“I can’t believe I have a date.”
I cover my face with my hands and scream. Even though it’s just drinks, it’s the first date I’ve had in a long time.
5
Florian
It turns out Arabelle is in Chicago, and it’s just a coincidence that I’m here, too. As soon as Hugo gave me her whereabouts, I sent a rose and note to her hotel suite to show her my thoughts are always with her.
The day was off to a fantastic start, and I eagerly looked forward to seeing her. I wasn’t about to let this chance slip through my fingers since she’s so close. I’ve been longing to see her in person for weeks now, but business has prevented it. However, today, I cut my business meeting short when I received an urgent phone call from Hugo, who revealed that my beauty is on a date.
As I crack my knuckles, a wave of anger washes over me, intensifying my urge to kill this motherfucker. When she’s with other men, I spiral out of control. It’s frustrating how Arabelle has an unsettling ability to make me feel like a wild animal, even though I prefer stability. She drives the beast inside me crazy, and she’s the only one who can calm me.
“Where’s she now?”
The sounds of laughter, music, and the distinct clinking of pool balls reverberate through the air. She’s only been inChicago for a few days, and now I’m on my way to where she’s hanging out at a bar with some fucking guy. My irritation is only rising the more I think about what led up to her actually going out with this guy.
She doesn’t date.
“They’re sitting at the bar at The Black Star Bar and Grill, and she’s having a glass of wine.” Hugo sighs. “Don’t you think this is a little too much, Beast? You’ve had me following this woman for months. You’ve also been following her when I’m not around.”
“Are you questioning my orders, Hugo?” I ask, annoyed he’s even saying anything about what the fuck I’m doing. One thing I don’t tolerate is anyone questioning me about my business. “I don’t see how what I’ve had you do affects your pay, so what’s the problem?”
“I just don’t understand what I’m doing here, Florian. What’s the point of following this woman twenty-four-seven? She has no life. All she does is dance, travel for her job, and go home. This is actually the first date she’s been on the entire time you’ve had me keeping an eye on her. Don’t you think my time would be better spent on your father?”
His time would probably be better spent on keeping an eye on Olan, but I need him here.
“The point is I pay you to do what I ask regardless of whether you think it’s a waste of time. What I’ve asked is for you to watch her. If you have an issue doing that, you can always be replaced. The choice is yours, Hugo.”
I don’t expect anyone to understand my obsession with her. I don’t understand the shit myself. But what I expect is for my men, who I pay very well, to do what I want. No questions asked. If they don’t want to, there’s always someone out there who will gladly take their place. While this job is perfect for Hugo, all he needs to do is say the word, and he’ll be on the next plane back to New York. I’ll hate to do it because he’s one of my best men,and I can trust him to do everything in his power to make sure Arabelle is safe, but I can easily replace him with someone who won’t question me.
“I’m good.” He lets out a deep, exasperated sigh. “It’s just fucking weird, that’s all.”
“Who the fuck is this guy?” I ask, suppressing the annoyance I feel toward Hugo. Yes, it may have been weird, but I don’t give two shits what he or anybody thinks about what I’m doing. He’s here to do a job.
“He works at the hotel she’s staying at,” Hugo says, breaking through my thoughts. “His name is Pierre Gaultier. He’s the son of a French diplomat.”
He’s getting ready to be the dead son of a French diplomat.
“Before you get any thoughts in your head, Florian, he’s the son of a veryhigh-ranking diplomat,” Hugo warns, like it will make a difference in my decision. It won’t. “One who can bring hell down on you if you harm his son. It’s not worth it.”
Only I have the authority to decide if it’s worth the effort. If Arabelle is on a date with him, then it’s worth it.
“Why the hell is a diplomat’s son working at a hotel?”
“He attacked some girl and got kicked out of school. His parents refused to fund his lifestyle because of ruining the family name,” Hugo says. “But I will repeat, it’s not worth it.”
Even more reason for him to be far away from Arabelle.
“My driver is pulling up outside,” I say, ignoring his comment. “When they leave, keep your eyes on her.”
“And what are you going to do?” he asks, sighing because he knows whatever he’s concerned about, I don’t give a fuck about.
“I’m following him.”
“I’m going to sit at the bar next to them so I can keep a close eye on them.”
“Good,” I say, ending the call.
