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Miles taps Indie on the arm, indicating she can respond. “I finished work early, and rather than calling Miles to let him know, I drove home.”
“Alone,” Miles growls, finishing what Indie was clearly leaving out.
“You left work without any security and came home on your own?” I clarify, my voice sounding frantic.
Indie lets out a long sigh, and I can see how much the movement affects Miles as his mouth falls open and his hands tighten into fists, but he somehow remains quiet.
“The security I had were based at Caged. I couldn’t ask one of them to leave their allocated post. I got in my car just outside of Caged and drove home. I knew there’d be plenty of security here when I arrived. The only time I was alone was the drive here, and nothing happened,” Indie explains, sounding exacerbated, like she’s been over this a million times with Miles.
Unfortunately for her, I’m the obsessive and possessive one, so if Miles is mad at her about this, it’s nothing compared to me. I can feel my anger and fear bubbling away under the surface, rushing through my veins like lava. The idea that we could have lost her sets my nerves on edge.
“The fifteen minute drive back here is more than enough fucking time for you to be kidnapped or killed. What the fuck were you thinking?” I snap, getting louder with each word as fear fuels my rage.
Indie glares at me, looking just as furious. “I was thinking that I’ve kept myself alive for the past nine years withoutanyone’s help, so I was pretty sure I could survive a fifteen minute car journey. Besides, both you and Miles were in important meetings that couldn’t be disrupted.”
I’m about to argue back when Miles cuts me off, his piercing blue gaze making it clear he needs me to listen to him. “I know you’re mad, Jacob, but I’m dealing with it. Indie knows she’s not allowed to do it again, and there will be no further discussion. Understood?”
For just a second, I want to stomp my foot and tell him I don’t understand. I want to be the one to punish her, to make it clear just how much she’s killing me by not putting her safety first. But I trust Miles’ process, and so I nod my head in agreement. “Fine,” I mumble, pouting just a little.
“Now, did you have a good day?” Miles asks, his voice back to sounding completely normal, like he’s not naked with our girl on his lap.
I flop down into the chair opposite them. I’d normally sit on the other end of the couch, but this armchair has a much better view of them together, and I’m sure as shit not missing out on any more.
A wicked grin spreads across my face as I remember the day I had with Luca. “Yeah, I had fun with Luca. We tortured someone who betrayed me, but now that I’m home, I’m thinking this looks like more fun.”
“Torture?” Indie gasps, her eyes comically wide as her brows shoot towards her hairline.
At the same time, Miles’ face darkens and his expression twists into something dangerous. “Who the fuck betrayed you?”
A shiver runs down my spine at the deep, angry, authoritative tone he uses, making it clear he’s angry on my behalf. There’s a possessive edge to him that makes my cock twitch as my stomach flutters.
“One of my usual dealers has been skimming from the profits and keeping them for himself, as well as using some of the product for free,” I explain. “Luca gave him more than enough opportunities to come clean before I got there, and I gave him a chance, too. When he didn’t take them, I sliced him up until he confessed.”
Miles lets out a dark chuckle, which is quickly drowned out by Indie’s loud whimpers as she throws her head back. I can tell by the way her thigh muscles have tightened that she’s trying her hardest not to move, when her instinct is to roll against him, to seek the pleasure she knows he’s capable of giving her.
Fuck, I can see now why this is a punishment.She’s really struggling,I think to myself as I watch beads of sweat form on her brow as her knuckles turn white from the force of her grip.
“How is Luca getting on as your second in command? When Marcus told me you picked him, I had my reservations,” Miles admits, and I nod in agreement.
“Initially, I just wanted someone who wasn’t loyal to my father, which left very few people. I needed someone who would support me, but would challenge me if they saw me doing something wrong. I also wanted someone who isn’t afraid of getting their hands dirty, to take on the harder aspects of the job that I struggle with.
“But mostly I wanted someone who understands the battles I face daily, and who doesn’t see my addiction as a weakness. Luca may be a raging lunatic sometimes, with a psychotic side that rivals even the most sadistic of people, but he’s a really good guy.
“He knows about my addiction, and without being obvious about it, he makes sure I’m staying sober. Plus, he fucking hates my father, and only answers his calls when he feels like it, so that makes him a hero in my book.”
Miles smiles and nods, but I can see the understanding reflected in his eyes. He’s been my sober companion since thebeginning, and my return to work, and the environment we’re forced to live in, has always been a concern for Miles.
He was worried the pressures of my responsibilities would push me to fall off the wagon, and because he can’t be with me every day to support me through it, it’s something he’s concerned about.
So I’m sure he’s equally as shocked to learn that Luca, our resident psycho, is a surprisingly good sober companion, without even meaning to be.
“I’m surprised he didn’t kill him while he was attempting to get him to confess,” Miles states.
“Me too, but he didn’t. He left it to me to punish him.”
Miles’ smirk grows as he looks at me with something very similar to pride. “I take it you got him to confess.”
I scoff loudly. “Of course, I did.”