Page 45 of Beautiful Lies

“I said hypothetically. And of course, I wouldn’t use your credit card to pay you back.” I roll my eyes at him. That’s such a crookish thing to do, but given that my father screwed him overtwice, I can’t blame him for thinking I’d do something like that.

The plan is to get that job on Broadway. If I do, I may be able to get a loan from the bank. Emphasis on themaypart. The only thing I have going for me is that I have good credit. I never took out any loans or even credit cards. I know in some instances, that could work against me, but maybe it won’t.

“I think this is a conversation we should have nearer the time.”

Ugh. Of course he would say that.“Could you just be human for one minute? That restaurant has been in my family for over a hundred years. My great-grandparents started it with recipes that had been in our family for generations. They worked so hard to build it, and everyone who came after them showed it the same love. Sure, it’s not a multibillion-dollar empire like Vale Global, but it has a legacy. And it’s hard for me to know it won’t be in my family anymore.”

For a moment, he looks at me like he’s listening, then his eyes harden, resuming that guarded look. “Let’s decide when the time comes. Quite likely, I’ll buy you out, then you start your own legacy.”

Right. In his world, it’s as simple as that.

I want to push back, but I don’t. Decidingwhen the time comesdoesn’t give me much to hold on to, but at least we’re talking about it.

“Fine,” I mutter.

“Any other questions? Preferably about the next two weeks.”

“Is there anything else I need to do?”

The toothy smile he gives me reminds me of the predator again. “That’s a better question, love. All you need to do is be a good girl and behave.” He stands, signaling that breakfast is over.

With that cool, effortless grace, he walks around to stand behind me and rests his hands on my shoulders. His touch is firm, possessive, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine. Then he leans in, his lips caressing the air near my ear. “Don’t give my staff any trouble. Don’t givemeany trouble. Do what you want within these walls, but outside, you act like you’re mine. You smile for the cameras, and you smile for me.”

The deep timbre of his voice slides through me. My pulse staggers, heat creeping up my neck in betrayal. I hate that my body reacts before my mind does, that the sound of his voice alone can unravel me when I should have more control. It’s unbecoming of me, but I’m not sure I can do anything about it except beware.

Beware ofhim.

Knox straightens. “Understand?”

“I got it.”

“Then I’ll see you in three days.” He backs away, then pauses and reaches into his pocket for his phone. “Before I forget.”

When he sets it down in front of me, I remember what he said the other night about deleting his list of women.

I raise my brows at him, part shocked he’s serious, part annoyed for the same reason. I also remember that very R-rated text he got from that woman.

“You’re seriously trusting me with your phone?” I level him with a hard stare.

“I’m a man of my word.”

“What about your other phone?” Hemusthave another.

“No one has that number except the six members of my immediate family, Sheila, and now you.”

Again, I’m surprised. And a little thrown. I pick up the phone and hold it up. “What if I delete someone you actually like?”

“There’s no one like that, so delete away, love.”

“Okay.” I aim for cool and casual, but I can’t pretend I’m not impressed. I don’t know many men who would do this. Then again, he’s Knox Vale. If he wanted a new list of women, he could replace them all within five minutes.

With a dip of his head, he turns and leaves. I watch him until he’s gone, but his presence lingers anyway.

It lingers like a ghost, telling me I’ll feel him long after he’s gone, whether I want to or not.

Chapter Ten

Knox