Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

I walked straight to my private locker room, still hoping Nia would just take the damn car. Since the day she first came to check out the condo, I had hated that old Honda of hers. I had wanted to do something about it for a long time, but I never knew how to bring it up without sounding like an asshole.

I was overjoyed when Liam called to tell me her car had finally broken down.

Fucking finally.

The engine was dead. Knowing Nia, she would have found some way to fix it or scrape together money for another one she was too stubborn to ask for help.

Nia is a very meticulous person. She took care of that junk like it was her baby. It was always in the best condition she could manage. So I knew for a fact she would take care of the new one.

“How did it go?” Liam asked the second I stepped in.

I didn’t answer immediately.

I walked past him, tossed my keys onto the bench, then dragged a hand over the back of my neck.

“She took it.”

The words came out quieter than I expected. Relief hit a second later-slow, unfamiliar.

Liam let out a low whistle. “Damn. I didn’t think she would.”

“Yeah… well,” I muttered, glancing toward the window. “She almost didn’t.”

We both looked out just in time to see the Audi roll out of the lot.

Slow.

Too slow.

A huff of laughter left me. “Of course.”

“Bro,” Liam said, shaking his head. “Who drives a car like that at thirty?”

“Nia,” I replied without thinking. “Only Nia.”

He studied me for a second longer than necessary.

“She hates needing people,” he said finally.

I didn’t respond.

Because he was right.

“She’ll take care of it though,” he added. “She’s that type.”

My fingers brushed over the keychain in my pocket.

Yeah.

I knew. It has become a new habit of mine. Who would have thought that I, of all people, would love to fiddle with things? I was surprised by how natural it felt when I started. It wasn’t strange at all.

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Chapter 49

“So y’all are going on a trip,” Liam asked, rising to his feet.

“Yup,” I said, popping the ‘P’ and placing my keys in my pocket.

“A lil trip with bac,” he chuckled while I smiled in response.

“Take care of her okay? Don’t let your feelings make you act like a jerk,” he said, tapping my shoulder lightly before leaving me with my thoughts.

What feelings?

I found myself asking as he left. I don’t think I have feelings for Nia. I really don’t think so.

There’s no way I can have feelings for her. I have a duty to my family. I just need this arrangement to go as smoothly as possible so I can proceed with my engagement to Bella.

My phone rang. It was Beck.

“Maddox,” he said as I picked up. “Dad wants to see us.”

“What could he possibly want?” I asked, irritated.

“I have no idea. I just hope it has nothing to do with Nia,” he said.

“Or Bella. I don’t want to see her,” I replied. “Where?”

“At home. And now,” he said, ending the call.

Home? That place is just a building. It stopped being a home when my mom left.

I walked to my car, got in, and started heading to Kane’s residence. One thing I knew about Father was that he hated being kept waiting.

I pulled over in the driveway and tossed my keys to the valet.

“Sir Maddox,” Adam said, smiling as I got in.

“It’s been a while,” I said as he pulled me into a hug.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m fine. You?” I replied.

“I’m alright. I just wish you’ll come home often,” he said with a sad smile.

“There’s no one to come to,” I replied, shaking my head. “This isn’t home.”

“Oh Maddox, you’ll understand soon,” he said. “Your father is in his study with Beck.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“Soon, Maddox,” he said. “Now go. Your father is waiting.”

I took the stairs up to his study, still trying to understand what he meant.

“Enter,” I heard Father’s voice as I knocked.

“You’re late,” Father said as soon as I stepped in.

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Chapter 49

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He leaned back on his chair behind an almost oversized desk, sipping raw vodka as usual. I dreaded entering this place as a kid because it always meant trouble.

“I came as soon as I got his call,” I said, locking eyes with Beck as I took a seat.

“Let’s get right to business,” he said, gesturing for his lawyer-who I didn’t notice carlier-to come closer.

I felt dread gather at the bottom of my stomach. I didn’t like this one bit. I didn’t know where he was heading with this but i already hated it.

“I’ll be handing over everything I own… to one of you.”

For a second, I thought I heard him wrong. The room went quiet.

Too quiet.

I didn’t look at Beck immediately-but I could feel it. The shift. The tension is pulling tight between us.

“One?” I repeated, before I could stop myself.

Father took another slow sip of his drink, like this was just another conversation.

“I built an empire,” he said calmly. “I don’t intend to watch it get divided and weakened.”

My jaw tightened.

Beside me, Beck shifted forward in his seat. I caught the way his hand curled against the armrest.

He wanted this.

Badly.

“I haven’t decided who deserves it yet,” Father continued. “But I will.”

Silence stretched.

Heavy.

Calculating.

“You’ll both prove it to me.”

There it was.

Not a discussion. Not a request. A challenge.

I leaned back slightly, forcing my expression to stay neutral.

But inside-Something cold settled in my chest.

“Are we done?” I asked.

Father’s lips curved faintly. “For now.”

I stood first. Didn’t wait. Didn’t look back.

Beck followed me out, footsteps sharp behind mine.

The door hadn’t even fully shut when he spoke. “I’m not stepping aside for you.”

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