Page 112 of Dex

“What else do you want me to say?”I growl.“We went to the resort.Did the obligatory couple’s things.Daniela played her part.I played mine.We’re back now.End of story.”

Zach peers at me.“No honeymoon bliss?No cozy nights by the fire?No candlelit baths?”

I exhale sharply, wondering why I accepted this invite.“You two sound like gossip columnists.Nothing happened.”

Nothing that I’m going to tell them.What am I supposed to say?That I kissed her?That I touched her?That for a few stolen moments, I let myself want her?The way I feel about her scares me.I want her and need her, but it’s dangerous for her to be in this family.Daniela is too kind, pure and big hearted to live among the Knights.

I’ll always protect her, but if the old man discovers she’s my Achilles heel, he’ll use it against me.Somehow he’ll find a way.He always does.

That’s why it’s better for me to shut her out.It’s torture for me, but it’s the right thing to do.“Nothing to report,” I say flatly, tossing back the rest of my drink.

My brothers exchange glances but don’t push.They shouldn’t.Because if they knew the truth, if they knew how dangerously close I was to wanting Daniela beyond this deal, they’d never let me live it down.

This is tough.Harder than I thought, not just because I want to kiss her again, but because I remembered how she felt under my hands.The way my fingers played her like a violin, every movement pulling a reaction, her body responding to my touch like a melody meant for me alone.

I don’t know what the hell I was thinking when I let my guard down.When I let us go further than I ever intended.Thank God we didn’t go all the way.Wecan’tcross that line.

“Tell me, what’s been going on here?”I ask, desperate to change the topic.“Did the old man have anything to report when he got back?Anything about AO Eletronica?”

“He’s said nothing,” Jett informs me.

I didn’t expect him to divulge much.“The old man is tight lipped anyway.He only tells us on a need-to-know basis.”

Jett nods, looking pensive.“I’m sure it’s all fine.”

“Is he in?”I haven’t seen him around the office, not that I’d go out looking for him.I haven’t seen the man since we left for our honeymoon, but I thought he might come by and ask me how it was.

“He’s here.I’m sure he’ll come and see you.”

“Lucky me,” I grumble.

***

My father strides into my office.I don’t stand to greet him.Just lean back in my chair and wait for him to get to whatever the hell he wants.

He wastes no time.“The honeymoon?”

I keep my expression unreadable.“It was fine.”

He nods, studying me like he’s dissecting my every move.“We should have dinner, now that you’re both back.A family affair.”

My gut churns at the thought of subjecting Daniela to a Knight family dinner.“Not necessary,” I say immediately.

His gaze sharpens.“It wasn’t a suggestion.”He adjusts his cufflinks and paces slowly around the room, which I find unnerving.I wish he’d just sit the hell down in one place.

“There’s a charity gala coming up—”

“You already told me.Orchestrated by you, no doubt.”

“Yes.This isn’t just a powerful alliance; it’s the first Knight wedding.People are interested in you as a couple, but more intrigued about your new wife.”

“Great.That’s all I need.”

“You just need to survive a year.”

I can feel my nostrils flare and wonder if he thought of marriage to my mom as something tosurvive?

“I’ll get Patty to send you all the details.You and Daniela will attend and present a united front.Look deliriously happy and in love.”

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