Page 39 of Guarding Zuri
Re-enlisting. He would be subject to someone else’s authority. “You give me the impression you don’t take orders well. I mean, I’ve fired you at least three times—”
Daemon barked his laughter. “Is that the count? I thought it was much higher. Guess I need to piss you off more,” he said with a wink. “And have you been talking to David? Well, it’s true. I’ll admit it. I’m allergic to orders. But I’ve been on the other side—management. Leading my companies has taught me a thing or two about subordination. I’d probably do a lot better this next time around.”
“You sound sure about returning,” she mentioned quietly, her heart missing a few beats. They had only known each other for a few days, but the thought of Daemon not in her life struck her in a strange way. She could barely comprehend what that would mean for her emotions. But she did understand her heart didn’t like the prospect of him not being around to protect her, annoy her, and kiss her.
He smiled easily, as though he read her thoughts on her face. “You gonna miss me, Princess?”
She stiffened and looked away. “No.”
“Liar.” He chuckled softly.
Her heart thudded in agreement. She was lying to herself. Again. “What would your father say if you went back into the military?”
“He’d probably hire my own men to kidnap me. He doesn’t want anyone but a Knight running the family business. And since I’m his only child, he doesn’t have any other options unless he wants to hand over his business to his brother, whom he dislikes.”
“Is he ready to give up control? He appears to like it too much.”
“You pegged him right.”
“You’re not ready for what he’s asking you to do?”
“There’s that perception.”
Zuri waited for an explanation while he gazed out his window. “I know how you feel,” she said, placing a hand over one of his. “My father isn’t here to guide me anymore. All I have are the memories of the wisdom he provided me. I’m not sure I can step into his shoes and fill them. Be the leader the resistance needs.” She chuckled humorlessly. “I’m not even in the same country, so how could I?”
He looked at her then, his eyes apologetic. “It’s not forever. Just until things cool down.”
“I know, but I still feel like I’m not being a part of it.”
“You are. Just in a different way. And you’re only half right.”
“About?”
“About being the man my father wants me to be. I do struggle with whether I’m ready, but I also know that taking over everything will mean I can’t do this.” He winked. “Personally protecting princesses.”
Zuri snatched her hand back, and Daemon laughed.
“Oh, Princess, whether or not you miss me, I’m gonna miss you.”
His blue eyes stared intently into hers, silently telegraphing his desire to cross that line. She pressed her back into the leather seat to keep from visibly trembling. Sweat trickled down her back.
“Seriously, though,” Daemon sobered, “my father threw himself into work after my mother died. He was always a workaholic, but he became obsessed. I don’t want that to happen to me because I have nothing else or no one else to consider.”
“You don’t want a family?” Zuri asked and then silently chastised herself. What business was it of hers? Did she even care what he wanted for his future?
Daemon smiled and nodded. “Yeah. I don’t think I’ve ever imagined my life without one. I’m an only child, so I’d definitely want more than one. But with my life the way it is, it’s hard to fathom finding a wife, let alone having children.”
“I’m an only child, too.”
He met her gaze. “Then you get it. Do you want a family?”
“I do. But I’m not sure how or when that will happen. I don’t think I’d want to have one if Bendola isn’t free. Seeing what the women have to go through to provide for their families when their husbands are gone, working in another country. Or how families starve when crops don’t come in or are destroyed by warring nomads. I would want stability for my children and for my husband to be home.”
“You wouldn’t consider emigrating elsewhere?”
Zuri bit her lip. She’d only visited the neighboring countries a few times when she was younger, but Bendola held fast to her heart. Now that it was almost free, how could she leave? “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Not now.”
Daemon’s expression became unreadable. Zuri suppressed her desire to know what he thought about her plans. They couldn’t be together, anyway. He was based in DC, and she was across an ocean. She would be busy leading a country. If he decided to take over his father’s company or go back into the military, they would never be together.
