Page 9 of His Dark Purpose

Yes, that again!

She bit down on the retort. What was wrong with the man? He couldn’t lie to her by omission and not expect her to be disturbed.

“I didn’t think it was important, little girl.”

“It’simportantto me.” She couldn’t believe it even needed to be said. “We had an entire back story where our paths had crossed, and I didn’t know anything about it.”

How fucking stupid must she have been?

The question prodded at her, her gaze rising to take in his sleek black trousers. Somehow, however badly she was dressed, he always seemed to be turned out in the most exquisite clothing. Something about the comparison jarred, cementing the difference between them.

She could play at living his life, could benefit from the odd expensive dinner or fancy car ride, but fundamentally, they would never be alike. The years of poverty and struggle were as ingrained in her as his privilege was in him.

“Didn’t you know who your landlord was?”

Just like that, he took the matter and turned it on its head, implying that she’d been dim not to have known that stuff for herself. Maybe he was right. A grown woman should have read her own tenancy agreement, shouldn’t she? Yet she’d always let Graham deal with that stuff.

“No.” It sounded ridiculous when she said it aloud. “Graham handled the contract, and he never mentioned you.”

Kyle snorted. “Oh, I bet.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her head snapped up to meet his stare for the first time since he’d returned to the room.

“It means I met Graham a few times, and I’m not surprised.” His eyebrow cocked, challenging her to oppose him. Naturally, she took the bait.

“He was a good man.” She didn’t know why she was defending him. It wasn’t as if she’d been her late-husband’s biggest advocate since she’d known Kyle, but she sensed Kyle’s remark had disparaged Graham’s memory, and she wouldn’t accept that. Graham had been a lot of things, but he’d never treated her badly.

“He was as boring as fuck.” Kyle’s tone was wry. “You’ve said so yourself.”

“I never said that!” She bristled at the implication, certain she’d never directly criticized Graham to Kyle, but then, in all the hours they’d spent together, perhaps she’d said something to that effect.

“Listen.” Crouching in front of her, Kyle sighed. “I don’t want to fight anymore, Amy.”

It was the first sign of compromise he’d offered since he’d dragged her out of his office, but for one mad moment, she contemplated lifting her foot and kicking him in the balls. In that protracted and blissful second, she imagined the event in her head, envisioning the moment her skin connected with his groin and the gratifying feeling when he reeled back in pain.

She lingered on the mental image, reveling in it, even when it became obvious that the pursuit was pointless. Yes, she could enjoy fleeting seconds of pleasure in his humiliation, but then what? He still had the key to her cuff, and he was far less likely to release her if she behaved that way.

With a heavy heart, she ceded the fantasy. In truth, she much preferred the bargaining version of Kyle. Better that she workedwithhim than fight against him.

“Nor me.”

Life with Graham might have been frustrating at times, but she’d never known the complicated mix of emotions Kyle inspired. She loved him, yet she despised him… and there was no bloody end to it.

“Drink your water.” He motioned to the glass in her left hand. “I bet you need it.”

“Fine.” She released the word in one long exhalation of air, lifting the glass to her lips and draining half of its contents. It was only once she’d swallowed the water down that it occurred to her he might have slipped something into the drink to sedate her. “Whatisthis?”

Lifting the glass toward the light, she frowned. Was she going mad assuming he meant her ill harm when until that day he’d never done anything to truly hurt her, or was she only being sensible? After all, if Kyle wasn’t going to look after her, then she’d have to do the job herself.

“Water.” His lips twitched. “And Iamgoing to have to insist you use my title, Amy.”

“Sorry, sir.”

He had no way of knowing if her contrition was real. All she knew was that keeping him happy would expedite a faster release than pissing him off.

“I have a glass of my own on the tray.” He signaled to the refreshments he’d brought with him. “You can’t seriously think I’d put anything in your drink?”

“You left me here like this!” She yanked at the metal holding her in place. “So, I thought all bets were off,sir!”

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