Page 42 of The Big Bad Duke

“What are you trying to say?”

A note of irritation tainted his voice, and Leila flinched instinctively. She let out a steadying breath, willing her voice not to tremble.

“I am saying that I will have to alter my approach. I have an idea how to do that. I want to set a trap for him instead.”

He raised a brow, curiosity playing across his features. “How so?”

“He’s hunting down your business associates—you said so yourself. If you give me a list of people he’s targeting, I can—”

“No.” His voice was so sharp it seemed to cut through the very air in the room.

“But if I knew—”

“I said. No.”

She swallowed again and bit her lower lip in a nervous gesture.

For a moment, he stood perfectly still, his entire body tense, a terrifying expression crossing his face as if he were ready to pounce and tear her throat out with his teeth.

The transformation was so sudden that Leila froze in place, her hackles raised.

Then, just as quickly, the moment passed. He relaxed his posture and adjusted his cufflinks.

“Very well. I shall leave you to it. You know how to reach me if anything changes.”

He picked up his gloves, almost brushing her shoulder as he did so. Almost. But he was close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating off his body, a warmth that sent a chill down her spine.

She could smell his scent—tobacco and horses. It should not have been unpleasant, but it twisted her stomach into knots.

He turned and walked toward the door, whistling a cheery tune.

Leila stood. She couldn’t let him leave just like that.

“When can I see Em—?”

He rounded on her so quickly that she stumbled backward, his finger raised in the air. His mask of nonchalance slipped completely, revealing the beast beneath.

“Stop!” His voice cracked like a whip. “I already told you. Not until your job is done.”

“But—”

“No buts, darling.” His voice softened to an almost gentle croon, which somehow made it more menacing. “We have a deal, do we not? This is your last mission. Finish it, and then you both will be free.”

Leila clenched her jaw so tightly she could hear her teeth grinding. Somehow, she didn’t believe he would honor the deal.

She took two measured breaths before trusting herself to speak without shaking. “Yes, sir.”

His face split into a warm, friendly smile—the kind of expression that might make a stranger believe he was the kindest man in the world.

If she didn’t know the monster beneath that charm, she might have been fooled too.

“Good girl.” That phrase made her shudder and her teeth grind in revulsion.

He spun on his heel and stalked away, locking the door behind him.

Leila stood for a long moment, staring at the door.

She tried to take deep, calming breaths, but they came in short, unsatisfying gasps. She placed a hand over her chest, trying to regulate her breathing.