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“Enough, Zoe.”
“What does enough mean?” I bent my knees, folding one arm over them and leaning my head against both kneecaps as I studied him through the flickering flames.
“That I do what I need to do when necessary.”
“I thought the great Thibodeaux Empire was all legit, following the rules and never daring to cross over that thin gray line.”
The man stared at me incredulously. “Whoever told you that was either drunk or stupid.”
His frankness continued to make me laugh, even if I could tell he was being deadpan serious. “Oh, come on now,” I mused, pushing his arm. “You are many things but not a cold-blooded killer.”
He took another sip of his drink, barely darting a glance in my direction. “Do you really want to know how many people’s lives I’ve ended, Zoe? Is that something that’s going to make you sleep better at night? Is this why you asked about karma?” When I didn’t answer, he snorted. “I didn’t think you really wanted to know. Leave it at enough. Or if you’d prefer, enough to know I’m a dangerous, lethal man. And I am certain karma will come back and bite me in the ass.”
“You’re a good man, even if you don’t want to admit it.”
“No, Zoe. I hate to burst your bubble. Why do you think your father warned me a hell of a long time ago to stay away from you?”
This was news. “He did?”
“Yep. He did.” He took another swig of his drink, polishing it off then reaching for the bottle of scotch he’d brought. Meanwhile, he’d hidden away a split of Moet Chandon for me. While I was trying my best to save the bubbly, when Maddox clammed up like he was doing now, I wanted to drink from the bottle instead of the deliriously funny plastic glass he’d provided.
“Why?”
“Why do you think, Zoe? Because I’m not good enough for his only daughter.”
I wanted to be angry that my father would do such a thing but that was Daddy dearest. No man would ever be good enough. “I think that’s because Daddy is trying to hook me up with someone.”
He slowly turned his head, narrowing his eyes, the flickering flames allowing me to catch a fleeting glimpse of raw, imposing rage. It was just like what I’d seen when he’d saved me from the two abductors. He’d wanted to rip them apart with his bare hands.
“What did you say?” he asked, although he sounded as if he was growling instead.
“He didn’t come right and say it, but he told me at the party there were some eligible bachelors.”
He took a deep breath, his mood darkening even more. The slight crack of the plastic glass in his hand allowed me a further indication of just how enraged he was at hearing the news.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“He can’t do that,” he said with so much authoritativeness that I could tell my flippant comment had struck a nerve.
“He’s my father, Maddox. I guess I’m worth more than I think I am.” I tried to laugh it off, but not only did I realize it might have something to do with the reason I’d been attacked, whatever nerve I’d hit had also angered him significantly.
“Don’t ever say that again. Do you hear me?” He grabbed my wrist, yanking me toward him.
I was more shocked by his actions than almost anything he’d done so far. I couldn’t find the right answer, unable to say anything.
“Do you?” His command was darker than before.
“Okay. Yes, I hear you. I’m sorry. I was teasing. That’s it.”
His chest rose and fell, his breathing remaining labored. “You are a very special woman. He will not do that to you. I won’t allow it.”
It was the first time I felt as if he really cared, for a reason other than because I was one of his job requirements. “Forget I said anything, Maddox. I’m sure I’m wrong.” Although I wasn’t. I could tell by the hardline expression remaining on his face that he wasn’t going to let it go. Shit. Shit. Shit. The last thing I wanted was to create a rift between Maddox and my dad.
He came close to polishing off another drink, but I had no illusions that the alcohol would affect him. I’d never seen him this angry.
“You’re not being forced to marry anyone you don’t want to.”
His possessiveness was as startling as everything else about him. When he released his grip, I scooted closer. I could see his wheels turning once again, drifting back into the same aggravation as before.
