“I think you’re the one acting like a child. You know we’re meant to be together. You’ll be my queen.” I can tell he’s trying to keep his anger in check. He’s not the only one. While I might be mild-mannered most of the time, I don’t appreciate being backed into a corner.
“You don’t really know me,” I admit. I’m surprised that more about me hasn’t come out since Sov and I have hit a few gossip blogs, but Karin did her best long ago to erase my past. To give me true freedom from the binds of my father and the filth that came from his name. What would the rest of Sov’s family think if they knew?
“I know what I need to know.” He closes the space I created. He can be such a confusing man. Or maybe I’m confusing myself. I enjoy some of the control he takes. It’s not only about the control; it’s also the part where he takes care of me while he does it. He always makes me feel as though it’s more about me than himself. Right now, I don’t think I could say the same.
“I need time.”
“You don't,” he fires right back. “I’m already giving you three days.” He says it like that’s an eternity.
“I think you should go.”
“I’m warning you, Mackenzie.”
“I’m warning you too.” I stand up straighter, keeping my eyes locked with his. “You don’t even care for my kind. Tell me, did you try to buy me from Karin?” I ask. From the small jerk he gives, I know I hit the nail on the head. That one small movement feels like a punch to my gut.
“How much am I worth?” I say the words with disgust in my voice. “Answer me.” This time it’s me that issues an order to him.
“It wasn’t like that, darling.” He tries to step closer to me, but I skirt around the desk to keep some distance between us. The thought of Karin and Sov making a deal for me has tears springing to my eyes. The only thing I want right now is to be alone.
“I want you to leave,” I plead with him.
He moves suddenly, pulling me into him. His mouth crashes down onto mine. The kiss isn't sweet and soft. It’s one full of claiming and need. I melt into him, unable to help myself. No one has ever made me feel more needed than him. Still, I can’t just agree. If he had handled this differently, I think I could have, but I’m over being used. I need him to understand me more.
He releases my mouth, taking a step back from me.
“Three days, Mackenzie,” he grits out. He looks like he’s about to pounce on me again, but he jerks around and storms off, taking a piece of me with him.
I stare at the door that he just exited, having no clue what I am going to do. The idea of taking off for a few days pops into my mind. I’ve finished the work Karin asked me to and turned over everyone I thought was cheating us out of our share of their profits. I did what was asked of me. I always do. That’s another reason why Karin’s willingness to let me go so easily hurts.
I gather my things before shutting down my computer all the way. If Sov wants to be high handed, so can I.
I call his three days and raise him more.
Chapter Nineteen Sov
When have I ever waited for a woman? I scowl at the clock and then my blank phone screen. It’s been two days, and I’ve not heard from Mackenzie. Zero reports that she is keeping to the same routine of going to work and then returning at night to her condo. He is unable to get inside the building as it is wholly owned by Vieth, and Mackenzie must’ve placed some kind of ban on my men.
We are currently working on obtaining the floor plans and a method of entry. Service is always the weak area, but Vieth seems to have her own staff, which is causing a mild impediment. We will get around it.
I tap my fingers impatiently against the back of the chair in front of me as Parker measures me for my wedding attire. At least I’ll be prepared for this.
There’s a knock at the door, and then Josh appears. “There’s a bird outside that says she has information about Mackenzie for sale. Want me to send her away?”
“Did you ask what it was?”
“Can you raise your arms, sir?” Parker says, his mouth full of pins.
I do as he asks and wait for Josh to respond.
The man shakes his head. “She said she’s only talking to the head man in charge which I guess could be Zero, but I think she means you.”
“Let her in, then.”
A girl who looks vaguely familiar stumbles in. She straightens and then walks toward me, moving her hips in an odd, gyrating fashion. Maybe she has some kind of infection. I grimace and back away.
“She may be diseased,” I murmur quietly to Parker.
He snaps to attention and barks out a protection order. The two valets move into her path to prevent her from reaching me.
“Sov, it’s me, Milly.” The girl pats herself on her exposed chest. It’s midday, but she’s dressed as if she’s going out, in a low-cut sparkly dress paired with thin stiletto heels and nothing else. Whatever weapon she likes to use, she must’ve left it at home. There’s little to hide in her outfit.
Parker pulls the chair around and holds it for me. I take a seat and tell the valets to be at ease.
“I do not remember you. Did Karin send you?”
Milly’s face falls. She looks older in the bright light of my suite. I think
