Page 67 of Take Me Under

Despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but notice the way the men moved. They didn’t walk side-by-side. Instead, Zeke followed slightly behind, looking around conspicuously, a certain amount of intimidation in his stride. If I didn’t already know he was a bodyguard, it would be apparent now.

I turned my attention to Anton. He looked especially sexy today in dark sunglasses, his broad frame filling out his perfectly tailored black suit. He strode toward me with an air of grace and confidence, as if he owned the world and everything in it.

But this wasn’t his world—it was mine.

And he was breaking all the rules.

“Are you crazy? You can’t just go walking around a dig like you’re out for a stroll,” I scolded.

“Hello to you, too, princess.”

“I’m serious. We haven’t secured the balk.”

His brows rose over the top of his sunglasses before he slowly removed them. “I’m sorry? The balk?”

I sighed, forgetting that I wasn’t speaking to someone versed in my world.

“The balk. It’s a wall of earth meant to maintain structural integrity. It could crumble if someone simply stepped or pushed against the wrong area.”

“You look different,” he said, rather than acknowledge his wrongdoing.

I looked down at my dusty pants, suddenly self-consciousabout the grime on my hands. The last time he saw me, my nails had been perfectly manicured. Now, I was a mess. I automatically reached up to smooth my dark hair behind my ears.

“It’s impossible to stay clean in this line of work.”

The corner of his mouth turned up in a lopsided grin. “I like you dirty.”

My eyes widened, and my pulse quickened as heat crept up my neck. He was a respectable distance away, but it didn’t feel that way. He was just sothere, radiating with authority. Heat surged in his eyes, the palpable wave making me dizzy.

An unhurried smile curved his lips—lips that looked like they belonged on a fallen angel amidst a storm. He was so sure of himself. Arrogant. Gorgeous as sin, and he knew it. That confidence is what drew me to him in the first place.

“I haven’t heard from you. Where have you been?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but it didn’t matter. I crossed my arms, a weak shield against the force of him. Anything less would invite him to trample over me. It was becoming our routine. He intimidated, and I pushed back. Somewhere in between, I lost more of myself to him than I ever intended.

A maddening smirk played on his lips, daring me to rise to whatever challenge he was preparing to throw my way. Zeke loomed silently behind him, as stoic and immovable as ever, his presence adding a measure of importance to Anton’s arrival.

“I told you I’d be here within a week, princess,” he said, his voice smooth as silk and just as dangerous. “And here I am.”

I glared at him, my irritation clawing its way to the surface.

“Within a week,” I repeated. “But no calls, no texts, no clue when to expect you. A little communication would have been appreciated.”

His smirk deepened, his dark eyes glinting with amusement—or was it satisfaction? His gaze swept over me slowly, deliberately, as though cataloging every inch of me. From mydusty boots to the braid over my shoulder, he took it all in. But it wasn’t just an innocent appraisal—it was a touchless caress, reminding me of the power he wielded.

“Careful, or I might think you missed me.” His smirk tilted into a grin, the kind that made my pulse falter.

I stiffened under his scrutiny, heat rising to my face.

“No.” I snapped, though we both knew it was a lie. “I just don’t appreciate being left in the dark, Anton. Not when people are counting on me.”

“You’re right. And I’m sorry. I’m not used to…” He paused, then held my gaze. “I’m not used to answering to people.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away, refusing to let him see how his words—or his presence—unnerved me.

“I’m not someone you have to answer to. It would have been a courtesy, that’s all. Especially given…well, given everything,” I said, my tone clipped as I tried to busy myself with one of the tools hooked to my belt. I didn’t want him to know how utterly discarded I’d felt only moments before he’d shown up. “My team has begun packing up the dig site. Today’s the last day for us for a while. The permits expire at midnight.”

“Packing up?” He crossed his arms, shifting his weight to one foot like he belonged there—as if this dusty, sun-scorched place could ever match the glossy perfection of him. “Can’t you extend the permits?”

I signed. “Not without money. And I’m all out of that. I’m headed back to Lucca shortly.”

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