Chapter 17
Fiona POV
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Nolan’s face freezes then he growls in frustration, “You no longer need to be obsessed with Andy. He is married and mated to my daughter now, and all you must do is stay away from him. He is no longer your boyfriend or your concern.”
The sharp tone makes me sigh. I was wrong to think that anyone would trust me, especially him. Andy is now his family, so naturally, Nolan would side with him. Disappointment settles like a weight in my gut, and I can’t help but feel a bit detached. Andy now has someone standing behind him, and I have no one.
No family.
No one to support me.
However, that doesn’t have to stop me from moving forward in my life.
Forcing a smile onto my lips, I turn back to Nolan and tell him exactly what is on my mind.
“I don’t want anything to do with Andy anymore,” I say truthfully. “Honestly, if he never came near me again, I’d be happy. I want him out of my life.”
The atmosphere around us is charged with tension, neither of us speaking. The only sound between us is the music that filters into the room from the main bar area. I’d been through enough today, and as we sit here, staring at each other, I find myself wanting to go home.
“I’d like to leave now,” I announce truthfully, suddenly feeling tired. He has the power to stop me, but Nolan gives no protest. I’m glad about that, too, since I don’t have the energy or power to go against him.
Nolan merely stands and motions toward the door, allowing me to walk first. That is, until he pulls the door open, and the stench of sweat and alcohol pour into the room. Then, Nolan walks out first, the small frown on his face not slipping past my notice.
He leads us through the hallway, and just before we break out into the main room, a man stops in front of us.
“Nolan, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a Kingly man in a bar before,” the man says.
“Very funny, Carl,” Nolan snips. I glance between the two of them, taking in the similar age, build, fine clothes, and powerful air coming off of him. The only difference is that this man looks and sounds much more approachable than Nolan. The slight jest in his tone and the smile are the biggest difference.
He looks to me, smiling widely as he holds out a hand. To be polite, I take his hand and shake it.
“I’m Carl Rena, a friend to this grump,” the man says, jerking a thumb at Nolan. I would’ve guessed that Nolan works too much or is too tightly wound to have friends, but apparently not. “And it seems that our King has just enough free time to come to the bar and spend his time with a beautiful lady. Are you on a date, Nolan?”
My heart jumps and my stomach turns over. Oh, jeez. I can’t have people thinking that Nolan and I are on a date, especially after
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Chapter 17
he warned me so sternly that our relationship is purely professional.
Before Nolan can interject, I step in, “It’s not like that. I’m King Nolan’s secretary and nothing more.”
I put every bit of sternness and seriousness in my voice, so the man doesn’t have any misunderstandings.
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“Right,” he drawls, glancing between the two of us again. I fidget, feeling more nervous than before as his gaze settles on me. “Can I buy you both a drink?”
“No,” I blurt, “Thank you, but I have to get home.” What I don’t say is that I need to be alone. Spending so much time being close to Nolan has fried my brain, and I need to recover. I need a reprieve from him and his intoxicating scent if I’m going to be able to
function properly tomorrow.
Nolan clears his throat, and I nearly jump a foot in the air when his hand rests on my lower back. Nudging me forward, he offers a sincere smile at his friend and says, “Sorry, but I promised I would drive Fiona home since she lives quite a way away.”
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