“I know this. I’m risking being killed in my sleep.” I have to fight not to smile.
“And you still want this?”
“Yes. On this I will not waver. There will be no negotiating. I know my price, and I am not here to waste anyone’s time.” The room grows quiet.
I want to believe he had no idea what I was going to ask for, but people always underestimate War. That is how they meet their own demise.
“I will have to speak to her on the issue. I can’t force her. I too would risk being killed in my sleep, and her mother might let her.” I find myself envious of War at this moment. He has the love and respect of Naomi. He has been the most important and powerful man in her life up until this point. I want that from her. I’ll do whatever it takes to have it.To have her.
“Are you staying in the city?”
“I’ll be around.”
He nods, standing. “I will speak to her on this. If this does go forward, I would think you’d want to get to know her better before the wedding.”
“No.”
“What if that’s her ask?”
“Then she shall ask me herself.” I stand.
I’m sure a million things are going through his head right now, but you’d never guess it by his demeanor. War is already heading toward the door, and I follow. He opens one of the double doors.
“I’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to it.” I walk out of his office and toward the front of the house. I can feel one of his men following me. When I reach the entry, I see Naomi coming down the stairs. Our eyes lock, and she pauses mid step. I wink at her before passing through the front door.
See youverysoon, sunshine.
Chapter Two
NAOMI
“Naomi.” The firmness in my father’s tone has my head snapping up. “I said your name three times. Are you in deep thought about this or is there another issue on your mind?”
“I am in thought.” But I didn’t hear what he said. I should have been listening, but strangely, all I can think about is Paxton winking at me. Why did he do it? Was it to be cocky, knowing I hadn’t been allowed into such a big meeting because of him or was he flirting with me? It has to be the cocky choice.
Does he wink at other people? Why does that thought irritate me? Uncle Ronan has cut a few eyes out in his life. Maybe I’ll have to ask him for some tips if Paxton was doing it to be cocky.
I need to find out what Paxton’s intention was or else it’s going to drive me insane. I have an issue with getting tunnel vision with certain things. I never know what will trigger it.
Either way, I don’t think Mac, my cousin, could help with this issue. You can’t hack into a person’s body—though maybe one day.
“Then, you are considering this?” Shit, at least I heardthatquestion. Paxton must be messing with my head. What if that is the plan?
“Does this surprise you?”
“With you, nothing surprises me.”
“I don’t know whether that is a good thing or not.”
“Me neither.” He gives me an endearing smirk.
“We know that I will not marry for love, and this deal has a lot of things riding on it. Including what the future for our family will be.”
“The same could have been said about me.” His love for Mom is what most seek out in a marriage.
Many have commented that I am just like my father. I don’t know if that’s true or if I really am because I have been hearing that my whole life.
