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She huffs and looks at me with exasperated eyes. “You know what I mean. Don’t treat me like your sub in front of Tobias just to piss him off.”
I smirk and lean in to kiss her forehead. “Know me that well, do you?”
This elicits a nervous giggle, and I relax.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be on my best behavior. I may want to fuck with Tobias, but I don’t want to make you miserable. You have my word. Tonight, you’re merely an employee of the club.”
Damn it, I’m not sure she understands just how hard it is for me to say those words. I give her shoulder a tender squeeze, and she reaches out to adjust my tie.
“We’re always going to be linked, you and I,” she whispers.
I fight the urge to kiss her, but I put my hand over hers at the knot in my tie and lift it to my lips. “Never forget that, love.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
The moment passes, and she clears her throat. “I have a couple more things to do in the office before Tobias gets here.”
The crowd is starting to gather in the club, and after she walks away, I make my way to the main play space and bar area. We’re expecting a few international VIP guests tonight, and the four of us like to be around to greet them when we can.
Tonight, I lean against the bar and survey the crowd while I sip a bottle of mineral water. An hour into the festivities, Tobias walks in and I tense as Bellamy greets him with a smile and begins her tour. I’ve watched her give it hundreds of times, and it’s never once pissed me off. Until now.
“Careful. You might crush that bottle,” Matteo says as he parks himself next to me.
“It’s not right. The two of them together.”
Matteo’s lips press into a tight, thin line. “Maybe, maybe not. But just remember that we have clients to entertain tonight. You can’t be going off half-cocked because you’re jealous and can’t think straight.”
I frown. “What do you mean by that?”
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “Why didn’t you just marry her yourself? It would have at least slowed things down.”
It’s a question I’ve asked myself over and over again. But deep down, I know the answer. Bellamy would have said no. Her loyalty to me is only rivaled by her loyalty to her family.
“Things will work out if they’re meant to.”
I want to believe him. But believing him also means accepting the fact that things might not be meant to be.
Tobias puts a hand on the small of Bellamy’s back and leans down to say something in her ear. She blushes and giggles and I can’t watch anymore, so I storm off to my office.
Inside, I kick my desk and curse the universe for being so cruel. Sometime later, a knock brings me out of my rage induced haze, and I jerk the door open, ready to snap at whoever interrupted me.
Bellamy stands there, looking conflicted.
“How was the tour?”
“Awkward,” she admits.
“Good.”
Her mouth turns to a frown. “Owen. That’s cruel, even for you.”
I drag a hand down my face. “Sorry, love. This isn’t easy for me.”
“Come have a drink with me and Toby. For old time’s sake.”
When I hesitate, she reaches out and puts a hand on my arm. “Please? You have to make an appearance anyway, and people seeing the three of us together will cause fewer questions than me hanging out with him all night while you hide in your office and sulk.”
“I do not sulk.”
