Page 111 of Parting Shot

It was rubbing, and as much as I liked it, it did need to come off. But I had to wait for Aaron to do that. He was the one who could remove it, not me. It wasn’t my place. And not for any other reason besides the obvious, that if he got there and it was on the examination table beside me instead of around my neck, he would wonder why. I never wanted him to doubt I belonged to him.

I was sitting, being fussed over by Faith, when Aaron charged in with Clay Wells and Goran Begović close on his heels. He was in front of me in seconds, hands on my thighs, gripping tight as he stared at my face.

“Hey.” I smiled, reaching out, putting a hand on the side of his neck, staring into his eyes. “I’m okay.”

He had no response, just kept his gaze locked on mine.

I reached for him, but he gave me a slight shake of his head before he touched the chain.

“I don’t want to take it off,” I said, “but––”

“But it was used as a weapon against you,” he said roughly, his hands moving slowly, tenderly, over my skin.

Once it was unlocked, he put it around his own neck and locked it, flipping the A to the D before moving his hands away.

“What do you think?” he asked softly.

“I think I miss the feel of it for some reason, but it looks really good on you.”

“The ownership thing is odd, isn’t it?”

“It is,” I answered, my voice low and husky.

He slumped against me, pressing his forehead to mine, and soaked in the closeness, same as I did.

“We’ll be home soon,” I offered by way of solace.

“Good,” he said and suddenly pivoted to face the two men.

“Mr. Sutter, I⁠—”

“No!” he said flatly, and I could hear the tremor in his voice. He was furious.

Goran sucked in a breath. “I had no earthly idea this man belonged to you. I⁠—”

“Yes,” Aaron agreed. “You didn’t know … or you did.”

“I swear! I would never attack you or test you in any⁠—”

“It’s not real,” Clay pleaded. “Mr. Sutter, he’s done it many⁠—”

“No!” he roared, and it was loud.

I heard how incensed he was. I heard again what I had thought was anger, but now knew was fear. There was nothing worse than making someone not only mad, but scared as well. People did surprising things when pushed to that extreme. Aaron Sutter was at the end of what he could take. He was tired of the uncertainty.

Gently, I reached out and put my hand on his shoulder. He covered it with his a moment later.

Clay cleared his throat. “Mr. Sutter, please⁠—”

“Mr. Wells,” he cut him off, “you will see Mr. Begović from your resort immediately, or I will simply leave here and direct my people to purchase this property by any means necessary and then raze it to the ground.”

Clay Wells looked absolutely terrified, and it took him a moment to gather himself enough to speak. “Mr. Sutter, I can’t simply⁠—”

“Make your choice now,” Aaron said implacably. “Me or him.”

“Mr. Sutter,” Goran began, “I⁠—”

“Mr. Begović, please advise your board that my company will no longer be joining with your company to purchase the previously agreed-on telecommunication companies in Europe. We will not be doing any business together.”