Page 63 of Monster Among the Roses (Fairy Tale Quartet 1)

“Is it?” Isobel’s father asked quietly, his gaze boring into mine. “Or is this the desperate man who came into my office thinking he finally found his ticket to securing his future in the arms of my wealthy, vulnerable daughter?”

Something in me snapped. There was no other way to explain it. I couldn’t stand there and let him—or anyone else—question my feelings. Stepping threateningly close, I glared into his blue eyes that were the same shade as Isobel’s.

“I will let you question my affections one time, and this one time only. But don’t ever make that mistake again. She is your daughter; you know how amazing she is. Do you honestly think I was able to spend the last two months in her company without noticing it too? Without falling for her? You’re smarter than that, Mr. Nash. You could put her out on the street right now, without a penny to her name, and I would take her in, happy to have her with nothing but the clothes on her back. Isn’t that why you hired me in the first place? Because you knew that was the kind of man I am? I love your daughter. And if you want to fire me and break our agreement because of it, fine. I’ll find another way to take care of my mother. But it won’t stop me from feeling the way I do about Isobel.”

Henry stared at me long after I’d finished talking. Then he blew out a long breath, ran his hands through his thinning hair, and fell into the seat in front of his desk. “I hope this doesn’t make me a fool, but I actually believe you.”

He still hadn’t answered my most pressing question. So I asked, “So did I just lose my job here or not?”

With an amused sniff, he glanced up. He looked tired, but resigned. “No. But my original warning stands. If you hurt her, you’re gone.”

I nodded, perfectly fine with that. “I’d sooner cut out my own heart,” I promised.

chapter

TWENTY

Isobel pounced as soon as I exited her dad’s office. “Well?” she demanded, grabbing my hand.

Her worry made me grin. “Well, what?” I teased, leaning in to shift my nose across her cheekbone.

Huffing out her impatience, she nudged me back far enough to see my face. “Well, what’d he say? Did he try to fire you? Pay you off? Chase you away? Keep us apart?”

With a laugh, I tugged her into my arms. “No, no, and no. He already promised you he wouldn’t fire me and…what? Pay me off? Are you kidding? He’s pretty much already paid me off by taking care of my mother.”

“But—”

“And how exactly did you think he’d keep us apart? We’re both adults. That’s not even…” I shook my head, cracking up over her concerns.

Isobel sniffed and shoved against my chest. “Stop laughing. This isn’t funny. He could’ve—”

“He couldn’t have done anything to keep me away from you.” Then I winked. “He has no mob ties, remember?”

She shook her head slowly, not amused. “Don’t tell me you weren’t as worried as I was when you went into that room. Your face was pale and hands were shaking. He could’ve threatened your mother’s security.”

“But he didn’t,” I murmured, burying my nose in her hair. “So it’s all good.”

“What did he say?” Calming against me, she softened her voice.

“He just wanted me to convince him I genuinely liked you.”

She looked up into my eyes. “And did you?”

My grin was immediate. “I convinced you, didn’t I? Of course, I convinced him.”

Letting out a sigh, she nodded. “It’s true, you are rather convincing. It almost makes me believe you may genuinely like me after all.”

“Oh, you…” Realizing she was teasing me, I lifted my eyebrows in mock warning. “You’re just begging for me to tickle an apology out of you, aren’t you?”

“What? No.” Her eyes went wide, and she immediately backed away, holding her elbows tight to her sides, pretty much letting me know exactly where she was the most ticklish. “You wouldn’t.”

“Take it back, and I won’t.” I advanced, holding up curled fingers that were prepared to tickle. “Tell me I’m not just being convincing, that I’m merely being honest.”

She backed away slowly, shaking her head. “But what if you are just an excellent actor?”

“Isobel,” I growled. “I’m warning you.” I reached out and she squealed her surprise. “Okay, okay. I know you like me. You’re not just saying it.”

I pulled her into my arms and pressed my brow to hers. “Prove it.”

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