Page 74 of Bratva's Intern

“Well, duh. I am in your house, am I not?”

Wren was saying a lot and nothing at the same time. Within a couple of strides, I was by his side and yanked down the sheet. “Explain yourself. Now.”

His head finally emerged from under the sheet, his messyhair sticking up in all directions. Creases lined his cheeks, and his eyes looked droopy.

He looked adorable.

No, I’m furious with him for invading my privacy.

“I wanted to stay with you in case—” Wren gasped, finally opening his eyes enough to stare at me. He bit his bottom lip as if distracted by all the bare skin in front of him. “Oh gosh. You’re actually hot beneath the suits.” He slapped a hand to his mouth, but his eyes remained shamelessly glued to my half-naked form.

I didn’t want to be amused. I wanted to pick him up and throw him out. He was an unwanted guest who’d forced his way into my home during a vulnerable time.

“You have no right to be here!” I snapped.

He jumped to his feet as though it finally kicked in that I wasn’t pleased to see him. Did he think I would be grateful for him staying the night in my house without my knowledge because of what had happened earlier? I’d toss his ass and his pity right out the damn door.

The toilet automatically flushed, and Wren lowered the lid. “I didn’t mean to intrude.” He shuffled over to the sink and turned the faucet on. “Please don’t blame Nik. I was the one who refused to leave. On second thought, blame him. He did say you would sleep through the night and wouldn’t know I was here.”

“So you thought you would leave in the morning without my knowledge?”

He nodded, turning off the faucet. “Exactly. Is there any chance you’re sleepwalking and likely to forget this tomorrow?”

He gave a nervous laugh. He should be nervous. I wasn’t beyond drowning him so I didn’t have to face knowing my secret was out in the open. The bathtub was just behind him. It wouldn’t take much to fill it up.

“Not bloody likely. You’re my PA, for god’s sake. You have no business being in my house.”

“Well, at least I know you feel better,” he grumbled under his breath.

“I know you’re not sassing me right now.”

He squared his shoulders and tilted his chin. “Be angry all you want, but I’m not gonna apologize. I was worried about you.”

“Who asked you to be?” Heat flashed through me, galvanizing my already simmering anger to a boiling point. I stepped closer to him, my voice hard. “Your job is to manage my affairs. My business affairs, not interfering with my personal life.”

“Maybe you should have thought of that before you took me out on a date.”

I blinked several times. “Date? You thought we were on a date?” I gripped his jaw, moving even closer to him. “Is that why you stayed? Did you think if you spent the night, I’d feel grateful to you for taking care of your poor, pathetic boss?”

“I don’t think you’re pathetic.”

Except I remembered. I would give anything not to be able to, but I recalled the pity in his voice, the way he thought I needed his support. I ground my teeth so hard they gnashed together.

“Then why the fuck are you here?” I spat, gripping his jaw tighter.

Wren gasped, reaching up to pry my fingers off, but he didn’t succeed. Instead, he was trapped under my gaze, unable to look away. He looked like he was about to cry.

Good.

He’d crossed the fucking line. So had Nik. I would fire his ass. He would be lucky if I didn’t order him killed. It was bad enough that Wren had seen me that way tonight, completelyhelpless as my brain malfunctioned and I lost control of my body.

“I told you. I was just worried about you and whether you’d be safe on your own. That’s all, Maxim. I won’t tell anyone, I swear.”

If only I could believe him, but I knew better. If this got out, my reputation was ruined. My enemies would think me weak, get bolder, attack more.

“I want you out of my house.”

“Nik’s picking me up at?—”

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