“I think at some point, you should consider telling her the news about her mother as she gets older.”
“Of course you think that.” He scoffed. I knew I was overstepping, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Kids are tougher than you think.”
He hummed. “That why you want to go on adventures with her off the estate?”
“Well, honestly …” I couldn’t stop myself from throwing my hands into the air. “What’s the endgame if we can’t even go outside, which is what’s best forher. When will the Diamonds be protected enough for that, or can’t you guarantee our safety?”
“Watch yourself,” he warned, eyes darkening and turning cold. The pride that man had was a weapon I’d use against him and all of the Diamonds if it meant I got outside.
“No. You’re concerned that your daughter’s life is at risk, but quite frankly, this is putting her mental health at risk when she can’t even go outside these walls!” Didn’t he get that locking her up like Rapunzel wouldn’t work?
“You think I don’t know that?” he bellowed back, his control slipping too. Good. I probably should have cowered at the volume, knowing now who he was, but I didn’t care. “You think I’m unaware that this isn’t the ideal life for a child? I saw her atthe country club yesterday. I know she needs to get out and be a kid. I’m working on it.”
“Yeah, well, work faster,” I threw back. I couldn’t believe myself. He was going to throw me out on my ass and let whatever rival mob or secret society have me.
His eyes widened before he let out a low chuckle, rubbing one large hand behind his neck before it snapped out and gripped mine, hard enough for me to get nervous, not so hard that he took my breath away. “No one talks to me like that.”
“Well, I do,” I murmured, holding his gaze, ready to fight if he wanted to.
“I can’t believe I haven’t strangled you yet.”
The ringing in my ears got louder, and along with it, my blood pumped faster. But also my nipples tightened, and my core clenched. It was embarrassing that I found myself wanting to see if I could make him completely lose it, to see how far this man would go, and to see how much I already desired it. I was supposed to be the responsible one here.
“You’ll have to if you expect me to just roll over,Mr. Knight,” I retorted, holding his gaze.
“Careful, Mia.”
“Or what?” I asked, leaning into his grip. I knew what he was a part of now, and maybe I was this unhinged because I was in some sort of shock. Maybe I always had it in me to fight back when I needed to, and maybe I wasn’t going to stop now.
That high-pitched sound in my ears became a roar, drowning out every other worry of mine as his jaw flexed like he was trying to hold back.
“Or. What?” I asked again.
“Or you’ll find I’ll lose control … and you might just like it.”
“Like it?” He didn’t know what I was feeling. He couldn’t. I didn’t even know fully what was going on withmy own bodyaround him. “There’s nothing about you that I like.”
That was the truth too. Sure, his hands burned into my neck and lit my soul afire, but he was still a member of a secret society, still a danger to my life, still the boss I’d grown to hate.
“You say that with such confidence, and yet I distract you. Your eyes wander. Much like my mind has wandered to you in my house these past few days.”
“You’re mistaken.” I hurried to correct him as my heart beat faster, like I was guilty, like I could lose control, like I wasn’t as morally sound as I was making myself out to be. “In any case, if you have such a problem with me, I promise not to distract you in this operating room. I’ll make sure to stay out of your way.”
“You in my house is distracting enough,” he grumbled, his thumb rubbing over my pulse. Then he pulled his hand back.
“Seriously?” I blurted out, almost as irritated with myself for missing his touch immediately as I was with him for complaining about my presence. Why did I always have to be the bigger person? The one who made sure everyone stayed in line. My next words flew out like an angry bird aiming to knock down some of his confidence. “You were the one who wanted to force me to stay here. Don’t forget. And please tell me you’re capable of avoiding me in this massive house of yours if I annoy you so much.”
His hand twitched like he was reconsidering choking me out. “Every woman is annoying. God knows you’re the worst of them. But when you watch me with those big eyes filled with fiery attraction that completely contradicts your contempt, I’mdistracted. Not annoyed. When you look at my lips and lick yours, I’mdefinitelydistracted, Mia. And that’s a problem.”
“Excuse m-me?” I stuttered. “I don’t look at you like that.”
“So, this is stilljustthe job, us arguing?”
He moved closer, and I tried to control my rapid breathing. “Of course.”
“Really? Because I’d hate to think you’re distracted whentaking care of my daughter. Quite frankly, your comfort here is of the utmost importance too. It’s the only thing that matters for your job.” He tilted his head as if gauging my reaction to him. “Can you be comfortable in the presence of a Diamond who disgusts you but who’s paying your bills?”
