Page 40 of Protective Phlox

Nathan gave me the look. It was the look that I was getting to know so well that I was going to have nightmares about his silent stare that commanded we speak about this later.

“We’ll talk when we get back,” I said as Cutter ran ahead to Goran, waiting by the large gates.

He nodded, but I knew I was in for the battle of my life.

Chapter

Sixteen

NATHANIEL

“No, forget it,” I growled, leaning my hands on my desk. But Savannah was having none of it. Why did I have to love such a stubborn woman? She was practically snarling at me from the other side of the desk, and I was itching to yank her across it and tan her hot little ass.

“Nathan, you said I wasn’t your prisoner. What the hell do you call this?”

Picking up a folder, I smacked it down in front of her. “Fuck, Savannah. You’re not my prisoner. But what part of you and Cutter have a hit on your heads do you not understand? I can’t change my appointments this week to go with you, and there is no fucking way I’m letting you and Cutter out of the state.”

Savannah swore like a trucker as she stormed across the room and back again. Her cheeks were rosy, her hair was wild, and her eyes flashed with fury. At any other time, I would’ve locked the door and fucked her up against the wall, but I had a board meeting in ten minutes that I couldn’t miss.

“Okay, how about this?”

“No,” I said, not letting her talk.

Savannah pointed her finger at me. “Don’t you fucking do that to me. I’m not your child. I’m your wife, and you do not control me. Do you hear me, Nathaniel?”

That was it. I stomped around the desk, but Savannah didn’t back down. I grabbed her and pressed her up against my closed door, crushing my lips to hers. I attacked her mouth, letting all my frustration and fear fuel me.

“Oh, I hear you. You’re not hearing me,” I said, breaking the kiss. Her lips were swollen and pink. “Why are you trying to make yourself an easy target?”

“Let me speak, please.”

“Fuck, you’re killing me. Fine, talk,” I ordered, stepping back and crossing my arms.

“Yes, my mother and I don’t have a great relationship, but she is the only mother I have. I know that if roles were reversed, you’d do whatever you could to be by Helena’s side if she had to be hospitalized for surgery.” I opened my mouth, but she held up a finger and glared at me, forcing me to snap my mouth shut. “I do understand the level of threat, so this is what I propose. First, I will leave Cutter here with you. This is huge for me, Nathan, and it will show you how much I trust you and love you. Second, I’ll take your plane, so there is no economy flight where I can be followed or stalked. Third, you can send as many men as you want to go with me, and I will not complain or ditch them. I don’t want to die. I want to come home to you and our son. I’m not insane.”

Sighing, I glared up at the ceiling. “How long?”

“Probably a week. From what I have been able to find out, the surgery is tomorrow, and there will be five to six recovery days where she needs to stay at the hospital. During that time, I will find an outpatient home for her to rehab. I have no idea what that’ll cost….”

I waved my hand at that. “Cost is not an issue. I make millions a day. Spend whatever you need.”

“Does that mean you’re going to unlock the front door and tell the guards to let me leave?”

I cupped her beautiful face, tracing every little feature. I saw everything even when my eyes were closed. “I don’t like this. I just don’t. That far away, I can’t get to you fast enough and…fuck…I love you. I can’t lose you. Do you understand that?”

She mirrored my position. “I do, and I love you too. Besides, this will give me a chance to quit my job since my messages have gone unanswered. I need to sell my house. I can get a lot done in a week, Nathan. I can settle things to make this my home, here with you and Cutter.”

Closing my eyes, I knew she was right, but fear had my heart in its clutches and wouldn’t let up.

“Nathan, look at me.” Her soft voice held more of a command than if she’d yelled. Opening my eyes, I stared into a mesmerizing shade of blue. “I am trained. Just because I don’t lay you out on the floor when you deserve it doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight, use a gun, or have friends in a powerful agency who I can still count on.”

“I know all that, I do, but…and what of this ex of yours?”

“Shawn? What about him?”

“I don’t know, you tell me. You were engaged to him. Is there anything left between you that I should be concerned about?”

“Nathaniel Mikhailov, are you jealous about an ex from before we met?”