I force my eyes back to his face, keeping my expression carefully blank, even as my fingers tighten around the handle of my coffee mug. “Problem?” I ask.
Kit flushes but lifts his chin. “Babysit?” He mimics the word exactly as I said it.
I nod. “Have you forgotten who I am? How many employees I have? How many businesses I have to run?”
He shakes his head, frowning. “Of course not, but…”
I’m not sure why he’s being so talkative and bold today. This is everything I wanted for two years… Kit speaking to me without fear in his voice. But now that he’s offering it willingly, just because he finally knows the truth, it feels wrong. He couldn’t get comfortable with me on his own. He had to be shown proof that I’m not a complete monster.
I push my chair back and stand. “Have a good day, everyone. I’ll be in my study. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important.”
I don’t miss the quiet sighs and exchanged glances as I walk out of the dining room, the weight of Kit’s eyes on my back the entire way.
???
An hour later I’m still buried in my study, the remains of three strong coffees pushed to the side. I’ve managedto get through the quarterly tax filings for all four dealerships, signed off on two new supplier contracts, and approved the latest shipment manifests for the legitimate side of the business. The legitimate work is mind-numbing, but it keeps the IRS off my back and gives the empire a clean face.
The door suddenly swings open without a knock. I scowl, already opening my mouth to tell whoever it is to fuck off, when Kit steps inside and closes the door behind him with a purposeful click.
I sigh and lean back in my chair. “Christoph…”
“Uh,no,” he cuts in.
My brows rise. “Excuse me?”
“No,” he repeats, voice steadier than I’ve ever heard it. “Iwon’texcuse you. Why are you being like this, this morning?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Likewhat?”
Kit scoffs and gestures at me with an irritated flick of his hand. “Just… weird. Off. Like anormalperson, notyou.”
“Oh, so because I’m minding my own business,” I tap the desk sharply, “literally, you’re what? Gonna throw a tantrum like a toddler who hasn’t had a hug from daddy?”
He rounds the desk, eyes narrowed. “I wanted to talk.”
“You can do it from over there.” I point at one of the leather chairs opposite my desk.
Kit doesn’t listen. Instead, he walks straight up to me and sits right down on my lap. I still completely, every muscle locking up. This is very unusual behaviour for Kit.
I stand abruptly, shoving him off me, and growl, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“So that’s it then?” he asks, voice cracking slightly.
I stare at him.
“You show me the truth,” he continues, “which, by the way, I might have liked to becomfortedabout…”
“Youwere,” I cut in.
“Not byyou!” he shouts.
I narrow my eyes. “I don’t do that shit.”
Kit crosses his arms, breathing hard. “I knew this day would come soon.”
I tilt my head, genuinely confused now.
“You’re fucking someone else, aren’t you?”
