Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242

Drake’s hand closed around my wrist, not painfully but firmly enough that I couldn’t pull away without making a scene. ‘Come with me.”

‘Where?‘ I couldn’t keep the wariness from my voice.

“To get actual food. I’m not allowing you to eat that garbage.”

Before I could protest, he was guiding me down the street, his arm sliding possessively around my waist. I could have fought him, could have made a scene. but I was too tired and too aware of how much I needed him to keep my mother alive. So I walked beside him, hating how natural it felt to match my stride to his, hating the warmth of his body against mine.

Drake led us confidently for a block before realizing he’d taken a wrong turn into a dead–end alley.

“This way,” I said quietly, pointing in the opposite direction and redirecting us toward a restaurant I recognized from our previous visits. Drake said nothing,

but I felt his fingers tighten slightly at my waist, a silent acknowledgment of his mistake that he’d never verbalize.

The restaurant owner greeted us warmly as we entered. “Mr. Stone! Ms. Hale! It’s been too long since you’ve visited us!”

Drake nodded acknowledgment as we were led to “our” table in the back corner. I slid into my seat, uncomfortably aware of how routine this felt, how easily

we slipped back into old patterns. I fidgeted with my napkin, tearing tiny pieces from the corner.

The owner brought menus, but Drake waved them away. “The usual for both of us.

I opened my mouth to object but caught myself, sighing in defeat. What did it matter what I ate? I just needed to get through tonight, get through Mom’s surgery tomorrow, and then… well, I’d figure that out later.

When the food arrived, I noticed Drake eyeing the spicy shrimp dish with interest.

“You’re allergic to cayenne,” I reminded him quietly, pointing to the dish.

He paused, then nodded, pushing the dish aside. I hated that I remembered his allergies, hated that everything. I stabbed at my food with more force than necessary.

“Drink your soup,” Drake ordered, pushing a bowl toward me. “All of it.”

part of

me

still automatically looked out for him despite

I glanced at the rich broth filled with herbs and roots. “I’m not really hungry.”

“Drink it anyway. You’ve lost weight. Planning to waste away so all those dresses

I bit back a “fuck you” and sipped the soup instead, my fingers trembling slight/ught you don’t

swallow felt like another small surrender.

fit

anymore?”

round the spoon. It was good, warming me from the inside, but each

As we finished eating, Drake wiped his mouth with a napkin and fixed me with a steady gaze. I’m taking you back to the high–rise tonight.”

My heart stuttered, and I nearly choked on my water. “Why?”

“To sleep. What else?‘ His eyes gleamed dangerously, one eyebrow arched in

challenge.

1–my mother is having surgery tomorrow,” I said, hating the pleading note in my voice. I twisted my napkin in my lap until it was a crumpled mess.

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10:52 Fri, Apr 24 0

Chapter 242

* 40

And you think I’m what kind of savage?” Drake’s voice was low, his anger evident in the tight line of his jaw. Your mother is having surgery, so I’d force you

to exhaust yourself?”

I looked down at my plate, shame burning my cheeks. My shoulders hunched inward.

Til take you back to the hospital,” he said finally. “Stay on your bench all night if that’s what you want.”

Relief washed through me, my shoulders sagging visibly. It was quickly followed by wariness. Drake rarely conceded anything without a price.

As we walked back toward the hospital, I gathered my courage, my hands shoved deep in my pockets to hide their trembling. “The treatment fees,” I began awkwardly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Will you be paying them all at once, or should we follow our original arrangement for installments?”

Drake stopped walking, a bitter laugh escaping him that made me flinch. “One–time payment,” he said, his eyes gleaming with something that looked almost like hurt before hardening again. “Don’t worry, I won’t go back on my word. That was my promise.

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze, my teeth worrying at my lower lip.

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