Anika beams as the deal wraps, slipping her arm through mine like she owns me. She shakes hands with the Colombians, flirting with calculated precision, soaking up every scrap of attention. Meanwhile, I’m clenching and unclenching my fist under the table, trying to breathe past whatever the hell is twisting in my ribs.
The second the men leave, she spins towards me, arms crossing sharply.
“Are you sulking?” she asks, her voice slicing through the fog in my head.
“I’m not in the mood,” I warn.
“You’re never in the mood,” she fires back, heels clicking closer. “But try to remember you’re here for a reason.”
I step away from her reach, jaw tightening. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
She arches a perfectly plucked brow. “Are you? Because you’ve looked miles away all morning.”
“You’ve dragged this deal out for far too long,” I snap. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”
Her lips curve, all faux innocence. “And what’s that?”
“Keeping me here. But now it’s done, I’m heading to Louth.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically, turning back to the table as she gathers her files. “Louth, Louth, Louth. It’s all I fucking hear.”
She leans forward, palms on the wood, chest pushed out just enough to try and draw my eyes. “What I’m offering you, some men would kill for.”
“I’m not interested in what you’re offering,” I grit out. “I can’t make it any clearer.”
“So you keep saying.” Her smirk widens. “But we’ll see.”
She breezes out the boardroom, and I follow, already mapping out a handover with Diesel in my head. I need to get on the road. I need to get to Eden.
“We have business in Grimsby,” she calls over her shoulder. “My father will contact you about it.”
I grab her arm, and she stops instantly, her gaze dropping to where my fingers touch her before lifting with slow, dangerous amusement.
“I told you already,” I say, keeping my voice low, “I’m going to see Eden. I’m not doing business.”
“It’s half an hour from where you’ll be,” she argues. “It makes sense.”
“I said no.” The snap in my voice echoes down the corridor as I stomp ahead, pulse racing. The last thing I want is more business and delays when I’m about to walk into Eden’s life to try to prove I’m ready to be a father.
Her voice trails after me. “How long will you be gone exactly?”
“As long as it takes.”
Her heels click as she closes the gap between us, her eyes narrowing. “You know my father won’t like that.”
“I’m not asking for permission.” I shoulder past her, ignoring the heat of her stare on my back.
I’m back at the club, going over things with Diesel, when my phone buzzes. I eye Nathan’s name as it flashes across the screen.
“Ignoring it won’t help,” Diesel mutters.
I accept the call, putting it on loudspeaker. “Nathan,” I greet, “You’re on loudspeaker. Diesel is here. I’m just updating him on the deal with Juan José.”
“I’m sure you’re leaving things in capable hands,” he replies. “I have some business in the docks at Grimsby. I believe Anika mentioned it.”
I roll my eyes and Diesel smirks. “Unfortunately, I need to put all my focus into Eden.”
“Unfortunately, business doesn’t wait.”
