Page 54 of Knights Game

She’s right, it’s my fault she’s in this mess. I’ve shown my hand to Levi without even knowing it, and I’m not pissed at her, I’m pissed with myself. I’ve broken the very rules that Rome and I put in place after Saskia.

Don’t get attached, and don’t get them involved.

The elevator ride to my penthouse is tense; neither of us have spoken. Both of us fuming. Her at me, and the lack of controland choice she has in her own life. Me at myself. For being so fucking stupid.

I’m gripping her still moist thong in my pocket, opening and closing my fist around it, as anger bubbles under the surface. My eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror, her blue eyes shining against the dark smudges of her makeup, her hair hanging in a tousled mess.

She looks exhausted and wrung out. Barely holding in the emotion that threatens to spill. I want to get her showered and in bed. I want to look after her.

Reassure her.

Ineedto reassure her.

Even though I know I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t feel the need to save her, I shouldn’t feel the need to give her money and protect her from Levi. But I can’t stop wanting her.

I’ve learnt nothing from Roman, here I am making the same mistakes.

“No one knows about this place. Just my inner circle.”

“Okay.” Is the only response I get. But it will have to do for now.

She’s a pawn, she’s helping me fix a problem.

That’s all.

Keep telling yourself that, mate.

Fuck off, subconscious. I’m not ready to admit the fact that she grounds me when I hold her, how all this fucking responsibility of this life feels doable with her in it.

I was ready for anything…except her.

We step out of the elevator and straight into the penthouse foyer, the lift opening directly into the entrance hall.

“Holy shit,” she whispers following me out into the bright open space. “It’s very…crisp.”

“Crisp?”

“Did your criminal pocket not stretch to anything other than white?”

“Are you mocking my gangster penthouse?”

“I thought you didn’t like to be called a gangster.” She folds her arm as I place her clutch on the black centre table. “You could put a big black vase of lilies there.” She points to the bare space where I’ve just put the bag.

She turns around taking in the grand space.

“Painting there.” She points to a space on the wall. “With pops of colour.”

“Noted,” I reply slowly. “Come, I’ll give you the grand tour of your temporary home tomorrow. For now, you need to sleep.” I take her hand, but she rips it from mine.

“No no no.” She disagrees, her arms flailing. “At no point in ourdeal,” she airs quotes, “did you say I’d have to stay in your machocrispbachelor pad.”

“No? I’m sure I mentioned it as part of the negotiating.” I tilt my head.

“Did you fuck—”

“We need to put on the front. Besides, how else can I keep you safe?”

“I don’t care about me. I care about how you’re going to keep my grandad safe. How you’re going to keep Katy safe. I don’t need to be under your lock and key to put on a show for your fucking cousin.”

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