Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“What do you mean I have to stay in the condo?” Nia spat, eyes flashing with pure fury. “You are not my dad or my boss. There is no way you expect me to sleep there just because you said so.”

“You do not seem to understand what I am saying.” I tried again, keeping my voice low. “It is for your safety. The paparazzi are following me everywhere. If they are on me, they are on you too. It is not safe. We cannot afford another scandal right now.”

She stared at me for a long second, lips pressed tight. Then she turned on her heel, walked into the physio suite, and slammed the door behind her. The sound echoed down the hallway.

I stood there, jaw clenched so hard it hurt. What exactly was her problem? I was trying to keep her safe. Trying to keep both of us out of the fire. Yet she acted like I was the enemy. Like a rebellious teenager who refused to listen even when the house was burning down around her.

Nia would stay at the condo tonight. Whether she liked it or not. In fact, she would keep staying there until this whole Bella mess was cleaned up. One wrong photo leaking out would wipe away all the work we had done these past weeks. I could not let that happen.

I thought she had learned by now how vicious the media could be. They waited like wolves for one moment of weakness. One small crack. Then they tore a person apart and reduced their entire life to a single ugly headline.

I kept staring at the closed door. Part of me wanted to push it open and make her listen. The smarter part told me to leave her alone for now. I turned and walked away.

“Are you planning on standing there until your eyes bore holes in the metal door?” a voice called behind me.

I turned. Jasper hobbled toward me on crutches, still wearing the cast on his leg. He wore a big grin despite the pain that showed in his eyes with every step.

“I am just about to leave.” I said gruffly.

“Uh huh? Does not look like that to me. It is so obvious you made your Mrs upset.” He chuckled sheepishly when I glared at him. “Just kidding.”

“What are you doing here anyway?” I asked, walking away from him.

“I came for physio, man. I just started my rehabilitation. Do not worry, I will tell Dr. Page to forgive you when I get in there. okay?” He smirked.

“Fuck you, man.”

I headed toward my private locker room with his mocking laughter following me down the hall. Bastard.

I pulled my phone out and sent her a text.

“Come by my apartment tonight when you are done with work. We need to have a meeting to plan our next line of actions.”

I read it a couple of times to make sure it sounded okay before hitting send. Nia paid attention to every detail. She was that kind of person. I needed the message to be clear and reasonable,

I would have my assistant review the full itinerary for the next month. I needed to know every event we had been invited to and who was hosting. We also needed to start building a couples content calendar. Nia and I had to push the couple’s narrative hard enough for people to actually believe it.

I exhaled slowly and sat down on the bench. What the hell was I going to do? I was in a major bind. I did not know how to handle Bella or my father

Chapter 24

Bella I thought I could manage, but she had become impossible lately. I still was not used to her little games of posting old photos with those annoying captions. Then she raised the stakes by showing up unannounced at the arena and causing a

scene.

My father, on the other hand, kept pushing harder for me to sign the engagement contract draft. That document was not romantic. It was a business merger dressed up as love. A calculated move. My father never did anything without a plan. f worried about his next step. He would do whatever it took to make sure I signed.

I just hoped he did not come after Nia. Because I knew deep down I might not be able to protect her if he did.

I changed into my hockey gear and headed to the rink for practice. Coach pushed us hard today. Every drill felt like punishment. My body ached by the time we finished. Sweat dripped down my back. My muscles burned. But I kept going. Everyone dreamed of making it through the playoffs. I could not let the team down.

After practice I took a quick shower, grabbed my duffel bag, and walked to my truck. I needed to get home and prepare a few things before Nia came over.

The shrill ring of my doorbell cut through the quiet when I finally got back. I opened the door.

Nia stood there in a matching pink Juicy sweatsuit, she looked soft. Comfortable. Untouchable with her medicated glasses sitting on her nose. Her wavy chocolate brown hair hung loose on her shoulders, still damp from her shower. It was a rare sight. She usually kept it in a tight ponytail. The wet strands framed her face and made her look softer. Sexier. Dangerous in a way that hit me low in the gut.

“Are you going to let me in or make me stand out here in the night chill?” she sassed, crossing her arms.

“Sorry.” I opened the door wider. She walked past me and dropped onto the couch, legs crossed.

“Care for something to drink?” I asked as I poured myself a whiskey.

“How generous,” she said, sarcasm thick in her voice. “Get to it, Maddox. I need my beauty sleep.”

I tossed the file gently onto the table in front of her. “I got tired of last-minute plans. I made a list of our itinerary for the next two months. Put it in your calendar and make sure you are available for everything. Photo shoots and content are included too. Go through it. I cannot afford any mistakes.”

“Any other demands?” She stood up, eyes hard.

“About yesterday… “I exhaled slowly. “You scared the shit out of me, Nia.”

She blinked at me like she had not expected that response.

“I did not realize how bad it got for you until Beck told me you threw up in the garden.” My jaw tightened. “I scheduled an appointment with a therapist. Just one session for now. You do not have to go if you really do not want to, but…” I paused. “I do not want to see you like that again.”

I set my glass down, stepped closer. She backed up until the back of her legs hit the couch. I grabbed her chin firmly and lifted her face to mine. My thumb brushed across her lower lip. The gloss stuck to my skin. Citrus and cherry. The same scent from that night on the ice.

Her breathing slowed for half a second. Mine did too.

Fuck.

Would she still taste like that?

She swatted my hand away, snatched the file, and walked out without a goodbye. The door clicked shut behind her.

I rubbed my fingers together. The gloss still felt sticky. My phone beeped on the table. I glanced at the screen. Beck’s name

14:36 Tue, Jul

Chapter 24

flashed across the screen.

My chest tightened instantly.

One unread message.

You home safe?

KITA

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