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Because he knew she was right or because he thought he was?
“Now, I’ll do what I like with Vince. And it will all be on me. My choice. Understand? So you will feel no guilt.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yep.”
“Your sassiness is cute, I’ll admit. But I’ll warn you that you’ll only be allowed so much leeway before the ropes start tightening.”
What the heck did that mean?
“Do not worry about Vince. He won’t be allowed to harm you ever again. But I want to know what will help you right now.”
She chewed her lip.
“And no harming yourself.” He pulled her lip free of her teeth.
She sighed. “How do other people put up with you?”
“They don’t put up with me, Pequeña. They listen and obey. They don’t argue. Or give me attitude. They know that my word is law.”
“Sounds like you need someone to shake things up a bit, then.”
“I assure you, I do not. I run a well-oiled machine and that’s the way I like it.”
“With you at the top and everyone jumping when you say?”
“Now, you are beginning to understand. And you, mi Pequeña, are one of those people.”
Yeah. They’d just see about that. She wasn’t a person who could easily give up control. Although there were times when it would be nice not to have to make all the decisions.
But not with this man. He’d try to consume her. That was easy to see. He barely knew her and he already thought she should obey his every word.
Ridiculous.
He’d soon tire of this game. It wasn’t like she meant anything to him. A pang hit her, but she knew she was being silly. He might be sexy and protective, but a man like Alejandro De Leon didn’t claim a woman like her. Not long-term anyway. She’d made herself seem interesting to him when she really wasn’t interesting at all.
That had been the point.
All she really wanted was Mama back, a stable life. Maybe a house for them to share. An ordinary job. For there to be no craziness, no fear, no plots, and no mysteries.
A boring life.
It was a dream.
Wouldn’t you get bored?
No. No way. An ordinary life without drama. That was her goal.
“Stop that. Now.” He drew her lip away from her teeth. “What did I just tell you about hurting yourself.”
“I wasn’t hurting myself,” she protested.
“You were chewing on your lip. It now looks angry and sore. That is hurting yourself and it’s not allowed. Don’t do it again.”
Lord, he was frustrating.
“What is worrying you?” he demanded. “Tell me.”
She wanted to refuse. But this was something she needed to say. “I don’t think you should do anything to Vince.”
Thunder filled his face. “And why not? Do you feel sorry for him? You think I should go easy on him? I can assure you he is not redeemable. He would’ve hurt you tonight if I hadn’t stopped him.”
“No, I’m not worried about Vince. I’m concerned about you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“He cannot hurt me. My men have him secured.”
“No, I don’t mean physically. I mean in here.” She tapped his chest. “I don’t want you to get harmed on the inside.”
10
Fuck.
She was killing him.
He stared down at her as a wave of possessiveness washed through him.
Mine.
Fuck no.
She was not his. She was his employee and his responsibility.
That was all.
Right. Because you treat all your employees this way? If Martin was attacked, would you bring him home to take care of him?
Hell. Fuck no.
But that still didn’t mean he could keep this girl.
Being involved with someone who was more than a quick fuck would only lead to disaster.
His life didn’t allow for weaknesses.
And that is what she’d be.
Like Elena.
However, he couldn’t leave her in that alley. Couldn’t stand the idea of her hurt or afraid. Of another man fucking touching her. Like this Roger she kept talking about. Who the fuck was he?
Fury filled him.
He took a deep breath.
He couldn’t offer commitment or emotional attachment.
Yet, he expected her to give him everything.
Well . . . he never said he wasn’t an asshole.
“Killing Vince won’t harm me in here.” He placed his hand over hers. “Because I’m dead inside.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “No, you’re not.”
“Sí, Preciosa. I am. There’s nothing in here that could be touched or affected by killing a man like that. Trust me.”
He had to get away from her. That would be the smart thing to do.
Yet, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t just dump her and leave.
Before tonight, he would have laughed at the idea of trying to take care of someone else.
“This is not for you to worry about,” he told her arrogantly. “But I do want you to tell me what happened tonight.”
Cat trembled, growing paler. He felt like a dick for pressing her. But he had to have all the facts before he took care of that fucking dick.
