Page 37 of Líadan's Code

“Fuck,” I mutter. I suppose I walked into that by giving her a damn choice. I’m used to maneuvering people into choosing my side, yet Líadan is immovable.

Yet, I saw the pang of hurt in her eyes after we had the most incredible orgasms together. I don’t know what happened or why. There was a moment where I cursed myself out because I shouldn’t be doing this with a mafia boss’s daughter.

I’ve never been this tied up over someone. Not to mention, Brendan is a broody bastard and grunts whenever he sees me.

Fuck it.

Moving forward, I put my hand on the knob and knock.

“Come on, Princess. You can’t keep ignoring me,” I call out, but I can’t hear anything on the other side of the door.

Growling under my breath, I twist the door knob, surprised when it opens. Shoving it open, I open my mouth to say something, but the room is empty. Distantly, I can hear water running, and her clothes are tossed haphazardly in the hamper.

At least it made it in.

“Why do all of our conversations happen while the other is in the shower?” I grumble, practically stomping across the room.

This is clearly the main bedroom in the house, because it’s bigger than the guest room I’m staying in. I can see evidence that this is Brendan’s room as well, since there are masculine touches everywhere. The bathroom door is cracked open, making it easy for me to push it open.

“We really need to have a conversation, Princess,” I mutter as I step inside.

Líadan startles, gorgeous eyes wide as she gazes at me. “What did you say?” she asks.

“I said you’re being a goddamn brat. Be a damn adult and talk to me,” I roar. My anxiety may be heightening my emotions. Just a little.

Líadan just nods as she continues to wash her hair, brow raised. “I shouldn’t need to talk to you, when you’re simply Daddy’s employee, even if it is against your will. I have no factor in anything.”

“Want to tell me what I did? I feel as if this is a drastic shift. There’s this animosity coming from you, even though you’re really damn calm. Drop the mask, Princess. I don’t need you to wear one for me,” I tell her.

“So why should I drop mine if you’re clearly putting one on seconds after we came together the other day?” she asks. Sighing, she rinses her hair. “I shouldn’t be getting involved with you in any way regardless. I really don’t want to get attached.”

Turning her back on me, she continues to wash herself. Her shower walls are all clear glass, so I get an incredible view of her backside. Too bad I need to see those gorgeous forest-green orbs. Moving until I can grab the door of the shower, I open it and step inside.

It’s harder to ignore me if I’m in her space. I don’t want her to think this is about anything other than settling this misunderstanding, which means I’m going to be getting drenched while fully clothed.

“What the fuck, Jordan? Personal space, much?” she complains, pushing her back against the tile wall. It’s a beautiful teal and gray color, making me wonder how much she renovated and how much came with the house.

“I’ve given you days of personal space, Little One,” I grunt. “I’m sick to death of it. The only thing you could have seen the other day was my conscience asking me if it was a good idea to get involved with you. To which I told it to fuck off.”

“Oh,” she says. “Well, you called me Líadan. You never call me by my name.”

Ah, I see. I didn’t realize I did it.

“You’re right,” I nod. “It was unintentional. You’re my princess or little one, and never Líadan. Is that why you ran?”

“I was shaky, and it felt like you were pulling away. You’re right, this is such a bad idea, because Daddy?—”

“Your father pulls the strings he can see,” I remind her. “If he can’t see it, he can’t manage it. It’s why I keep my ear to the ground in my business, notifications to tell me if any of my musicians are being spoken about in social media. This way, I can get ahead of whatever scandal is about to come our way. In a way, your father is doing the same for your family and his enemies. He’s finding out what people are doing, so he can blackmail them into accepting you as his heir.”

“Are those his plans?” she whispers. “I knew some of it because he told me today, I just didn’t think he’d stoop to blackmail. Well, I didn’t think he’d be smart enough to.”

The amendment makes me bark out a laugh. “As crazy as your dad acts to the outside world, I think there’s a lot of intelligence behind his eyes,” I say.

“Yes, that’s true. He just typically rules with a lot more violence,” she mutters, crossing her arms over her chest.

My eyes hood as I take in her wet and naked form, moving to get out of the spray.

“Just because we’re taking a meeting in the shower, doesn’t mean you can’t finish, Princess,” I murmur.

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