Page 46 of Benjamin and the Thief

Amaury stopped the video when it had run its course. “I asked you a question.”

Benjamin cleared his throat, his stance shifting nervously.

“I handled it,” he claimed.

“Oh yeah? How? By letting her off with a warning not to do it again?” Amaury ground out. “I expected better from you. You should have handed her over to the police. But clearly, you didn’t do that, or I would know about it. So, where is this woman now?”

The door opened, and Nina, a plate laden with food in her hands, entered.

“It was all a misunderstanding. It’s not gonna happen again. I made sure of it.” Benjamin looked over his shoulder. “Oh, hi, Mom.”

Nina set the plate on a side table, then looked at the screen. Amaury had told her after the call that had interrupted them that Scanguards had received a compromising video. “Is that the security video?” She approached. “Let me see it, baby.”

Amaury clicked on the playback button. While Nina watched the video, he glared at Benjamin.

“Out with it, son,” he demanded. “Why didn’t you hand her over to the police?”

“It wasn’t necessary—” Benjamin began again.

“I know her,” Nina interrupted, then looked at Benjamin. “That’s that girl you saved. Catalina. I mean, her hair is different, and she’s wearing glasses, but that’s definitely her.”

Amaury jumped up and walked around his desk. “What girl? Nina?”

Nina turned to him. “The other day when Benjamin and I were just getting back from shopping, some jerk stole the parking spot this girl was waiting for. They had an argument, and we helped her out. But when a meter maid wanted to give Catalina a ticket, and she ran across the street to stop her, a taxi would have hit her if Benjamin hadn’t grabbed her just in time.”

Amaury looked at his son, who looked upset. It was evident that he hadn’t wanted them to find out about this girl, and had obviously not expected Nina to recognize her.

“So, you saved her,” Amaury said. “What then?”

Benjamin pressed his lips together. “That’s all.”

Amaury tilted his head to look at his mate. Their eyes met.

I think he likes her. At least that’s what it looked like when I left them alone in his flat.

Nina’s words weren’t spoken. Rather, she sent them to him via their unique telepathic bond, one only blood-bonded couples shared as a way to communicate.

Had his son fallen for a criminal?

“Are you sleeping with her?” Amaury asked, pinning Benjamin with his eyes.

“That’s none of your business,” he spat defiantly.

“The hell it is! You know nothing about this girl, and you risk your job and reputation by letting her get away with theft!”

“She didn’t steal anything!”

“Not for lack of trying,” Amaury shot back and went toe-to-toe with his son. “What do you expect me to tell the Prestons?” He infused a mocking tone into his voice. “Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Preston. It’s nothing. It’s just a girl who’s wrapped my son around her little finger. I’ve got it under control!”

Amaury grunted. He felt his fangs itching to descend. “You’re breaking every single rule in the book! I taught you better.”

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. “Like you never broke any rules for Mom!”

Amaury growled. “Don’t you dare!”

“Oh, please!” Benjamin continued. “I’m no different from you. Everything I am, I am because of you. I inherited every character trait from you. So don’t look so surprised when I don’t behave like one of your meek little minions.”

The words enraged him. Perhaps because they were true. They were cut from the same cloth. But it was hard to look at Benjamin and see his own reflection cast back at him. And because Benjamin was just like him, he knew there was no use arguing with him now. It would lead to nothing, or worse, to words being spoken that they couldn’t take back.