Page 44 of Claiming His Throne
“You know I don’t get out much these days. I’d rather hear about your travels, Maggie. Your life is much more exciting. Are you back for a while now? I didn’t notice any lights on next door,” Mom says, staring out the window.
“Oh, I’m renovating. I’m staying in a hotel for a little bit. But I’ve been so busy with work.”
“You’re renovating. Oh, will it be noisy?” Mom asks.
“Not at all. It’s just painting, some furniture replacement. You won’t hear a thing. Promise.”
“You really are a great neighbor,” Mom tells me. “Are you going to move here, Alfie? Maggie’s house next door is very big for just one woman.”
“I’ll see how long she lets me follow her around.” Alfie smirks at me. “Maybe I can convince her to come back to Vegas for a bit too.”
“Oh, not only am I going back but I’m going to be sitting on that throne of yours,” I tell Alfie.
His lips tilt up as he returns my glare. “I look forward to seeing you try.”
“Dear, Maggie here is closing in on a big business deal. She’s buying some properties in Las Vegas, and she’s going to rebuild some green energy buildings there. She’s saving the world one building at a time,” my dad explains to my mother.
“That’s nice. You know my Molly is a bit of a greenie. She’s always talking about ways to save the environment,” Mom says.
“I know. She’s shared many great ideas with me,” I reply.
Chapter Eighteen
Ineed to figure out how to handle these newfound feelings I’m having for Molly Olive. Seeing her upset and struggling, hurting even, is making me feel all sorts of empathy for someone I’m supposed to not feel anything for. I’m not a total monster. I care about select people, namely my family, but I’ve never cared about a woman…
After we left her mother’s room, Molly showed me around the house, pointing out fixtures and shit. I went along with the tour because it was giving her a distraction she was desperate for.
Now, we’re on our way to a hotel Angus booked for her.
“Shit.” Molly picks up her phone. “Siri, call Angus.”
The phone rings out and then a male voice answers, “Mol, how was it?”
“Same,” she says. “I need another two rooms booked for Alfie and Hudson Giuliani.”
“Okay. You sure you want to book Alfie his own room? If I had access to all that, I’d be taking advantage of itall night.” The guy laughs, and I look at Molly with a raised brow.
“He can hear you,” she announces.
“Oh, well, is this going to be a thing now? Alfie listening in on our calls?”
“Yes,” I say at the same time Molly saysno.
“Right… I’ll get on to those reservations for you. Two extra or one?”
“Two,” Molly states firmly.
“Okay, got it. Also, check your email when you get a chance. I sent over a… slight hiccup with the… Um, just read the email,” Angus says. “And remember: don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Okay, I’ll be working as soon as I reach the hotel,” Molly tells him. After ending the call, she puts the phone into her bag and leans her head back on the seat.
“You know I have no intention of sleeping in a bed you’re not in tonight,” I tell her.
She opens one eye and looks over at me. “I’m really not great company right now, Alfie.”
“Pfft, you’re the best company,” I say. “Are you working because you need to, or because you’re trying to distract yourself?”
“Alfie, I run a multi-billion dollar business. I always need to work,” she snaps.
