Page 83 of Thiago

Thiago’s gaze swept over her in a detached, impersonal way. She couldn’t understand the expression on his face. The coldness.

And why no kiss? Why no warm smile? That’s not how they greeted each other.

“Everything okay?” India asked carefully. “Your mother? Your family…?”

“My family is fine. Everyone is in good health,” he answered in a clipped tone.

“Wonderful.” India hesitated as she watched him. “Can I fix you a drink?”

“No.” The short, blunt answer was another indication something was amiss.

She cleared her throat. “You seem off. You were in a much better mood on the phone earlier.”

“I must be tired,” he replied.

He didn’t look tired, but his eyes were unreadable. He wasn’t simply watching her, he was studying her. Beneath the cotton shirt molded over his muscular chest, his body appeared coiled tight, as if he was preparing to spring into action.

India clasped her hands together, undeterred from the conversation she intended to have. “Let’s sit in the living room. I’d like to talk to you about something.”

“Talk.” He said the word in a mocking way, and his mouth curved into an expression that wasn’t quite a smile. “Yes, we should definitely talk.”

His tone alarmed her. He was upset, at her, perhaps? But what did she do? They hadn’t spoken since he took the business call.

India followed him into the living room. Instead of sitting, Thiago remained standing, so she followed suit.

She laughed nervously. “Is something wrong? Are you sure you’re just tired? You seem upset.”

“What did you want to talk about?” Thiago asked.

She inhaled deeply and released the breath. Clearly, he had no intention of answering her questions. Swallowing hard, she pushed past the pounding of her heart and started. “I’ve been thinking about our relationship. I know we didn’t start out in the conventional way, but over the past few months, we’ve become closer and developed a deeper connection.”

“Become closer? Developed a deeper connection?” He repeated the words with silken sarcasm. “Interesting choice of words, considering…”

Confused, India stared at him. “Considering what?”

“Considering you cannot be trusted. Considering you keep secrets.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Get to the point,” India said irritably.

He smirked. “I had a very interesting chat after you and I ended our conversation earlier. I heard from a reliable source that you had a job offer. In Miami.” Cold accusation gleamed in his eyes.

Shiiiiit. India’s stomach plummeted. “Who told you?”

“So it’s true.” His voice was steel.

“I was going to tell you.”

Thiago looked at India in a dispassionate way. “When, exactly? Wait, don’t tell me—tonight, right? Or were you going to wait until you signed the employment contract? No, no, probably better to wait until your bags were packed.”

“Stop. I didn’t mention the offer because I wasn’t sure if I’d accept. Our conversation tonight was going to help me decide. I wanted to know where we stood before?—”

“Before you left me?” Thiago finished, his voice flat.

“You’re twisting everything,” she accused.

He chuckled, but the sound was empty, mirthless. The laughter stopped as suddenly as it began.

“I thought I knew you,” Thiago said.