Chapter 236

Chapter 236
NATALIE

"Nathan!" I screamed, my voice breaking as I struggled to stand. "Why are you such an asshole? I was over you! I had moved on!"

Tears streamed down my face, mixing with blood from the cut. Nathan sat on the ground, his suit torn and bloodied, just taking my fury.

"Do you get what you've done? My job, my apartment, my friends—everything in Chicago is gone because of you! Again!"

Nathan watched me, face unreadable in the darkness. "We can fix this."

"Fix this?" I laughed, wiping tears with my sleeve. "This isn't New York. You can't just snap your fingers and make problems disappear!"

"The drug trafficking," Nathan said quietly, pushing himself up. "Tell me what you noticed with Scoot."

"Why? So you can add drug lord to your enemy list? This is Chicago, not New York. The Hall family name means nothing here!"

"Maybe not," Nathan said, brushing dirt from his pants. "But evidence of drug trafficking would. You're a journalist. Collect evidence against Scoot, keep your job in Chicago."

My breathing slowed as his words sank in. Could it work? Expose Scoot and save my career?

"I'd need time," I said, voice raw. "Sources. Access—"

"I can help with that."

I stepped back. "No. No more help from you. Every time you 'help,' my life falls apart."

"You'd rather go back to New York? Face my grandfather again?"

"I'll destroy you," I threatened, anger flaring. "I'll write an exposé on Nathan that will burn your empire down."

He moved fast, pulling me against him. His hands gripped my waist tight.

"Destroy me?" he whispered, breath hot against my ear. "Then why protect my leg earlier?"

Before I could answer, his mouth claimed mine, hungry and demanding. I should've pushed him away, slapped him, run. Instead, my body betrayed me, arms wrapping around his neck as I kissed him back just as hard.

Whatever Scoot put in that whiskey was hitting Nathan now. His movements were aggressive, less controlled. He pushed me toward the taxi, opening the back door without breaking the kiss.

The door slammed. Nathan's weight pressed me into the seat, his hands everywhere. My brain screamed to stop, but my body wouldn't listen.

I turned away, crying again. "I don't want this. What's this supposed to be? Round two of our one-night stand?"

Nathan sat up, fixing his rumpled shirt. His eyes burned with intensity.

"I told you before. I don't do one-night stands."

"Then what exactly is this?" I demanded, creating distance.

Nathan stared at me. "What do you want it to be, Natalie? What do you really want?"

"I want my life back! The one I built without you!"

"A life writing celebrity gossip instead of real journalism? Dating men who bore you?" He leaned closer. "Do you really fall for guys because they're ordinary? Unremarkable? Safe?"

His words hit hard.

"You used to demand emotion from me," he continued, voice low. "I gave you black cards instead. Now I'm offering you what you always wanted—my feelings—and you're running scared."

"I finally got over you," I whispered, hating how my voice shook. "Why now?"

Instead of answering, Nathan kissed me again, softer, hands holding my face. I melted against him, hating myself for it.

"Take another chance on me," he murmured against my lips.

Headlights swept across us. A black SUV crawled past, then slowed.

"We need to go," I urged, pulling away. "Now."

Nathan didn't move. "Answer me first."

"Are you serious? They'll kill us!"

"I need to know if you're in or out."

The SUV stopped, engine idling.

"Nathan, for God's sake!"

"Yes or no?"

"Aren't we taking chances right now?" I nearly screamed, pointing at the threat. "Do I have a choice anymore?"

That satisfied him. Nathan jumped into the driver's seat and sped away just as the SUV doors opened.

We drove for hours, zigzagging through Chicago until we lost our pursuers and reached a run-down motel outside town.

The moment the door locked, Nathan pulled me against him, mouth finding mine with desperate hunger. Clothes fell away as we tumbled onto the ancient mattress.

"Is this your idea of trying a relationship?" I gasped as his mouth moved down my neck.

Nathan chuckled against my skin. "What were you expecting? Holding hands and talking about feelings?"

I looked into his eyes, suddenly serious. "Do you even want me? Really want me?"

His hand touched my cheek. "I never go back to exes, Natalie. You're the only exception. If you're willing, you could be the only exception in my entire life."

His sincerity shocked me. This wasn't the Nathan I knew—the cold businessman who measured everything against profit and family approval.

"Try with me," he whispered. "Give us one chance to get it right."

I answered by kissing him. "Just this once. Let's see how far we can go."

Hours later, Nathan helped me to the bathroom as the drugs wore off. I watched him clean my cut with surprising gentleness, then noticed the ugly bruise on his thigh.

"Will your leg have permanent damage?" I asked, touching it.

Nathan smirked. "Worried I'll become a cripple?"

"Zane will blame me."

"Sean took a bullet trying to rescue Eve, and he recovered fine."

Back in bed, my worry returned. "What happens tomorrow? Scoot won't just let this go."

Nathan stroked my back. "Tomorrow is tomorrow. Tonight, rest."

My mother suddenly came to mind. I grabbed my phone and dialed.

"Hello?" Mom answered sleepily.

"Mom, it's me. Are you okay?"

"Natalie? It's the middle of the night. What's wrong?"

Relief washed through me. "Nothing. Just checking. Don't open the door for anyone, okay? If anything weird happens, call the police immediately."

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain later. Just be careful."

After hanging up, I turned to Nathan. "If we can't stop Scoot, Mom and I can't stay in Chicago."

Nathan pulled me closer. "Come back to New York with me. Problem solved."

"Just like that? Your grandfather would never accept me."

"You're Theodore's mother. That's enough."

I stared at him. "Are you forgetting how Zane threatened to disown you if you stayed with me?"

"You're going to be with me, not my grandfather," Nathan said firmly. "And in my family, what I want, Grandfather eventually accepts."

"That's not how it worked before."

Nathan grew serious. "I hesitated before. I even thought about cutting you out completely."

His honesty hurt, but I appreciated it.

"But now that I've chosen you," he continued, taking my hand, "I'll take responsibility for you and our future."

We fell asleep tangled together. In the morning, Nathan was already awake, watching me.

"Give me a chance to convince my grandfather," he said. "What if he doesn't object?"

"And if he does?"

"Then we'll respect your decision. All I'm asking is a chance."

His sincerity touched me. Maybe things could be different.

The next morning, my phone rang. Mom's number.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

"Natalie!" Her voice was panicked. "Someone's trying to break down the door!"

"Don't open it!" I sat straight up. "We'll be right there!"