Page 18 of Tamed

“And I’m telling you that because he’s insanely paranoid about my safety. Every move I make is watched and I can’t go anywhere without a security detail. That’s the reason I never go out with you. Because you really don’t want me and my three bodyguards trailing you and basically background checking every single person you meet.”

Zara pursed her lips.

“Also,” I went on, on a roll now. “I just found out that my mom who died having me was Juliana Hamilton, the only daughter of James and Charlotte Hamilton. Yes,theHamiltons. And now they want to make contact with me, but Dad is certain it’s only going to paint a giant target on my back and now he’s being even more insane about my security.”

Zara tilted her head, gray eyes assessing. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “Huh,” she said at last. “You kept that quiet.”

“I know. I don't like telling people because honestly, sometimes it’s more hassle than it’s worth.”

“Fair enough.” She frowned. “So, is he a control freak or is he just over protective?”

“Who? Dad?” I thought about it. “Probably both.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You know, I could use a little of that in my own life.”

I stared at her. “Seriously? You really want to have your every move watched? Dad wouldn’t even let me move out of home. I had to argue with him about it, and he only let me if I had accepted my three stupid bodyguards.”

Zara lifted a shoulder. “At least he cares.”

It wasn’t the response I’d been expecting, and it made me wonder about her own home life, or, given her previous comment, her lack of it. Complaining further seemed dumb, especially when it was true that for all his bullshit, Daddidcare about me, and I knew that.

“I suppose,” I said reluctantly. “But he refuses to tell me about my mother. Even now I can’t mention her name.”

A crease appeared between Zara’s fair brows. “Still?”

“Yeah. It’s been over twenty years.”

“He must have been devastated when she died.”

“He was.” Not that I could say for certain, though. Because how? When he never talked about her? I could only assume.

Zara gave me another speculative glance. “So, I guess you must know his beastliness quite well then. Isn’t he your dad’s best friend or something?”

I took another sip of my coffee and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “You could say that.”

Again, proving she was no fool, Zara said, “You didn’t just happen into this job, did you?”

I shifted uncomfortably again because this was heading into tricky waters. “No. Dad wants me to take over Fox Tech eventually, so he wanted me to work for Caleb for a while to…prove myself. Or at least, that’s what he told me. “

Zara’s eyes widened slightly. “What constitutes ‘proving’ yourself?”

“I’m…. not very good at controlling my temper,” I admitted. “I kind of shout at people I shouldn’t when I’m mad, and they…don’t take it well.”

She eyed me for a long moment, then her mouth curved. “Did you shout at his beastliness then?”

I flushed. “Um. Maybe.”

This time Zara laughed. “Now, that I’d pay money to see. If I had any of course, which I don’t.”

And there was another reason for me to feel uncomfortable. Here I was, complaining about how my super rich dad was worried for my safety, while poor Zara didn’t have any money and maybe didn’t have anyone to worry about her.

What a fucking whiner I was.

“Zara,” I began. “I could lend—”

“No,” she cut me off. “Absolutely the fuck not. The only money I’ll take is the money I earn myself. No offense.”

I held up a hand. “None taken. But please promise me you’ll tell me if I ever come across as a whiny, privileged asshole.”

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