Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

I’ve been avoiding Nia these last few days. Cowardly of me. I’m very much aware. But I can’t face her, at least not yet.

Not until I’ve come to terms with exactly why she makes me feel the way she does. She’s breaking through my walls gradually and I hate it so much.

Nia the nerd, the book worm, little miss goody two shoes. Nia; bullied. It’s unfortunate I made her life hell. I still am, making things even more difficult for her.

I’ve been avoiding her because I’m ashamed of the stupid actions I did in the past. I’m appalled each time look back on my life as a high school student. I wish there was a way for me to take it all back. I’m no saint but I wish I was better. Things. would have been significantly easier for her.

“Nia” I whispered gently to myself.

I wonder what she’s doing at the moment.

Wait, today is Friday. She’ll be meeting with Father.

I checked the time again. A few minutes past seven. She was already there. A tight feeling settled in my chest.

Fuck.

There was no way to pull her out now. Not once he had her in front of him. Not once he decided to look at her.

My phone rang, slicing through my thoughts.

Beck.

“What?” I answered, already on edge.

“Is Nia with you?”

I stilled. “What?”

“I said…is Nia with you?”

My grip tightened around the phone. “Why the hell would she be with me? What’s going on?”

A pause. Then, “I went with her to see Dad.”

Something cold slid down my spine. “You what?”

“I accompanied her,” he continued quickly. “Dad was… he was worse than usual. He went in on her. She got upset and left before dinner even started. I tried to fix it-I got food and went to the condo, but security said she stepped out.”

I was already on my feet.

“You took her there?” My voice dropped, sharp. “Without calling me first?”

“I thought I could handle it-”

“That’s not something you handle, Beck.” I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing now. “That’s him.”

The Silence but then it was quieter, “She wasn’t okay, Maddox.”

That hit. Hard.

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I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to focus. “Did she

“No. Security said she left dressed for a night out.”

A bitter laugh slipped out. “A night out?”

home?”

“She’s probably at a club,” he added. “Maddox… Nia doesn’t do that. Not like this.”

Yeah. I knew. Which meant something had pushed her there. Something or someone.

“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. My head was already spinning through possibilities, none of them good.

“I’m going to look for her,” Beck said quickly.

“No.” My tone came out immediately. Final. “Go home.”

A beat from my heart,. “Are you sure?”

“I’ll handle it.”

“You don’t even know where she-”

“I said I’ll handle it, Beck.”

I ended the call before he could argue. For a second, I just stood there, phone still in my hand, jaw tight.

She went to him. Without telling me. And took Beck with her. My chest burned with something I didn’t want to name. I was angry and worried at the same time, or maybe worse.

I exhaled sharply and dialed my PI.

“Mr Kane” he answered upon the first ring,

“Find Nia Page immediately,” I said,

“Of course,” he replied, dropping the call.

After sleeping at the condo every night for weeks, the one night I’m not there, Nia decides to go rogue.

What the hell happened at that dinner with Father?

I paced around the living room, running a hand through my hair before heading into my walk-in closet. I didn’t think too much about what I wore, just grabbed black Levi jeans, a black T-shirt, boots, and a black face cap. Leather jacket on, and I was out the door.

My phone buzzed as I stepped outside.

A message from the PI.

Just coordinates. No words.

I punched the location into my car and sped off.

I’ve worked with him for a while now. I don’t know who he is, never seen his face but he gets the job done. Always accurate. Always fast.

That’s all I need.

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I pulled up in front of a black building a few minutes later. A line of people stretched outside, waiting to get in. Even from the car, I could feel the bass vibrating through the walls.

“Decadence” glowed boldly above the entrance.

A private strip club. Of course it is. No camera of any sort is allowed here.

I stared at the sign for a second, jaw tightening. What the hell is Nia doing here?

I stepped out of the truck, adjusting my jacket as I walked toward the entrance.

“Mr. Kane,” the security guard greeted me immediately, pulling the door open for me.

