Page 31 of Guarding Zuri
Daemon had mulled over being CEO of Knight Industries a lot—more than he would admit to his father. He wouldn’t want to give his old man any hope in case he decided against ascending the throne. There were a lot of moving pieces to the Knight empire. Nothing Daemon couldn’t handle, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to rule an entire kingdom. Would he have time to live his life? Pursue his interests? Not unless he abdicated.
Running his protection company, as well as the intelligence arm of Knight Industries, had been a dream for him—just enough responsibility to not feel like he was responsible. Leaving the military didn’t mean he couldn’t still make a difference in the world and fight terrorism. His protection agency provided a lot of jobs for veterans of both the military and law enforcement and made an impact without a bunch of bureaucratic red tape.
Providing personalized protection allowed him to keep and sharpen the unique and elite skills he’d gained by being both a Ranger and Special Forces. His background gave him instant credibility, and he’d use it as long as it would net him a job. He had all he ever wanted.
But run Knight Industries? If he failed, too many lives would be ruined and that would break him.
“If I decide to take over, Father, you’ll be the first to know.”
Arthur sighed. “That’s not what I drove all the way out here to hear.”
“You’re being dramatic. You didn’t drive anywhere. The most work you did was breathe.”
Arthur chuckled. “I love you, son. You have my humor, if not my charm.”
Oh, here we go. Daemon thought he was quite charming. He wouldn’t want to brag to his father, but he’d never had a problem getting women. Sometimes it was too easy. The more challenging, the better.
Daemon’s thoughts drifted to the hard nut staying on the second floor. A young woman he had just provided a physical service his father would’ve applauded him for. Daemon cracked his knuckles, relieving built-up tension. How had he broken composure? From the beginning, she had intrigued him because of her outright dismissal. That had never happened before—at least not since college.
She had just looked so defeated. And she was here all alone, with a man she couldn’t stand, her best friend back home fighting in the streets of Bendola. She had stared at him with trust in her eyes, pushing him over the edge and violating professional boundaries.
It didn’t matter how she had clung to him. How his heart had raced when she sighed his name. The growing desire to give her more than his protection had overwhelmed him, spawning into a longing to provide for her. To keep her safe.
Always.
“If you have nothing else, Dad, I really have to get back to work,” Daemon said, annoyed. First his father and then thoughts of Zuri’s full and sweet lips. He couldn’t become emotionally involved with a client. There was still time to right that wrong.
Just keep his lips and hands to himself.
He balled his hands into fists, ignoring how his fingers itched to round the curve of Zuri’s waist. He wasn’t like his father. Despite being a crack shot in business, Arthur’s morality was in freefall. A man who embodied the word “dishonor.” Daemon wouldn’t follow him on that jump.
“You better work your client,” Arthur muttered and stood abruptly. His gaze lingered on Daemon, who avoided looking at his father.
When they exited Daemon’s office, they came face-to-face with Zuri. She had changed clothes, and her tightly coiled hair glistened, evidence of her shower. She set the glass in her hand on a table next to the sofa, which also held a plate of food. Daemon’s stomach growled for food while his mouth watered for more of Zuri’s kisses.
“Ah, you must be Zuri.” Arthur held out his hand. She complied, and he kissed it before covering it with another hand.
Daemon’s ire rose. She might not feel it, but how it looked to Daemon was his father was trapping her.
“You are?” Zuri asked without confirming her identity.
“Arthur Knight.”
Zuri’s brown eyes moved from him to Daemon. “Daemon’s father?”
“That’s correct. You are even lovelier in person.” He cleared his throat and mustered a grave look. “Please accept my condolences for your father.”
Zuri tried in vain to draw back her arm. Daemon came beside Zuri as his father overtly ogled her body. He took Zuri’s arm and snatched her free from his father’s grip. “Don’t you have that meeting, Father?”
Arthur ignored him. “It’s been my absolute pleasure,” he drawled at Zuri. “If you ever need anything, forget my son and come straight to me. Knight Industries is at your service.”
Daemon still held her arm and felt her stiffen. Either she recognized his father was a scoundrel, or she just had disdain for wealthy men who were never told no.
Or the Knight men.
Arthur’s sharp gaze struck Daemon. “You let me know the second you decide. It’s time to take your position. Don’t force me to do something rash.”
“In that case, stay married.”
