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“Why?” he asks, voice gruff with loss of control. He’s on edge.

So am I. We need to figure out how to navigate these powerful emotions the other brings out.

“I am your personal guard, am I not? And I take my job seriously.”

In stilted silence, he stomps over to the Audi while I speed walk, needing two steps for one of his.

He gets in the back, not even waiting for me to open the door. Good, since the last time I checked, his hands worked just fine.

I am not even trying to hide my smile because it feels like a win.

He is the key to unlocking a lot of things in my life. Most will remain dormant wishes, but maybe he’ll tell me the truth if I save his life. The occasion will surely arise and while I know he will never set me free, he can share my birth information.

The moment I am in the driver’s seat, his jaw sets in a hard line. “I don’t know what you’re after, but you’ll be disappointed. Now drive.”

“Could you—”

“Take me to the office,” he orders without letting me ask my question.

After he gives me quick directions, we spend the drive to the city in silence as I steal glances at him in the mirror. He’s on his phone, his fingers typing fast. Was there someone else in my absence? The thought guts me, putting me in a murderous mood. I hope he didn’t sleep with another woman, or I’ll kill him.

“Eyes on the fucking road,” he says, not looking up from his device.

I huff, blaming him for making me so damn unfocused.

We reach the underground garage, and I try parking between two cars with no space left on either side. I remainperfectly silent, hoping he won’t notice it. Bikes are much more practical.

“Luciana,” he groans, pinching the bridge of his nose and looking outside.

“What?” I shout, frustrated.

“How the fuck do I get out?” he shouts back.

I’m sweating by the time I back this beast up and fail to park it in a better spot. Cursing the stupid car and stupid ego of a man needing such a monstrosity of a vehicle.

“Move to the passenger seat. You’re the worst guard I’ve ever had.”

It takes everything in me not to react. I swallow my ego and let him drive his own stupid car. Smoothly, he maneuvers the car, driving it to another area where there are no others. He could have told me he has an entire level just for himself.

“Asshole,” I mumble under my breath.

“What was that?” he asks, knowing full well what I said.

“You’re such an excellent driver.”

“Compared to you, anyone is.”

I am about to speak the word out loud when he grips my chin and says, “Don’t open that mouth of yours or you’ll be in big trouble.”

How my brain associates big with his cock right now is genuinely disturbing.

I accompany him because I am his guard. My place is next to him. Thankfully, he doesn’t say a thing.

His assistant greets him, his eyes widening at my presence, but he keeps his mouth shut. I recognize ambition when I see it.

“Miss Monroe is here,” he says.

Who the fuck is she? I don’t need an order, I’ll put her on the list myself.