Page 21 of The Darkest Knight

“Right,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You couldn’t leave her. But you could leave me, sitting at home, wondering why my boyfriend is playingknight in shining armorfor someone else.”

My jaw tightens. “Her mother is ill. So ill that the operation didn’t take out the tumor and the chemo didn’t get it all. She’s on a clinical trial. Cari has worked hard for me, and she needed to take time out and enjoy herself. I thought she’d come with her boyfriend, but she came with her friends.”

Dina seems to be paying attention. She also seems somewhat appeased. “I invited her, and told her to bring who she wanted. I also invited you but you went out for cocktailswith your friends,” I point out. “Don’t make it sound like you were waiting up for me.”

She flinches, her cheeks flushing, but she recovers quickly. “This isn’t about me, Jett. This is about you—about how you always find a way to put her first.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I feel the weight of them. Am I too close to Cari? The thought unsettles me, especially after last night with the thoughts that flowed through my head, sitting in her room, watching over her. I push them aside.

“Is it?” Dina presses, her voice rising. “You talk about her like she’s family. You drop everything to take care of her.”

“That’s not true. She’s been through a lot this year,” I say, my tone harder now. “And she’s always worried about her mom. When her friends left the party, she was alone. I couldn’t let her leave alone. Someone had to look out for her.”

“And that someone has to be you?” she shoots back. “She’s an adult, Jett. She’s not your responsibility.”

I don’t respond right away, my mind racing. Dina doesn’t understand. Cari isn’t just anyone. She’s ... important. To Brooke. To me. I’ve never stopped to question why that is, and I’m not about to unpack it now.

“You’re blowing this out of proportion,” I say finally, my voice flat.

“Am I?” Dina leans back, crossing her arms. “If she’s so unimportant, then why do you look at her like that?”

My heartbeat skitters to a halt. “Like what?” I try to keep my expression neutral.

“Like she matters more than me.” Her voice breaks slightly and she plays around with the salad on her plate. “Sometimes it feels like you’d rather be with her.”

I exhale slowly, scrubbing a hand down my face as my heart starts to beat again. “This isn’t about Cari.”

“Isn’t it?” she snaps. “Because from where I’m sitting, it feels like she’s the only thing you care about, it’s either your assistant or your daughter, that’s all you ever seem to care about.” She stands abruptly.

What. The. Fuck? “That’s not fair,” I growl, fighting for control. I can’t explode in anger.

“It’s the truth.” She throws down her napkin.

My body crumples and I slump back in my chair. She already knows that Brooke is my world. I don’t hide that from any of the women I date, but she picked up on Cari? Is she jealous? And if so, why? Cari’s just my assistant. Maybe I care for her more than I should. More than is normal.

The damage is done. Dina is already walking away, her heels clicking against the floor, each step echoing like a closing door.

It’s the truth.

Her words swirl in my mind as I sit there for a moment, staring at the untouched wineglass in front of me. The truth hangs in the dimly lit room, fragile yet heavy.

Dina isn’t wrong. Cari does matter to me—but it’s something I can’t accept.

Chapter 10

JETT

“Cari,” I call, my voice sharp and echoing through the space. “I need to see you. Now!”

The door creaks open, and there she is. Black pencil skirt hugging her curves, high heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor, and that silky blouse—soft, almost translucent—making her look both professional and completely distracting. Her hair is pinned up, neat and precise, with a few stray auburn strands framing her flushed face.

“Close the door.” I’m seated at my desk, fingers steepled, watching her every move.

She hesitates for a second, then does as I ask. The air is thick with tension as she comes towards me, hands clasped in front of her. Her cheeks are pink, a delicate flush that spreads down to her neck, and I don’t know if it’s nerves or something else. God help me, I hope it’s something else.

“Yes, Mr. Knight?” she says, her voice steady but soft.

Slipping my hands into my pockets, I rise and walk toward her. My gaze rakes over her, from head to toe. She’s delectable. Like something I could devour whole and still not have enough of.

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