Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 1848

"Reluctant?" Jonathan arched an eyebrow, a cool edge to his voice.

"No, I’m willing to do that!" Lance's heart skipped a beat as he bobbed his head anxiously.

"Remember, I want a public declaration of love. If I don't hear it, well, you can forget about women and dedicate yourself to men from here on out," Jonathan's tone was flat, but it sent a chill down Lance's spine.

Lance shuddered uncontrollably and instinctively crossed his legs. "I'll go, I'll do it!"

Jonathan towered over him, his gaze commanding. "Do you know the girl chatting with Manley?"

Lance immediately shook his head. "No clue!"

"If you see her again, steer clear. If I catch you both in my sight, I'll be telling your dad to pick out a nice plot for your family's eternal rest," Jonathan said, his voice icy.

Lance's face drained of color.

"Get out!" Jonathan dismissed him with a wave.

Lance, nursing his pain, made for the door, eager to put as much distance between himself and Jonathan as possible. What had he been thinking, trying to cross this man?

As he flung open the door, Charlie stood there, his smile suave. "Make sure you look heartfelt when you confess."

Despite the smile, Lance felt a cold dread. He nodded hurriedly and scampered away.

Charlie stepped inside to find Jonathan on the couch, a cigarette in hand. "Thought you were trying to conceive? Why pick up smoking again?"

Jonathan was feeling stifled, unsure how to vent his frustration. He took a couple of puffs and crushed the cigarette out. Spotting Lance's forgotten phone on the coffee table, he picked it up, snapped it in two, and tossed it aside.

"What did you make you listen to? A recording of Manley and Estelle? What were they doing on the third floor?"

Charlie had arrived in the midst of Jonathan's interrogation of Lance. He hadn't intruded, catching only the gist of their conversation.