73. More Countries To F*ck In.

As soon as Nicolette left, Alaric went back to the study. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't eat—didn't want to eat alone.

He was tired and weak, but he just couldn't force it.

He chuckled as thoughts of Nicolette sitting on his face flooded his mind.

Of course. Why wouldn't he be tired?

Entering the study, he pulled out his phone and dialed Richard.

"Hey," he said when Richard answered. "Sorry for hanging up then. Nicolette walked in."

"Okay?" Richard said in a high tone.

Alaric walked to his desk and sat. His good mood faded when he remembered how he had frozen when Nicolette had asked about Australia.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, resting his elbow on the desk. "I didn't want to talk about Ian while she was there. To talk about Ian was to talk about Steve and then Craig Walsh."

He shook his head before those Craig Walsh's thoughts could take over.

"So what are we going to do?" Richard asked.