Page 57 of Indulge

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I didn’t expect him to be the one pissed off here.

“I-I didn’t know. After the whole agreement thing, I thought she wanted me out of the way.”

He laughs, and that irritates me more.

“She’s not a business transaction. She’s a woman. A very smart, beautiful, sassy one. Who for some reason, wants you to like her.”

Drago clears his throat and I take a deep breath.

“What does it matter about me? She’s more than happy with you,” I spit.

“Jealousy doesn’t sound good on you, bro. That ain’t how we work. You said if she came to me, you didn’t care. But, we haven’t. We’re just friends. I’m all she’s got here, nothing more.”

“Right,” I say sarcastically.

Not like he was prepared to step over that line just now.

“She’s fine without me,” I add.

“And you’re fine without her?” he snaps.

“Yeah,” I lie.

But it’s what I need to do for this alliance. Feelings would fuck this up. Her becomingminewould fuck everything up. I’m not built to do relationships. I do agreements.

And Bella? She has the potential to erupt everything.

“Just look after her.”

“Whatever, Reg.”

He cuts the call and I toss my phone down on Drago’s desk.

“Cut the feed, I don’t give a fuck anymore,” I snap.

He arches a brow at me.

He chuckles. “Are you sure about that?”

I shoot him a glare.

“I have to do what I have to do. Loyalty to the Quinns comes first.”

He scratches his stubble.

“Sure. I get it. I’ve spent years working for other people, pleasing them and forgetting about myself. We’re all cogs in a machine, Reggie. Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices for yourself—before it’s too late.”

He nods back at the screen where Rowan walks back up to Bella.

I chew on the inside of my mouth. Rowan’s words circling in my head. She wants me to like her.

And I’ve been a cold cunt to her. That’s who I am. And probably why she naturally gravitates to Rowan instead. They have a spark together.

But then, I felt it too. I feel it every time she’s near, that’s why I stay away.

“Whatever happens, I’m the one she’s marrying, regardless.”

Drago taps on the table.

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