Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145

“Looking for a ride?”

I turned to find Rex, standing behind me with a crooked smile.

“The manifest says you’re not on any of the helicopters,” he continued, his tone casual. “Come with me. My brother told me to

bring you.”

Relief washed over me so intensely my knees nearly buckled. “Are you sure?” I asked, trying to keep the desperation from my voice.

“Absolutely. Our family helicopter is leaving in twenty minutes. Consider it an apology for… whatever happened with my brother.” Rex shrugged. “He’s been acting weird since he talked to Stone last night.”

I exhaled sharply, shoulders sagging. “Thank you. Seriously, thank

fucking god.”

The helicopter ride back to the city was mercifully quiet. Rex tried to make small talk a few times, but seemed to sense my need for silence. I stared out the window, one knee bouncing nervously, fingers

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absently tracing patterns on the leather seat.

As we neared the landing pad, however, his curiosity got the better of

him.

“So, what exactly is your relationship with Drake?” he asked, his voice barely audible over the helicopter’s rotors. “Everyone’s talking, but

nobody seems to know for sure.”

I stiffened, my jaw clenching reflexively. I stared out the window at the sprawling cityscape below, buying time as I considered how much to reveal. Last night’s confrontation flashed through my mind again- Drake’s eyes wild with jealousy, his hands gripping my wrists, demanding to know what had happened with Allen.

“It’s complicated,” I finally said, my voice tight. “And as of today, it’s

over.”

“I can drop you at your apartment,” Rex offered as we collected our luggage, his hand hovering near my elbow.

“That’s not necessary,” I said quickly, taking a step back. “I’ll take a

cab.”

The last thing I needed was for Drake to hear I’d gone straight home

with another man–especially Allen’s brother.

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When the cab pulled up to my building, I spotted Sophia waiting outside, surrounded by shopping bags. Her face lit up when she saw

1. me.

“There she is! The woman who’s finally free!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me so forcefully I nearly dropped my bag. “I bought stuff to celebrate. Wine, chocolate, and those disgusting cheese puffs

you love.”

Despite everything, I found myself smiling, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly for the first time in days. “Celebrating might

be premature.”

“Bullshit,” Sophia declared, grabbing some bags and heading toward the entrance with a determined stride. “The air tastes different when you’re not breathing his toxic control, doesn’t it? Come on, I got the expensive wine–the kind that gets you drunk enough to forget

assholes exist.”

In my apartment, Sophia poured wine while I unpacked, tossing clothes haphazardly into the hamper. The familiar surroundings felt strangely foreign after the luxury of the resort.

“So, what’s your next move?” Sophia asked, handing me a glass that

was filled much too high. “Alexander’s been asking about you. Silver Gleam Industries would snap you up in a heartbeat.”

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I sighed, sinking onto my couch and kicking off my shoes. “I don’t know if I can jump into another relationship, Soph. Not even a

professional one.”

“Because of Drake? Fuck him!” Sophia snorted, waving her wine glass emphatically. “That contract is over. He has no claim on you

anymore.”

“Ten years isn’t that easy to shake off,” I said quietly, staring into my wine. “It’s like… he’s under my skin.”

My phone buzzed with a text from Allen: Don’t forget your

medication.

I felt a flutter of warmth at his concern, despite his earlier rejection. My thumb hovered over the screen, considering a response.

I scrolled through social media, pausing when I saw a photo Rex had posted of the helicopter ride. Without thinking, I liked it, then immediately winced, wondering if Drake would see and misinterpret

1. it.

Why do I still care what he thinks? I downed half my wine in one

gulp, disgusted with myself.