Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

“That’s different,” I said carefully. “And believe me, it hasn’t been

easy. Drake can be… let’s just say he has a habit of keeping multiple

women in his life at once.” And treating all of them like shit in

different ways.

Susan’s eyes widened with interest rather than alarm. “Really? I’ve

heard rumors, but-”

“Ms. Hale.”

My blood turned to ice at the sound of Drake’s voice behind me. I

hadn’t heard him approach–fucking wolf stealth–but from the

dangerous glint in his golden eyes, I knew he’d heard every word I’d

said.

I froze as Drake’s voice cut through the evening air. Susan’s excited

chatter about her new job opportunity died instantly, her eyes

widening as she looked past me.

“Ms. Hale.” Drake’s voice was deceptively calm, but I could feel the

dangerous undercurrent. “I believe you were saying something about

me?”

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My heart hammered against my ribcage as I slowly turned to face

him. His golden eyes were narrowed, predatory. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I

forced my expression into professional neutrality, shoving down the

panic rising in my throat.

“I was just telling Susan what a… demanding boss you can be,” I said

carefully, keeping my voice level. “Preparing her for the high

standards at Stone Industries.”

Susan quickly stepped forward, her hand catching Drake’s arm in a

gesture that was far too familiar for a new employee. “She was

actually defending you,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I asked if you

had any flaws, and Elsa was struggling to come up with anything.”

Drake’s penetrating gaze didn’t leave my face. “Is that so?” He cocked

his head slightly. “Please, Elsa, enlighten us both. What exactly do

you find… lacking in me?”

The way he emphasized “lacking” made my skin prickle with warning.

Anger flashed through me–how dare he put me on the spot like this?

Luke, who had appeared behind Drake, barely suppressed an amused

smile.

“I’m sure Ms. Hale would be happy to prepare a detailed document

listing all your shortcomings, Drake,” Luke remarked, earning a sharp

glare from his friend.

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I forced a practiced smile, the kind I’d perfected over ten years of

handling Drake’s business associates. “I wouldn’t presume to critique

my employer, Mr. Stone. But if you’d like a comprehensive

performance review, I can certainly arrange that.”

Luke couldn’t hold back his laugh this time, quickly disguising it as a

cough when Drake’s head whipped toward him.

“Elsa was just looking out for me,” Susan interjected, squeezing

Drake’s arm. “She knows how intimidating it can be for a new

employee, especially working directly with someone as… prominent

as you.”

Drake’s jaw tightened, but after a moment, he seemed to accept this

explanation–or at least decide to deal with me later. He placed his

hand over Susan’s where it rested on his arm.

“I’m taking Susan home,” he announced, his eyes still locked with

mine. “We have a few things to discuss about her upcoming position.”

The possessive way he said it made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

A bitter taste filled my mouth. Poor girl had no idea what she was

walking into.

“Of course,” I replied smoothly. “Good night, Mr. Stone. Susan,

congratulations again on your new position.”

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As they walked away, I caught Susan’s excited whisper: “He’s even

more intense up close!”

You have no idea, I thought grimly. The intensity turns to cruelty real

fucking fast.

The night air felt good against my face as I walked toward my car. I

couldn’t help but think about how effortless it seemed for some

women to capture Drake’s attention. Susan had known him for all of

five minutes, and already she was clutching his arm, gazing adoringly

into his eyes. And he was letting her.

Ten years I’d spent by his side, and I’d never been afforded that

luxury. Even when we were alone, even when we were intimate, there

was always a wall between us–a barrier he maintained with ruthless

efficiency.

What a fucking joke. I kicked a pebble across the parking lot, wishing

it was Drake’s smug face.

My phone buzzed with a text from Drake:

Return to the apartment. Need to pay utilities before maintenance

office closes.

I sighed heavily. “Goddamnit,” I muttered aloud. His black card was

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still in my purse from the shopping excursion earlier. As his

“assistant,” I was responsible for handling such mundane tasks.