Chapter 24 #2
What I knew I couldn’t tell him was what Carrington had threatened me with. But how could I betray Christian? The answer should be complicated, but it wasn’t. It was easy and right there in my face.
Because of how I felt about the man. How much I craved and wanted to be around him.
And how I was falling head over heels for the man. However, this had to end. There was no other choice. No other way I could protect him.
“While Carrington hasn’t done anything, that doesn’t mean he won’t. But I assure you, I’m nothing to him, which is fine by me.”
“He’s threatened you.”
“That doesn’t matter. I don’t care what he does to me.
Okay?” I was more exasperated than I should be, my hand shaking as I rubbed it across my face.
A nervous habit. “Yes, I’d love to return to the hospitality industry, but I won’t sell my soul to do so.
Not for him. And not for you. He’s that…
slimy to try and destroy me and in doing so, telling those bastards in Paris that you’re a terrible person.
In other words, he had a hidden agenda. Is that what I can expect from you?
Are you hoping that I’d provide you with insider information about my old boss and the company? ”
Wow. I’d rendered him speechless.
“George Covington is a nice man. He’s just getting old and decided to rely on an employee who he thought of as a son.
I didn’t realize Carrington’s real colors until it was too late, but I will not hurt George.
And as crazy as it sounds even to me, I won’t let him hurt you.
That’s why I haven’t gone to my old boss and told him what happened.
George thought I betrayed him, but I would never do that.
So I just walked away hoping to get another job in the industry.
But no, Christian. I will not work for you.
Not if you paid me a million dollars. I will do this on my own, including getting followers for my silly little fledging venture.
Whatever it takes, I will do it, but not by riding on the backs of others. ”
He lifted his head, taking a couple of deep breaths while studying me.
I tossed my napkin on the table, pushing back my chair. “I guess I have my answer. I’ll grab an Uber.” It was much easier this way. Now he could be furious with me for being so defiant. Maybe for disobeying or disappointing him. And if I was lucky, maybe he’d forget all about me.
By the time I stood, the rush of adrenaline was so strong I was terrified I was about to have a stroke. But I was determined to get away from him, mostly so he didn’t see I had tears in my eyes.
By the time I reached the door, I realized he wasn’t following me. He also wasn’t demanding I return or raising his voice about the fact I’d defied him.
He was simply allowing me to walk out the door.
Maybe a tiny part of me was hurt. Maybe I enjoyed having a powerful, dominating men who wanted me even though I could offer him nothing in the way of power.
But in truth. I could.
Secrets.
Was the whole world based on what one person could do for another? It was crazy and I’d never been so angry or hurt. Or anxious, or with murderous intent in my heart. If Carrington were standing in front of me, I’d wring his scrawny neck and love every minute of doing so.
I took long strides, struggling to pull my phone from my purse. Suddenly, I was tossed against the exterior of the building, a huge man hovering over me.
“Penelope. You are not walking away from me. Not now. Not ever.” His voice was smooth velvet, strong and controlling.
Christian wasn’t shaking me. He didn’t have his hand around my throat. He simply held my arms, hovering over me so I couldn’t possibly get away from him.
“Just let me go, Christian.”
Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry.
“I’m not going to let you go until you at least hear what I have to say. Even then, I won’t allow you to walk out of my life.”
Even though I struggled, in peering into his eyes, I could easily become lost in them. He was so dynamic, so intentional in everything he did. And he had no intention of letting me go. The tiny thrill tearing through me was ridiculous but left me breathless at the same time.
“Now, hear me. I don’t know what occurred with Carrington, but my personality is such that I crave ensuring he never treats another woman the way he’s done with you.
And yes, I cannot tolerate anyone betraying me.
The more you discover about me, the more you’ll realize what I can and can’t tolerate. ”
“Like the man at your company who betrayed you? Or the man in Paris who was pushing for Covington to be awarded this precious contract?”
His eyes flashed again and the deep breath he took was as if sucking in the information I’d tossed out before I could keep from doing so. Now he would store the statement for future use.
I wasn’t certain I was as repulsed as I should be.
“Fine. Get this through your head. I’m not trying to hurt you or your company.
I don’t want anything to do with it. I don’t want your money.
I’m not working with that fucking bastard, although he wants me to sabotage you.
But I won’t. Get that through your head.
” The sound of my laugh was bitter and angry, hurt and confused.
Oh, I was a freaking mess and I hated it.
His reaction wasn’t anything like what I would ever expect from him. He placed his finger across my lips. “You really do need to learn to be quiet even for a little while. I’m still not finished. Will you be good?”
“I can’t.”
“Apparently.”
With a man like Christian, I should learn to expect anything. Still, even though he’d captured my mouth a dozen times before, it always felt as if the first time.
This one was no exception. The taste of red sauce and wine infused with everything else and I was lost, clinging to him as if he was my salvation. I adored the man, craving him more than I had anyone.
And I felt so protected.
As he pulled me close, my heart swelled and for a few seconds, the worry and fear faded. His tongue swept inside, taking time to dominate mine. I heard slight growls coming from deep within his chest, but they were no match for the moans he captured.
I slipped my hands over his shoulders, grounding myself by tangling my fingers in his hair, trusting him more than I’d believed possible.
When he finally backed away, both of us struggled to control our breathing.
“I’m sorry I doubted you, Penelope. That is my shortcoming.”
“You mean one of them.” I pushed away so I could lift my head and stare into his eyes.
He couldn’t help but smile. “Fair enough. I’m a brutal man who came from a father who was trained that the only way to handle opposition was by eliminating it.
He was damn good at what he did and in truth, I learned from him.
I have a lot to lose and there are scores of people who will stop at nothing to take a piece of what I’ve worked so hard to build.
And make no mistake, I’ve built it alongside my brother.
Not with the use of blackmail or extortion.
But in turn, I will not tolerate anyone betraying me. ”
When I opened my mouth again, he placed his hand over it.
“Do I need to take you over my knee again?” This time he rolled his eyes. “If you don’t want to come work with my company, that’s perfectly fine, but I do have a question that I’d like an honest answer to.”
“I’m always honest.”
His eyes flashed amusement. “Touché. If you were given a choice between having your own business and returning to an executive position within the hospitality field, which would you choose? And not with working for me.”
I had to think about the answer. “I honestly don’t know. As you might imagine, I have a bad taste in my mouth. The circumstances would need to be entirely different, stretching my abilities while providing a nurturing atmosphere.”
“Fair enough. But maybe you’ll indulge me by allowing me to run something by you. No strings attached. I promise.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“That’s another question I guess you’ll need to answer for yourself. Now, you are coming with me back to my estate. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Why?”
Christian smirked while shaking his head. “Because I told you that’s what is going to happen and you’re going to follow my rules.”
“If I don’t?”
His laugh created another wave of white-hot tingles dancing all the way to my toes.
He had a way of getting everything he wanted.
Including me.