CHAPTER 168: NOT TAKING IT BACK (2)

Nick’s POV

The sharp sound of his palm slamming the table echoed through the restaurant, snapping heads in our direction. A few forks froze mid-air, and the air thickened with the weight of curious stares. My chest tightened, but I didn’t flinch. Not this time.

"Dammit, Nicholas," Dad growled, his voice carrying enough authority to make even strangers shrink. "I already gave you the position you wanted. The least you could do is show some gratitude—by making up with Sarah."

I set my glass down calmly; I had practiced more often than I thought I had. The harsh ocean and weather had honed me to be this way throughout the years that I was at sea.

Though my patience was running razor-thin. "Enough about Sarah. I don’t like her, Dad. I never will. I thought we talked about this. You said you were fine with anyone."

His eyes flashed with that familiar steel. "We did. But I can’t just erase the humiliation her family brought us. That stain doesn’t go away, Nicholas. I won’t accept it."

My pulse spiked. "Then maybe you’d be better off accepting my resignation instead," I shot back. The words came out sharper than I intended, but I was hanging on by a thread. One more push and I’d snap.

Dad leaned back, lips curling into a smug, knowing smirk. "Perhaps Violet was right. You’ll never give her up unless Georgia walks away herself. Don’t test me, Nicholas. I’m always one step ahead of you."

That was it. The threat wasn’t against me; it was against her. And I’d be damned if I let him touch Georgia. Heat surged through me, and my restraint shattered.

"What did you do? What the hell did that woman of yours do?" I barked, my voice slicing through the restaurant’s uneasy silence.

He smirked wider, almost relishing my fury. "You’ll find out soon enough. Better start preparing that apology to Sarah and her fam—"

I didn’t let him finish. I pushed back from the table, the chair screeching against the floor. Without another word, I turned and walked out. I heard him call my name, sharp and commanding, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t even look back.

I yanked my phone from my pocket and dialed Georgia’s number, straight to voicemail. My chest tightened. Not good.

I hit Vicky’s contact next, relief washing over me when she answered on the first ring.

"Where’s Georgia?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended.

[I don’t know. She didn’t come with us. Said something urgent came up. Ella tried calling her earlier, but her phone’s already off.]

Damn it. My gut twisted. "If you hear from her, call me immediately. I’ve got a bad feeling. Dad and Violet might’ve pulled something." I didn’t wait for her reply before ending the call.

Without wasting a second, I dialed the house manager. He picked up right away. "Where’s Violet?" I demanded.

[The madam went out for dinner. Would you like to leave a message, sir?]

"Forget the message. Call her driver. Find out where she is and who she’s with. Don’t mention my name. I’ll hold." My steps quickened as I crossed the lobby and headed straight for the underground parking.

By the time I reached my car, his voice came back on the line. [Sir, she’s at Mezza. Driver says she’s with a woman with long black hair.]

Ice flooded my veins. Georgia.

"Alright, thanks. And Alfie—don’t breathe a word about this to anyone. I’ll send you your favorite tequila." Alfie has been with the family not too long, but I know what he likes... He is loyal to his drinks.

His chuckle was soft but steady. [You can count on me, sir.]

The call ended. Fury coiled hot in my chest. I slammed my palms against the steering wheel, the sound ricocheting in the silence of the car. "Goddammit!"

I fired up the engine, pulling up Google Maps with one hand. Mezza popped on the screen, mocking me with its neat red pin. Please, let me be wrong. Please let Violet not be with her.

But my gut told me otherwise. And if she was... Violet had no idea what storm she was about to unleash.

I didn’t even bother with the parking lot—I pulled straight up to the restaurant entrance and jumped out, leaving the car there like a crazy man. My pulse was hammering as I pushed through the doors, scanning every corner of the place. Nothing. No Violet. No Georgia.

A waiter spotted me pacing and came over. "Sir, can I help you? Are you looking for someone?"

For a moment, my mind blanked.

Then I remembered those few stolen shots of Georgia on my phone. We never bothered taking pictures together; we were always too wrapped up in each other to think about anything else.

I pulled up one of the photos and held it out. "This woman, have you seen her?"

Recognition flickered across his face, and my chest unclenched a little. "Yes, sir. She was here. She came with an older woman, but that lady left first. They ordered food but didn’t eat anything."

My throat tightened. "Where did she go?"

The waiter hesitated, then added, "She refused the food when I offered to pack it. But I still packed them and went after her. I saw her in the parking lot... But I didn’t bother her anymore because she was crying in her car."

That was all I needed. "Thank you," I muttered, already bolting for the exit.

My heart pounded harder with every step toward the parking area.

And then—I saw it. Her car. Her.

She was gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles were white, tears streaming down her face. For a split second, I froze. Seeing her like that gutted me. Then instinct took over. My legs moved on their own, I ran to her, and I yanked open her door.

She flinched at the sudden intrusion, but I didn’t give her a chance to push me away. I pulled her into my arms, wrapping her up as tight as I could without hurting her, silently daring the world to try and take her from me.

"I’m sorry," I whispered into her hair, my voice breaking. "I wasn’t here to protect you. I’m so damn sorry, baby..."

Her arms finally curled around me, clinging as her sobs shook through both of us. And in that moment, I knew—I’d fight anyone, even my own family, if it meant keeping her safe.

*******

Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

LucyK_212

Kukeng15