Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Elsa

After she left, Drake took her seat, his broad shoulders and

domineering presence making the space feel suddenly

claustrophobic. I could smell his scent–that familiar mix of

expensive cologne and raw power that made something primal in me

want to either run or submit.

“What’s your game here?” he asked, his voice low. “You know Wilson

can’t afford to develop that mine without our resources.”

“That’s for Aiden to worry about.” I slid my papers into my briefcase

with jerky movements, desperate to escape before I did something

stupid like burst into tears or try to stab him with my pen. “Not me.”

Drake leaned closer, his scent–expensive cologne mixed with

something purely him -invading my senses. “How’s your mother’s

treatment going?”

The question hit like a slap. My fingers froze on the clasp of my

briefcase, and I felt the blood drain from my face. A wave of nausea

hit me so hard I had to swallow twice.

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“That’s none of your business,” I whispered, my voice suddenly weak.

Goddamn him for always knowing exactly where to hit.

“It is when you’re sabotaging business deals that could fund that very

expensive treatment.” His eyes never left mine, pinning me in place

like a butterfly to a board. “The neutralizing agent isn’t getting any

cheaper, Elsa.”

Fucking bastard. He knew exactly where to hit to make it hurt the

most. I snapped my briefcase shut with enough force to make the

table rattle.

Outside the restaurant, I walked briskly toward my car, keys clutched

so tightly in my hand that they dug painfully into my palm. My breath

came in short, angry bursts as I tried to outpace him. Drake followed,

his longer strides easily keeping pace.

“I’ll drive myself back,” he announced, sliding into the passenger seat

of my modest sedan before I could protest.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, standing by the driver’s door, blood rushing to my face. My free hand clenched and unclenched at my side. “Get the fuck out of my car!”

“Get in. We need to talk.” His tone left no room for argument.

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“Use your own damn car!” I slammed my hand against the roof,

welcoming the sting of pain.

“It’s being serviced.” He glanced around my car with obvious distaste,

running a finger along the dashboard and grimacing at the dust.

“Though anything would be better than this piece of junk.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry my poverty offends your delicate sensibilities,” I

snarled, but reluctantly got in, slamming the door hard enough that

the entire car shook. “I’m not your fucking chauffeur.”

“No? Then I suppose you’re not interested in the silver mine project

either.” He raised an eyebrow, his expression smug. “Where else will

you get the money for your mother’s treatment?”

I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, my jaw

clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack. Breathe, Elsa. Just

breathe, you goddamn idiot. Don’t let him see how much he’s getting

to you.

“Kayla,” I called, seeing her approach the car, my voice embarrassingly desperate. “Do you need a ride back to the office?”

Drake’s eyes narrowed, but Kayla, bless her heart, immediately understood my desperation. She gave me a sympathetic look that made me want to crawl under the dashboard.

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