hapter 25 Chapter 25 Cascade looks different compared to the last time I was here five years ago . B 48 55 vouchers Then , I came here with Cameron . Before either of us got to know this was another one of Kael's shady businesses . How could so much have changed in so little time ? The longer I sit in the car outside the club , the more my thoughts spiral , and the more restless I'm becoming . My hands clench and unclench repeatedly , and my palms have grown sweaty in my unease . I'm already here , but thinking about facing Kael sends a chill down my spine . Greg watches me through the rearview mirror . He's been silent since we arrived , probably wondering why I'd insisted on coming to Cascade only to sit outside . I'd contemplated asking Greg to drive me back home a dozen times now . Kael couldn't possibly want me here . He'd made it crystal clear on multiple occasions that he doesn't want me snooping into his personal life . Showing up here like this is crossing a line , and goes against the rules of our contract . But I was technically invited ... or more accurately , summoned , right ? I hate it most when he orders me to come and go ... yet here I am . Because as much as I hate it , my life is in Kael's hands . The tone of Kael's voice ... Blake's hesitation earlier , it all still unsettles me . Kael is many things .... reckless , cold , difficult , to name a few . But if there's one thing he never does , it's showing weakness . The call had lasted only a short moment, but there was something in his tone that just doesn't feel right . " I'll take you around to the back . " Greg finally breaks the silence with an offer . My throat goes tight . This is stupid . I don't want to go in , but I also can't just leave . Greg gets down and opens the door for me . My legs already feel stiff as I get off . The night air is chilly . The smell of tobacco and expensive cologne lingers in the air . I inhale deeply , before following Greg . The security detail at the doors recognize Greg and they don't try to stop us as we go in through the back entrance . Inside , the blaring lights sting my eyes , like a warning not to go any further , but I hold my head high as we 14:39 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 25 head to Kael's office . 42 55 vouchers Just as we turn the corner , my eyes meet Blake's . He's standing guard outside the door , his expression as hard as steel . His hands are tucked in his pocket and something flickers in his eyes as he stares at me . " Ms Laila , " His tone is polite , but there's a tinge of warning accompanying it . I glance over my shoulder to discover Greg has already slipped away and I'm left alone to face an unimpressed Blake . My heels click against the tiles as I walk over , stopping only a few steps away . " I need to see Kael . " I say pointedly . " Not tonight . " Blake's response is cold and clipped . My brows furrow at the finality in his tone and a spark of anger ignites in my veins . Kael , I can tolerate , because I got myself into this . But no one else . Not Cameron , and certainly not Blake . " I wasn't asking for permission , Blake . " I reply in a deadpan tone . " I want to see Kael right now . And I'm not leaving without seeing him . " Blake heaves a quiet sigh , his expression conflicted . " It's better you go home , Laila . " His tone is more coaxing now . " Kael doesn't want visitors . " " It's a good thing I'm not a visitor ." I reply coldly . " I don't want to be here anymore than you want me to . I came because Kael called me . So you can let me in , or go explain to him why you denied me entrance . " " He called you ? " Blake asks uncertainly . I nod once , taking a step closer to Blake . " Look , we both know our arrangement isn't a fairytale . But I'm still Kael's wife ... and I believe that means I have a right to know if he's hurt , and how badly hurt he is . " Blake hesitates for a moment longer before he steps aside . I push past him , opening the door without thanking him . The office is dimly lit but just good enough to see . All around the desk , papers are carelessly littered and in the midst of the mess sits Kael ... My breath catches in my throat as my eyes find him . He's slumped into the leather chair with his head tipped back against it . His shirt is partly open , the top few buttons undone , exposing his collar bone , and the contours of his chest . His skin glistens in the dim lighting , dampened by his own sweat . His lips are parted slightly and his eyes are 14:39 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 25 dazed , heavy with .... What is that look in his eyes ? : It takes only a moment and then it strikes me . My eyes widen slightly at the realisation . Desire ... A need so strong and potent , the air is thick with the smell of his arousal . Kael ... I've never seen him this way before . My first instinct is to turn around , shut the door and pretend I didn't see anything . Instead , my eyes betray me , trailing down his exposed skin , 48 E55 vouchers They finally settle on his hands . His knuckles have gone white from how tightly he's gripping the arm rest of his chair . His breathing is ragged , animalistic ... exactly like it had sounded over the phone . He hasn't noticed me yet . Or maybe he's too far gone , lost in the haze of his own desires . I'm not stupid enough to believe this is a random occurrence . I turn , my eyes meeting Blake's . " This is why I couldn't let you in . " He says hesitantly . " He's heavily drugged . And it's not wearing off ... " I purse my lips , my attention shifting back to Kael . " Who did this to him ? " " Caleb is looking into it . " Blake replies . I hesitate for a moment , " Don't you think ... you should bring someone in ? ... " " To ... help him ... " I murmur uncertainly . Blake sighs . " He doesn't want anyone , Laila ." I glance over at Blake . " Why's that ? It'll be over if he just gets it out of his system . " Blake frowns deeply . " Because he's married , maybe ? " His tone is a mix of sarcasm and displeasure . I blanch . Kael ? Withholding his urges for me ? It makes absolutely no sense , " That's absurd . " I mutter , " We're not even really ... " I trail off , the night of the gala surfaces in my mind . " He won't have any other woman because it's you he desires , Laila . " Blake deadpans .