Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

55 Voucher

I pulled over in the driveway of the TRESemmé salon. I was so glad Mr. France had managed to get me an appointment. I didn’t really have much planned for my hair, maybe bangs or some highlights? We would see how it went.

“Well, well, well,” a voice called from behind me as I stepped out of the car. “Look what we have here.”

I ignored the voice and locked the car.

“I see Maddox has finally stopped you from embarrassing him by driving that junk around,” the voice sneered.

I turned slowly. Bella stood there in a shimmering silver mini dress that caught the sunlight like liquid metal. Her lips curled into a sharp smile.

“Is there a problem, Bella?” I asked, keeping my tone even.

“Is there a problem?” she repeated, sauntering closer. Her heels clicked against the pavement. “You are the one causing problems for me.”

“How?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“You’re the reason Maddox is neglecting his duty. His duty to his family and to me-his fiancée,” she spat bitterly, her eyes flashing with pure venom.

“I’m not doing anything-”

“You’re not doing anything you’re not paid to do,” she cut in, her smile tightening. “Let’s not confuse roles.”

I held her gaze. “You seem very pressed for someone who’s so sure of her place.”

That did it.

Her expression flickered-just for a second but I saw it.

“You think this is about you?” she stepped closer, close enough that I could see the tiny crack in her gloss. “You’re temporary.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked quietly.

Her jaw ticked.

“For someone who’s just doing her job, you’re getting very comfortable,” she said, her voice dropping lower. “New car. Trips. Access.”

Her eyes dragged over me slowly, deliberately.

“Careful, Nia. It’s easy to forget where you stand when everything starts feeling… real.”

My fingers curled at my sides, but I didn’t move.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I said.

She leaned in slightly, just enough for her words to brush my ear.

“I know men like Maddox,” she murmured. “And I know exactly how this ends.”

She pulled back, her smile back in place like nothing cracked at all.

Chapter 51

“Nia,” Maddox called out, following me into the kitchen. “Nia.” He repeated.

I didn’t turn. I kept my hands busy, stacking the glasses like they needed my full attention.

“Nia.” Closer this time.

1 exhaled and faced him. “What?”

His eyes moved over my face slowly, like he was checking for something I couldn’t see.

“You ran into Bella.”

This was not a question.

I shrugged lightly. “She talks a lot.”

His jaw tightened. “What did she say?”

“Nothing important.”

Silence. The kind that stretches.

“Look at me,” he said.

I hated that my body listened before my brain could argue.

His gaze locked onto mine, sharp, searching.

“What did she say?” he repeated, quieter this time.

I swallowed. “Why does it matter?”

His brows pulled together slightly, like that wasn’t the answer he expected.

“It matters,” he said. “Because she doesn’t get to-”

“To what?” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended. “Say the truth?”

That landed well. Something flickered in his expression. Gone almost immediately.

“Careful,” he said slowly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And you do?” I shot back. “You think I don’t see what this is?”

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips, then back to my eyes.

“And what is it, Nia?” he asked, voice low.

My grip tightened around the tray. “A contract.”

Another pause. Heavy.

“You’re very good at reminding me of that,” he said.

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten. I looked away first.

“I need to take these out,” I muttered.

His hand shot out, catching my wrist before I could move.

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14:55 Thu, Jul9TM

Chapter 51

Not rough but firm enough to stop me.

“Don’t lie to me,” he said quietly.

My pulse jumped.

“I’m not.” I said, even though we both knew that wasn’t entirely true.

His thumb shifted slightly against my wrist-barely there, but I felt it.

“Lovebirds!” Jasper’s voice cut through the moment.

Maddox let go immediately.

“Oh lovebirds,” I turned toward Jasper’s voice to see both him and Liam standing by the kitchen entrance.

Damn, how didn’t I notice them? My cheeks flushed instantly.

“We’re waiting on the glasses please?” Liam said, smirking.

“We’ll continue later,” Maddox said to me as we headed back to the living room.

“Damn right y’all will,” Jasper said amidst fits of laughter.

Liam whispered something to Maddox, earning him an elbow to his gut. I smiled gently as I watched their little banter.

I just realized that I hadn’t really seen this side of Maddox before, his light-hearted and playful side. He’s always serious, especially with Beck.

“Here you go.” Jasper said as he poured me a glass of whiskey with ice and a serving of pie.

“This tastes amazing Liam,” I said, taking two spoonfuls simultaneously.

“Thank you. I learnt from the best though,” he said as he chugged his whiskey.

“From who?” Jasper asked, confused.

“From me of course,” Maddox said cockily.

“Oh please,” Liam said, and they got into an argument about who was the better cook.

I chatted with Jasper as they continued.

“We have a flight to catch tomorrow,” Maddox said an eternity later.

“I’ll miss Nia,” Liam slurred as he opened his arms for a hug.

“That’s enough Liam,” I bid all three of them goodbye as Maddox singlehandedly herded the drunk Jasper and Liam out of my apartment.

“We’ll continue our conversation tomorrow, Nia,” Maddox said as I shut the door behind him.

14:56 Thu, Jul 9 n