Not Their Daughter, Just the Mistress Chapter 14

Not Their Daughter, Just the Mistress Chapter 14

After that, Everett doubled my security.

The big emotional awakening the comments had been waiting for never came.

Which meant Everett still hadn’t figured out the truth, and was still, for some reason, choosing me.

It also made escaping ten times harder.

A few days before the gala.

It cost me several sleepless nights in his bed before Everett finally agreed to go with me.

Without him, I couldn’t leave the house, let alone get through the door.

The night of the gala, Everett posted over a dozen men around me. Eyes on me at all times.

I swallowed hard.

I didn’t know if Nolan could get past that many eyes.

The ballroom was packed: champagne, chatter, money and power mixing on every side.

The second we walked in, Sloane appeared. She was in a dress for the first time, actually dressed as a woman, and her face lit up the moment she saw Everett.

“Boss, I knew you’d come! You still…”

“You’re not in the syndicate anymore. Don’t call me that.”

He stepped away from her outstretched hand without even looking at it.

“I’m here for Winona. That’s it.”

[Ha, he’s keeping his distance on purpose, right? We all know why.]

[Everett just feels guilty. They already slept together, after all. He’s terrified the sidepiece will find out and lose it.]

[He kicked our FMC out because he was scared she’d get hurt again. He still regrets letting her risk her life saving the sidepiece; no way he’s keeping her in the syndicate after that…)]

I almost laughed.

Exactly what I expected.

One day, Everett would figure out who he really loved. And when he did, not even saving his life would be enough to save mine.

…I had to get out tonight.

Sloane’s face darkened. She shot me a look that could’ve peeled paint, but she didn’t make a scene.

Halfway through the gala, someone pulled Everett aside to talk business.

He tried to wave them off, but I pushed him to ga

The second he was out of sight, I excused myself to the restroom, and slipped out through the bathroom

window.

Nolan was waiting at the spot we’d agreed on.

I knew the Hale estate inside out. I ducked the watchers, took a back path, and spotted movement near the

exit.

Nolan reacted fast, but not fast enough.

He shoved me into the conservatory and led his men out to hold off Everett’s guards.

Everything went sideways fast.

Neither side was winning. Then Everett showed up and shut it all down.

Sloane was right behind him.

She pointed at Nolan, barely able to contain herself. See, Boss? I didn’t lie to you!”

“Nolan isn’t some regular doctor. He’s the Kessler family’s illegitimate son; they’ve been hiding him since

he was a kid. He used Winona to infiltrate the syndicate…”

My blood ran cold. I couldn’t move.

Nolan was a Kessler?

“Boss, it’s possible the Kesslers didn’t kidnap her at all. Winona might’ve been selling us out! Look at these photos…”

“Enough. Get out.”

Sloane opened her mouth to say more. Everett pulled his gun.

She clenched her jaw, tucked the photos away, and left, but not without a last look that promised this wasn’t

over.

“Name your price, Kessler. Whatever your old man wants, it’s his. Just let my girl go.”

He lowered his weapon first. His men followed.

Nolan raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“What a shame. My worthless father didn’t send me. I’m here for Winona.”

Before anyone could respond, the main building exploded. Fire tore through the roof and lit up the sky.

Sloane came running back, white–faced and shaking.

“Boss!”

“Didn’t I tell you to get out…

Sloane pointed at the blaze, tears streaming. “Winnie! Winnie’s still in there…”

Everett didn’t hesitate. Two seconds, and he was sprinting into the flames.

[This is priceless. One second he’s telling her to get lost, the next he hears their lion is trapped and he runs straight into the fire.]

[Sure, MMC, keep pretending you don’t have feelings for her. Winning her back later won’t be agonizing at

all…]

Nolan pulled me out of hiding while everyone was distracted. His men closed around us, and we ran.

But at the car door, I stopped.

I turned back toward the fire.

I knew he’d run in there for her. I knew he was the hero of someone else’s story.

But I still…

“Don’t worry, Winona. Sloane won’t let anything happen to him.”

Nolan squeezed my shoulder. “She wants you gone just as badly as you want to go. She set the fire… and I let her.”