Page 66 of The Boss

“Sure. I’ll bring your drinks, sir. Right away.” She jerked a sharp blade from the cutting block, holding it up into the light. Everything she did held some nefarious meaning, but I wasn’t playing her game. What I wanted to do was tie her down and fuck her senseless.

Yeah, way to go, caveman.

I’d been concentrating on seeking revenge instead of listening to her, including about her brother. That had to stop.

Sadly, her light switch had flipped and I had no clue why. She wanted to continue hating me. That was easy to see. Doing so would be easier on her even as her body betrayed her. I left the room, resisting pounding my fist on the wall. But I leaned against it, listening to her subtle curses and breathless sounds.

She was hurting inside and I wasn’t the kind of man to understand let alone provide compassion. I’d abandoned all aspects of humanity on a bright, beautiful day similar to this one long before.

Who had been the single person to spark something inside of me even then, bringing me out of the darkest period of my life? A girl with a lilting laugh, a beguiling smile, and endlessquestions. Willow had refused to stay alone in a room for too long, including during business.

I pressed my head against the wall, determined to remain hidden while I listened in on her private session of frustration.

We might not be a good match, but she was perfect in every way.

And I had no intention of letting her go. Not for business. Not because common sense screamed it was the right thing to do. Not because keeping her would place her in further danger.

I wouldn’t let her go because she was already mine.

Her sharp cry brought an instant reaction from me. I flew into the kitchen to find Willow wincing in pain, holding up her hand, the knife remaining in the other. Her fingers were bloody and her facial muscles were twisted.

As soon as I wrapped my fingers around the ones holding the blade, she jumped. “It’s okay. Let me have the knife, Willow. Okay? You cut yourself.” I turned on the water, testing to ensure it was cool.

She stared at me unblinking for a few seconds. Seeing the blood had taken her back to the crimson-stained walls inside the villa.

“Willow. Look at me. Don’t look at the wound. Okay?” Very gently I eased her hand under the faucet.

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Why in God’s name would you believe that?” The cut wasn’t deep, just located on the side of her finger near the crease. She’dcontinue to bleed for a little while. I pulled off a paper towel, watching her eyes fog over.

She tilted her head, fury no longer enshrouding her lovely face. “Because I’m the reason your brother was murdered.”

CHAPTER 17

Willow

“We’re being stared at,” I whispered, although I wasn’t certain why I lowered my voice. It was a little after four in the afternoon and the place was packed with people, music drowning out most conversations.

Dimitrios pushed his wine forward on the table. “That’s because you’re stunning.”

For all the clothing items that had been packed for me by Eleni, she’d made certain most were sensual.

Including lingerie.

What did she really think? That her boss was madly in love with me? Maybe our chemistry had become known over the house. I was wearing my favorite dress, which I’d chosen on purpose. The emerald color was vibrant and brought out my eyes, and also highlighted my copper hair. I’d done my best to style it quickly given his mandate we leave in fifteen minutes.

“You look dashing yourself.”

The trouble was he did. He’d changed into dark slacks and a black shirt, which added to his villainous look. Or maybe I’d start calling him Zorro. There wasn’t a single woman in the restaurant who wasn’t staring at him. A slight twinge inside my tummy troubled me. Why should I care?

The restaurant was located on a cliffside point looking out at the Ionian Sea. The late afternoon lunch started with wine, both of us remaining quiet. I hadn’t intended on making the proclamation I had, but just seeing the blood dripping into the sink had brought visions of what had happened to my parents.

So much blood.

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