Page 104 of Dark Knight

“I know exactly who I am,” she snaps. “I’m Callum Torrio‘s daughter. I am aware. But I want to be Tatum Torrio. Don’t you see that? What, did you think I went to college and everything just so I could live here for the rest of my life? The idea was for me to start something on my own. And yeah, I got detoured.” Her voice shakes on the last word, but she holds it together. “I want to get back on course.”

She glances my way, and the wall between us drops. This isn’t the bratty daughter of my boss looking at me. This is the woman I slept with last night. The woman I pushed away because I was sure it would be better for her, having nothing to do with me. This is the woman I care way too much about. She needs my help.

I hope I don’t regret this. “I can see the point.”

“What?” Callum’s furious glare turns my way, and I wish I hadn’t spoken, but it’s too late now.

“I can see her point. She wants to get on with her life. She’s a capable person. I don’t see any reason why she can’t move out on her own.” Every word is torture, making me go against my instincts. She’s mine, dammit. She belongs with me. Here, where she’s loved. Where she’s safe.

“I cannot believe this. First you —” He points a finger in her direction, “– and now you. Forming an alliance against me.”

“Dad, you know that’s not true. Come on.”

Her tone softens, the anger draining out of it. I can only imagine it’s because she doesn’t feel alone in the fight anymore. She walks around the desk and meets him by his chair. “I’m not doing this to go against you. I’m doing it for me. You know? There’s a big difference.”

“We just got you back.”

“I don’t have to go far. I have a few areas in mind and they’re all within, like, fifteen or twenty minutes. I’ll be a lot closer than I was at Romero’s old house.”

“I want it on record that I am thoroughly against this. I think it’s a huge mistake.”

“Yeah. I sort of got that idea.” Usually, he can’t help but chuckle when she teases him like that. Not now. He’s too busy being furious.

“Fine. But you’re going to do something for me. Otherwise, don’t think I’m beyond locking you in that wing and putting twenty-four-hour surveillance on you.”

“I would expect that.” A ghost of a smile plays over her glossy lips, and I can’t help but remember what they tasted like last night. How they felt wrapped around my dick. “What did you have in mind?”

And that’s when he does it. That’s when he glances my way.

Son of a bitch. Why didn’t I see this coming?

“You’re going to have a bodyguard. Full-time.”

Her face goes slack while a full-blown battle rages in my head. The weak, pathetic side of me – the side she unlocked, damn her – is practically throwing a party. Another excuse to be with her. Together, alone. Maybe this time, we can make it work somehow. Am I wrong for wanting that?

The side of me still capable of thinking rationally wants to come up with any reason to stop this. I’m no good for her. There’s too much blood on my hands to ever wash off. I’ve already stained her enough. It has to stop.

“I thought you said you needed me here.” It’s taking everything I have to keep calm. “At the house. Before you left, you said you needed me here, which was why you wanted me to return.”

“That was before I knew this one decided to run off.”

And she couldn’t have come up with her idea this morning. I wouldn’t put it past her to act without thinking, but this is the kind of thing that took forethought. She already has places in mind, right? She’s been thinking about this. Planning.

Which means she knew last night. Coming to the cottage, fighting with me, fucking me. Sleeping in my arms. She fucking knew. And she said nothing.

Now, she clicks her tongue and shakes her head. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” Callum snaps.

“Pushing people around. You’re just going to send him someplace again? First, you want him home. Now you’re sending him away. Did you ask him if he wants to go? No, because you don’t allow people to decide for themselves. You’re proving my point. I should probably thank you.”

“What in the hell are you trying to say?” She needs to be careful. He is about as close to blowing up as I’ve ever seen him.

“It’s always about what you want. And I know you have good intentions, Daddy. You mean well. Although you never stop to ask if anybody agrees with you. It’s always your way or the highway.”

“I would watch your tone if I were you.”

“Dad. Come on. I’m not one of your guards. I’m not some subordinate. I’m a grown woman, and I’m telling you what I’ve seen with my own eyes. You know all that great redevelopment you’re doing in your old hometown? All the improvements and the projects? I’m sure you’re proud of that, and you have every right to be. Yet there’s another side to it. You’re driving up property values and increasing taxes to the point where people can’t afford their own homes anymore. Gentrification. Ever heard of it?”

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