She blinked. Leah shouldn’t be surprised Knox managed to dig information about her life. A man like him probably had numerous connections. She remembered him telling her that he ordered his men to bring her belongings to his apartment. So Knox probably knew where she lived as well. Used to live, Leah reminded herself.
For a second, it hurt to breathe. Leah swayed, gripped the closest thing to her. Knox’s arm. He didn’t pull away. He only held her elbow, steadying her. The expression on his face remained a mystery. Leah couldn’t tell if he was furious, concerned for her, or a mixture of both.
“I know it is,” Leah said, finding her tongue. “I’ll probably quit soon but not today. I can’t think when I’m here. You, this apartment, it’s all too overwhelming. I need to find something to do with my hands.”
“No. I can’t risk you. I have numerous enemies who want my head, Leah. If they learn of you and they probably have—they wouldn’t hesitate to hunt you down and hurt you.”
The frankness in his voice made her shiver. Knox wasn’t lying. He didn’t need to. She knew what he was, what he did. Knox was a criminal. Leah could never hope to change him. She wouldn’t bother.
Truth be told, this dark side of him appealed to Leah or maybe she was just attracted to danger. It was thrilling being with someone like him. Before Knox, her life had been boring and mediocre, after all.
“Knox, if you don’t let me in, if you keep making decisions about my life without my input—you’ll lose me.” She met his gaze unflinchingly. “You can keep me here, sure, but it’s as good as dying a little day by day.”
Knox held her shoulders, not speaking. He clenched his jaw so hard, Leah was pretty sure she could hear him grinding his teeth. He was pissed but she knew he’d never strike her the way Larry did sometimes when he lost his temper.
“If I allow you this freedom, you’ll stay put? By the end of the day, you’ll come straight back here?” Knox didn’t exactly phrase those words as a question, more like a statement. An expectation of obedience.
Leah never thought she was the kind of woman who’d be into domineering men. Somehow, clashing with Knox, defying him, and eventually, compromising and obeying him, thrilled her to pieces.
“Yes,” she answered. “I know that place’s a shit hole, but I’ve worked there for almost three years. Thanks to my job, I managed to keep my apartment, to pay the bills.”
“You’re a hard little worker, aren’t you, kitten?” Knox tipped her chin using his fingers.
Leah’s heart started on a rapid rhythm. Her nipples tightened. She closed her legs, aware his cum was drying on her thigh. Knox had laid waste to her body, conquered it without resistance. In those few moments, he’d owned her, and she wanted him to do it all over again.
“You looked after your brother your entire life. He never deserved your kindness or your devotion. It’s time someone else took care of you, someone who appreciates you,” he said.
“You’re volunteering for the job?” she asked, teasing him. She wanted to lighten the mood. Leah was secretly pleased Knox showed her that he was capable of compromising. She knew it wasn’t easy for him to let go of his control.
Knox’s gaze grew intense, serious. He cupped her cheek. His big hand was rough to the touch, but it also felt incredibly warm. “Ask me anything in the world and I’d give it to you. Anything but setting you free.”
Knox pried his hand from her cheek, held them close to her lips, and blew at them. He blinked, startled. “I’ll never ask you that again. I’m here because I want to be. I don’t have a home to return to anymore, not after Larry betrayed me. Being with you is a good place as any until I figure out what I want to do next,” she answered.
“Good enough for me. I need to head to work,” he said. Knox started to walk away from her, but he paused and turned to her again. “I forgot to mention. Conner will make sure you get to work safely.”
“A bodyguard?” Leah asked, exasperated.
“No arguments.” With that, Knox returned inside the apartment.
She let out a huff. Leah supposed it was better than being cooped up in here all day and waiting for Knox to come back home.