Page 56 of Scarred Heir

“Settle down.” He pointed at me as he climbed into the backseat.

Once the guards were inside the car, the locks clicked, and the car moved onto the busy street. I flinched when Milo leaned across me. He glared at me and then secured my seatbelt.

“Where are we headed?” the guard who was driving asked.

“Penthouse.” Milo kept his voice low as he rested his head against the seat. “I want to stay in the city in case I need to handle business tonight.”

The penthouse was only a few blocks from the restaurant. Even with the city traffic, we would be there in less than five minutes. Did I want to be alone with him after what he had just done?

“I want to go to my apartment,” I said. “I don’t want to be with you tonight.”

“That’s not the vibe I picked up at the dinner table.” He stared straight ahead. “Is it?”

“That was before I saw you impale a man’s hand to a bar.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t know who I was before you came to me.”

“I didn’t know you were capable of that.”

I couldn’t get the vision of Romeo’s face when the knife went through his hand out of my mind. The few times I was in his presence he seemed untouchable. People respected him, even feared him. I was afraid of him. He was going to kill Chance over ten grand.

Milo’s words came back to haunt me.As long as you understand I’m far worse than the man you’re running from.He proved that tonight.

“That was nothing compared to what I’m really capable of.” He took out his phone. “I guess you have some thinking to do, because you are not going to save me from who I am. You’re not going to change me.”

I gazed out the window, taking in the hectic streets as he composed a text. Was he seeking out the council of his father? The guidance of his brother? Did I care?My debt was paid off. I was free to go.Why am I still here?

When the driver pulled into the spot in front of the penthouse, two more guards came out of the building and greeted Milo as he stepped out of the car. He briefly spoke to them before coming around and opening my door.

“If you get out of this car and come upstairs with me, it will be because that’s what you chose to do.”

I placed my hand on my knee, trying to stop my leg from twitching.

“I won’t force you to be with me.” He draped his arm over the top of the door. “But know this, if you do come with me, there will be things I do that you won’t approve of. I’m not looking for your blessing when it comes to my business practices. I won’t explain myself to you.”

He was giving me an out.Do I take it?

“There’s something about you that intrigues me,” he said. “I felt it the second our eyes connected at the club. I should have left you alone, but I couldn’t.”

I felt it too.

“I’m not ready to let you go.” He stroked my cheek. “But if you know in your heart that you can’t be with me, then you should leave.”

“You scared me tonight.” Why did leaving him seem scarier than staying?

“It probably won’t be the last time that happens. I do scary things.” He extended his hand. “It’s your choice.”

Is it my choice?How could it be when the passion in his gaze left me with only one option? Being with him was all I wanted. How could I have let this happen?

My heart rate sped up as I raised my hand and placed it in his.Don’t make me regret this.

He helped me out of the car and guided me to thesidewalk. Adrenaline shot through me, making it difficult to focus as we walked into the building and stepped onto the elevator. Milo tapped his phone against the panel on the wall, granting us access to the penthouse floor.

“You’re shaking.” He put his arm around me as we ascended to the top floor. “Didn’t we get you a coat?”

“This dress is so pretty, I didn’t want to cover it up.”

When the doors opened to the foyer of the penthouse, Milo led me out. He nodded to the man standing by the door.