The smell of smoke, alcohol and sweat hit me as soon as I stepped in. Neon lights flashing haphazardly, the music so loud the floor was vibrating. Scantily dressed women twirling on the pole as horny people whistled and threw money at them

I had barely taken three steps in when one of the floor security guys near the bar leaned into his mic, his eyes flicking

toward me.

Yeah. Word travels fast in places like this. I kept my head down, adjusting my cap slightly as I moved through the crowd.

“Maddox.”

I looked up. Tim was already making his way toward me from the far end of the room, cutting through people like they weren’t even there. Same white suit. Same stupid hat.

Guy never changed. He reached me and pulled me into a quick one-armed hug.

“Couldn’t just walk in quietly, huh?” he said with a grin.

I huffed lightly. “Wasn’t planning on being noticed.”

“Not really possible here,” he replied, giving me a once-over. “My guys clocked you the second you stepped in.”

Of course they did.

“How have you been?” he asked.

“Good,” I said shortly, already scanning past him again. “Listen-I’m looking for someone.”

His expression shifted just a little. Not surprised. Just… knowing.

“Thought so,” he said.

My gaze snapped back to him. “Where is she?”

He studied me for half a second, then nodded. “Relax. She’s upstairs. I’ve got eyes on her.”

My shoulders eased but only slightly.

“No one’s touched her,” he added, lowering his voice. “I made sure of that.”

“Good,” I muttered.

He smirked. “Didn’t take you for the protective type.”

I didn’t respond.

“Come,” he said, turning toward the back. “VIP.”

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Chapter 40

My breath caught the second the door swung open. For a moment, I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Nia stood in the middle of the room like she belonged there.

Red.

That was the first thing that hit me. A backless romper, too short, barely covering anything. The fabric clung to her, dipped low at her spine, her skin exposed under the dim lights. Her hair fell down her back in loose waves, brushing against bare skin as she moved.

And she was moving. Slow. Careless. Like she didn’t have a single worry in the world. I blinked once. Twice./

What the hell…That wasn’t the Nia I knew.

“Nia,” I called, my voice rough, barely cutting through the music. “Nia.”

She turned slightly, her movements slower than usual, her eyes unfocused.

“Maddox?” she slurred, frowning. “Leave me alone.”

My jaw tightened.

I crossed the distance in a few quick steps and grabbed the glass from her hand before she could take another sip.

“What the hell are you doing?” I said, my voice low but sharp. “We’re leaving.”

She swayed a little when I took the drink, her balance off.

“Nia-”

“Maddox is here-yay!” a voice chirped behind me.

I turned, irritation already rising.

Mr. Hale’s assistant.

“What the hell were you thinking bringing her here?” I snapped, my voice cutting through the noise.

“She came on her own. Willingly, I might add,” one of the nurses said, giggling.

My gaze flicked around the room.And that’s when I saw it. Every pair of eyes on her. Men leaning back in their seats. watching. Some are not even bothering to hide it. One guy had a drink halfway to his lips, completely frozen, staring at her like she was something to consume.

My jaw tightened. “Party’s over,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Everyone’s going home.”

“You’re being a party pooper, Maddox,” Nia pouted.

I stepped closer to her, lowering my voice. “Let’s go, Nia. This isn’t you.”

“Dance with me,” she said instead, slipping her hands around my neck like she didn’t hear a word I said.

My body went still. Heat spread through me instantly, sharp and unwelcome.

“Please, Maddox,” she whispered, her voice soft, her eyes locking onto mine. Usually bright, now heavy… unfocused.

She leaned into me, her weight uneven. I could smell the whiskey on her breath. Behind her, someone chuckled. Another voice muttered something under their breath. I didn’t need to hear it. I already knew. My hand flexed at my side.

“Nia…” I warned quietly, my gaze lifting briefly, just enough to catch another man staring.

14:53 Thu, Jul 9 TMJ