HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 53

Meadow’s POV:

Make sure they have her contained

There was no way Alaric was referring to someone else when he said that. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when I walked into the garage and he didn’t notice me because he was on the phone, I just stood there And I caught the end of a very important conversation.

He was talking about Juniper–with Trip, no doubt

“We’ll discuss what to do with her? What the hell did that mean?

What were they doing to her?

I forced my expression to be neutral

“West isn’t driving us there?” I asked. I looked around, spotting the SUV West usually drove, my eyes widening at the number of cars in this garage.

I didn’t know much about cars, but I knew what luxury vehicles looked like–and these were examples of them

“No.” he replied simply “Is it a crime to want to be alone with you?”

I forced a smile, looking away.

I wanted to ask Alaric about the part of the phone call that I’d heard, but when I opened my mouth, something else came out.

“I’m ready” And then I slid into the passenger seat

Alaric’s form was tense as he shut the door and turned around to his side.

Thankfully, he didn’t say a word to me for most of the long drive, and he seemed to be deep in thought. But I didn’t mind. I had no idea what I would say or do if he’d tried to speak to me, because I was still gathering up the courage to ask about my sister

The last time I mentioned her, he’d been so dismissive. God knows what he’d do if

“Meadow” Alaric’s voice was deeper than usual as it cut into my thoughts, bringing me back to the car.

I turned to him. I thought he must’ve asked me a question but I was too deep in my own thoughts to hear hum “Sorry?”

“Are you nervous?” he muttered, sparing me a glance before he faced the road “Is that why you’re so quiet?”

I let out a breathy laugh “Well, you don’t seem to be saying anything either.”

Alaric hummed. “Fair enough. But you’re meeting my mother in a few minutes, Meadow.” His mouth pulled up into a smirk. “Your nervousness is practically radiating all over this car.”

He was right. I was nervous. So fucking nervous that I’d been practicing what on earth I was going to say to his mother when I finally met her. But most of that nervousness had already been trumped by worry and curiosity.

I needed to find my sister. Needed to get her out of wherever the hell they were keeping her.

I flipped my hair, my hands shaking as I spoke. “Well, I’m not supposed to be nervous, though, am I?”

He glanced at me with narrowed eyes and a rock formed in my throat. I swallowed.

“You have every right to feel nervous, Meadow.”

“But I’m not supposed to,” I said quietly, hoping my voice wouldn’t betray me. “We both know this isn’t a real marriage, Alaric, so it’s not like you’re introducing me as the love of your life. The real one, anyway.”

If I weren’t watching the side of his face, I would’ve missed the subtle way his jaw clenched and unclenched, and the way his grip barely tightened around the steering wheel.

My heart dropped

“Still doesn’t mean you can’t be nervous about meeting new people.”

And then he turned to glance at me again, something I couldn’t recognize swirling in his eyes as he asked: “Are you okay, Meadow?”

“Yeah,” I lied, letting out a breath. “I am. I just… you’re right. I am nervous. Sorry.”

He hummed again but he didn’t say another word.

My eyes scanned the touchscreen display on the dashboard. The GPS. If Alaric had taken this car, which I was almost fully certain he did, the history would probably be there.

But… no. Maybe I should ask nicely.

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