Page 32 of Sovereign Oaths

He stood and paced the back wall. I faced away, giving him the illusion of privacy while I popped another appetizer and made eye contact with Derek. He only gave me a small smile. I wished we could speak telepathically in our human forms so I could get updates, but I’d have to wait to hear the full report when I got home.

Not knowing exactly what had happened was for the best. I was a decent actress, but if Alessio decided to be honest about what was going on, giving a genuine reaction to the shocking news was better.

In fact, I could use this as a test and make him tell me to regain my trust. No more letting him get off with little to no information.

I brushed off my fingers and stood, taking a second to straighten my dress before approaching Alessio.

“Baby?” I put my hand on his bicep to stop him.

Something crazed hovered in his dark eyes when they found mine. “Something happened to one of my warehouses.”

I covered my mouth with my free hand. I hadn’t heard mention of drugs, so it must have been his weapon’s location. “Was anyone hurt?”

His jaw flexed. “Most likely.”

“I’m so sorry. Do you need to go?”

To my shock, he didn’t take the bait. “No.” He kissed my forehead. “My men can handle it.”

Now, that wasn’t so hard. I wanted to pat his arm and tell him good job, but I gave him a different reward. “Let’s go home.”

Whether it was the suggestion of leaving or me referring to his house as home again, I didn’t know, but he calmed and nodded.

He took my hand, and we headed back the way we’d come in rather than the emergency exit his men used a few minutes ago. Derek trailed behind, whispering quietly enough that I couldn’t hear.

On the sidewalk, a valet immediately ran up with Alessio’s keys. “We kept your car up front.”

I raised a brow. “You drove yourself?”

His lips lifted a fraction. “I’m giving it a try.” He went to the passenger door and opened it.

I turned to Derek. “I’ll be fine. You can have the rest of the night off.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He stepped back.

I smiled up at Alessio, nearly laughing at the awe on his face. “Unless I need him to come?”

He recovered quickly. “No. No. I just appreciate it.”

I kissed him. “Good. You’ll keep me safe.”

I ducked into the car as he stood frozen for a second. That was his biggest weakness, and I just breathed new life into his fragile ego.

He went around to the driver’s side and slid in, beaming at me like one of the biggest components of his business hadn’t just been blown up.

Silly, simple man.

Normally, I’d be proud of myself, but I had too much power over him. Instead of being intoxicating, it was kind of pathetic.

He didn’t know anything about me, or rather, Millie. I was a way for him to prove himself as a man and a protector. A challenge, not a person.

He never pressed for more, except the one time I wanted to know deeper things about him. He was fine with the surface level. Attracted enough to my face and body to be satisfied.

Unlike the guys who were willing to pin me to the floor to get me to open up.

I needed to push thoughts of them out of my mind.

Not here. Not like this.

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