Jackson’s expression changed, and I knew what he was thinking.
I plastered an indifferent look on my face.
“So, Alpha Sterling, do you still want to treat me-a woman who sells herself-to a meal?”
Surely, Jackson wouldn’t hesitate to get out of being seen with No such luck.
“Of course,” Jackson said firmly, his voice a bit rough with his wolf.
He turned and walked toward the hotel restaurant across the lobby.
Open-mouthed, I looked at his back as he strode away, his large Alpha form towering over everyone else.
Why did most Alphas have to be so…so big?
After hesitating for a moment, I followed him.
When the restaurant manager saw Jackson, he hurried to greet him personally, instead of letting the host seat us.
“Alpha Sterling, this way, please.”
The manager led us to a quiet table in the corner. Ile pulled out our chairs and then handed us menus.
Jackson took a menu and looked over it. “What would you like to eat?”
“I’m not hungry, actually. Please go ahead without me.”
My appetite had been steadily declining, as was normal for people in the end stages of heart failure.
Thankfully, Jackson didn’t say anything or try to force me to eat. He just casually ordered a few things.
After the manager took our menus and left, Jackson picked up the water next to him and poured a gla*s for me.
Even with our hor rible past and the current situation, he was still the epitome of perfect manners, ever the gracious host. He hadn’t changed at all. He had always been different from the other children in the orphanage.
Silent, quiet, and polite. His responses were always measured, as if he was always thinking about all possible outcomes before speaking. Always the best grades, and always the biggest and strongest. He didn’t encourage any conflicts, but he never shied away from them.
It came as no surprised that he was an Alpha. He’d always been one, even before he or anyone else knew who he really was.
Jackson frowned when he saw the light in Taya’s eyes turn dark.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“Just something I saw online.”
Jackson raised an eyebrow and waited for her to share.
Taya said in a low voice, “The Man Who Dumped His Girlfriend When He Found Success.”
“Ms. Palmer, you’re not talking about me, are you?”
Taya didn’t reply, just picked up her gla*s and took a sip of water.
Jackson was starting to feel a little suspicious that what he had investigated was wrong, but…he really couldn’t remember her.
However, when he’d seen her slumped against the steering wheel last night, when he’d looked at her lying in his bed, so frail and weak… His wolf had pawed at him, and his heart had cracked.
Whatever he was feeling was authentic. It made him uncomfortable, but it was there nonetheless. Was what Taya said before true?
He stared right in her eyes. “Were you really my girlfriend before?”
“No, I’m lying to you.” Taya denied it quickly and looked away.
Something that felt a lot like disappointment settled over him. “Why did you lie?”
“I want to marry into a rich and powerful family.”
I shrugged and met Jackson’s gaze again.
He’d asked the question to test if I remembered my warning.
He would probably kick me again if I answered or explained as truthfully as before.
When we’d seen Griffon, I’d panicked, not wanting Jackson to know how I really knew Griffon.
I figured my answer earlier would suffice for both Alphas and their needs regarding my past with them.
Something crossed Jackson’s face right now as I lied about our past and what I’d wanted from him.
“Do you still want to attach yourself to me now?” he growled out lowly.
“I’m not worthy of you,” I replied unemotionally.
I’d had enough.
He was testing me.
Jackson curled his lip in a snarl, shoving his wolf’s ire down at Taya’s response.
He didn’t even know why he’d asked her the question in the first place. It had just…popped out.
Apparently, it was time to have Eric make an appointment to have his head checked. Because he’d lost it.
He was saved by the waiter arriving with his food.
Jackson continued as if nothing had happened. He picked up his knife and fork, cutting into his steak. Right now, it was the last thing he wanted. He craved the hunt, tearing into something with his teeth rather than silverware.
After cutting the steak, he put half on Taya’s plate, followed by a helping of brussels sprouts.
The Taya of five years ago was curvy. This Taya was so thin Jackson worried she would become transparent.
“You’re too thin,” he said gruffly.
I had zero appetite at all. I picked up a brussels sprout, twirled my fork around a bit, and then put my fork back down on my plate.
I didn’t even touch the steak that Jackson had served me.
The menacing glower on Jackson’s face was intimidating, and I know he thought I didn’t want to cat because of him. And that was fine. He could think that; it was better than the truth.
After dinner, Jackson wanted to take me home, but I refused. The less time spent with him, the better.
I had no idea why he was being so attentive, and it threw me off-kilter. Why did he care now? Why didn’t he care when I’d come to him five years ago? I’d been “tainted” back then, and today I’d told him I was a pro stitute, which was even worse that what I’d told him five years ago.
He had refused me before, when I was at my lowest point. No matter what, I would never return to him. I wanted to stay as far from him as possible.
After rejecting Jackson’s offer to take me home, I went to the hotel garage and took the car keys out of my bag. I would drive the car I had driven yesterday, and then return it to the MPC offices tomorrow.
As I was digging for the keys, I felt my phone vibrating.
I looked down at the screen.
Greyson calling. Again.
He’d been calling nonstop, and I’m sure he wanted to see me.
But my body couldn’t stand any more torture.