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“That’s right. Nothing gets in the way of business,” I said.
He nodded, his eyes certain, uncompromising.
I felt a sting of disappointment that was far too strong, completely out of place. And besides, why should I be surprised?
Josh Kelley—Davit Petrosyan—only viewed James Industries, and thus me, as a means to an end.
Orgasms aside, I couldn’t let myself forget that.
Wouldn’tlet myself.
“I need to go home,” I said.
I didn’t want to go home.
Could feel my skin starting to prickle at the thought of entering the house, knowing that my mind would replay the struggle and consider what could have happened to me over and over again.
Sometime in the future, when I didn’t feel like I was going to fall apart, I would grieve for all that I had lost.
Because I loved that house but knew that I could never feel completely safe there again.
“Yeah,” he said finally, agreeing with me. “You do need to go home.”
“I guess I’ll have to get a better security system. Not like I’ll sleep a wink,” I said offhandedly.
“Security has already been taken care of, and I havefour men stationed at your house at all times.”
“That’s not necessary,” I said.
“It is,” he countered.
“I don’t want that,” I argued.
The idea of Davit’s men watching me, probably reporting my every move back to him, was one I didn’t relish. I hadn’t decided what I was going to do yet, but I needed the freedom to move around, even if the thought of being alone, helpless, terrified me.
“You don’t seem to be concerned about your safety.” His words were calm enough, but I didn’t miss his agitation. Some part of me was amazed that I seemed to be learning how to read him.
“Maybe I just don’t want to be under your thumb,” I countered, not necessarily wanting to admit that but doing so anyway. It was only after I spoke that I realized I’d probably just made him more determined, not less.
“The men will stay out of sight. You won’t even notice they’re there,” he said.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Am I supposed to care how you feel?”
I laughed then snapped my fingers. “That’s right. Why would you care? I’m just a cog in your little machine, a means to an end.”
“Yes, you are,” he confirmed, not that I’d ever had a doubt. His expression darkened. “And just remember, if you hadn’t been so stupid, you wouldn’t be in the situation you’re in now. Being stupid is not a mistake you want to repeat.”
He’d hit the mark, but I wouldn’t relent, even though he was right.
“If you weren’t using me, if you hadn’t been taking advantage of my family’s company, I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in now,” I fired back, hating the emotion in my voice.
A scowl was twisting my face, and my breath came out heavy. I didn’t like revealing so much, again being so vulnerable, but there was nothing else I could do.
It didn’t take me long to realize that my emotions, my unspoken plea was meaningless to him.
He stared at me, his body tense, his expression implacable.
