EX-HUSBAND'S BOSS FOR VALENTINE

COLD MEAL

MELANIA:

I glare at Royal, my mouth slightly open, unable to find words for a moment. He clears his throat, setting down his cutlery.

“I’m very sorry,” he mutters. I close my mouth, pick up my fork, and begin pushing the peas around my plate. A heavy silence lingers between us for several seconds.

“Look, I don’t want to sound controlling, but this is a serious case, and you refuse to tell me who this man is. That makes me nervous because, for all I know, he could be a dangerous criminal, and—”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” I cut him off, meeting his gaze, hoping he’ll understand that I have everything under control. The last thing I want is for him to keep digging until he finds something he shouldn’t.

“Br—” I stop myself immediately. “Barry is my ex-husband, and I know how to handle him, so there’s no need for concern.”

He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just ignore this.” His body is tense, his hand curled into a fist on the table, his thumb absently rubbing his index finger.

I know I’m frustrating him, but I refuse to back down. Hiring a bodyguard would mean they’d follow me to court, eventually discover that Brady is my ex-husband, which would create more problems than I can afford.

“If you insist on a bodyguard, fine,” I say, holding his gaze. “But I want something in return for my breach of privacy.”

“What is it?” he asks immediately. “I mean, everything is within my reach, and I can get you whatever you want.” He doesn’t even hesitate, already assuming he can buy his way through anything.

“You’ll arrange for this to be a private court hearing. Just me, my ex-husband, the attorneys, the judge, and whoever this bodyguard is.” His jaw tightens. “And no one—not even you—should have access to the details.”

He leans back slightly, undoing his tie, his eyes never leaving mine.

“And what if I say no?”

I shrug, taking a spoonful

“You will need witnesses, mediators, and..”

“I am not dumb, Royal!” I cut him off. This is already a win for me, because Brady will have to lose.

“That’s not an option. You will have protection.” His voice hardens. “Your ex-husband isn’t the only threat to you. You’re a Montclair now, and that alone puts a target on your back. Do you know what will happen if you fall into the hands of the Chestwicks?”

Hearing my family’s name sends a cold wave through me.

I swallow the hard lump in my throat, gripping the spoon tightly.

“Why would the Chestwicks want to harm me?” I ask in a low tone.

“Because this is business, Melania. It’s brutal, and no one gives a damn about you!”

“Just like you don’t care about me. This is all about protecting your image,” I snap, gritting my teeth. He doesn’t say a word. I scoff, letting go of my spoon. It sinks into the bowl with a quiet plop, and I push my chair back with a scrape.

Guilt claws at my chest, but right now, I need to get away. I haven’t spoken to my parents since my last call with my father, and this is exactly what I was avoiding. If the Chestwicks are this ruthless, then I’ve been blind my entire life.

I take a few steps away when Royal calls after me.

“Mel!”

I keep walking, but he quickens his pace, and so do I, desperate to escape.

“Melania.” His tone is softer, but I don’t stop. I step out of the dining room, heading for the stairs, but before I can take another step, his hand grabs mine, yanking me back.

I gasp as my back collides with the wall, my chest rising and falling in ragged breaths. Royal tightens his grip on my wrist, leaving no room for escape. He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off him. His breathing is just as uneven as mine, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?” he growls, frustration etched into his face. His hand presses against the wall beside my head, caging me in. He leans closer, his cologne invading my senses, making it impossible to think straight.

I should be angry, I should shove him away, but all I can focus on is how close he is, and the tension crackling between us. My gaze flickers to his lips, and I swallow hard, my fingers twitching with the urge to trace the hard ridges of his abs beneath his crisp white shirt.

His eyes darken, as if he can read my thoughts.

“f**k this,” he mutters in a rough voice.

Before I can react, his lips crash against mine.

A shocked gasp escapes me, but the moment his mouth moves over mine, all resistance crumbles. He kisses me hungrily, nipping at my lower lip until I open for him. His tongue slides inside, drawing a helpless moan from me. My hands, as if acting on their own, trail up his chest, feeling the solid muscles beneath his shirt, sending a shiver through me.

Royal groans against my lips, pressing me firmly against the wall, trapping me between him and the heat of his body. A slow burn ignites deep inside me, and I realize escaping this night will be impossible.