time. This time there were other guys involved too.

Yeah, probably best to pass.

Except… did she want to travel back to hers? Strat was probably on his way home and the Manzanis could be out for revenge. Clearly, from what he’d said to her in the hospital, Evander knew about her dalliance with Connel.

Tired and trying to be smart, it seemed rude to overstay her welcome.

Purse in hand, she exited via the balcony to descend the spiral stairs with no intention of marching through the office like the offended girlfriend.

The security guy turned before she got to the bottom. He didn’t unhook the rope, just shook his head.

“You’re to stay upstairs.”

“I’m going home,” she said, pointing past him. “Not to party or cause a scene, home.”

He shook his head again. “Don’t want this ugly, do you?”

Stunned, the question physically hit her. “I don’t want this ugly? Are you kidding me?”

“Just go upstairs and play nice,” he almost pleaded. “The boss doesn’t want you out here.”

“Doesn’t he?”

And with his gaggle of gorgeous women and his party boys, he would probably just love her to make a spectacle of herself.

No.

Turning around, she went back up the stairs. She wouldn’t fuss. Wouldn’t shout. Not until he told her what the hell was going on.

Though, if he tried to bring anyone to their bed later, she’d scream until the roof caved in.

He didn’t want her out there? But he didn’t want her for himself either. And people said women were complicated.

SIXTEEN

THE PARTY WENT on most of the night. Until she fell asleep anyway. Singing, laughing, chattering, there could’ve been fifty people down there. That didn’t save anyone from the mood turning salacious. Some sounds definitely came from the playroom…

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