This closeness, this charged moment, was beyond Nicole’s wildest scenarios.
The Roscoe she knew, once easily flushed with embarrassment, had matured.
His proximity sent a flutter through hershes, a reflex she couldn’t still.
But then, Roscoe’s advance halted.
He redirected the moment’s intensity into a soft caress on her cheek.
His voice, barely above a whisper, carried a weight.
“Nicole, this is a game to you.
Enough.
”
He released her and departed, his departure as swift as a shadow fleeing the dawn.
Roscoe remained in his car outside, sumbing to exhaustion only in the deepest hours of night.
And when the first light crept across the horizon, Nicole’s eyes opened.
Drawing the curtains aside, she caught sight of Roscoe, finding a makeshift refuge in his car, a silent sentinel in slumber.
Nicole readied herself for the day, her mind on the documents she had left upstairs.
With her ns set, she descended the stairs and gave a passing nce to the car, a silent testament to the night’s turmoil.
Resolved to face whaty ahead without dragging others into the fray, Nicole made her way first to her residence and then to thepany.
Stepping out of her car, her path was abruptly blocked.
Lifting her gaze, she met Alec’s stern countenance.
“What is it?” Nicole inquired, a trace of concern threading her voice.
Without a word, Alec signaled.
Swiftly, bodyguards closed in, pinning Nicole’s arms in a firm grip.
Alec, seizing the moment, slid into her car, rifling through her possessions.
He emerged with a sealed envelope in hand, the sight of which darkened Nicole’s expression with anger and dread.
She lunged for the envelope, but Alec was resolute.
“Miss Lawrence, you’reing with us,” Alecmanded, and there was no room for argument in his tone.
Nicole was taken to a hospital room.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Jarrod was not dressed in a hospital gown.
Instead, he was wearing a gray casual suit with a ck t-shirt underneath.
He had paired this with a silver watch, giving him a particrly young and handsome appearance.
Alec respectfully gave the encrypted file to Jarrod before quietly exiting the room, locking the door behind him.
Nicole didn’t even think about trying to escape.
She knew that no matter which corner of Ardlens she hid in, Jarrod had the resources to find her.
Jarrod sauntered over to Nicole.
His V-necked t-shirt revealed his corbone, making him look seductive and dangerous at the same time.
His eyes glinted with a hint of desire.
“Where were youst night?”
Nicole didn’t answer, prompting Jarrod to step closer.
With an icy expression, he demanded, “Were you with another man?”
Nicole still didn’t reply.
“Are you going to remain silent?” Jarrod raised one eyebrow and extended his slender fingers, muttering, “Let me check.
”