Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Dominic
The moment Grace walked into the penthouse that morning, all sharp edges and no-nonsense attitude, I knew today was going to be fun.
She was dressed in all black—practical, professional, completely unaffected by the luxury around her.
If she was impressed by the place, she didn’t show it.
Her expression was locked in a permanent scowl lias had already decided I was a headache she didn’t want to deal with.
I watched her from the couch, taking my time as I stretched out, making a show of taking up space. "You’re late," I said casually, even though she wasn’t.
She didn’t even blink. "You’re not my priority."
I grinned. "Oh, but I am. Protecting me is now."
She exhaled sharply, ike she was already regretting her decision. "Let’s set a few things straight, Beethoven. I’m here to do a job. That means rules."
I sat up, resting my elbows on my knees. "Oh, I love rules. Tell me all about them."
Her eyes narrowed. "One. No unnecessary contact."
I smirked. "Define unnecessary."
She ignored me. "Two. No reckless behavior. If I tell you to do something, you listen. No questions, no arguing."
I leaned back again, watching her like she was the most interesting thing in the room. "Mm-hmm. What else?"
"Three. No flirting."
I grinned. "That one’s just cruel."
"It’s not up for debate," she said coolly.
I tilted my head, pretending to consider. "So, no touching, no having fun, and no charming you?"
"Glad we’re on the same page."
I exhaled dramatically. "You know suck the joy out of a room."
"You’re still breathing, aren’t you?"
I let out a low chuckle. She was quick. I liked that. Most people tiptoed around me, either too intimidated or too desperate for approval. But Grace? She wasn’t impressed, and that made me very interested.
She crossed her arms, waiting for my response, but all I did was stand. I saw the way her shoulders tensed slightly like she was already preparing for whatever game I was about to play. Smart woman.
"You said no unnecessary contact," I mused, stepping toward her. "But wouldn’t it be smart for you to know what you’re working with?"
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
I stopped just close enough to watch the flicker of irritation in her eyes. "Your job is to protect me. To anticipate threats. But you don’t even know how I move. How I react."
Her jaw tightened. "I know enough."
I smiled, slow and knowing. "Do you?"
In one fluid motion, I stepped even closer, closing the distance between us. I moved fast—testing her reaction speed, her instiand ncts. And just as I expected, she didn’t flinch. Instead, she shifted her weight slightly, adjusting her stance, ready to react if I pushed any further.
Interesting.
Her eyes flickered with warning. "Step back."
I didn’t. "Relax, Dauntless. It’s just a little test."
"Test me again, and you’ll be on the floor."
I laughed, low and deep, and took a deliberate step back. "Noted."
She didn’t relax, not completely, but she did let out a slow breath. "I’m here to do a job, Beethoven. Take it seriously, or I walk."
"Who said I wasn’t taking it seriously?"
She gave me a flat look. "You’re pushing my patience on purpose."
"Now why would I do that?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line like she wasn’t going to dignify that with an answer. Instead, she turned and pulled out a tablet, swiping through a file. "You have three scheduled appearances this week. We need to discuss security protocols for each location."
I didn’t answer. Instead, I moved again, deliberately closing the distance between us just enough to see how much it would take for her to step back. She didn’t.
Yet.
Her grip on the tablet tightened slightly, her fingers flexing just once before going still again. It was subtle, but I caught it. She wasn’t as unaffected as she wanted to pretend.
Good.
"You don’t like me, do you?" I asked, my voice lower now.
"I don’t need to like you to keep you alive," she replied smoothly.
I smirked. "That wasn’t a no."
She exhaled sharply. "Back up."
"Or what?"
She turned her head slowly, her dark eyes locking onto mine. "Or I make you."
The amusement in my chest deepened. "You threatening me, Dauntless?"
She didn’t blink. "Just stating a fact."
I grinned. "I love a challenge."
She finally stepped back, breaking the tension, and turned her attention back to the tablet. "Your first event is a charity gala tomorrow night. High-profile attendees, limited security coverage inside. I’ll need to be within arm’s reach at all times."
I raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re saying you want to be close to me now?"
She shot me a withering look. "Don’t push your luck."
I chuckled, leaning against the back of the couch. "Oh, Dauntless. You’re going to have so much fun working with me."
She muttered something under her breath but kept her focus on the details. I watched her, more entertained than I had been in a long time.
I had expected resistance. I had expected her to be all business. But I hadn’t expected to enjoy this.
Most people catered to me, bent over backward to stay in my good graces. Grace Dauntless? She didn’t care.
And that made me very, very interested.
For the next hour, she walked me through security protocols, barely acknowledging my presence beyond what was necessary.
I, on the other hand, made it my mission to distract her as much as possible.
Subtle movements, small shifts in proximity, slight brushes of space that she definitelShe didn’t react outwardly, but I could tell—her body was aware of mine.
And I wasn’t going to stop testing that.
The moment finally came when she lost patience. She snapped the tablet shut and fixed me with an exasperated glare. "Are you going to be a problem?"
I tilted my head. "Define prthe oblem." the
She inhaled slowly, probably counting to ten. "No games. No testing me. No pushing my patience just because you’re bored."
I studied her, then grinned. "I can’t promise that."
Her jaw clenched. "You arferable."
"And yet, here you are."
She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "This is going to be a nightmare."
I smirked, watching her struggle to keep her composure.
"I’m going to enjoy breaking you, Grace Dauntless."