Is she alright? Is she alone? Is the baby . . .
My chest constricts painfully.
Or worse . . . did she tell him not to tell me?
I slam my fist onto the desk, anger crackling under my skin. I’m pissed that Diesel’s got me thinking this shit, that he’s given me the urge to know all about her again. To find her. To see her.
Nathan Cole sits behind his desk, counting stacks of cash with slow precision. He glances up when I step inside, his right-hand man closing the door behind me.
“I didn’t expect to see you,” he says, arching a brow. “I hope you’re not coming here with problems.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I haven’t caused this prick one problem since we shook hands months ago. In fact, I’m making him more money than Jimmy Harker ever fucking dreamed of.
“I’m taking some time away,” I say firmly.
His hands still mid-count. “Time away?” he repeats. “Is there such a thing?” His laugh is sharp, humourless.
Before I can answer, his daughter appears. Anika glides in like she owns the building. She presses a kiss to her father’s cheek then gives me a slow, lingering smile.
“Kade needs time away,” Nathan tells her, still amused.
“Everyone needs a break, Father,” she says, eyes burning into mine. “Even the toughest of men.”
Nathan’s gaze cuts back to me. “Where are you going?”
“Louth,” I mutter.
“Your ex,” he states plainly, and my spine stiffens. “I keep track,” he adds, as if reading my thoughts. Of course, he does. He keeps tabs on anyone remotely close to me. Information is leverage.
Anika’s attention sharpens, her eyes going a shade darker. “We have meetings,” she snaps. She’s never hidden the fact she wants me. She’s not subtle, not shy, and not respectful either. She’s cornered me numerous times, asking me for drinks, and I turn her down every time.
“Diesel will cover,” I tell her.
“Not good enough,” she says simply. “And not enough notice.”
Nathan glances up at her, an entertained smirk tugging at his lips. “She’s right. Sit with Anika and go over her diary,” he continues. “Work out which meetings you must attend and which your VP can handle.”
“Diesel is capable of dealing with them all,” I bite out.
“Our clients are jumpy,” Anika says. “They don’t like change. And we’re about to close a huge deal with the Colombians. Juan José expectsyou, so it will beyouhe meets.”
She spins on her heel and leaves.
Nathan huffs a laugh. “You heard her.”
I follow Anika down the hallway, into her office. She doesn’t look at me when she snaps, “Close the door.” I hesitate, checking the corridor. She rolls her eyes. “Relax. I’m not going to seduce you.”
I shut the door anyway. “I can call Juan myself and explain my absence,” I say.
She rounds on me, fury hot and sharp. “The deal is worth millions. I’ve spent a year kissing arses to make this happen, and I will not let a biker fuck it up at the final hurdle.” She plants her hands on the desk. “You will show up. You will shake hands. You will sit through every negotiation until it’s done.”
I scoff. “You’re not my fucking boss.”
She lifts her chin. “You made a deal with my father. Do you want to tell him you’re backing out because you’d rather chase after your ex?”
“That’s not why I’m going.”
“Didn’t she make it pretty clear she was done? That she didn’t want you anywhere near her?”
