My Alphas' Dark Desires novel Chapter 377

***************

~Valerie's POV~

My first thought was to run, but doing so would mean attracting the wrong attention and practically screaming suspicion.

"Hey, black-haired girl."

Seriously?

For a second, I wanted to ignore him again, given the way he addressed me, but instead, my feet pivoted, and I put on my best smile as I lifted my head to look at him.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes."

"No," I said rather sharply, which took him by surprise, briefly.

He recovered quickly, cleared his throat, and smiled. "Why, might I ask?"

"You do not address a lady that way, Mister."

"I apologize." He ended the call on his phone and shoved it into his pocket.

Now he was giving me all his attention. I couldn't help envisioning his face while he spoke those words, "We'll be ready. I'll have support."

Support. That word echoed through me like a warning bell.

If he were rallying followers, if this turned into an uprising, it could mean chaos. And if I didn't follow through with my mission, it could mean failure.

"Accepted."

"Good. Then care to tell me why you were busy eavesdropping on my conversation?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression neutral.

"Only I wasn't eavesdropping. I just needed fresh air after a little argument with my boyfriend."

"Then that will be by the balcony and not outside someone's door."

"Thank you. For a moment, I was lost, unsure of where to go while trying to calm myself."

I gave him a pure smile. Just as I pivoted halfway, his voice stopped me again.

"Seeing you in the VVIP section, I must wonder, who are you with?"

The look he gave me made me realize he thought my story didn't add up and I was lying.

Or that I could not afford dining in Havana in the first place, let alone in the VVIP section.

I resisted the urge to scoff but failed miserably and did it anyway. "Excuse me?"

"Yes, judging by your look and…."

"You're a douchebag."

Rather than be offended, Dominic smirked. "Okay, I may be, but kindly answer."

"I will, right after you answer mine, by telling me who you are meeting with in your suite." My response took him aback, and I decided to continue with this course.

"Who knows," I said, taking a step forward, "it might be a lady. I wonder what your fiancée would say, though, when she realizes you are cheating."

Something crossed his features, surprise maybe, but he schooled his expression immaculately well.

"No. Just a business partner, Mr. Ross. Pearson Ross."

That easily? Tsk.

Knowing how he hated royals, I knew mentioning Dristan's name would spark something in him or create more suspicion.

"I told you mine. So now, answer."

"I never promised anything," I said and took a step back.

It was working, judging by how his hand tightened around my waist.

He kissed me on the lips briefly and then glanced at Dominic.

"So there you have it. No more questions."

Mr Harvey… Well, Dominic nodded with his smirk still on as he took out his phone and walked back into his suite.

The second he was gone, I took a slow breath, pulled away from Dristan, and began walking, not toward the exit, not yet, but to the balcony that ran along the suites.

My heels clicked softly against the marble, and the cold metal of the railing pressed against my palms when I stopped. Below, the city lights blinked lazily like fallen stars.

The night air steadied me a little. Enough to think.

I didn't want to kill him. Not really. Not tonight. Not when my mind was this clouded, my heart still a tangled mess of guilt and confusion. But this wasn't something I could just wish away.

I heard footsteps behind me coming in my direction, and I knew it was Dristan.

"Valerie?"

I turned to see him. I was right.

He stepped closer, his silhouette outlined by the golden light spilling from the suite behind him. "I knew you wouldn't just need air," he said quietly. "You were listening."

I froze. "No…"

He raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me."

I exhaled, lowering my gaze. "Fine. Maybe I was. I just… I needed to understand why he's so hated."

Dristan came to stand beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. "You want to understand a man like Dominic Harvey?" His voice was sharp, incredulous.

"I don't want to misunderstand him either," I countered.

"Touché. He should see that the lady he suspects actually favours him."