Page 117 of Watching Her

And how I was falling head over heels for the man. However, this had to end. There was no other choice. No other way I could protect him.

“While Carrington hasn’t done anything, that doesn’t mean he won’t. But I assure you, I’m nothing to him, which is fine by me.”

“He’s threatened you.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t care what he does to me. Okay?” I was more exasperated than I should be, my hand shaking as I rubbed it across my face. A nervous habit. “Yes, I’d love to return to the hospitality industry, but I won’t sell my soul to do so. Not for him. And not for you. He’s that… slimy to try and destroy me and in doing so, telling those bastards in Paris that you’re a terrible person. In other words, he had a hidden agenda. Is that what I can expect from you? Are you hoping that I’d provide you with insider information about my old boss and the company?”

Wow. I’d rendered him speechless.

“George Covington is a nice man. He’s just getting old and decided to rely on an employee who he thought of as a son. I didn’t realize Carrington’s real colors until it was too late, but I will not hurt George. And as crazy as it sounds even to me, I won’t let him hurt you. That’s why I haven’t gone to my old boss and told him what happened. George thought I betrayed him, but I would never do that. So I just walked away hoping to get another job in the industry. But no, Christian. I will not work for you. Not if you paid me a million dollars. I will do this on my own, including getting followers for my silly little fledging venture. Whatever it takes, I will do it, but not by riding on the backs of others.”

He lifted his head, taking a couple of deep breaths while studying me.

I tossed my napkin on the table, pushing back my chair. “I guess I have my answer. I’ll grab an Uber.” It was much easier this way. Now he could be furious with me for being so defiant. Maybe for disobeying or disappointing him. And if I was lucky, maybe he’d forget all about me.

By the time I stood, the rush of adrenaline was so strong I was terrified I was about to have a stroke. But I was determined to get away from him, mostly so he didn’t see I had tears in my eyes.

By the time I reached the door, I realized he wasn’t following me. He also wasn’t demanding I return or raising his voice about the fact I’d defied him.

He was simply allowing me to walk out the door.

Maybe a tiny part of me was hurt. Maybe I enjoyed having a powerful, dominating men who wanted me even though I could offer him nothing in the way of power.

But in truth. I could.

Secrets.

Was the whole world based on what one person could do for another? It was crazy and I’d never been so angry or hurt. Or anxious, or with murderous intent in my heart. If Carrington were standing in front of me, I’d wring his scrawny neck and love every minute of doing so.

I took long strides, struggling to pull my phone from my purse. Suddenly, I was tossed against the exterior of the building, a huge man hovering over me.

“Penelope. You are not walking away from me. Not now. Not ever.” His voice was smooth velvet, strong and controlling.

Christian wasn’t shaking me. He didn’t have his hand around my throat. He simply held my arms, hovering over me so I couldn’t possibly get away from him.

“Just let me go, Christian.”

Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry.

“I’m not going to let you go until you at least hear what I have to say. Even then, I won’t allow you to walk out of my life.”

Even though I struggled, in peering into his eyes, I could easily become lost in them. He was so dynamic, so intentional in everything he did. And he had no intention of letting me go. The tiny thrill tearing through me was ridiculous but left me breathless at the same time.

“Now, hear me. I don’t know what occurred with Carrington, but my personality is such that I crave ensuring he never treats another woman the way he’s done with you. And yes, I cannot tolerate anyone betraying me. The more you discover about me, the more you’ll realize what I can and can’t tolerate.”

“Like the man at your company who betrayed you? Or the man in Paris who was pushing for Covington to be awarded this precious contract?”

His eyes flashed again and the deep breath he took was as if sucking in the information I’d tossed out before I could keep from doing so. Now he would store the statement for future use.

I wasn’t certain I was as repulsed as I should be.

“Fine. Get this through your head. I’m not trying to hurt you or your company. I don’t want anything to do with it. I don’t want your money. I’m not working with that fucking bastard, although he wants me to sabotage you. But I won’t. Get that through your head.” The sound of my laugh was bitter and angry, hurt and confused. Oh, I was a freaking mess and I hated it.

His reaction wasn’t anything like what I would ever expect from him. He placed his finger across my lips. “You really do need to learn to be quiet even for a little while. I’m still not finished. Will you be good?”

“I can’t.”

“Apparently.”