Page 13 of Tangled Control
She does a quiet huff, and the disdain on her face makes the nerve below my eye tick.
“That’s impossible. This is one of the largest properties in our portfolio, and they have both manual and IT surveillance. We’ll need at least two weeks to go through all the details. We’ll also have to arrange meetings with the O’Toole group to agree on what areas need focus and walkabouts of the premises. This takes time.”
She’s right, but I’m annoyed by my father’s constant nagging and want to show him I’m proactive.
I want him to praise me like Catriona did.
“I’ve already arranged with Bobby O’Toole to bring a small team over on Saturday afternoon after their store is closed. Consider your weekend booked.”
Catriona’s face falls just a little before she shields it. “I can’t.”
“You can’t what?”
“I can’t work this Saturday. I have plans.”
“Oh, and what are they? Going for a run in the park? Watching repeats ofFriends?”
Catriona straightens her back, her knuckles gripping the contract turn white. “It doesn’t matter what my plans are—”
“You’re right, it doesn’t matter. I simply don’t care what your plans are,” I continue mockingly and lean back in my chair. “I need you to work this Saturday. End of conversation.”
“End of conversation my arse! I have plans!” she practically yells.
“Well, consider your plans cancelled!”
“You can’t do this! You can’t order me to work this weekend! The O’Toole contract isn’t up for renewal for…” Her accent has broadened and she frantically flips through the file. “Another two months! What’s the rush?”
What on earth does she have planned that’s so important? She never usually has any problems prioritising work over her private life – or lack thereof. Hell, didn’t she do a thirteen-hour shift just yesterday?
It hits me like a bolt of ice-cold lightning.
She has a date!
That has to be it. My jaw clenches. Howdareshe have a date when all I can think about is her? She’s planning hook-ups with other men while I fantasise about her hideous work suits? Yeah, I may have been at a sex club last nightandasked a coworker out this very afternoon. But still, those things were done withCatrionaon my mind. There’s no emotional investment, whereas this date clearly means something to Catriona.
Dark energy prickles my scalp. Can this day get any worse?
I take a deep breath through my nose, place my palms flat on my desk, and slowly rise from my chair, unable to stand being confined behind it. Her eyes widen as I stalk around the desk.
“You will be here this Saturday.”
“No, I will not,” she bites back, jutting her chin out. But the way her eyes flick between mine shows her confidence iswavering. A tiny show of weakness that fuels my fire. Heat ripples through my gut.
“I’ve warned you…warned you what happens togirlswho fight me.” My tone is low and threatening as I tower over her.
Her lips part. She knows…knows what I’m talking about. “Do your worst, Mr Kearney,” she hisses.
My pulse picks up, and I grin menacingly. “You can’t handle my worst.”
“Try me.” There’s a hitch in her breath. She should run, but instead she stands there so tall and proud with stubborn fury written into her every feature.
I back away from her and want to laugh as her face falls in disappointment. It’s followed by a slight gasp, almost inaudible, as I lock the door behind me. Locking us in.
What the hell am I doing?Open the fucking door and tell her to leave!But it has gone too far. The blood is boiling in my veins and my tunnel vision has a singular focus.Catriona.Who is standing there, clutching the O’Toole file as if it’s a life raft. She’s trying to keep her composure, to still be in control. I move towards her, like a panther approaching its prey.
“I told you. You need to be taught some manners.”
My voice is low and dark, revealing the passion underneath. I’m only a couple of feet from her, and she takes a nervous step back. Then another one. I match her steps, and then I have her where I want her – trapped between me and the desk. I take the file from her and drop it on the desk.
