Page 62 of The Kingpin

“It’s comfortable.”

That was a word.

I wasn’t certain if I expected to be greeted by a dozen servants or guards, meeting them as if I truly was a princess awaiting my ascension to Thibodeaux throne, but the quiet when I stepped inside was unnerving. As we moved in through the side entrance, passing by a massive laundry and mud room, as well as a corridor of closed doors into a glistening kitchen, the late afternoon sunlight beaming in through the windows, I realized I’d been holding my breath.

“And if I make an attempt to escape?” I dared to ask.

Arman finally turned to face me, his infamous smirk followed by a deep furrow in his brow. Then he pulled a beer from the refrigerator, and a bottle of water for me, holding it out. I grabbed the beer instead, twisting the top easily. At least I was rewarded with a smile. When he did, the entire room lit up. God, the man had unbelievable power.

I took a gulp, as he studied me for a few seconds before returning the water to the fridge, grabbing a second beer for himself.

“Then you will be punished,” he stated with no emotion, but his eyes sparked with desire as they’d done before.

“Those people will try to kill us again. Won’t they? They’ll try and use me against you.”

“Unfortunately, yes, on both counts. I assure you I won’t allow that to happen.” He took a long pull, never blinking. I wasn’t certain he was breathing. “Recent threats have been made to my brother, who has nothing to do with the business. In addition, one of the developments under construction was set on fire. Whoever they are, they’re escalating. That means I need to be very careful with certain decisions that need to be made.”

“What about my father? Are you trying to insinuate that he might be involved?”

He took a deep breath. “If by that you mean responsible for almost having you killed? I doubt it.”

“He’s not who he says he is.”

“Are you asking or telling me?” Arman narrowed his eyes.

“I’m not certain. He never talks about his past. I stopped asking if I had a bigger family. Is he a bad man?”

There was a flash of pain in his eyes that I hadn’t expected, but it was quickly replaced with another mask. He was so good at that it made me crazy. “We’ll talk later.”

“Why won’t you tell me, Arman? Remember that trust you were talking about?”

“I need to secure the premises and ensure my family is safe. I’m not trying to keep anything from you. I’m trying to protect you.”

“The best way you can protect me is by being honest. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but I care about you. It makes me sick inside but that’s the way I feel. When I thought you died on that road, I was devastated. Isn’t that insane? You took me from my life and I have feelings for you. I must be crazy.”

For a few seconds, I could tell the armor had fallen, the man inside excited as if he was a high school boy with a crush. But as with every moment he provided me with a glimpse inside, he yanked it away. “You’re not crazy, princess, but caring about me isn’t in your best interest.”

“Of course not,” I choked out, shaking my head. “A man of steel. You’ll need to remind me where your room is so I can drop my things off. Maybe I’ll stay out of your hair; you can lock me inside to be sure.”

His eyes sparked with amusement. “I’m surprised you don’t remember and I’m not locking you inside a room.”

“Just the house.”

“You’re not my prisoner.”

“I’m not?” Lashing out at him was based on my own continued fear. I couldn’t look directly in his heated gaze for fear I’d lose another part of myself in it. “I’ve done my best to forget about that entire night. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“You’ve been through a lot today. Try and relax. I’ll have one of my staff drop the bags off as well as unpack them for you.”

“I can do it, Arman. You may consider me a princess, but I want to do things for myself by myself. I can’t believe you have someone to do that.”

His chuckle was dark and dangerously alluring. “I employ hundreds of people, Raven, only some work inside my estate. That includes a chef as you wouldn’t like what little I can prepare in the kitchen. And I assure you that the few employed inside this household won’t bother you and for tonight, we’ll be completely alone, my housekeeper leaving soon.”

“Oh. Okay. Then who will cook?”

He stopped short, as if he hadn’t thought about that. “Maybe we’ll order in.”

“I can cook. Some. I make a delicious cheeseburger and fries from scratch and can waltz my way around a mean lasagna.”

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