Page 92 of The Heir

"Yes sir, I'll let him know."

I hang up with him and tap my phone in my hand, seeing my building down the street, glimmering in the sunlight as we get close. Ignoring Isobel staring at me.

"King!"she bites out, causing me to glance at her with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"This is what I'm talking about. You don't-" she heaves a little indignant breath,"talkto me about anything.You just do!"

I look over at her. "And what's so wrong with that?Huh?Wouldn't you rather I handle the situation that wayyoudon't have to worry about it?It's what husbands are supposed to do!"

Isobel takes off her seatbelt, getting in my face. We glower at each other right as we pull up to the building.

"NO!" she grits, pulling off her sunglasses. "Husbands are supposed totalkto their wives.Informthem when changes have been made, when decisions need to be addressed." Her brows scrunch as she looks at me. "You're good at fucking, but you have a lot of learnin' to do when it comes to actually being a part of amarriage!"she shouts in my face. "Did you even think to consider how I would feel,huh?That you're meeting with him? What could you possibly have to say to him?"

I lean forward, pushing her back as I go. "I am only gong to tell you one more time,and one time only, Isobel."I put my finger in her face. "You will watch what you say to me in public." I see awareness hit her as she looks out the corner of her eye and sees the paparazzi in front of my building.

Our building.

She's breathing hard and I'm sure right now we look like we're about to full on brawl, but thankfully we're protected by the tinted windows of the car.

"I get you're upset, but I'm going to speak to him becausethis,"I snatch up her phone and open the texts where he calls her a "bitch," and threatens to hunt her down and beat her for what she did to his apartment and draining his bank account, "is completely unacceptable. And as yourhusband,"I narrow my eyes at her, "it's my duty to protect you, and I'll bedamned,damnedIsobel, if I letanyonemuch less a man threaten you. What'smine!"I shout, seeing Dennis turn his head to look at us through the rearview mirror.Isobel shrinks into thedoor, her eyes wide and her hands tremble. "So, you are going to shut that demon mouth of yours, rein it in, and let me do my job or so help me God, woman there'll be hell to pay when we get home!Do you fucking get me?"

She swallows hard and nods, her eyes flickering between mine.

My anger diminishes some as I see that I'm towering over her in the seat while she's hunched down. And I swear, if she were anyone else, I'd rip off her outfit and fuck her even with Dennis here. But she's not. So, I sit back, yank the lapel of my suit jacket, and clear my throat. Waiting patiently as she sits back up and rearranges herself.

"F-Fine, King.Goddamn,"she mutters, pushing her hair behind her ears.

I reach over and snatch her face to mine, taking her mouth in a bruising kiss that I make last forever until she sags against me and her fingers clutch weakly at my shirt. It's only after she kisses me back in earnest, touching her tongue to mine do I let her pull away.

We separate with a small smack, breathing hard.

"There's paparazzi outside. We just need twenty seconds to get in the building. Hold your purse in front of your face, and I'll shield you from the other side."

I open the door and slide out, holding my hand out for her. She takes it, her darker skin contrasting beautifully with mine, and I grip her hard. As her beautiful, high-heeled foot steps out of the car and touches the pavement, the bulbs begin to flash and the shuttering becomes almost deafening.

I pull her to me hard, waiting until she places her purse up to the side of her face and leans into me. Walking us forward, I use my body as a literal shield, protecting her.

"Mr. King, is it true that this is your love interest?"

"Mr. King, can you tell us about your involvement in the new soccer arena for downtown? And that you were gifted your own box?"

"Mr. King, what's your stance on the situation in the Middle East right now? How is your business aligning politically?"

I damn near wrap myself around Isobel, ushering her inside, and feeling Gustavo flank behind us to her right, pushing back the throng of people outside the building. We make our way inside and then relax, slowing our steps, taking a minute to breathe.

"Oh my God." Isobel shudders, holding shaky fingers to her mouth. "What the hell! I thought you were just an architect. Why are they out there like that?"

The question I'm plagued with all the time.

"An architect that's a part of a very powerful family," I grit, ushering her into my private elevator where she visibly relaxes as soon as the doors shut. She whimpers, turning into me and wrapping her arms around me tightly. I pull her in, stroking my hands down her back. "It's okay sweetie, you're okay," I say calmly, cradling her head against my chest. I press a kiss to the top of her head. "Gustavo, hire another security guard-"

"No!" She jerks her head up. "No, King, it'sfine.I'm sorry, it's just first time jitters. I don't need another guard at my back. Please don't, I'll be okay when the newness wears off, we don't-" Rattled, she swallows hard and puts a hand to her chest. "We don't need another person on the payroll; it's unnecessary."

My eyes flick from her face to her toes and I make a displeased sound in my throat. "Well… if you think so. But the minute I feel like you need more security I don't want an argument."

She nods and takes a deep breath. "Thank you, King."

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