“Not stalking,” he tells me, his deep voice running laps around my body. “I’m here to take out the trash.”
His eyes narrow, letting me in on his designatingmeas the trash he’s speaking of.
“The trash?” I repeat, my own voice raising an octave in disbelief.
“Someone has to make sure you’re not running around, forcing people to obey you with that sick littlegiftof yours.”
“Like you could do a damn thing to stop me,” I huff, and before I can get my arms fully crossed over my chest in defense, he’s right in front of me.
With strong, capable hands, Nathaniel snatches me up right in front of my own family’s property. He’s breathing hard, the scent of something dark and heady bleeding from his body.
I have never experienced someone being so rough with me. It’s kind of intoxicating, though I’ll never admit it.
My hands wrap around where his are gripping my button-up, but he’s unmovable.
“I know how to drain someone until they’renothing, little Lanny. I will not hesitate to do just that to you and your smart little mouth.”
Ugh, that name. Little Lanny. Why does he call me that? Why does it feel good?
I can’t fucking stand this guy. He’s presumptuous and cruel. There is an arrogance in the way he carries himself. Like, what? Does he think he’s Batman or something?
My eyes narrow, but Nathaniel continues to speak. “It’s disgusting, targeting people less powerful than you and bending them to your will. Well, guess what? Now it’s your turn.”
“For someone who thinks I’m so disgusting,” I start, “you sure can’t seem to stop touching me.”
But he doesn’t loosen his hold as I thought he would. Instead, he pulls me tighter against him, sneering down at me.
“You’re right,” Nathaniel agrees. “I’m trying to find the crack in your rich boy armor so that I can dismantle and decimate you.”
Something hot and angry burns inside of me at the threat. The promise of it. How he intends todismantleme, I’m unsure. But he won’t ever get the chance. This man will never get close enough to me to see the broken parts—the ones that are easily exploitable.
“You’re very confident, using those big words to make yourself appear as more than a lowly servant. But guess what?” I lean in closer, letting each word slam straight against his skin. “Even our pool boy could conjure threats this boring.”
I shove away, and Nathaniel’s hands finally release me, his chest heaving as he glares.
“Now,” I continue, “get lost. You’re annoying me.”
And with that, I get into my car and speed away.
I refuse to acknowledge him any further, to give him the satisfaction of my being angry or attracted to him.
Nathaniel Barfred and his antagonist ways can fuck right off. He can find a different man to dismantle.
It sure as hell won’t be me.
Nathaniel
4
I’VE BEEN WATCHING HIMfor two days now.
Landon frequents a popular gym near hisactualhouse, an organic grocery store, and, believe it or not, a Dutch Bros.
Calum clearly didn’t have all the information on Landon Presley because he does not stay at the ridiculous glass mansion his parents own.
And sure, criticizing their materialistic ways is probably hypocritical since I adore the Chastains, and they’re right up that alley, but at least the Chastains arekind.
They’re not abusing the power they have or calling their employeesservants.
