Page 31 of The Traitor

His outburst made her jerk, but Josie nonetheless stood her ground. She’d had to withstand similar shouting matches with her husband. Previously, she’d always cowered or agreed with him. Now, if she wanted the life she longed for, she had to start somewhere when it came to standing up for herself and facing an angry man. “Don’t you dare yell at me. I was just being kind and worrying about your health. But if you’d prefer to starve or drop dead, that’s up to you.”

Turning on her heels, she went for the door, but what he said next stopped her in her tracks.

“Go to Gage if you want to fuss over someone. Or fuck someone for that matter. You won’t get a repeat from me.”

He would never know how much his words hurt her, but it was the rising anger she hung onto instead. “Wow! Who’d ever thought so many blows to your head would make you start thinking with your dick. Or is it because you spent your remaining brain cells on cheap booze and loose women?”

This time, Knox did look at her, and his expression was anything but nice. There was no doubt inside the man lay a very dangerous and dark beast, but she knew he would never hurt her physically. The danger lay in his ability to hurt her on so many other levels and that was far more dangerous.

He pushed himself up from his chair, all tall and domineering, but Josie didn’t move. It was another tactic her ex-husband had used that she wouldn’t fall for anymore. Although staying in position while he advanced was a challenge in itself.

“I never said I was one of the good guys, woman. What you saw at that club is who I am. I came from there. Anything civilized you see in me is a fraud.”

Josie shook her head. Did he really think of himself that way, or was it some sort of plan to trick her into believing it? “Whatever you say.”

And again she turned, but this time, he caught her and pushed her back against the door. His hands on her arms were bruising. For the longest moment he looked at her, his mouth a few inches from her face. Her entire body wanted to move forward, to press itself against him, but her common sense and dignity wouldn’t allow it.

“I told you to stay away from me, and you didn’t. I told you I wasn’t a good man, and you didn’t listen. I told you I would only end up hurting you, and still you put your body in front of me like an offering. Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time I told you to stay away? Didn’t you seen the bruises on your body? That is me. The real me. Unleashed. I’m no fairytale prince, little girl. And don’t even try to change me. I can be civil, yes, but I can’t be with you anymore. I can’t change who I am. Who I will always be.”

When he pushed himself away, Josie was frozen in place. Knox returned to behind his desk and opened a drawer. Grabbing a piece of paper, he came back and handed it to her.

Josie looked at it and saw a check. Unable to look at the number, her eyes flew up to his. “What is this?”

“Enough for you to reimburse your ex, get your divorce, get a place of your own, and even invest in a business if you like.”

She felt sick, and closed her mouth, unable to say a word.

“You can even find a place big enough for you and Gage if you think that’s a good idea. He’s the next one I’m kicking to the curb. I need my place back and my solitude. Sharing my house was definitely not a good idea.”

Why is he talking about Gage?“Keep your money. I don’t want it. I’m not a whore who sells her body for any form of compensation. What I did with you two was consensual. And you were the one who invited me, no, commanded me to move in with you.”

His hand didn’t waver, neither did his gaze. “And it was a bad idea. I’ll admit that much. This money is for your inconvenience. What you endured at my hands if you like.”

Apart from what he was making her go through at this very moment, he’d never been anything but kind. Even with the gruffness, she’d only ever felt safe with him. “I endured nothing. I’m not taking it. I assume that working here anymore is out of the question too. If you don’t mind, I’ll go back to your place and move my stuff out now.”

“Take the money.”

As if she would ever do that. “No, thank you.” The tears in her throat were stuck there, making it harder to inhale fully. She turned to walk out, but he blocked the door with his arm.

“Take the money, Josie. It’s not an option.”

“I don’t need your money.”

“Yes, you do. Otherwise, you’ll be at the mercy of that ex of yours living in that shack, if you don’t end up freezing to death first.”

Lifting her chin, she was determined to have it her way. “Where I live from now on is none of your concern.” And even with all the strength she could muster, her heart faltered. “Why are you acting this way, Knox? What have I done? I thought you cared about me like I cared about you.”

Something shone in his blue eyes before they turned flat again. “You were mistaken. I do have some sense of decency, and that’s why I took you in and offered you a job. You’re beautiful, so why not fuck you? And offering you to Gage at the same time? That was a nice visual. But again, I’m not a good guy. I want my place back, and I want to be alone. So take that check.”

So detached, so empty.

Josie shook her head and his face turned even harder, almost twisting into a snarl. “Take the money. I swear you’ll take it and cash it by the time I’m done with you.”

There was no way in hell she would ever take or use his money. Not because of where it most probably came from, but because of the way he’d offered it to her. She’d discovered she wanted so much more from him, and it was something he would never give her.

“I’ll accept it on one condition.”

“What?” He was right to be suspicious.

---