I Told You To Run But You Didn't (Georgia) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

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Finished

Georgia’s POV

After the last bite of the incredible chocolate lava cake,stevan pushed his plate away and immediately pulled out his phone.

The brief, almost normal interlude was over. Business resumed. I watched as he dialed, his expression hardening back into the familiar mask of command.

“Harvey,” he said, his voice clipped, impatient. “Status update.”

He listened for a moment, his jaw tightening. “Twelve men still critical? Damn it. Increase security protocols at all facilities, level four. I want eyes on every shadow.” Another pause. “No, no sign of Sinclair yet, but keep the pressure on. Use whatever resources you need.”

He ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of frustration “Right, something else. The restaurant we’re currently in – Le Ciel Étoilé. I just bought it. Wire transfer the funds immediately, use the holding account alpha-seven.” He listened again. “Yes, the whole building Don’t ask stupid questions.”

He glanced over at the nervous manager hovering near the kitchen. “The current manager, Dubois, seems competent enough. Grant him temporary signatory access to operating account beta-three, effective immediately. Send him the standard acquisition package and an employment contract by morning. Offer him double his current salary.”

He listened again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “No, don’t care about the quarterly reports right now, Harvey! Handle it! Handle the Volkov feelers, handle the R&D fallout, handle the goddamn press inquiries about the explosion.” His voice was rising, tight with controlled fury. “Just get the funds transferred for this restaurant, get the paperwork drawn up, and stop bothering me with trivialities unless someone is actively dying or Sinclair is confirmed sighted. Understood?”

He hung up without waiting for a reply, tossing the phone onto the table with a clatter. He looked exhausted, stressed, and utterly ruthless. I sat there, silent, having just overheard a conversation that casually involved millions of dollars, corporate espionage, geopolitical tensions–the Volkovs!, bombings, and a manhunt, all discussed with the same bored irritation someone might use to complain about traffic.

The sheer scale of his world, the constant chaos he navigated… it was terrifying. And he had bought an entire restaurant on a whim, just so I wouldn’t feel self-conscious about my bruises. The contradiction was staggering.

I let him lead me out of the empty restaurant, his hand irmly holding mine. Normally, I would have pulled away instantly from the possessive gesture, but honestly I was too tired, too sore, and too confused to fight him on this small thing.

Besides, after what happened between us.. what difference did holding hands make?

He opened the passenger door for me, and I slid inside careful not to bump my aching body.

He got in the driver’s side, the familiar scent of his cologne filling the small space,

As he started the engine, I couldn’t help but ask, my vote quiet. “I thought you said you lost billions? Because of the bombing?” I looked back at the darkened restaurant, “So why buy a whole restaurant just so we could eat dinner alone?”

11

He chuckled softly, a low, arrogant sound. “True.” He glanced at me, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t afford to buy a restaurant on a whi if I feel like it.”

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10:38 Tue, Mar 10 M MO

Chapter 75

I raised an eyebrow.

88%

Finished

He smiled, catching my look. “Don’t worry your pretty ttle head about my finances, Georgia,” he said smoothly. “Like I told you, I always collect my debts. Which means, eventually, I always get what I want. Always.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine. “And how do you collect?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. “If someone can’t pay you back in cash, what happens then? Do you take their bodies instead? If it’s a woman, do you just demand they sleep with you, like you did with me?”

He actually laughed, a real, if brief, laugh. “Jealous alreally?” he teased, before his expression turned cold. “I’m not a ‘man whore, Georgia, collecting sexual favors like cheap trinkets. My tastes are far more… specific. And yes, to answer your question, when debtors fail to ay, I often collect their bodies.” He paused, letting the brutal meaning sink in. “Lifeless.”

He then turned his gaze fully on me, his eyes dark and ossessive, heating in a way that had nothing to do with violence. “But you,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Your debt required a different kind of collection. One I intend to enjoy thoroughly.”

My cheeks flushed crimson. I turned away, staring furiously out the window. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” he asked, his voice full of innocent amusement. “You asked a question. I answered it honestly. Don’t you appreciate honesty, Georgia?”

I frowned, turning away from him again, annoyed by his constant games.

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