Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

66 Chapter 66

Damien’s POV 1

The silence in the car was suffocating. Caleb sat on the opposite side of the leather bench seat, staring out the window at the passing city lights with what appeared to be studied nonchalance. But I could smell the tension radiating from him.

My driver navigated through the evening traffic with his usual professionalism, but I caught his eyes in the rearview mirror more than

once.

*This is ridiculous,* I told myself, forcing my hands to relax where they were clenched on my thighs. *You’re behaving like a teenager who caught his girlfriend talking to another boy.*

But that was exactly how I felt, and the rational part of my brain seemed to have completely abandoned ship. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Caleb standing in Sera’s kitchen, moving around with familiar ease while she smiled at him.

Lucas’s voice filled my mind through the pack link, cutting through my brooding thoughts like a knife through butter.

*Damien, I need you at the office. There are some contracts that came in after you left-time-sensitive stuff that needs your signature

tonight.*

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache building behind my temples. *How time-sensitive are we

talking?*

*If we don’t get the paperwork back to them by nine tomorrow morning, they’re walking away from the table. Twelve million dollars,

gone.*

*Fuck.* I glanced at Caleb, who was still studiously ignoring my existence. *Fine. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.*

*Thanks.*

I said aloud, leaning forward slightly. “Change of plans. We need to stop by the office first.”

“Of course, sir.” Driver responded.

Caleb finally looked at me, one eyebrow raised in polite inquiry. “Business emergency?”

His voice was carefully neutral, but there was something in his expression that suggested he wasn’t entirely surprised by this

development. Maybe he was expecting me to find an excuse to cut this awkward situation short.

“Time-sensitive contracts,” I explained, attempting to match his reasonable tone. “It shouldn’t take long-maybe thirty minutes at most.

You’re welcome to wait in the car, or if you prefer, I can have driver drop you at a hotel first.”

he said finally. “I don’t mind

in that

my reflection in the polished steel

was heading to a funeral rather than signing business contracts. My dark hair was disheveled from

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could see him through the glass walls of

you’re here,” he said, looking up as

show me what I need to sign,” I

moment, then wisely decided not to

click of high heels on marble, accompanied by a

skin crawl.

surprise to see

curtly, not looking up from the contracts. “What are you still doing

was probably meant to be seductive but just looked ridiculous. “Always so dedicated

board meeting.”

completed this afternoon,” I said flatly, still focused on the documents in front of

name, but she recovered

know how important it is to get these things right.” She moved closer, close enough that her

was wondering if you might have time for a late dinner? I know this wonderful

contract with perhaps more force than necessary. “I

sultry whisper. “Are you taking someone home? Please tell me

is clearly not right

Damien.”

life is none of your

the signed contracts and

taking a friend home,” I said coldly, moving toward the door. “And now I’m

of the office and toward the elevators, her heels

keep up with my

would take the hint and leave me alone. Instead, she followed me into the small space, her presence making the air feel thick and

touch my arm with her perfectly manicured fingers. “You’ve been different lately. Distracted. And I can’t help but worry that someone might be taking advantage of your

finally opened on the ground floor,

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behind me like gunshots on the

she called, but I didn’t slow down. I could see the car through the glass doors, could see

to get this nightmare of an

air, breathing deeply for the first time in what felt like hours. But my relief was short-