Page 190 of Midnights
I don’t give her the space to interrupt. “Technically, it’s my family’s. It was left to me as part of my inheritance. And technically, I did get invited to be here, because it’s my sister who put on the ball. It’s something we host every year.”
I watch the way her mind works through every interaction we’ve had, recalibratingeverything. Her posture shifts, more rigid now, like she’s bracing herself for the next hit. I almost feel bad.
“I should’ve told you sooner,” I admit, irritation curling in my chest. “That’s why I brought you here tonight, I was going to tell you.”
Silence.
She’s chewing her bottom lip, but she doesn’t speak right away. Then, finally, she exhales, “That’s… a lot.”
I steel myself, waiting for the inevitable fallout, the questions, the accusations. For whatever comes next, but instead, she surprises me.
“I just have one question.”
Her voice is quieter now, but no less irritated.
I nod, waiting.
She points to the desk. “Why is my name on that?”
Fuck.
My jaw clenches as my eyes find the envelope she’s looking at. Of all the goddamn things to be sitting out.
I drag a hand down my face, internally cursing Robert. But there’s no way out of this. No distraction, no well-timed smirk that’s going to steer her away. She knows it. I know it. And by the way she’s standing there, with her arms crossed and her chin lifted. She’s daring me to try and talk my way out of this.
I hold her stare. “I told you I work in security. That’s true. But after you mentioned feeling uneasy about meeting that guy for work, I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Her expression changes, the shift is instant. Shock. Disbelief. Then something sharper before she locks it down. She stares at me, unmoving. I’m sure she’s trying to decide exactly which part of this to sink her teeth into first.
Finally, she speaks. “What did you find?” Then, almost immediately, “You know what? I don’t even care.”
Her tone is lethal, but she still doesn’t move.
“You could’ve just asked me, Kane. I would’ve told you whatever you wanted to know. I told you I can handle myself. I don't need a fucking babysitter.”
And before I can stop her, she turns and starts to walk away.
I grab her arm, and she freezes. When she turns, the look she gives me is all fire. “Don’t touch me.”
The cut of her voice is sharper than the glare she levels at me, and I drop my hand instantly. But I don’t step back.
“Don't pretend you don't want to know.”
Her hands go to her hips, and her fury is a living thing. I can see it all over her face.
“Know what?” She snaps. “That you’re some rich, entitled asshole who couldn't just be upfront with me? That you didn’ttechnicallylie but conveniently left out the part where this is your fuckingcastle?That you decided to snoop into my life instead of just asking me like a normal person?”
Her words hit their mark. They're aimed to wound.
I inhale through my nose, clenching my jaw as I keep my temper in check.
“I didn’t lie to you.”
Her laugh is sharp and bitter. “No? Just selective truth, then?”
I take a step forward but this time she doesn’t back up, she just glares daggers at me.
“I don’t tell people things just for the sake of telling them.” My voice is low. “You didn’t need to know.”
