Page 23 of Crowned In Blood
Icouldn't move.
Breathe.
In and out. In and out.
My heart pounded so hard it was all I could hear. Seeing him reminded me of the night of the party, and I felt everything—anger, frustration, even a hint of fear.
But it wasn't just that. This man was uniquely capable of getting under my skin. He saw things I didn't want him to, things it wasn't safe for anyone to see. I had to keep them hidden, especially in this line of work, and even more so if he was working for my father.
Something in me said he wouldn't be the type. With his shoulder-length brown hair and tattoos peaking under the collar and cuffs of his shirt, he seemed like someone who would play the long game until he got what he wanted. Then he'd kill you.
But while I trusted my gut, there was no other reason he would have been at that party except to meet my father, which meant his presence was a threat.
"It's nice to see you again. I hope your dreams came true." His voice was deep, but warm, as though he truly meant it.
I turned to my assistant. "Olivia, cancel my schedule for the rest of the day, then head home." I turned back to the man. "And you, follow me."
I couldfeelhim behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention as the static electricity arched between us. I was hyperaware of him and I hated it.
The elevator doors opened, and when I stepped inside, he followed. The moment they slid closed, I spun around, pinning him to the wall, my knife against his throat.
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but he didn't make a move. He relaxed, his dark brown eyes somehow growing even darker, then he smirked.
Is he enjoying himself right now? He's fucking crazy.
"Why are you here?" I hissed.
"To meet with you, of course. Although if I would have known this was the reaction I'd get out of you, I would have come a lot sooner."
Yep. Crazy.
But based on his reaction, a fight wasn't what he wanted, which meant I wouldn't need to kill him.Yet.
The elevator reached the ground floor, and I moved to step outside to the patio area,but he grabbed the door before I could.
I glanced up at him and he had another infuriating smile on his face.
He was playing with me, and I was letting him.
Control yourself. The faster you find out what he wants, the sooner he leaves. Take a deep breath and deal with him the same way you would anyone else.
We walked in silence to the boardwalk encircling a glistening lake with a water fountain in the middle. I listened to the small chirp of birds and let the rays of the sun warm my chilled body. Then I turned to him and asked again, "Why are you here?"
"I meant it when I said to meet with you." His tone was gentle, casual, as if it was the perfect explanation when it made no sense at all.
"If you wanted to speak with me, you could have just called the office or sent an email. I am a busy woman."
"I know. Your assistant said the same thing. But seeing you in person provides benefits that a phone call and email wouldn't."
"Why don't you cut the crap and just tell me what you want?" I glared at him, but his grin only grew.
"Are you always this dismissive?"
"Do you always assume a woman will bend over backwards to your every whim and be flattered if you pay her a sliver of attention?"
He was silent for a moment, then threw his head back, clasped his stomach, and laughed. The sound was deep, rich,real, and I was speechless.
His eyes crinkled at the corners, his smile so wide that for the first time I noticed he had dimples, and the way the sun shone over him, as his shoulders shook with each chuckle, had me transfixed.
