My Ex Husband The Alpha His Brother The Rogue novel Chapter 25

hapter 25

Chapter 25

Cascade looks different compared to the last time I was here five years ago.

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Then, I came here with Cameron. Before either of us got to know this was another one of Kael’s shady

businesses.

How could so much have changed in so little time?

The longer I sit in the car outside the club, the more my thoughts spiral, and the more restless I’m becoming. My hands clench and unclench repeatedly, and my palms have grown sweaty in my unease.

I’m already here, but thinking about facing Kael sends a chill down my spine.

Greg watches me through the rearview mirror. He’s been silent since we arrived, probably wondering why I’d insisted on coming to Cascade only to sit outside.

I’d contemplated asking Greg to drive me back home a dozen times now. Kael couldn’t possibly want me here. He’d made it crystal clear on multiple occasions that he doesn’t want me snooping into his personal life.

Showing up here like this is crossing a line, and goes against the rules of our contract.

But I was technically invited…or more accurately, summoned, right?

I hate it most when he orders me to come and go…yet here I am. Because as much as I hate it, my life is in Kael’s hands.

The tone of Kael’s voice…Blake’s hesitation earlier, it all still unsettles me.

Kael is many things….reckless, cold, difficult, to name a few. But if there’s one thing he never does, it’s showing

weakness.

The call had lasted only a short moment, but there was something in his tone that just doesn’t feel right.

“I’ll take you around to the back.” Greg finally breaks the silence with an offer.

My throat goes tight.

This is stupid. I don’t want to go in, but I also can’t just leave.

Greg gets down and opens the door for me. My legs already feel stiff as I get off.

The night air is chilly. The smell of tobacco and expensive cologne lingers in the air.

I inhale deeply, before following Greg.

The security detail at the doors recognize Greg and they don’t try to stop us as we go in through the back

entrance.

Inside, the blaring lights sting my eyes, like a warning not to go any further, but I hold my head high as we

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Chapter 25

head to Kael’s office.

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Just as we turn the corner, my eyes meet Blake’s. He’s standing guard outside the door, his expression as hard

as steel.

His hands are tucked in his pocket and something flickers in his eyes as he stares at me.

“Ms Laila,” His tone is polite, but there’s a tinge of warning accompanying it.

I glance over my shoulder to discover Greg has already slipped away and I’m left alone to face an unimpressed Blake.

My heels click against the tiles as I walk over, stopping only a few steps away.

“I need to see Kael.” I say pointedly.

“Not tonight.” Blake’s response is cold and clipped.

My brows furrow at the finality in his tone and a spark of anger ignites in my veins. Kael, I can tolerate, because I got myself into this.

But no one else. Not Cameron, and certainly not Blake.

“I wasn’t asking for permission, Blake.” I reply in a deadpan tone. “I want to see Kael right now. And I’m not leaving without seeing him.”

Blake heaves a quiet sigh, his expression conflicted. “It’s better you go home, Laila.”

His tone is more coaxing now. “Kael doesn’t want visitors.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not a visitor.” I reply coldly. “I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me to. I came because Kael called me. So you can let me in, or go explain to him why you denied me entrance.”

“He called you?” Blake asks uncertainly.

I nod once, taking a step closer to Blake. “Look, we both know our arrangement isn’t a fairytale. But I’m still Kael’s wife… and I believe that means I have a right to know if he’s hurt, and how badly hurt he is.”

Blake hesitates for a moment longer before he steps aside.

I push past him, opening the door without thanking him.

The office is dimly lit but just good enough to see. All around the desk, papers are carelessly littered and in

the midst of the mess sits Kael…

My breath catches in my throat as my eyes find him.

He’s slumped into the leather chair with his head tipped back against it. His shirt is partly open, the top few buttons undone, exposing his collar bone, and the contours of his chest.

His skin glistens in the dim lighting, dampened by his own sweat. His lips are parted slightly and his eyes are

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Chapter 25

dazed, heavy with….

What is that look in his eyes?

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It takes only a moment and then it strikes me. My eyes widen slightly at the realisation.

Desire… A need so strong and potent, the air is thick with the smell of his arousal.

Kael… I’ve never seen him this way before.

My first instinct is to turn around, shut the door and pretend I didn’t see anything.

Instead, my eyes betray me, trailing down his exposed skin,

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They finally settle on his hands. His knuckles have gone white from how tightly he’s gripping the arm rest of his chair.

His breathing is ragged, animalistic… exactly like it had sounded over the phone.

He hasn’t noticed me yet. Or maybe he’s too far gone, lost in the haze of his own desires.

I’m not stupid enough to believe this is a random occurrence. I turn, my eyes meeting Blake’s.

“This is why I couldn’t let you in.” He says hesitantly. “He’s heavily drugged. And it’s not wearing off…”

I purse my lips, my attention shifting back to Kael. “Who did this to him?”

“Caleb is looking into it.” Blake replies.

I hesitate for a moment, “Don’t you think…you should bring someone in?…”

“To…help him…” I murmur uncertainly.

Blake sighs. “He doesn’t want anyone, Laila.”

I glance over at Blake. “Why’s that? It’ll be over if he just gets it out of his system.”

Blake frowns deeply. “Because he’s married, maybe?” His tone is a mix of sarcasm and displeasure.

I blanch. Kael? Withholding his urges for me? It makes absolutely no sense,

“That’s absurd.” I mutter, “We’re not even really…”

I trail off, the night of the gala surfaces in my mind.

“He won’t have any other woman because it’s you he desires, Laila.” Blake deadpans.