Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 21

~Alex's POV

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The dial tone buzzed in my ear, a mocking little rhythm that mirrored the gnawing anxiety in my gut. I slammed the phone back down on the cradle, the plastic greaning under the impact. My fingers hovered over the screen again, the familiar pattern of her number etched into my memory. Part of me yearned to press call, to hear her voice, any voice, at this point. But the other part, the more cautious part, held me back, yet the nagging feeling remained.

why had she called?

What was she thinking?

A sigh escaped my lips, a plume of frustration in the still air of my office as I dropped the phone on the table.

It vibrated, startling me from my thoughts. My heart leaped-maybe it was her! But the flicker of hope died as quickly as it arose. It was just Christian, his name flashing on the screen in a digital taunt. With a grimace, I answered the call. "Expecting someone else?" he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Are you calling me to tell me it's done or calling to just irritate me?" I countered, my voice Hat

"Now, now, Alex," he chuckled, the sound grating on my nerves. "I know you're lonely cooped up in that office all day. Just wanted to be a friend."

I fought back a growl. Christian's idea of friendship was twisted. Sometimes, it intrigued me, most times it just annoyed me but it was what I liked about

him. How twisted he was.

"Cut the crap. Christian," I growled, the sound low and menacing.

"Alright, alright," he conceded, feigning surrender. "Since you want to be so serious, the message has been sent. His company will take the first hit tomorrow. Then I'll work on twisting the knife where it hurts the most."

A flicker of satisfaction, primal and unwelcome, coursed through me. Daniel Stone. The name had become a constant thorn in my side, a festering wound that wouldn't heal. His arrogance, his ruthlessness, everything about him made my blood boil. Seeing him crumble, his carefully constructed empire teetering on the brink - it would be a twisted kind of justice.

My wolf rumbled in agreement deep within me, a deep guttural sound that vibrated through my bones. Pushing those primal urges down, I spoke.

"Good. Just keep me updated."

"But of course," He replied, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. "Wouldn't want you to miss any of the fun, would we?"

about to retort when he spoke again, his tone shifting abruptly. "I went to

hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Every hair on my body stood on end, a prickling sensation that crawled up my spine. I waited, my breath caught in my throat, expecting him to elaborate. But he remained silent, a smug smile evident in his voice even through

"Are you waiting for me to ask what it was about?" I finally

conversation," he purred, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing. "But hey, no worries. You'll hear about it

my teeth. He'd won this round, planted a feed of doubt and worry that would gnaw at me untill had answers. "Do your damn job, Christian," I growled, the words laced with barely contained fury. "Stop playing

slammed the phone back down, the frustration momentarily eclipsed by a surge of anger. Christian was a necessary evil

Chapter 21

the knife, to play

back to Amaya like it always did.

poked her head through the doorway. Her usually composed face was etched with a hint of concern. "Mr. Thome," she began, "I

tone. The day's events had worn on my nerves, leaving me with a short

was quite insistent on seeing you and wouldn't leave without speaking with

he say what

was rather tight-lipped. Just kept repeating it was urgent and wouldn't be discussed

me, a spark amidst

I sighed, pushing myself out of

creaked open and Ivan stepped into my office. My wolf let out a low growl that rumbled deep in my chest. It wasn't just about Amaya. Even before I found out about Daniel Stone's little marriage proposal scheme, I never liked Ivan. There was something about him, a polished veneer

gaze flicked up, taking him in. "Well what?" I countered, keeping my

going to offer me a seat?" he asked,

I drawled, "I wouldn't say you exactly qualify as

in the smooth facade. It was gone as fast as it appeared, replaced by a practiced smile. "Fair enough," he conceded, taking a seat opposite me without waiting for an invitation. The defiance in his

leaning back in my chair, "let's get

his voice a stark contrast to his earlier composure. There

nerves.

Interesting.

least. I raised an eyebrow, watching him.

shoulders slumping slightly. "My company. I'm in a

invest?"

Chapter 21

That's the whole point of his marriage proposition to Amaya. I