Her lips press together, and her expression shifts into an unimpressed one. “You keep saying that.”
“Because I mean it. I have everything under control.”
Those blue eyes narrow at me, then she scoffs to herself and folds her arms. “That isn’t exactly comforting.”
“I’m not trying to comfort you. I’m stating facts,” I murmur, feeling a lingering ache just beneath the surface, telling me to shield her from all of this. The instinct only grows more intense the longer I stare at her. “The Grimaldis interfered with my business, but that’s it. In this line of work, sabotage is to be expected.”
Her voice drips with sly amusement, as if she enjoys knowing things aren’t going quite as well as they had been for me. Like she wants to see me buckle under the pressure, just to prove the point that forcing her into marrying me was a mistake.
Maybe it was, but that hasn’t changed my mind yet. It hasn’t stopped me from wanting her by my side, regardless of what that means for me.
She’s pushing it, and as understanding as I am with her, my patience can only go so far.
“Careful,” I warn, taking a step closer.
Elena shrugs, lips barely forming a grin. “I’m just saying…you don’t live a low-risk lifestyle.”
“I don’t. And because of it, I make sure the people under my roof survive it, even if they can’t be bothered to show some gratitude.”
Her gaze sharpens. “What, you want me to start groveling at your feet and thanking you for putting me in this position to begin with?”
“Groveling would be a good start.”
Elena forces out an unamused breath, looking very close to slinging some sort of insult at me. But, for her sake and mine, she holds it in. Something almost thoughtful moves through her eyes. “So then what happens now?”
“Nothing that hasn’t already been happening,” I say plainly.
She looks doubtful. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
“You’re telling me your business has been messed with, which is obviously a sign that they haven’t forgotten about what happened that night, and you’re not doing anything about it?”
I shrug. “Not yet, anyway. The time will come.”
“The time for what? For us to get caught in another shoot-out?” She asks, tone more incredulous as she stands, face much closer to mine than it had been. “Maybe you’re not as competent as you like to think you are.”
The words should sting, but getting the chance to drink her in throws me enough to cease any immediate warnings from leaving my mouth. From this close, she’s even more tempting than usual, and with the Grimaldis in the back of my mind, the urge to touch her flares in me.
Forcing myself to focus, I pull in a breath, unable to stop from taking up another step. “They can try whatever they want…the Grimaldis, the Balakins. Anyone who thinks they can pull a fast one on me.”
I watch as Elena’s brows pinch together, almost confused by how close I get. Then, other thoughts and emotions I can’t decipher dance across her face. She swallows.
“Even if you weren’t part of my plans before, I’ve come too far to stop. So no, I’m not concerned. If anyone tries to take you from me, I won’t let them. I won’t give up on you.”
The words surprise even me, but I don’t take them back. I can’t, not while a new wave of heat moves through me, drawn to her startled expression that seems to only emphasize her beauty.
Her eyes widen slightly, not bothering to hide the shock. “You’re saying it like I’m an object.”
“No,” I murmur. “I’m saying it like I’m not willing to lose you.”
“That’s assuming you have me now.”
“Don’t I?” I ask, eyes skimming over her while I watch every subtle change in her face. “You’re here. You’re cooperating. Isn’t that enough?”
“It shouldn’t be enough,” she mumbles, more like she’s quietly scolding herself than me.
Maintaining that proximity, the scant space between us practically hums with tension. But even while Elena tries to glare at me, she doesn’t pull away. If anything, she leans into it, chin lifted with her usual defiance.
