“Not just yet.” I added atsk. “Stop the investigation and give Adelaide her role back.”
If I knew anything about the man in front of me, he’d act like he was on my side, but he’d find a reason to push Adelaide under the bus if things didn’t work out.
“Excuse me?” Harry’s voice was close to yelling, appalled by the suggestion. “Your words are contradictory, Mr. Hayes. Women should stay at home, but you want Adelaide back?”
“This isn’t up for negotiation,” I simply commanded. “If you want those files, you’ll do as I say.”
“I can do whatever I want.”
A dark chuckle.
That’s where he was wrong. “Not when it comes to my wife.”Fuck. Calling her my wife had a ring to it that made my blood rush to my groin way too fucking fast.
Now really wasn’t the fucking time.
“Stop it or else the deal is off,” an indignant shrug would be enough to knock his senses back in his brain. “If you don’t,I won’t hesitate to reveal to the world that it was you and your friends who were behind that scandal.”
Shock swarmed through his mouth to his brows. “Fine,” he said. “You have yourself a deal.”
We shook hands to seal the deal. It should feel great. I’d been planning this for seven fucking years.
Except the sudden ache in my chest made it feel far less than okay.
Count to fucking eight.
That’s what I told myself when I saw her talking to Harry—the fucker was getting revenge for this morning—he had his arms around her, and she was fucking panicking—shakingand no one was doing anything about it.
Count to eight.
That’s what I told myself when I thought she could handle it. She was awkwardly moving away from him and was rigid as fuck. But she had this. I had nothing—absolutelynothingto fucking worry about.
One more second and I bet the fucktard would come in his pants from hugging her.
Count to?—
Fuck that.
Striding over in their direction, I pulled Adelaide out of his measly arms. Her body instantly melted into mine.Fuck.
“Mr. Hayes,” the bastard smiled like he didn’t just have his filthy fucking hands on my wife. “It’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“Is it?” I raised a brow, questioning his very pervertedaction of groping her at our engagement party. “You had your hands on my wife.”
“She isn’t your wifeyet,” he replied with a subtle tilt to his head. “No woman is truly ever taken.”
“The fuck did you just say?” I grunted menacingly. What kind of stupid fucking thought was that? His eye twitched, yeah, the fucker was trying to fuck with me. If he hadn’t been punished enough with his stupid fucking face, I’d beat the shit out of him.
Adelaide was cold in my arms, loose hairs from her braid clung to her neck.
“Baby,” I whispered. “Are you okay?”
She barely nodded.
Tightening my arms around her, I pointed a finger at Harry. “Stay the fuck away from my wife.”
“What will you do if I don’t?”
Reel it in, Christian. He’s doing it on purpose.
