Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 55

Thu, Jul

Chapter 55

Chapter 55

“Leave, Maddox. I want to take a shower,” I muttered, my voice still thick with sleep.

He didn’t argue. The mattress shifted as he stood.

“I’ll grab something to eat,” he said. “I’ll bring you back something.”

“Anything’s fine.”

A pause. “No allergies?”

“No.”

“Alright.”

The door clicked shut behind him. I stayed there for a second, staring at nothing, then dragged myself up.

The bathroom was still exactly how we’d left it.

Too much.

Petals. Candles. That tub.

I turned on the shower instead.

Hot water hit my shoulders, running down my spine, loosening something tight in my chest. I braced a hand against the wall, letting it pour over me longer than necessary.

My gaze drifted. The tub. Still full. Steam curling faintly above it.

I exhaled slowly….why not?

I rinsed off quickly, then stepped out, grabbing a towel just long enough to dry my hands before lowering myself into the

water.

Heat wrapped around me instantly. “God…”

My head tipped back against the edge.

The water hummed softly, bubbles rising and breaking against my skin. The scent-floral, sweet, heavy, clung to the air, sinking into everything.

For once, my mind didn’t fight me.

No Zara. No Mom. No contract. Just warmth and Silence.

I sank a little deeper. My eyes slipped shut.

“Nia.”

The voice felt far away.

Soft.

Distant.

“Mmm…”

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Chapter 55

“Nia.”

Stronger this time. Something touched my shoulder.

I shook as my brows pulled together as I blinked my eyes open slowly.

“Maddox…?”

He was right there. Too close. Kneeling beside the tub. His hand hovered just above the water like he didn’t know whether to touch me again or not.

His chest rose too fast. Eyes locked on mine. Sharp. Searching.

“You weren’t answering,” he said.

His voice was tight.

I blinked again, trying to catch up. “I- I just fell asleep.”

His jaw flexed. A breath left him-hard. His hand dragged through his hair, fingers catching briefly before falling away.

“I knocked.”

Another breath. “You didn’t move.”

Only then did I really look at him. The tension in his shoulders. The way his hand still hadn’t fully steadied.

Oh.

“I’m okay,” I said quickly, sitting up a little. Water shifted around me. “I’m fine.”

His gaze dropped, just for a second, then snapped back up to my face.

“Yeah,” he muttered.

But he didn’t look convinced.

“I came back and you weren’t here,” he said, voice rough.

His gaze flicked over me again-quick, checking. “I knocked. You didn’t answer.”

A breath. Sharp.

“The door was unlocked.” His jaw tightened.

“You weren’t moving.” His chest rose and fell too fast. His fingers shook as he dragged them through his hair.

“I’m okay. I promise I’m fine. I only just fell asleep,” I said quickly. My heart squeezed at the panic still flickering in his eyes.

“I had already imagined the worst,” he breathed. His shoulders dropped with a heavy exhale, but his hand stayed clenched at his side.

“I’m fine,” I repeated, reaching out to grab his hand. His palm felt clammy and cold against mine. “I’m not hurt, okay?”

His hand dragged down his face like he was trying to wipe the image away.

“Don’t do that again.”

It came out low.

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12:57 Thu, Jul9

Chapter 55

Not a joke. Not a command.

Something else.

“Okay,” he responded. Some of the tension bled from his face, but his grip on my hand stayed tight for another second.

I looked down then and realized I was still completely naked in the tub. Heat rushed up my neck. I clenched my thighs together and crossed my arms over my chest instinctively, water sloshing around me.

His gaze flicked away-finally.

“Relax.” he muttered, a little tighter than usual. “I’m not looking.”

A beat.

“Wasn’t planning to.” The familiar cocky Maddox slipped back into place, though his shoulders still carried a faint stiffness. “I was so close to lifting your ass out of that tub.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I said, pointing toward the door. “Leave. I want to come out.”

“You didn’t seem to be bothered just a few minutes ago,” he said, leaning against the door frame. His tall frame nearly touched the top.

I had always known he was tall, but not this tall.

“Maddox?” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Do you want to see me naked or something?”

“Who wouldn’t want to?” he asked, licking his lips slowly.

“I’ll scream if you take any step toward me,” I warned, dead serious.

“Fine,” he said, turning to leave. “Hurry up though. Your food is getting cold.”

He hesitated at the door.

Just for a second.

Like he wanted to say something else.

Then he didn’t.

“Get dressed,” he said instead, and walked out.

I watched him walk away, shaking my head. He could be so annoying sometimes.

I climbed out of the Jacuzzi, dried off with the towel, and tied the robe tightly around myself. I walked back into the bedroom, slipped into my pajamas, and headed downstairs.

“Pajamas by this time?” he asked as I took a seat at the table.

“Allow, please. Rules don’t matter during vacay,” I said, smiling.

He shook his head but slid a plate in front of me. The lobster steak looked divine, glistening with butter and herbs.

“Ooh! This smells amazing,” I said as he handed me the cutlery.

“Wait till you taste it,” he replied with a small smile.

I took a bite. Rich, buttery flavors exploded across my tongue. My eyes fluttered closed for a second.

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“It’s so good, right?” I said with a satisfied nod.

“Thank you very much.” I added once I finished. “I’m so stuffed. I now have a food baby.”

“You’re welcome, Nia,” he said, starting to stand.

“Um. I have a question. Sorry,” I said, stopping him.

“Go ahead,” he replied, sitting back down and turning toward me fully.

“I don’t know how to phrase this…” I said, wriggling my fingers nervously.

“Phrase it any way you can,” he said, eyes steady on mine. “Take your time. Don’t worry.”

“Um…” I paused to clear my throat. “You looked really troubled when I woke up in the tub. It’s not really a normal reaction, from you, not that it should be from anyone. It just worried me a bit that there might be something of a backstory?”

“It’s completely okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m not in any way trying to intrude. I’m just a bit concerned, but if it’s bothersome, I’m so sorry and I promise never to bring it up again,” I finished my rambling.

Maddox stared at the floor for a long moment. His jaw worked silently. When he finally spoke, his voice came out low and rough.

“I found Beck in my father’s bathroom.”

His voice didn’t change but something in it did.

“I was nine.”

A pause.

“He was in the tub.”

Another pause. Longer.

“He wasn’t moving.”

My chest tightened.

“They said it was an accident.”

His jaw clenched.

“I don’t believe that.”

“Um… I don’t even know what to say,” I whispered, still staring at him, My chest felt heavy.

“It’s alright, Nia. You don’t have to say anything,” he said with a sad smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It was a long time ago though. Seeing you that way just triggered the memory.”

“Does he know?” I asked, my voice small.

“He isn’t aware,” he said, standing up. “And make sure it stays that way.”

I watched him walk away, chest aching. I couldn’t believe he had just casually shared that someone had tried to murder Beck

as a baby. He sounded so convinced. Somehow, I believed him too. It almost looked like it had been arranged to seem like an accident.

What kind of monster would knowingly harm a child?

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Chapter 55

My mind flew straight to Zara. I shook my head quickly, as if that could banish the dark thoughts. A fierce wave of protectiveness washed over me. My stomach twisted violently.

No.

That would never be her.

Never.

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