Chapter: 13

After transferring the money to his account, she wiped her wet legs and feet with the coat, smirking as she tossed it back at him. “Next time, Mr. Ward, I suggest investing in a better coat. This one's a bit rough."

Caden's laughter filled the car.

Rough? Huh.

That night, she had clung to him, soaking his clothes.

She hadn't complained about his roughness then.

As his mind drifted back to scenes from that night, his throat went dry. He swallowed hard, lighting a cigarette to stifle the ache rising within him.

But even the nicotine couldn't calm him down...

By the time Caden reached his apartment, Hank was already waiting at the door, ready to update him on company matters.

Caden had left him with specific instructions to reorganize everything from top to bottom, all of which Hank had taken care of.

“Oh, and one more thing," Hank added after reporting everything. “I saw Joshua at the police station earlier. It looked like he was searching for Ms. Bennett."

Caden let out a sharp laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he tossed Hank a bottle of water.

"The ever-submissive Alicia finally stood up to him, and he liked it. Imagine that."

Now that they were on the subject of Alicia, Hank handed a ring to Caden and asked, "Should I send Ms. Bennett's ring back to her, or have her pick it up herself?"

Caden looked over the ring.

It was just a small, plain silver band, with no diamond to speak of.

It was too big, a little loose, likely slipping off during that night's.. intensity.

Cheap material, and even cheaper sentiment.

Yet, Alicia was desperate to get it back.

Caden's lips curved in a cynical smirk. What did she have besides that enticing body of hers? Not much.

Hank sighed, almost regretfully. "If Ms. Bennett weren't your sister -in-law, Mr. Ward, perhaps your troubles—"

At this, Caden's expression darkened, and Hank immediately shut up.

“It was the drug," Caden hissed, his voice sharp as ice.

Without thinking, Hank corrected him. “But it was Ms. Bennett who was drugged, sir."

Caden's fingers curled tighter around the ring, the cold metal digging into his palm. The atmosphere dropped several hundred degrees, a chill creeping over the room.

"My apologies, Mr. Ward. I spoke out of turn," Hank murmured, stepping back, eyes downcast.

Caden's gaze shifted downward, to a part of himself that was already reacting to thoughts of Alicia.

Just thinking about that woman turned him on.

With a wicked smile, he added, almost to himself, "We'll know where the problem really lies.. after another round.”

Alicia soaked in the warmth of the bath, letting the gentle steam wrap around her like a cocoon.

When Monica found out that it was Caden who brought Alicia back, she couldn't stop gabbing, her eyes flashing with excitement.