Page 24 of Guarded King

“You’re not the problem. Roger Haverscombe is one of my father’s old cronies. I’d hoped he’d figured out by now that the way the King Group operates has changed over the last few years. But he just proved his behavior doesn’t align with what we expect from our partners.”

“Of course,” I murmur. I should have realized he’d have his own reasons for backing out that have nothing to do with me.

His lips tilt into that almost smile of his. “Do you think I’m the kind of man who’d tank a good deal solely to defend a woman’s honor?”

His tone, combined with the glint in his eyes, sends irritation prickling over my skin. “Do you think I’m the kind of woman who needs a man to defend her honor?”

“I think you’re the kind of woman who accepts less than she deserves.”

The words barely leave his mouth before his face shutters, as though he regrets saying them.

I should let it go, steer the conversation somewhere less personal. But the presumptuousness of his comment, along with curiosity about how he could possibly have formed that opinion, has me in its grip. “What would make you say that?”

He studies me for a long beat, his ever-present unreadable expression firmly in place. “You weren’t wrong when you said you could handle this job. So why didn’t you move on from the two-bit operation you were working for long before they laid you off?”

I blink at him, surprised by the response. “B-because it was a decent job. And stable. At least… it was.”

“And stability is important to you?”

“Isn’t it to everyone?”

He snorts. “Do you think the King Group got to the top by playing it safe? You have to take risks to achieve what you want.”

“Not everyone wants to be a billionaire,” I fire back.

He raises an eyebrow, one corner of his mouth twitching in what I think passes as amusement for him. “Maybe not. I’m sure most people would be happy with being a millionaire.”

His words set me off. Maybe because I’m still tense from the meeting with Haverscombe. Or maybe it’s the unnerving way my body reacts to his proximity. Either way, the temptation to argue with him is hard to resist. Obviously, I understand theimportance of money. And god, yes, I wish I had enough to pay for the treatment Dad needs. But there’s so much more to life than just money. “Being rich isn’t everything. It doesn’t guarantee happiness.”

Surprisingly, his expression doesn’t change. If he’s annoyed that his assistant is arguing with him, he doesn’t show it. “Money gives you power and freedom. What else does anyone need?”

I shouldn’t continue pushing the issue, but something inside me balks at the idea of letting that pass. “How about love, family, good health?”

He huffs out a short laugh. “Only one of those things is a requirement for a successful life.”

I shake my head. “I’m talking about ahappylife, not a successful life.”

“And areyouhappy, Miss Callahan?”

I press my lips together, suddenly wishing I hadn’t gone down this path with him. “I have all of those things,” I say stiffly. After all,myhealth isn’t the issue.

He studies me a little too intently. “That’s not what I asked.”

I’m saved from coming up with a reply when his phone rings. He answers it and, without a second glance at me, launches into a work-related conversation. From what I can gather, he’s speaking to one of his brothers.

With a sigh, I sink back into the plush leather of my seat and look out the window. What the hell has gotten into me? Not once in the three years that I worked at Talon did I have a conversation with either of the Geoffs where I basically criticized their life choices. It’s way beyond my job description. Doing it with Roman, a man who’s already proven he’s willing to let me go if I don’t live up to his expectations, is playing with fire.

I stare out the window. From now on I’ll remain polite and professional at all times. And I definitely won’t let my infuriating, gorgeous boss get me worked up again.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHLOE

“Ihave the results of your latest tests, Mr. Callahan.”

Dr. Clarke looks at us over the tops of his glasses.

“There’s been some minor joint deterioration, but overall, the progress of the disease isn’t accelerating. How are you feeling?”