His eyes narrow slightly, and looking like a predator ready to pounce on its prey, he replies in a low tone, “At first it was because it was my damn job, but now...” He leans closer until I feel his breath on my lips. “It’s because I’m enjoying this thing between us. The more you fight, the harder I’ll strike.”
Somehow I keep eye contact as I whisper, “You’re evil.”
“Never claimed not to be.” He lets go of me, shoves the envelope in my hand, and gives me a final look of warning. “The next time you disobey me, you won’t like what I’ll do.”
With nothing more than the ominous warning, he stalks away, leaving me with James and Grant.
My chest fills with hopelessness as I stare at his broad back.
God, what am I going to do?
Chapter 9
Nikolas
With anger simmering in my chest, I shake my head as I slip into the backseat of the armored SUV.
The satisfaction I had after our previous altercations is nowhere to be found. Instead, I feel something foreign and totally unwanted.
Guilt.
I didn’t mean for her camera to break. Especially not after seeing how good the footage was.
It’s not my fault she has butterfingers.
“Where to, boss?”
“The office,” I grumble as I unbutton my suit jacket and take out my phone. The SUV pulls away while I open my emails. I check the first one, but my thoughts churn around the fight instead of focusing on the words.
Letting out a sigh, I glance out of the window. The SUV stops at traffic lights, then I see Tess crossing the road with James and Grant right behind her. She tucks some hair behind her ear, sadness drawing her features tight. Ducking her head low, she wraps her arms protectively around her midsection.
It's a different sight from her usual feistiness, hitting me square in the chest.
Christé mou.
A man, coming from the opposite direction, bumps into Tess. James darts forward, grabbing hold of her shoulders to keep her from losing her balance while Grant shoves the man against the front of a cab.
Instantly there’s a flare of rage in my chest. Flooded with a possessive feeling I’ve never felt before, my fingers tighten into a fist around my phone.
It’s one thing for me to threaten Tess but watching a fucking overgrown ape almost knock her off her feet fills me with protectiveness toward her.
Dialing James’ number, I bring the device to my ear.
“Boss?”
“I’m at the traffic light to your right. Bring Tess to me.”
I watch as James takes hold of her arm and starts to drag her back in the direction of the SUV. Tess rears away from James, and when Grant snaps something at her, she shakes her head and makes a scene right in the middle of the street.
It looks like she’s being fucking kidnapped.
I swear… this woman!
The light turns green, but Gregory knows to wait even as horns start blaring behind us.
The backdoor opens, and Grant shoves Tess inside. Shutting the door behind her, the two guards head to the other SUV holding my own personal guards.
The vehicle starts to move, and when Tess gapes at me with a mixture of anger and trepidation, I lean into her and pull the seat belt over her chest. Clipping it in place, I settle back against the seat, and finally able to focus, I check my emails.
“What the hell?” she gasps.
“Shhh!” A frown mars my forehead as I reread a sentence.
She huffs next to me, then shrugs her backpack off. Placing it on her lap, she wraps her arms around it.
‘You broke the one thing that meant the world to me.’
Fuck, this guilt has no business swirling in my chest. “Gregory, stop at the nearest camera store,” I order.
“Yes, boss.”
I can feel Tess’ eyes on me but continue ignoring her as I check one email after the other. Not that I’ll remember a fucking thing I’m reading. The woman is distracting as fuck.
Gregory pulls up to a curb. “We’re here, boss.”
Tucking the phone into my pocket, I shove the door open and climb out. My eyes scan over our surroundings for any threats as I stalk around the back of the SUV. Tess doesn’t move, and when I open her door, she shoots me a cautious glare.
“Get out,” I bark.
Fuck, it’s hard being nice to her.
Tess grips her bag tighter as she climbs out of the vehicle, and before she can try to run away, I take hold of her elbow and tug her into the store. Stopping in front of the nearest shop assistant, I say, “Where are your best cameras?”
“Digital,” Tess mutters.
“This way,” the shop assistant answers, his eyes darting between Tess and me.
We’re taken to the left side, where different cameras and equipment line the shelves. Before the assistant can say anything, Tess pulls free from me and makes a beeline for a specific camera. She carefully sets her bag down by her feet, and lifting the camera off the shelf, wonder spreads over her face.