Page 69 of Aching for His Discretion

Shaking my head as I told the partial truth, he pulled me closer, and a smile came over his face. Placing a kiss on my lips, I could feel my fear climbing as another feeling came over me… It was stronger than the fear. I craved it even. It felt passionate, almost like a desire to succumb to this man who manipulated his way into my life.

He pulled away after a moment, and I just stared into his eyes. There was a reason I didn’t listen to my rational side, because this man made meacheto be near him with his affection, mannerisms, attention… I felt controlled by him. Lost in his eyes, comforted by his touch, blinded by his actions.

I hate that he could practically see it in my eyes, and part of me wished I could find the strength to pull away from him.

“Let’s go downstairs to join your parents, Tesoro,” he said, and I nodded wordlessly as I grabbed his hand, allowing him to walk me outside my room and down the steps.

We entered the dining room. I pulled my hand away to be safe as I noticed my parents having a small conversation. Hearing us come in, they both turned in our direction.

“Lunch is ready. I was just about to send your father to get you two. I assume the tour of the upstairs was nice, Levi?” my mother said curiously, and I blushed as he chuckled and pulled the chair out for me to take a seat.

“You have a lovely home, ma’am,” he said politely, causing her to smile even more.

Soon, we had engaged in a bit of small talk, with my mama grilling Levi beside me and my father chiming in a bit as well. Even though she had many questions, the conversation was still light and friendly.

In the midst of laughing at a joke my father had told, we heard the front door open and slam closed. I quickly grabbed Levi’s hand under the table that rested on my knee and felt Grayson curl up on my feet as he shook softly.

Hearing footsteps, we were silent as Declan let out a humorless laugh as he entered the dining room.“Well... what do we have here?”

Chapter twenty-nine

Levi

“Levi… do me a favor and join me in my office for a moment.”

Her father spoke to me, and I nodded as I handed Tesoro mio the bouquet of roses I’d bought for her. She looked too fucking sexy in that dress of hers, but I had to show some respect in the house of her mother and father.

We entered his office, and he sighed as he leaned against his desk. Running his hand down his face, he spoke.

“When Dakota told meDiavolowas with my daughter, I didn’t want to believe it.Couldn’tbelieve it, actually,” he muttered, and I stood holding my guard as I placed my hands behind my back.

“And before you ask, no, my wife, Linda, doesn’t know what I used to do and what the boys do now.”

“Teegan found out something a few days ago...” I muttered, and he nodded.

“Figured out that much. I was able to put two and two together.”

He looked at me for a long moment before standing up once again. “If you let something like this happen again, Linda will get suspicious.” He gave me a knowing look, and I remained silent.

Being a man of many secrets himself, I’m sure he could tell our dispute was a bit intense despite me keeping the details to myself.

“Take care of my daughter. Lord knows I’ve tried all I can, and sending her away was the best I could do when her brothers embraced their toxic masculinity and forced their misogynistic views on her and her mother.” He seemed defeated as he let out his last few words, and I couldn’t blame him.

He sent his daughter away from danger only for her to find the source... I sympathized with him slightly, but I didn’t quite care much.

Nodding my head once, he walked out of the office and patted me on the back as he stepped outside. Leaving his office, I looked around for my Tesoro and spotted her setting the table. I wanted to force her down and fuck a bit of sense into her that being with me wasn’t a fucking choice, but I decided against acting on my impulses… for now.

When we made it to her room, I only let her know that I wouldtake care of the boyand he would be unharmed and relocated… didn’t say he’d be free. Not after he hurt my sweet Tesoro... I’d have to figure out what to do with his father as well. Couldn’t kill them right now, but I wanted to.

At lunch with her parents downstairs, my hand rested on her knee as I made conversation with her parents. Her mother seemed to be growing to like me, and her father had to put on the façade that he did.

Hearing the door slam, my Tesoro froze in her spot and grabbed my hand out of reflex.

“Well... what do we have here?”I heard one of her demented brothers say, and I looked over to see them angrily gazing at us all.

“Why didn’t we get an invite?” Dakota asked bitterly as he stood behind Declan, who took a seat at the table.

“And when did my baby sister get into town with her new ‘boyfriend’?” Declan asked “playfully,” and Linda did her best to remain calm as Kenneth, her father, spoke.

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