Page 38 of The Oath We Give

I think a part of me might be sadistic for enjoying this. Knowing how unbothered I am by her snark, the stubbornness that makes her mean. I’m not Coraline’s enemy, but I’m a threat.

She knows this attitude isn’t working on me, and it’s bugging the fuck out of her.

It’s cute.

“Why do I make you so uncomfortable, Coraline?”

Her head jerks, eyebrows furrowed like I’ve hit her.

“You don’t,” she says firmly, chin held high.

“You’re tight,” I mutter.

The corner of my lips twitches, just a little, a smirk I’m unable to prevent spreading across my mouth as her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. An undeniable pink flush tints her tan cheeks.

I may not be good with people, but I’m fucking incredible with puzzles.

I’m not her enemy. I’m a threat.

Coraline is attracted to me, and that bothers her. Bothers her so much, I might get the worst of her venom if I push a little too hard.

“Excuse me?” Coraline scoffs, offended or at least trying to be.

“Your posture is stiff, arms are crossed—you’re about to leave nail punctures in your skin if you keep squeezing.” I tilt my head some, catching her releasing the grip of her arms. “Your body is telling me you’re uncomfortable. I asked why.”

A server walks by carrying a tray of bubbling champagne, and she swipes a glass, holding it gingerly between her fingers as she drops her gaze, eyes hooded. “I just want to know what it is you want me from me. I’d rather just get it over with. No need for all the foreplay.”

I roll my tongue across the front of my teeth, sucking my teeth. As I nod, giving her silent praise for the volley of sexual innuendo, she stands straight, smug, as if she just moved her pawn toward my back rank, trying to get it promoted to a queen so she can deliver a checkmate.

“What could I want from you?”

“Well.” She sighs, lifting the glass of champagne to her lips and taking a sip. “I owe you two favors now.”

I’m about to tell her that they weren’t favors. Answering the phone and calming her down in the hallway isn’t something I need repayment for. I didn’t do them with the hopes of her giving something in return, but we are interrupted.

“Silas!” My name is a shout, heavy footsteps approaching as I look at Daniel Highland, the firm’s chief marketing officer. “You didn’t tell me you’d be here tonight.”

I grab his outstretched hand, tightening my grip as I shake it.

Daniel is what I call a worm.

Worms are self-replicating malware that spread across networks without a user interacting. Daniel is a worm. He corrupts those who work beneath him, turning them all into mini pompous versions of himself.

When the board votes me in, my first act as CEO is firing him.

He’s harmless physically, but he’s toxic for the workplace. Especially considering he isn’t fond of me taking over or me in general. I don’t have the time or energy to babysit bruised egos at work.

“Running things by you isn’t a part of my job description.” My tone is much dimmer toward him versus the lighter version I’d just had with Coraline.

His grin is slimy, porcelain teeth that look too fake and too big for his tiny mouth.

“Right, right. You’re the boss. Well, almost.” He chuckles, shaking his head a bit. “I ran into your father just before leaving the office. I didn’t even know you were dating someone. No one in the office seemed to know.”

My jaw twitches, tightening, fingers flexing in my pocket. The gun sitting on my hip, concealed by my suit jacket, is practically singing Daniel’s name, a pretty little bullet just waiting in the chamber.

It was that big-ass mouth of his that told most of the firm about my father’s cancer diagnosis before he even got the chance. Daniel assured us that he was just trying to relieve some stress from my old man’s shoulders, but I saw through him like glass.

He’s the kinda guy who enjoys stripping another man of his pride just to feel like abig man.