Page 110 of The Darkest King

Because Mia’s happiness is fucking important to me.

God fucking damn it.

When she smiled again, I knew I was fucked.

As we crossed one of the bridges, I shot the men behind me a quick glance, and they retreated. Then I crowded her with my arms up against the railing.

“Put them into your plan, and we will review it this weekend. Don’t leap ahead. Remember what I said...”

“Strategy first. Then action,” she mocked. “Now, kiss me, Connor Barrett. I can’t wait another second.”

Fuck.

My mouth descended, and Mia wrapped her arms around my neck, like we were two lovers.

Were we?

The answer was so damn close to yes. I took her home and fucked her for hours. All night, I tried to think of a way to keep her. The conclusion: impossible.

So today, it is time for boundaries. To protect us both.

I need to gain Joe Mancini’s trust fast because the longer I spend in this fake relationship, the harder it is to remember Mia isnotmine and why I’m doing it.

As I realize my priorities are being manipulated by her, I drop the weights and sit, wiping my face with my towel and letting out a curse. If I don’t get my shit together, Mia is going to fuck up everything. Her and her goddamn magic pussy.

Am I going to let the daughter of a gangster get in the way of me avenging my family’s murders?

No.

I toss the towel on the floor and march down to the bedroom, just as Mia exits the bathroom, wearing only a towel.

I ignore her gorgeous half-naked body.

Mostly.

“We should have dinner with your father this weekend. Set it up,” I snap and walk past her to the shower.

No more distractions.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER, I pack my briefcase and shove the emergency phone into the front pocket. I’m meeting the Dark Kings tonight. It’s the first time I will see or speak to Nathan since the dinner in Long Island at the Mancini’s two weeks ago. I know both he and Decker will have questions.

I slip on my jacket, take one last look at the photos on the wall, including Mia’s, and walk out of my office.

Mia is leaning against the wall outside.

I freeze. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here. What’s in the room?” she asks, swiping on her phone. “Some kind of sexy kink room?

I snort.

“You wish. It’s my office. Stay out of it,” I reply, not that she can get in. I let the door close behind me and then turn to punch the code in.

I could’ve put one of the biometric locks on it, but cutting out my eyeball is a lot easier than torturing a pin code out of me. At least, that was my thinking when I outfitted the penthouse.

“Isn’t George waiting for you?” I ask as she follows me down the hall. I grab my keys and wallet from the hall table and turn when she doesn’t answer.

“I’m taking a sick morning,” Mia replies.

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