HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 70

Alaric’s POV:

“We got her out, sir. She’s home safe, like you asked.” Trip’s gruff voice sounded out of my phone’s speaker.

I rose to my feet, making my way toward the floor–to–ceiling windows of my penthouse. My hand curled at my side, the other tightening around the phone pressed to my ear.

Fucking hated this.

“Good,” I replied coolly. “Don’t let her out of your fucking sight.”

I started to end the call, but Trip called out again. “Sir, what about Tyler Cross? What happens when he gets back from work and sees his missing girlfriend on the couch or something?”

My lips twitched in annoyance. “Nothing happens. Juniper will want to tell him the entire truth. Let her. It’s about time he knows I have his ex–fiance in my possession. Maybe then he’ll fully understand what he walked into by accepting the promotion.”

And I knew he wasn’t going to quit. Tyler had a lot of debt that kept on piling up. The fucker had also started to gamble to take his mind of the fact that his girl was missing. And now, he was addicted.

And I was paying him well enough for him not to want to leave.

“And what about your wife?” he asked hesitantly. “Does she know her sister is out yet?”

My heart pulsed at the mention of Meadow and I clenched my jaw. “No. Although it won’t be long before

Juniper contacts her.” I lowered my voice, feeling my eyes twitch. “Remind the men stationed at the house. If Meadow leaves that fucking compound from right under their noses, they’ll have me to answer to when I get back. And I’m not in a generous fucking mood.”

“Got it.”

Instead of shoving the phone into my pocket, I opened up the feed for Meadow’s room.

I knew she was going to be in there. In the two days since I left, she had barely left her room except to have some food.

Nova had been at the house for a while yesterday, but apart from that, Meadow was mainly focused on her laptop, preparing for her online classes and doing more research probably.

She was upset with me, I knew that much–Hell, even I was fucking pissed at myself, but apart from that, she was being hard on herself.

And it was all because of me.

But I didn’t say all that to her because I wanted to. I said it because I had to.

Behind me, I heard the ding of the elevator, signaling someone’s arrival.

“Seriously?” An annoyed voice scoffed.

“You’re late,” I stated simply without turning around.

“You’re the one who set up a meeting in fucking Las Vegas, Alaric. This isn’t where we were supposed to meet.”

Slipping my phone into my pocket, I finally turned around, narrowing my gaze at her. “I told you, Clarissa. If you want to meet with me, it has to be on my own terms.”

Clarissa smirked, running a hand through her hair. “Right,” she said flatly. “Or maybe you just didn’t want to risk being seen with me.”

My jaw ticked. “I answer to no one.”

She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she pursed her red lips. “Except Meadow.” She dragged her eyes slowly up my form. “I suppose you’d hate for her to find out the truth.” She stopped in front of me. “Have you released my other niece yet?”

But I would bet anything that Meadow and Yvonne spoke at the party.

The moment Clarissa opened her mouth, I knew that whatever was about to come out was a lie. “Don’t even think about lying to me right now, Clarissa.” I kept my voice low and calm.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I spoke to her. No reason to lie about that.”

I nodded, looking away for a second as I ran my palm across my mouth. “What did you talk about?”

“What?”

I snapped my gaze back to her brown ones. “What did you tell Meadow, Clarissa?”

“Nothing that concerns you, Al-” A gasp tore from her throat as I wrapped my hand around her neck, jerking her toward me.

Her skin was warm and soft, her pulse beating beneath my touch. I had never wanted to NOT feel someone so much in my life.

I bared my teeth. “What. Did. You. Tell. Her?”

Clarissa smirked as her eyes darted to my mouth. She leaned in. “Mmmhm,” she gave a breathy moan.”

Fucking missed you manhandling me like this, baby. We were barely out of teenagehood and yet, you were already a sexy, sexy man.”

I simply tightened my grip. She rolled her eyes, heaving an annoyed sigh. “Relax, Ric. I didn’t tell her you’re the reason her father’s in prison.”