Page 86 of My Forbidden Boss

Not that I’d let her. Not that I wouldn’t chase, because I would. To the end of the world and back again. Anywhere she goes, I’ll follow.

I don’t want that of course. I want her by my side. Willing and calm. Relaxed and happy. But she won’t be like that until I get rid of Bourke and banish the harm he’s done her. He’s the rot I’ll cut from her mind.

She eyes me with her deer-in-the-woods look. She sits on the edge of the seat, picking at the breakfast I want her to eat, hands fussing about the rim of the bowl. The urge in me to see to her needs is visceral. To sit her in my lap and soothe the storm inside her. I temper it, using the utmost control because I can.

Because she needs me to do it.

She’s only here because I brought her beloved mother. I think of the hovel I took them from and my hands shake. A headache pounds through my skull with the force of my teeth grinding.

They’re not going back there.

I’m glad they’ve slated the building for redevelopment because it means it won’t exist anymore. I’m glad I’m going to scour the building from the face of the earth and build something better in its place.

How they survived living there is a fluke of the universe. How Adeline cared for her mother given their circumstances is a wonder. How she remained giving and as empathetic as she is goes beyond logic.

There’s only one other person in this room who knows how special she is. Adeline’s mother. Like her daughter, she is not a stupid woman. She’s someone life has treated unkindly and yet I see warmth in her eyes. A ready smile on her face. It’s astounding the two of them have survived as they have. That they have any softness left in them.

There was no need for them to live that way.

I’ll ruin Bourke.

I’ll take everything he owns and give it to its rightful owners.

Once that is done, there will be no need for money to come between us, because I’ll make sure Adeline is independently wealthy. If she doesn’t want to accept charity, then she won’t. I’ll make sure of that too. It’s the highlight of my plan. Through Bourke’s destruction, I’ll get exactly who I want.

Who I need.

Who I love with every fiber of my being.

If I have to ruin the world for her, I will do that too because she is worth everything.

I eat, because with every bite I take, she mirrors me. I plan because as we iron out the details, her shoulders loosen. I ignore Tristan’s bemused grin and flippant comments because they make a smile ghost on her lips.

She plucks at her threadbare robe, smoothing it over her thighs. She probably wants a shower and change of clothing, and they brought next to nothing with them last night. I’d buy her everything she needs new, but Adeline won’t accept that.

“I’ll take you to your apartment and you can pick up what you need from there,” I say. It will be her last visit there. She won’t be going back to that suburb again.

She lifts huge blue eyes. “I can’t ask…”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” For a moment, I’m filled with hope that I’ll have her here to myself for the foreseeable future.

Indecision wars on her face before her expression slides to defeat. “I do have some personal items I’d like to keep.”

I keep my expression neutral and don’t give any indication of the flare of satisfaction I’ll have her in my car all to myself on the trip there and back. Unmitigated time alone with her.

“If we’ve finished with the business at hand, I’ll take you when you’re ready,” I say.

Tristan stands and nudges his empty plate on the coffee table. “I’ll organize our efforts for tonight and leave you to it.”

“You can see yourself out,” I say, remaining seated. I don’t want to move from Adeline’s orbit. He’s been here often enough to know every corner of my home.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Adeline. Lira,” he says. I ignore the quick purse of his lips and the lift of his brow he sends my way before he walks out.

“Thank you for your hospitality and everything you’re doing for us,” Lira says.

I offer her my smile, because although they’ve had a hard life, she’s made sure the harshness hasn’t destroyed the fabric of her daughter. Adeline’s tough. She thinks she’s not worthy. Her shell is titanium, but I’ve seen the beauty of her soul in those unguarded moments. That untarnished part of her that her mother has protected as best she could.

That I will do everything in my power to shine.

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