Page 30 of Deception & Desire

With a sigh, I take a step further inside. She takes a measured step back away from me. Deliberate, overly cautious, like she’s learned something from last time.

“This was a mistake,” she says warily. “I should have gone to Teo.”

A pang of unrestrained jealousy hits me out of nowhere, and I try desperately to rein it back in, focusing instead on the woman before me.

Mia looks concerned. Concerned enough to come back here, even after putting very clear boundaries between us last time.

She also looks, quite unfairly, beautiful. There’s something about the night that suits her so perfectly. I think it’s the darkness of her clothes and the way they complement her skin tone. She’s a creature of secrets and shadows, whispers under bed sheets, the knife that you never expect until it’s lodged in your heart.

I mentally chastise myself for getting so distracted. “Why would you go to Teo?”

“You going to pull the ‘you don’t belong to the Guild anymore’ card on me?” she retorts.

“Do I have to?”

She considers me for a moment before dropping down on the couch. “I have a lead on Amos Rubio.”

The silence that stretches between us constricts my breathing. It’s unseemly how quickly that name sets off all my internal alarms. For it to come out of Mia’s mouth…

“How do you have a lead on Amos Rubio?” I say as evenly as I can.

Regardless of my effort for control, Mia clearly picks up on my anger. Her expression becomes more guarded and far more cold than before. “I met with a new client yesterday.”

I close my eyes and breathe in and out twice.

“A new client.”

“Yes.”

“Someone who wanted to hire you as a mercenary,” I clarify.

“Yes.”

I’m suddenly very grateful she declined the drink. This is not the time to have a glass in my hand. “You weren’t supposed to take on any work like that without consulting me.”

“I can’t remember that being a part of our marriage vows.”

“You’re being contrary on purpose.”

She matches my tone entirely. A challenge. I usually love a challenge. “I’ve done everything else you wanted. You don’t control me.”

“You are purposefully putting yourself in danger in spite of my direct instructions. You were supposed to tell me.”

“I’m telling you now.”

“Jesus Christ!” I yell a little louder than necessary.

It makes her flinch. It’s horrific to see. I want to snatch the words back from where they linger in the air between us.

I slowly, carefully take a seat as far from her as possible. “I’m sorry,” I say instead.

She swallows hard. “I’m capable of making my own decisions. I know how to keep myself safe.”

I bite my tongue to stop the protests that bubble up.

Logically, I know she can look after herself. I’ve seen her client list, read through her accomplishments. On paper, Mia is more than capable; she’s effective…ruthless even.

It’s just very different now that I know her, know all the places where she’s soft and warm and wanting. The instinct toprotectoverwhelms every other rational thought.

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