Chapter 27
ed that he didn’t notice a man
Heath descended the stairs, finding Little Fish trying to persuade Aurora to head home early. He was so focused sidling up to them. “Had too much to drink?” the man inquired.
Little Fish glanced nervously at the stranger. “Nah, I’m good. The driver’s coming soon.”
The man persisted, leaning in closer. “It’s late. Let me give you a ride.
The smell of alcohol hit Little Fish’s face, making her slightly nauseous.
Heath stepped in, grabbing the giggling Aurora by the arm. “Let’s go,” he told Little Fish.
“Mr. Fairbank, ah, sure, let’s go.” Little Fish was a bit surprised, but she knew she was safe with Heath around.
The man, seeing his chance at a drunk beauty slipping away, blocked Heath. “Hey man, ever heard of first come, first served?”
“Scram!” Heath shot the man a dismissive glance.
Aurora tried to wriggle her hand free, but Heath tightened his grip, not having time for distractions.
“What’s your problem, man?” The guy was getting agitated.
The commotion caught the club manager’s attention. Dressed in his glittering nightclub suit, he jogged over. One look at Heath Fairbank’s attice and demeanor, and he knew this was someone he couldn’t afford to mess with.
The manager immediately intervened, allowing Heath to exit with his companions.
Aurora still struggled to free her hand from Heath’s grip as they left the bar. Kieran was already waiting at the car. Little Fish took the front seat. while Heath somewhat roughly shoved Aurora into the back. “Back to the hotel,” he ordered.
Little Fish was puzzled. “Mr. Fairbank, aren’t we going back to the Pendletons?”
Kieran chuckled. “With Miss Aurora like this? She’d probably make a scene if we took her home.”
Little Fish nodded. She felt safe with Heath.
On the way, Aurora tried to get out of the car multiple times but was held back by Heath. “Come on, let’s drink!” she exclaimed, pounding on Heath’s leg.
She reminisced about the good old days training with Jasper, eating and drinking together. For a moment, she felt like she was still Olivia, back in the States, hanging out in the underworld with Jasper and occasionally taking a walk with Dominic Ashcroft.
She looked up at Heath and smiled–a smile not of Aurora’s sweetness, but of a slightly tipsy, alluring young woman.
“I want chicken legs. Jasper always tries to steal mine, but he can’t beat mel” she declared.
Heath frowned. “Who’s Jasper?”
Aurora leaned in, whispering as if sharing a secret. “I’ll tell you a secret. Jasper is actually three years older than me, but I never admit it. I’m the buss; they’re all my underlings!”
Heath shifted uncomfortably as her alcohol–laced breath hit him. “You have a lot of underlings?”
*Yeah, I’m pretty awesome. I taught them everything they know,” Aurora boasted, trying to put her hands on her hips but failing due to leath’s
Like what?” Heath inquired.
Fighting! Boxing! I taught them all that. Even shooting. I’m a great shot, you know. Give me a sniper rifle, and I can hit a target 2 kilometers away!” Aurora grinned foolishly
Heath shook his head, thinking she must be drunk. A high school dropout talking about combat and sniper rifles? Had she ever even touched a
11:32 PM c d
Chapter 27
gun?
Aurora chattered away, claiming she was skilled in many things and had been to many places. Eventually, she grew tired and collapsed onto Heath’s lap, falling asleep.
For the first time in his life, a woman was this close to Heath, Kieran was stunned, catching the scene in the rearview mirror.
“Something amusing?” Heath shot him a warning glance.
Kieran immediately focused back on driving. But it was clear; the boss felt differently about this Miss Aurora.
Heath frowned, pondering why he felt different about Aurora. She was soft and cuddly, mumbling something in her sleep like a content little
animal.
Cute and dependent.
For the first time in his life, he thought this feeling wasn’t so bad.
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