Page 45 of Open To Negotiation

I’d been sulking up here in my office when Noah finally pulled me out, it was past ten and I had lost hope that she was coming. When I made it outside, I had to push away the women that Noah had brought up and counted the minutes until I could leave. Then I’d looked down and found her standing there with a man holding both her arms.

I saw red.

Not because I could tell that something was wrong at the time, but because she was letting someone else fucking touch her. The jealousy I felt was completely foreign and I wasn’t sure what to do about it. I’d gritted my teeth for a minute before he started pulling her, I then saw the panic on her face. I sprinted to the stairs without another thought.

Noah must have seen the look on my face since he followed me without question. I told him I would get the guy off Quinn, and he held her to keep her out of trouble. He didn’t need to say he understood or ask questions, we’d had each other’s backs since we were teenagers. No questions asked.

We would cover up a murder if we needed to and I’d briefly considered it tonight.

Punching him had felt good, but seeing the marks on her arms made me murderous. It wasn’t enough. I had his name since everyone coming into the club had their licence scanned and I planned on finding a way to ruin him.

But first I needed to get my girl out of here.

Wait.

My girl.

I’d never thought of a woman that way before. I’d never cared about someone this way before, not even in my longest relationship of seven months. We hadn’t been serious and sometimes I forgot we were even dating.

Whatever.

Fuck it, I’m just going to lean into it.

“Theo?”

I looked up to see Quinn watching me and Asher patting me on the shoulder as he walked out of the office.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.” I reached out and put my hand on her lower back to guide her out. I loved that she leaned into me when I touched her, her shoulders relaxing a fraction.

“You swear a lot,” she commented. I nodded at Wade as I maneuvered us through the throng of people.

I could tell her comment was meant to lighten the mood, not sure if it was for her sake or for mine. I let her get away with it because I still had red hot rage burning through me and I needed to be distracted.

I was glad she had covered the red marks on her arms in the sleeves of my jacket because each time I caught sight of them, I knew the punch I’d landed hadn’t been enough.

“I’m British,” I said as a way of explanation. I heard her scoff as we stepped outside the club.

She let out a breath of relief but it was still shaky. “Is Arthur coming to get me?” she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest, trying to hide her shivers despite the warm spring night.

“No, I drove here.” I moved her toward my truck. “I didn’t drink tonight.” She hadn’t asked but I felt compelled to clarify.

I’d had Shelly buy my truck over the phone with the dealership and it had been waiting for me at the private airstrip when we landed in Calgary. It was a black four-door truck with four-wheel drive, it was the best money could buy. Although the summers were warm here and I had a sports car parked in the garage at my house ready for the roads to be cleared of gravel, the truck was needed for the harsh winters that hit.

“I wasn’t worried about you drinking, Theo, I trust you.” Her soft admission had my chest puffing up.

“Good.” I nodded, trying to keep my cool.

“So you can drive?” she asked as I opened her door and helped her in.

I chuckled as I shut the door and walked around. I climbed in, turned it on and immediately jacked up the heat, including the seat warmers for her. It seemed like her adrenaline had crashed, I was surprised she’d still been able to walk out of the club. She looked tired as she sagged against the seat and rested her head back on the headrest.

“Yes, I can drive,” I answered dryly as I put the car in reverse. “Didn’t you just say that you trusted me?” She shrugged as she bit her lip to hide her smile.

“You have a driver, it’s a fair question. You know we drive on the right side of the road, right?”

I shot her a look as we pulled up to a red light. “Thank god you told me, we might’ve crashed.” She let out a small chuckle, and I felt proud that the sound was more relaxed. I needed to make sure she was okay and the more she sat there talking, the more her shaking slowed.

“Giving Arthur the night off?”