Chapter 24 24
Roman's Pov
I was knee-deep in work mode.
My eyes skimmed over the fabricated document Cole had compiled over the evening. It was almost midnight and I needed to hit the sack but decided I would when I was done with this.
When I was done, I approved the file and relaxed into my seat.
I cracked my fingers, feeling my shoulders loosen as I leaned back in my seat.
Just then —
“What are you watching?”
I glanced over and nearly choked on my saliva.
Maisie had been holed up in her bedroom all evening. I hadn’t expected to see her again until the next morning, but here she was, waltzing into the corner office we would be sharing and wearing the most indecent piece of clothing possible: an oversized white shirt.
Nothing else. No slippers, no makeup, just a button-down shirt that skimmed the bottoms of her thighs and showed off miles of bare, porcelain skin.
Her hair spilled over her shoulders in glossy golden waves, and she looked so fucking good I had to physically restrain my jaw from dropping.
Maisie sank down next to me on the empty chair and bought my laptop close to her.
“The arrangement is nice.” She said, not noticing me stare at her. Either she was naïve or she seduced me on purpose.
I've seen beautiful women wear my oversized shirts all the time. Truth be told, it was the hottest thing a woman could wear besides lingerie and heels. But seeing Maise in an oversized white shirt was pure kryptonite. It was like she was playing to my weakness, but I’d be damned if I lost to a piece of clothing.
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat as I puked the laptop back to my side, purposely not looking at her.
“The plan might even happen sooner.” I added.
When I finally turned, I froze. She was close. So close that the only thing separating us was our own clothing.
I expected her to stand up and go to bed. But she didn’t.
She stayed seated and she looked at me. Not me exactly. She was looking at the ring on my finger.
“Nice ring.” She said, shifting her gaze to meet mine.
I stroked the emerald ring absentmindedly. It belonged to my younger brother, Jason. He had gotten a matching set — one for him and one for his mate. He had wanted to give it to her on her birthday but he died on his way over.
My blood burned hotter and I clenched my skin. Xavier fucking Dominion! I was going to end him!
“Am I going to get one?” Maisie's question tossed a bucket of ice water over the moment.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
She pointed at the ring. “You mentioned our fake engagement to Xavier. Might as well get matching rings.”
Oh, right.
I stuffed my hand in my pocket and pulled out a distinctive green ring box.
When I popped open the lid, a six-carat diamond winked back at me.
I brushed my fingers over the dazzling gem. Five carats, a rare Asscher cut, with smaller baguette diamonds adorning each shoulder. It was the ring Jason wanted to give his mate.
The ring was a family heirloom worth millions and was the type of ring most women would kill to have but when I plucked it from the box and slid it onto Maisie's finger, it felt like an ordinary ring, a paperweight even.
“It's beautiful,” Maisie said. “Thank you.”
I nodded, looking away from her. I didn't want her to see the emotions crossing my face. It would upset her.
“Are you okay?” Her warm hand pressed against my shoulder.
I opened my mouth to reply but I paused when I heard a heavy knock on the door.
I looked at Maisie to ask if she was expecting anyone. She shook her head.
Slowly, I reached for my glasses and tucked my gun in the back of my trouser. Yes, I keep a gun around. Maisie doesn't know it. At least not yet.
I peeped through the hole before I opened the door.
The sight of Xavier’s frame filling the doorway made my eyes narrow. What was he here instead of bed?
He wore a black sweatshirt and black pants. It was the most casual outfit I’d ever seen him wear.
“It’s past five in the morning.” I told him in a dry tone.
“I know,” he dragged his hand over his face. “I wanted to talk about … you know what…”
A soft smile touched my mouth. He was paranoid about what happened. Hearing the panic in his voice was like music to my ears.
“Come in.” I opened the door wider and stepped to the side but he shook his head.
“We'll talk somewhere else. I would hate to wake your fiancee.” The word ‘fiancee’ left his lips like a curse.
As if on cue, Maisie appeared beside me. This time she was wearing shorts underneath her shirt. I didn't need to look twice to know the short was mine.
“Hey, babe, I was…”her voice trailed off when she looked at Xavier. “Oh… Alpha Xavier, good morning.”
She was wearing her wig and contacts. Damn, she was quick.
“Morning, Chloe.” Xavier greeted, not meeting her gaze.
“Is something wrong?” Maisie asked, hooking her arm over mine.
I took that as a signal to make Xavier jealous and pulled her closer. “Not at all. My boss wants to see me. I'll see you later, okay?”
“Okay.” She pouted her lips and leaned closer to give me a peck.
“Sorry to steal your fiance.” Xavier apologized in a low voice as soon as we pulled away. “but there's something we have to deal with at the office.”
“Sure. Come on in.” She said casually and welcomed us in.
While Xavier waited with Maisie in the living room, I peeled off my pajamas and picked out a shirt and black loafers with some loafers to add.
When I came out, it was oddly quiet. Xavier sat on the couch. I'd never seen him this calm and Maisie, she didn't even look at him. She was sipping from a white mug. It was probably her lemon and ginger tea.
“You're back.” She said, playing the role of a doting fiancee better than any actress I'd seen on TV.
“Yeah.” I reached out for my laptop and put it in my bag.
“Shall we?” Xavier said, rising to his feet.
“Let’s.” I said, showing him to the door.
Before I crossed the door, I raised my eyebrows and Maisie nodded.
The tracker had successfully been planted.
Watching Xavier's every move shouldn't be difficult now.