Page 95 of After Hours

“Don’t talk. Did you drive here today?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I don’t want you to be alone, I want you to be protected. So, if it’s okay with you, could Lucio drive you home and take you wherever, just until you’re better. I want you safe especially when I can’t be there to protect you.”

I went silent. “What would I do with my car then?”

“It’s safe here. You don’t have to accept, I just want you to be safe.”

I sighed. “Okay.”

He smiled and grabbed him phone making a call.

“Lucio. Ora sei incaricato di proteggere e portare in giro la signorina Willis. I tuoi ordini ora provengono da lei e me, capito?”

The phone call ended, and Dillon’s gaze returned to me. “This is going to come off as me being overprotective, but Lucio is at your service. Anything you need, he’s there to give it to you.” He’s right, it did, but at least I knew he cared about me.

“Thank you. I just don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not a burden, precious. I’m glad you’re allowing me to do things for you.”

“Yeah, but we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend, so, and just because we’re screwing around and you’re a millionaire doesn’t mean you should—”

He released a low growl and gripped my waist tighter. He was annoyed at what I just said, and it wasn’t until I said it that I had realized how badly it sounded.

“Firstly, I’m a multi-billionaire, precious. And secondly, labels are weak, but you’re mine. Mine to kiss. Mine to have. Mine to taste. Mine to fuck. Mine to spoil. All mine. So I don’t give a fuck about stupid boyfriend and girlfriend labels. You’re mine, and the minute we crossed paths, you and I both knew that.”

“You’re mine, and the minute we crossed paths, you and I both knew that.” I faced him, and that’s the only thing that replayed in my head.

“When I’m better, remind me that I need to give you the most unforgettable night. You deserve it.”

His expressions softened, as did my heart, when he replied, “when you’re better, we’ll go somewhere far away and take your mind off whatever is hurting you.”

“Are you downplaying my talents?”

“No,” he answered icily. “Never that. I can’t downplay something so good. But intimate moments can come after.”

“If you say so. I have to run to accounts and then—”

“No. I’ll get someone else on that. The rest of the day is yours.”

“Dillon, you can’t keep favoring me over your employees. They’ll know about us, and I don’t—”

How much can I go through in one day?

“Camilla,” he said, his voice laced with shock.

“Dillon,” she said with a smile, “I came to finish discussing, but you’re busy,” she said, turning her gaze to me. “I’m Camilla, Dillon’s oldest friend.”

“I’m Azzaria.” I said and turned to face him. I didn’t need to introduce myself, I’m sure she knew who I was.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I just came because you were ignoring my calls, but to my surprise you’re here with her. Does she know? Or is she like the rest of us who think you’re the gentleman and prince of peace?” She scoffed.

Dillon’s teeth gritted, and he was opening his mouth to answer but he didn’t. My guess was he didn’t want to give her that satisfaction.

She turned to face me. “Has he ruined you that deep? He doesn’t do face-to-face contact, he doesn’t let women in his house, he doesn’t even do dates. And a woman like you seems to love sweet nothings and happy cuddling. He fucks. He dominates. He punishes, and he doesn’t chase.” Her tone indicated that she was trying to scare me, and I even caught myself wondering if we were talking about the same man.

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