HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION(An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 19

CHAPTER 0019

Meadow’s POV

The doors had just slid open, and walking so casually through them, was Alaric Ashford, wearing a black suit that would’ve made my mouth water if my tongue didn’t feel so dry.

He looked terrifyingly calm and controlled. And the smirk playing at the edge of his lips was anything but casual.

It was calculated. Dangerously calculated.

Nova, who had been gearing up for another rant, visibly froze in her spot.

“Ho–ly shit,” Nova whispered under her breath. “Those fucking internet pictures did not do him justice.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I was too busy trying to decode the look in Alaric’s eye. He wasn’t smiling–he never smiled, but he wasn’t unreadable either. His gaze landed on me and my stomach twisted.

“Hello, Nova,” he said, nodding in her direction.

Nova blinked, looking every bit as mesmerized as I was. “Uh. Hi.”

“I appreciate you being here with her,” he added politely, stretching his hand out to her.

Nova didn’t hesitate to take his hand, and I couldn’t help but watch the handshake closely. All that went through my mind was how he must have felt to touch someone without feeling anything. That had to be frustrating as hell.

“And I appreciate you calling me. Really,” she replied.

I failed to mention that part about Alaric to Nova as well, but that was because that wasn’t my story to tell or my secret to share.

Alaric glanced at me again, his jaw clenching. I had a feeling that he was royally pissed at me.

There was a long beat of silence as Nova looked between Alaric and me, squinting a little like she was sensing something in the air that she didn’t want to be a part of.

“O…kay,” she drawled. “I’m gonna, uh… get some coffee. Meadow, you want anything? No?”

I shook my head, not trusting my voice.

Nova gave Alaric one last sideways glance before slipping out through the same doors that he’d just walked through.

And then it was just us.

The silence became even heavier. Thicker.

Alaric didn’t move closer. He just stood there, hands shoved into his pockets as he regarded me.

“I-“I started, but my voice cracked.

“Don’t,” he said firmly, cutting me off.

I flinched slightly, and Alaric took a step closer to me, his eyes narrowing. “They won’t touch you again,” he muttered. “You’re safe.”

That that was weird.

CHAPTER 0019

+25 BONUS

I hadn’t known Alaric for a long time, but I could tell that he loved to be in control. His presence commanded it. And me leaving the house without informing him had to have messed with something.

I swallowed. “How did you know where I was?” I asked the one question that had been nagging at the back of my mind since I woke up.

Alaric took a few more steps closer until he was directly beside the bed. So close, yet so faraway.

Was it weird that I wanted him to touch me? To hold me and tell me that everything was going to be okay and that what happened to me wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened?

To tell me that even though my twin sister nearly beat me to a pulp, I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t-

“I told you, Meadow,” Alaric stated with a slight tilt of his head. “I make it a point to know everything about my employees. And it was easy to guess when I noticed your phone on the bed and discovered that you were on a call with him.”

‘It wasn’t Tyler,‘ I wanted to say. But then, something else clicked.

Something that should have clicked since I was at Tyler’s apartment.

“Tyler got a big promotion at work today,‘ Juniper had told me. ‘Isn’t that amazing?

Tyler worked in Alaric’s company. And if there was anyone who would’ve given him a big promotion, it would be

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“You promoted him?” My voice was barely above a whisper as something thick lodged itself in my throat. “Tyler. You… gave him a promotion?”

I couldn’t fucking believe this.

Alaric didn’t respond, he just watched me carefully. And frankly, his vague muteness was starting to piss me off.

FN

I sat up straighter, my heart pounding hard against my chest. “You said you wanted revenge for me,” I grit out. That you’d help me ruin him. And then you go ahead and-”

“Meadow.”

“-give him a higher position?” I snapped. “Are you insane?”

He smirked. “If there’s anyone who should be asking that question, it should be me. No?”

I scoffed, and Alaric ignored me. “And besides, you haven’t even expressed your desire for revenge.”

He reached for my hair, twirling it gently around his fingers. “All I’ve done is talk, and all you’ve done is listen. You said you didn’t care about revenge, didn’t you?”

My jaw ticked and I looked away.

My desire for revenge? Maybe it had been buried deep inside the rational part of me. But right now? It burned.

I didn’t say a word in response, and Alaric took a seat next to me. Right on the bed.

And then, he reached for my chin, turning me to face him, causing a shiver to run down my spine at the glint of worry in his eyes.

“I never said revenge would be quick, Meadow,” he said gently.

“You made it sound like you’d take him down quick.”

”

CHAPTER 0019

+25 BONUS

He didn’t take his eyes away from mine as he spoke. “That would defeat the entire purpose of revenge, wouldn’t it?” His hand moved to my neck. “I’ll take him down, piece by piece, if you let me.”

I hated how calm he was. How completely in control he seemed. It made me feel crazy for feeling so emotional. Like I was the one who was missing something obvious.

“I want to trust you,” I whispered, shaking my head.

“That will be a wise choice to make, Meadow. It’s all I’m asking.” He let out a warm, minty breath that fanned my face. “You know I’ll take care of you better than anyone ever has. Last night was a slip–up on my part, and I’m going to regret not doing more for a long fucking time.”

#

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Not with the way my brain was spinning.

Alaric rose to his feet. “I have to get to the office. I’d take you home right now, but something tells me you and your friend have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Thank you… for contacting her,” I said. And I meant it wholeheartedly.

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Alaric mouth twitched. “West will be here until you’re ready to go.

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“Wait,” I muttered as something occurred to me. “What happened to Juniper? I know I saw your bodyguard… hit her.”

“Right,” Alaric smirked. “Your sister won’t be a problem anymore. Or at least for a little while,” he added when my brows drew together.

My stomach roiled. “What do you mean by that?”

What did he do to her?

”

There’s was a glint in Alaric’s eye that drove me mad with curiosity.

“I had her evaluated,” he finally said. “Had the test tailored for her to fail.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“What test?” I asked, dreading the answer already.

Alaric smiled then, cold and precise. “Psychological. She’s been admitted for treatment…for now.”

Oh my… oh my god.

Alaric turned then, walking out the door, not turning back even once to glance at me. And all I did was stare after him, wide–eyed.

What the hell had he done to Juniper