"Relax," I said. "Your time will come. Everything's falling into place, better than I expected. Enjoy your stay while it lasts."
I let the words settle, watching him. His grip on the pen tightened as he scribbled something, the letters rough, barely legible. Then, without hesitation, he stretched the notepad toward me.
The instant my fingers brushed the notepad, pain lanced through my palm sharp and suddenly. He'd buried the pen deep with ruthless precision. I gritted my teeth, yanking the pen free. Blood welled up instantly, warm and thick against my skin.
A sharp crack echoed as my fist connected with his jaw, snapping his head to the side. He barely flinched. Then his shoulders shook, and a muffled laugh rumbled from his chest.
I wiped my bloody palm against my handkerchief, smearing crimson across the white fabric. My voice stayed low, even. "You just made things worse for yourself."
He lifted his head, eyes burning with the same defiance as before. No regret. No fear. Only silent, seething hatred.
I stepped back, shaking the sting from my knuckles. "Enjoy your stay," I said, turning for the door. "I'll be back when I decide what to do with you."
I arrived home late, expecting Leila to be asleep. Instead, she was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book .
"Where were you?" she asked the moment I stepped in. She placed the book on the bedside table.
I sighed, undoing the first button of my shirt. "Taking care of business."
Her lips pressed together. "Business," she echoed, pausing for a beat. "Or were you with someone?"
That made me pause. I turned fully to her, amusement tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Jealous, are we?"
Her gaze stayed steady. "Yes."
I laughed quietly. "Didn't take you for the possessive type."
She stood, closing the space between us. "I'm not. But I don't like sharing what's mine."
I tilted my head, watching her. "You don't have to."
Her lips parted slightly, but she wasn't done yet. "Then what were you doing?"
Brushing my fingers along her jaw, I let my touch linger. "I already told you. Handling business."
She narrowed her eyes, catching the injury on my palm. "How did you get that?"
I glanced down, flexing my fingers as if testing the pain. "Got careless," I said smoothly. "Nothing serious."
Her gaze flicked to mine, searching. "Careless how?"
I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head with a small smirk. "You ask too many questions."
She didn't smile. "And you never give enough answers."
"Because I don't answer to you, Leila. End of discussion."
"Sure. End of discussion."
I leaned in, my breath warm against her skin. "Pack a bag or don't. We're going to Greece tomorrow."
She blinked. "Greece?"
"You heard me."
"For what?"
I gave her a vague smile. "You'll see."
