Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3284

The gathering finally broke up around eleven o'clock. Adrian had thrown back quite a few drinks, but he stubbornly anchored himself to the couch, refusing to leave until he saw Gonzalez walk out the door first.

Sara rolled her eyes, grabbing his arm and hauling him toward the exit. "What are you dragging your feet for? Everyone is exhausted. Do we all have to wait on you?"

Adrian glared at her with icy hostility. "Let go of me!"

"Not a chance!" Sara's grip on his wrist was like a vice. She glanced back over her shoulder. "We're heading out, Norah. Goodnight!"

With that, she practically dragged the protesting Adrian out into the hallway.

Adrian seethed. "Keep your hands to yourself, Sara. Let me go!"

Sara shot him a look of pure disgust. "Are you a Victorian gentleman time-traveling from centuries ago? I touched your arm, so what? Do I need to formally ask for your hand in marriage now?"

Adrian's face flushed an angry, bruised purple. He ground his teeth, utterly speechless.

Julia stifled a laugh, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle. She leaned in and whispered to Khloe, "Besides Norah, Sara is the only one who can ever put our boss in his place!"

Khloe offered a stiff, polite smile. Her eyes tracked Sara's tight grip on Adrian's wrist, a flicker of dark resentment flashing through her gaze.

The group piled into the elevator and headed down. Gonzalez lingered at the door to say goodbye to Norah. He paused, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you want to come over and see Circe? She... she really misses you."

Norah wanted to say no, but her heart ached at the thought of the little cat. She told herself she would just peek in for a second and come right back.

*

In the apartment next door, Circe had been fast asleep. At the sound of the door opening, she lifted her head. Spotting Norah, she instantly perked up, shaking off her drowsiness to trot eagerly toward her.

Norah bent down and scooped the cat into her arms, her eyes curving into bright, lively crescents as she laughed.

Gonzalez stood by, watching Circe shamelessly rub against Norah's chest, licking her neck and chin. His gaze darkened, thoroughly consumed by an irrational, searing jealousy.

*That was his territory.*

"Play with Circe for a bit. I'll make you some coffee to sober you up, or you'll wake up with a headache tomorrow," Gonzalez offered.

"I don't need it!"

Norah's heart gave a violent, traitorous thump. She quickly masked it with a scoff. "And she didn't call you crazy?"

"Why would she do that?"

Norah let out a mocking laugh. "Coveting your own niece? Doesn't that deserve to be called out?"

Gonzalez's face darkened, his tone absolute. "Norah, I'll say this one more time. We have zero blood ties. Our families are just close friends. We aren't related in any way, shape, or form!"

"It's still impossible!" she stated, her soft face set in stubborn defiance as she enunciated every word.

His predatory gaze grew even darker. "Norah, I'm seriously starting to wonder if you're doing this just to punish me."

Confusion flickered in her eyes. "Punish you for what? Even if I don't have feelings for you, it's not like I hold a grudge. We don't have any emotional history, so there's no reason for hatred."

The phrase *'we don't have any emotional history'* felt like a knife to his chest. His grip on her arm tightened involuntarily. "Maybe you don't feel anything for me right now, but I do for you. Deeply. You're the only woman I'll ever marry."

Shocked by the dominant, unyielding vow, Norah violently yanked her arm free. She took a step back, pointing a threatening finger at him. "I'm going to Grandpa Hanson tomorrow and telling him everything!"