Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 540

"What are you in the mood for? Sebastian Caldwell said a new Coastal Savory Grill opened up nearby."

Nora held up her phone. "I can't tonight. Xavier just asked me out for dinner."

Hudson glanced at the screen, raising an eyebrow. "I'll go with you."

She shook her head immediately. "No way. That kid gets so nervous around you he probably wouldn't even be able to hold his fork."

Hudson reached out, gently pinching her earlobe with a soft laugh. "Fine. But I'm dropping you off. Is that acceptable, My Lady?"

Nora glanced toward the office door, then stood on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Approved."

He paused, caught by surprise, before cupping the back of her neck and pulling her back for a deeper, lingering kiss. "Not enough. One more..."

Her ears burning, Nora pushed him away playfully. "Alright, let's go. Don't make Xavier wait."

They left the office, walking side by side down the corridor toward the elevators.

Her status as his wife was no longer a secret at the company. As they passed the open workspaces, an employee snapped a quick photo of them and sent it to the company group chat.

[OMG I'm dying! The Boss personally came to pick up his wife!]

[This is too beautiful! They look so good together!]

[Handsome, filthy rich, and completely obsessed with his wife? God really has favorites!]

While the chat exploded, Nora linked her arm through Hudson's as they walked out of Star Tower.

A sleek black Maybach was waiting at the curb.

Arthur opened the door, and Hudson placed a protective hand over the roofline as Nora slid inside, before walking around to get in on the other side.

The car merged into the evening rush hour traffic, disappearing into the glittering lights of San Francisco.

Not far away, in a battered van parked at the corner, a pair of murky eyes stared intently at the Maybach until it vanished. The man licked his cracked lips.

A moment later, someone knocked on the window.

Arnold Vance frowned, rolling down the glass.

"I got her to come out. Here's the address," Penelope said, showing him the location on her phone.

Arnold broke into a nasty grin, shifting the van into gear. "Get in."

Penelope nodded eagerly, opening the door and climbing inside.

...

Soon, Hudson pulled up outside the restaurant.

Nora unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door, turning back to wave at him. "Alright, you can head back. Olive is with me."

Hudson kept one hand draped over the steering wheel, watching her. "I'll wait until you're inside."

Nora watched him walk away before returning her attention to her meal.

Before she could take another bite, someone slid into the seat across from her.

She froze, looking up. The moment she recognized the woman, everything clicked into place.

"You made Xavier invite me? I told you, I have nothing to say to you..."

"I didn't invite you. He did!"

Penelope spat the words, her eyes flashing with venom.

Nora's heart dropped, her spine instantly snapping rigid.

"Nora, Daddy's girl. Long time no see..."

A rough, sleazy voice sounded directly behind her.

Nora whipped her head around.

Arnold Vance had slipped up behind her. His wrinkled, greasy face was uncomfortably close, revealing a mouth full of yellowed teeth. Beneath his oversized jacket, his right hand gripped something hard and metallic...

Her pupils dilated.

It was a gun...