Page 21 of The Contract

I exhale slowly, clenching my jaw.

Of course, she’s gone.

One night.

No names.

No expectations.

It wasexactlywhat we agreed on.

So why the fuck does itpiss me off?

I shake it off when my phone vibrates again.

I grab it?—

And immediately swear under my breath.

Lucian Vale.

Shit.

Ioverslept.

Ineveroversleep.

“You’re late.”

Lucian’s voice drips with amusement, and I already want to hang up.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, exhaling sharply.

“I’m aware.”

“Shit, did hell freeze over? Damien Wolfeoversleeping?I thought you didn’t do things like sleep in, take days off, or—God forbid—have fun.”

I grunt, looking toward the window, drapes thrown back, letting the bright sunlight fill the room.

The city sprawls below, glittering with morning light, but I’m not seeing any of it.

“Didn’t oversleep,” I mutter, rubbing the heel of my hand against my temple. “Just got behind this morning.”

Lucian’s chuckle is way too entertained for my liking.

“Morning? Try again, lover boy. It’s almostnoon.”

Noon.

Ineversleep this late.

The tension pulls tight in my chest, and I swing my legs over the side of the bed, pressing my forearms to my knees.

Lucian hums,waytoo entertained. “Uh-huh. And what was her name?”

“What’s the point of your call?”

Dead silence.

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