Page 18 of Declan

She tilts her head, pretending to think. “Off-limits? That’s going to be a problem. I’m not very good with those.”

“Funny,” I reply, leaning closer until our faces are inches apart, “because I’m very good at enforcing them.”

She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she looks me square in the eye and smiles—a slow, deliberate smile that tells me she’s not going to make this easy. “Then I guess we’re at an impasse.”

Behind me, Kian snorts, clearly enjoying the show. Connor leans against the doorframe, trying to hide his amusement.

I’m done with the games.

I grab the glass she set down, swirling the amber liquid before taking a slow sip. All the while, I keep my eyes locked on hers, letting her see that I’m not someone to be played. Not by her. Not by anyone.

“You want to make yourself at home?” I set the glass down with a little more force than necessary. “Maybe you should move into my bedroom. After all, you’re my wife, and there’s nothing more ‘at home’ than sleeping with your dear husband.”

I walk around the desk, placing my hands on the chair’s arms, caging her in.

A blush creeps up her chest, but she holds my gaze unblinking. For a moment, the air between us feels thick enough to cut. Then, she shrugs. “You know, studies show the happiest couples have separate rooms.” Her tone is light, but there’s an edge to it that puts me on high alert.

I push off the chair, stepping back. “We’ll see about that. Now, get out of my chair, Viviana.”

She doesn’t move right away. Instead, she uncrosses her legs slowly, her black leggings clinging like a second skin. Every curve is on display as she stands with a casual grace that belies the storm brewing beneath her cool exterior.

As she walks past me, our shoulders brush. She pauses at the door.

“By the way, the whiskey’s not bad,” she says over her shoulder, then leaves without a backward glance.

As the door closes behind her, I exhale a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. She’s dangerous—that much is clear, not in the way of guns or knives but in the way she knows how to twist every situation to her advantage.

“Isn’t that one of your most expensive bottles?” Kian asks, grinning.

I shoot him a glare. “Yeah, it is.”

Connor chuckles softly. “And it wasn’t that bad?”

I shake my head, a grim smile tugging at my lips. “She’ll pay for that. Trust me.”

A couple of hours later, I’m still trying to push the image of her in my office out of my mind when the call comes through. One of the guards is practically hyperventilating on the other end.

“Sir, it’s… it’s Mrs. Callaghan. She’s in the gym.”

I narrow my eyes. “And?”

“She’s… uh, working out, sir. Just thought you should know.”

I can hear her grunts over the phone. Apparently, I’m not the only one on edge.

“And this is an issue because?” My patience is wearing thin.

“Well, Ricky… she kind of kicked his ass.”

I let out a laugh, unable to help myself. Fucking vixen.

Kian and Connor glance at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Viviana kicked Ricky’s ass in the gym,” I explain, shaking my head.

Kian grins. “I like her already.”

“Tell Ricky to move to patrol duty,” I instructed, amused despite myself. “No one touches her.”

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