“Actually, it may’ve happened here.” Nicola tapped her chest. “What if he wants more, too?”

“Impossible.” That wasn’t the Jared she knew.

“Then why’d he run across the globe with that e-mail?” Nicola asked.

“No idea.”

“You should have seen him when he found out you were captive number two.”

Sugar shook her head. “He was—”

“There was a clear transition from Jane Doe to Lilly Chase. He threw a phone. Threatened to call the White House. May’ve stockpiled nuclear weapons. The man was… a beast. Possessive, protective. Hell, he went all primal. For you.”

For me? No way. She had a strong urge to sit down.

Both their phones buzzed at the same time. Sugar almost didn’t recognize the ring since she’d had her phone for only a few hours.

Nicola pulled hers from next to her hip piece. “Staff meeting in Jared’s suite. One hour.” Her smile went from earring to earring. “I can’t wait.”

An anxious punch made Sugar consider calling in sick. “This is going to be awful.”

Asal walked over with empty bags.

Nicola tossed her hand. “Nah. Entertaining maybe, but not awful. Besides, no one’s thinking about you two right now. They’re on Titan baby watch. Now that’s funny. Let’s grab food with Asal before we win an award for worst custodians of the year.”

That’s right. Baby Winters. Boy or girl? And what would a Titan guy name his kid?

Spike. Killer. Blade. Guessing the name would’ve been fun, but baby hoopla wasn’t her thing. Besides, the nervous need to throw up surpassed her curiosity. She had sixty minutes until she faced off with Jared again.

CHAPTER NINE

Sugar and Nicola dropped Asal with her UN babysitter and made the walk of doom to Jared’s suite. Nicola raced to the door, tugging her along while Sugar bit her freshly glossed lip. Avoiding Jared was high on her agenda, but since that mission was impossible, she at least wanted to look like she could care less. A cherry shine on her kisser and another swipe of mascara did that.

Still, the carpet was quicksand, and her every step was weighted, bringing her closer to what should be no big deal. The churning in her gut had nothing to do with dinner. She entered at her own risk, knowing that acting casual would be unbearable after their roll on the floor.

The door was propped open, and the whole crew was there, minus Winters and Jared.

Brock, Rocco, Roman, and Cash sprawled over a couch. Nicola beelined to Cash, who grabbed her by a belt loop and toppled her onto his lap. Brock said something about getting a room. Rocco and Roman groaned, and Nic whispered into Cash’s ear.

Jared walked in from the kitchen, beer in hand. “Princess,” he said, nodding to Nicola. “Nice of you to join us.”

Sugar smirked. Whatever, we weren’t late.

Nicola’s smile was too big and too telling. “Boss Man.”

He grunted, eyeing Nicola’s toothy grin, then stiffly turned to her. “Sugar.”