I scoff, excitement teasing in my stomach just as Nora pushes through the door and I see the small room filled with rows of press.
“I hate this part,” I mutter, and Nora gives me a knowing nod.
“Keep to the point. Anything that comes up about Cowan and Athena, no comment it, do you understand?”
“Yes.” My tone is clipped as Cowan raises a brow and gives me a sly smile.
“He will be spoken to after this. Your dad isn’t happy.”
I grunt in response; my dad won’t fire him. We have no other driver to go into his seat, but hopefully he’ll get bollocked enough to not goad me again.
Walking into the room, I sit between Matt and Cowan. Matt says hello, Carlo gives me a smile and I smile back. Cowan just sits on the sofa, arms folded across his chest.
“How’s our pretty girl?” He leans over and says quietly.
I close my eyes, inhaling heavily. My dad’s words repeat in my head,don’t react, don’t react.He chuckles, shaking his head.
“Mypretty girl is waiting at home for me,” I swiftly drop that in.
I could have been a cunt and said what she will actually be doing, but that’s not fair on Athena. I hear him mutter something under his breath, but I don’t catch it as the event begins.
As soon as it’s called, I push from the sofa and storm for the door. Nora is hot on my heels, Cowan not far behind. I did as I was told. I was professional, and to be honest, it was mainly about me and my win.
Once we’re in the corridor, I turn around and see Cowan. Nora’s panicked eyes settle on me as I push him against the wall, which only causes him to let out a slow chuckle.
“Don’t speak about Athena again, do you understand? Whatever you think happened between you is done.” I push against him again. “Okay?”
He rolls his eyes. “Taking the whole fake relationship a bit too far, aren’t you?”
“There is nothing fake between us.”
I hear Nora’s ‘what?’in the background and Cowan stares at me.
“Whatever I agreed to all those weeks ago is no more. I’m done with the fakeness, done with it all.”
“Shit, man. I didn’t know.” His expression softens and I genuinely believe him. “I was only fucking about with you ‘cause she wasn’t actually yours.”
“Royce.” Nora’s tone is sharp and I ignore her.
“Well, she is now, so back off.”
I step back, and with one last glance, I walk away. The sound of Nora’s footsteps follow me, and I know she is going to go mental for what I just admitted.
“Royce,” she snaps at me as I push through the double doors, walking outside. “Have you broken the contract?” Her words make me stop before I turn to look at her.
“Is that all you care about?” I narrow my gaze on her.
“I do when this girl has been in our world for a few months, writing a book no doubt based on you. Who knows what’s in it. My priority is to protectyouand to protectSaint Onyx.” Her voice trembles.
“You don’t have to worry about protecting me. What gives you that doubt?” I step closer to her, searching her face.
“It’s my job, Royce.” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “I really like Athena, but at the same time, I have to make sure I am doing what I have been tasked with.”
“Destroy the contract.”
She blinks at me as if she doesn’t understand what I am saying.
“If you don’t, Nora, I fucking will. Destroy the fucking contract.” I turn on my heel and head towards my car.
