Page 18 of Captured Beauty
“Where is she?” I questioned, stepping into the kitchen.
Lillian jumped and turned to face me. “Oh, sir, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Where is she?”
“In the backyard, sir.” Lillian used to work for my father. Once he passed, she stayed to work for me. She was a caretaker of the house, keeping everything in order. Now she worked as the cook.
My brows furrowed at the news.
Leaving the kitchen, I stepped through the double doors outside and my eyes searched my large backyard. Privacy was the main reason my house was located where it was. There wasn’t another house for miles. It was surrounded by the woods, completely isolated.
I walked onto the patio and down to the yard, heading for the garden where I heard laughter. The garden was past the built-in pool, down the steps into its own section. I had created a place of solitude for me. It was surrounded by white stones, with a stone waterfall attached that streamed into a pond and flowers surrounding it. There were two places my staff knew not to bother me, this was one.
When I stepped into my oasis, I stopped mid stride. Fire filled my veins, running through my body. My jaw clenched and my ears rang, watching Azeira and the man I paid to handle my garden talk amongst themselves. She smelled one of the roses and tossed her head back, laughing at something as he said while he smiled at her.
My stomach twisted in fury and my hand twitched when he reached out and pushed a piece of hair out of her face.
“I thought I was paying you to be my gardener, not a comedian.” Both jumped and whipped to face me.
“Mr. Navarro,” the young man stuttered. “I was just…”
“Looking to lose a hand if you don’t remove your hand.” Quickly he snatched his hand back. Azeira stared at me wide-eyed and confused.
I stormed to her and yanked her by the arm. “Ow, what are you doing!” she shrieked.
“Your job is to clean and be at my beck and call, not to flirt with the help!” I gritted. My hold on her tightened. The way her face lit up and a smile touched her eyes while talking to the man only made my blood grow hotter.
“I did what you asked!” She stumbled when I released her in front of the patio. My eyes went to the red rose poking from behind her ear. “I’ve been cleaning all damn day! Do you know how big this house is.”
My eyes stayed locked on the rose. “Did he give that to you?” I growled, stepping closer to her.
Her brows dipped and her nose expanded. “Give me what?” She must have noticed where I was staring. Her hand shot to the rose. “No! I saw it and thought it was pretty. I like flowers. Roses are one of my favorites,” she defended.
I shot my eyes back to the garden. “Go in the house and into your room. I’ll deal with you later.”
I went to head back to the garden. “What? No, what do you mean deal with me!” She grabbed my arm. “What the hell is wrong with you!”
I snatched away from her. “You don’t question me. You do as I say when I say it. Take your ass back in the house.”
Azeira looked like she wanted to fight my words. Defiance danced in her eyes. Her nostrils flared before she turned and stormed back in the house without another word.
I stretched my neck side to side, cracking it as I made my way back to the garden. The boy was currently clipping something on the rose bush. He heard me and when he turned to me, his fear was present on his face.
“Mr. Navarro I’m—” Before he could finish I rushed him and grabbed his right wrist, causing him to drop the shears he was holding. His eyes grew larger.
“If you ever put your hands on something that doesn’t belong to you again, I’ll make it so you’ll never be able to touch a single thing again.” I grabbed his hand, folding it back and squeezing it.
“Ah, ah! I’m sorry! I’m sorry. I won’t touch her again,” he cried.
Red hazed over me, blinding me. “I’m sure you won’t.” I threw his hand down. He gripped it, holding it tightly to his chest.
“Finish and get the fuck out,” I demanded and turned to leave.
Making my way through the backyard and back into the house, I ignored everything around me and headed straight for the room Azeira was in. Not bothering to knock, I pushed the door open.
“What the hell!” she shrieked, attempting to cover herself. “Don’t you knock!”
Smirking, I stepped in the room, shutting the door behind me.
