Darling Villain (Forbidden Fruit #1)

Chapter 18

Daniel

A drien has lost his goddamn mind.

From the beginning, I knew his plan was a disaster waiting to happen, but I never could have predicted he would take it this far. Dean’s niece may be attractive—even I was tempted when I first laid eyes on her—but she’s not worth risking everything we’ve worked so hard for. I’ve been trying to reason with Adrien, urging him to let Tiffany go and contact Umberto Moroni instead, but he is as stubborn as a mule. He’s obsessed with her pretty face, and nothing I say seems to change his mind.

It’s infuriating.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I cannot even feign a surprise when I find Tiffany lying in the boss’ bed the second day after he left for United Kingdom.

All these years of rigorous training and Adrien made me a fucking nanny for Dean Carter’s niece.

Tiffany doesn’t even seem surprised or scared, she just looks at me with those big doe eyes and makes herself comfortable pulling the blankets up to her chin. She tries to cover up, but I see her wearing a white button-up shirt. The shirt covers her up like a dress, and I am sure it’s Adrien’s.

She went through his closet.

Again.

“What are you wearing and who let you in here?”

Adrien’s room is his private space; it’s off-limits to everyone except him.

“Good evening, Daniel,” the brat says without the slightest bit of respect. I’m not sure if I’m impressed by her boldness or worried that my intimidation tactics are losing their effectiveness.

I’m fine , I remind myself. Even the most seasoned men cower before me.

That only makes Tiffany’s insolence more irritating.

I reach for the gun in my shoulder holster and point at her.

“Get up,” I order her.

“Are you going to shoot me?” she asks, clearly amused. “Adrien wouldn’t like that.”

“Adrien also does not like when people come into his room and sleep in his bed,” I growl at her. “Now get your scrawny ass up and get out of his room.”

Tiffany doesn’t react, as if she doesn’t even understand what I’m saying.

I’m two seconds away from physically picking her up and kicking her out of the room when she speaks.

“How about you get the hell out of here? I’m almost one hundred percent sure you don’t have permission to be here.” She smiles.

Technically, she’s right, but I’m Adrien’s right hand and while he’s not here, I make the rules.

“Don’t make a mistake, brat. I’m not asking. I’m telling you. Get the fuck out of Adrien’s room. Now.”

I’ve never been so frustrated with someone in my life.

With a roll of her eyes, Tiffany crosses her arms over her chest. “I will not argue with you, Daniel. I’m just stating the facts. Adrien allowed me to be here, and if he changes his mind, he’ll inform me. As for you and the other guards, you have no authority to enter his room unless he specifically tells you to. So, I suggest you back off and mind your own business.”

She can’t fool me. Adrien is very particular about who enters his personal space or handles his personal belongings. Not even his sister or friends would dare to touch his things without his explicit permission. And he has never let a woman stay overnight at his place. The most they get is a quick fuck in a hotel room.

I know the rules.

I know Adrien.

The girl is trying to provoke me.

And I can teach her a lesson she’ll never forget.

“Fine, do as you want, but remember I warned you,” I say, turning on my heel and leaving the room.

“Good night, Daniel,” Tiffany calls after me in a sing-song voice, a smile still plastered on her face.

I slam the door shut, angry and frustrated.

I’ll be the one laughing when Adrien comes back in a few hours and finds her cozy in his room. He’s going to be livid, and Tiffany will bear the brunt of it.

I’ll enjoy every second.