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Chapter 172
“Is everything okay?” Bella’s sleepy voice came through the phone. She sounded like she’d just been dragged out of a dream.“Did I wake you?” Amanda asked.“Obviously,” Bella grumbled. “This better be worth it.”Amanda hesitated. “Um… what does your brother like? Like—what does he really like?”“What?” Bella was fully awake now. “You didn’t wake me at midnight to ask that, did you?”“I did.”“Shit,” Bella muttered. “Did you two fight? Because if you’re trying to fix things with gifts, you’re wasting your time. He doesn’t like anything.”“Don’t pull my leg.”“I’m serious,” Bella said. “Nothing. Except flirting with girls.”“Bella.”“Okay, okay.” She yawned. “Maybe… pets? He likes animals. Dogs especially. And girls. That’s it. That’s the list.”Then the line went dead.Amanda stared at her phone.Useless brat.She might as well not have called at all. No new information. Nothing she could work with.She was still standing there, running a hand through her hair, when she heard footsteps
Chapter 171
“I mean, real men know how to drink. Handle their alcohol,” Amanda said lightly. “I bet you’ve never had anything alcoholic your entire life.”“I want to be healthy for a long time,” Cole replied gently.Amanda smiled and nodded. “That’s… really fantastic.”Damn. So much for that.She’d honestly thought she could get him to drink. Foolish. What else could she do now?“Aren’t you going to bed?” Cole asked. “It’s already late.”“I will,” she said quickly. “I just… can’t sleep. A lot happened today.”She suddenly clapped her hands in exaggerated realization. “Oh my goodness, Cole—how did I forget?”He frowned. “Forget what?”“Movie night,” she said brightly. “Can we? Please?”Cole stared at her like she’d grown a second head.“I heard about this movie at work today,” she rushed on. “Everyone was talking about it. It’s insane. You’ll love it. Guys way scarier than Matteo. It’s horror—proper horror.”Before he could respond, she was already moving—setting up the TV, dimming the lights. The
Chapter 170
The last—not even one of the top one million things—that Cole expected was to walk in and see dinner already set.Not that Amanda didn’t make meals when he wasn’t around. She did. Plenty of times.But… this was different.This was suspicious.You had to be traumatized to be suspicious of peace the way Cole was—but hey, honesty mattered. And right now? She was acting way too nice. Freaky nice.“How was your day, babe?” she asked, a big smile stretching across her face.Cole’s eyes scanned the room before he even answered.“Your parents?” he whispered.She laughed lightly. “Come on, we’re the only ones here.” Then, casually—too casually—she added, “You’re going to take a shower before dinner, right? I made your favorite.”She pointed both hands dramatically at the table like she was presenting a prize.Cole stared at her.Then at the food.Then back at her again.Is he… really safe?“You can go shower,” she said, already pushing him toward the bedroom.Cole let himself be pushed. Not li
Chapter 169
“You know,” she said casually, “after that kiss yesterday, I was able to remember a few things clearly. But some parts are still…foggy.” She smiled faintly. “I’m also having a one-hour meeting with your mother’s doctor tonight. We’ll talk more about it.”“So?” Cole asked.“So,” she said lightly, “another kiss could help me remember more.”Cole’s jaw tightened. Amanda’s words from the night before surfaced instantly.“But the ring isn’t on my lips,” he said.Maria shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re wearing it, every part of you is connected to it.”Cole felt the ring vibrate faintly around his finger.Maria didn’t notice.“That means,” she continued, leaning closer, “you can touch my forehead and—”She didn’t finish.She grabbed his collar and kissed him.Cole reacted instantly, shoving her away. She stumbled back, nearly hitting her head against the car door.“What the hell was that?” he snapped.Maria stared at him, stunned.“I have a wife,” Cole said.“A contract wife,”
Chapter 168
“I think this house will be best for her,” Maria said after the realtor finished the tour. “It’s quiet. Very spacious. She could even have a small garden in the yard.”“Yes, ma’am,” the realtor replied smoothly. “The flowers are handled by the best horticulturist in the city. I can assure you—your mother-in-law will love it.”“She’s not my wife,” Cole said quickly.“Oh—” the realtor smiled sheepishly, clearly trying not to stare at Cole’s hand still intertwined with Maria’s. “My apologies.”“It’s fine,” Maria said lightly.“I’ll make the payment now,” Cole added.Minutes later, the documents were signed electronically. The realtor thanked them repeatedly and left.Cole checked the time. “It’s been one hour.”“That was fast,” Maria said as his hand slipped from hers. “I wish it could’ve gone on a little longer.”Her smile was soft. But not innocent at all. Cole didn’t catch the hint.“Like I said,” Maria continued easily, “I already called my partner. You heard how excited he was on t
Chapter 167
“If you have a problem with him,” Amanda said tightly, “just call him and tell him. You think he’s going to rush here after you threaten him with me?”The car stayed quiet for a beat.Then Wright spoke.“He paid five billion dollars to get you out two days ago,” he said calmly. “What can’t a man like that do, Amanda Whitmore?”Her breath stuttered.“Are you mafia too?” she snapped, fear cracking through the anger. “What the hell is wrong with you people? Cole isn’t—”“I don’t like it when women talk too much,” Wright interrupted. “I won’t mind putting you to sleep for two hours.”Silence slammed into her chest.Amanda’s eyes darted sideways.Two men sat beside her. Expressionless. Empty. No guns in sight—but she wasn’t stupid. Men who didn’t need to show weapons were the worst kind.She swallowed.“I wasn’t going to say this,” she said carefully, “but Cole and I… we haven’t been on good terms since last night. If you call him now, he won’t even blink.”No response.The car kept moving
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