Page 78 of Insatiable Hunger

She scoffs. “I don’t know if you using my name when you talk is some sort of intimidation tactic, but you can knock it the fuck off, because your intimidation will not work on me.”

“I assure you, I am not trying to intimidate you, nor do I assume I could.”

As if we’re in some sort of unspoken stare down, she holds my gaze for several long moments before rolling her eyes. “You’ve got some nerve doing what you did and then having the audacity to sit there, looking smug as fuck. Do you have a conscience at all, or are you completely dead inside?”

Deep breath in.

Then out.

I’m trying so hard to maintain a cool head because I can understand where she’s coming from. She found us in a less than opportune situation, and I am married to her aunt and, of course, she has no idea about the situation. But Christ, the universe is testing me right now.

“The situation between me and Elias is complicated,” I grit out.

Katie huffs out a laugh, throwing her hands up in the air. “What? Did y’all rehearse that speech or something?”

“I’m afraid I do not know what you mean, Katie.”

“Oh, I’m sure you don’t.” The words come out in a mocking tone, the vein in my neck throbbing in response. “He said practically the same fucking thing, verbatim.”

Shrugging, I say, “We didn’t rehearse anything.”

“Because you were too busy taking advantage of him,” she retorts.

Breathe, Zeke. Fucking breathe.

Once I’m sure I can speak without biting her head off, I exhale. “I do not appreciate you showing up to my work, spouting off accusations like you have a single fucking clue what you’re talking about. You are way out of line, little girl.”

Her jaw drops open as she stares at me, unblinking. Kicking her chair back, Katie stands, palms splayed on my desk. “I’m out of line?” She bares her teeth as she delivers the rest. “I’m not the one married to someone while also fucking their son on the side. What? Dipping your magic stick in one Carnell wasn’t enough? You had to have ’em both?”

This time, it’s my turn to send my chair flying as I stand. “Watch your fucking mouth,” I growl. “This is my place of business. You don’t get to come in here, shouting about my personal life.”

Laughter bubbles up her throat. “Oh, I get it,” she mutters, crossing her arms. “You don’t want your employees to know their precious fucking boss is getting the mother/son special at home, huh?”

“Cállate!” My voice booms, ringing loud in the quiet space. There’s no way at least Daphne didn’t hear me. “I’m notdipping my fucking stickin both of them. I’ve never even had sex with Valerie!”

Rubbing a hand over my mouth, I walk away from the desk, pacing in front of the window. I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t look back at Katie, but she’s quiet, so there’s that.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she clears her throat. “What do you mean, you’ve never had sex with Valerie?”

Glancing over my shoulder, she at least has the decency to look uncomfortable asking me that incredibly personal question. When it’s clear she isn’t going to back down from this, I sigh, taking a seat at my desk again.

She does the same.

Truthfully, I don’t even know how to begin to explain the arrangement Val and I have. It’s been almost four years, and not a single soul knows about this besides her and I.

“Valerie and I… we got married for veryunconventionalreasons.”

“Like what reasons?”

“You’re awfully nosy. You know that?”

“So I’ve been told.” She waves a hand in front of her. “Continue.”

“Listen, I’m not going to tell you Valerie’s reasoning. That’s personal and not my story to tell.” Katie looks like she wants to argue with me. I hold up a hand. “But for the sake of getting you to shut the fuck up, I will explain my reasoning, but I’d prefer if you kept it between us. This clearly isn’t something we flaunt.”

She relaxes into the chair, nodding. “I can respect that.”

I drag in a deep breath, then blow it out. “My sister, Elena, raised me for most of my adolescent years. Our father was an abusive drunk who we got away from when I was a kid, and our mom and little brother were killed a few years after we came to the States. Elena was way too young to be responsible for her adolescent brother, but didn’t even think twice about stepping into a parental role for me.

---