Page 37 of Queen of Madness

Trigger nods. “Yes. I’ve checked the last five years on everyone. Also, I haven’t gotten anything out of Manny. How long are we keeping him?”

Onyx glances over as I set her breakfast down. We lock gazes, and my blood immediately warms, moving faster with my increased heart rate. She keeps her dark eyes on me, though her words are meant for Trigger. “For another couple of days. I’ll go pay him a visit soon”

From my periphery, I see Trigger nod again. “Alright. I’m going to work on your outing for Sunday.” He turns to me, but I can’t seem to break away from Onyx to face him. “Take the day to walk around and get to know the guards. Tomorrow, I’ll meet you upstairs in the control room.”

He doesn’t wait for a response, nor for me to ask where the hell the control room is, and instead walks out of the office, leaving me with his Boss who looks too fucking good at six in the morning.

Her hair is tied up, and her usual black outfit hugs her body. Today, it’s a bodice, cinching in her waist and pushing her breasts up. I’m tempted to shut the door and rip the damn thing off of her, but her bored drawl cuts through my decision.

“Did you need something?”

“Do I need to in order to be around you? The person I’m being paid to guard.” I grab the back of a chair, tilting my head lazily with a smirk.

Her eyes flash to my left dimple before she gestures around her. “I’m in my house. What is there for you to do?”

“Anything can happen in here considering the other day.”

The nerve under her eye twitches before she clears her throat, pulling her breakfast closer. She picks up the fork and drags it over the eggs. “Yes. What happened?”

I almost expect for her to finish but instead she stabs into a slice of pineapple and pops it in her mouth. Returning to the computer as if I’m not there, she begins typing. A healthy dose of irritation flushes away the arousal that was once dominating my bloodstream.

This woman both vexes me and lures me. Like the smoke from Cat’s weed. I both want it and don’t, knowing the pleasure I’ll get from it will be both addicting and fleeting.

“Get to know the guards so I won’t need you to watch me work in my office.” Though I know she’s meaning to be dismissive, I hear it. The faintest bit of concern staining her words. So I oblige, standing and leaving her to work as I walk back to the kitchen to meet the guards for their shift.

As odd as it may seem, in some sick type of way, I actuallywantto protect her.

For now, at least.

Wake up.

Work out.

Eat.

Same morning routine, only today, Cat takes Onyx’s breakfast, while I sit with the group of guards I met yesterday. A few are young, a couple older. Most of them have families that support their job choice and the nice chunk of change they bring home. The ones with no kids to take care of, gamble.

I have a good read on people. It’s something I’ve always been good at, while my kid sister has always been able to feel them—an empath is what she calls herself. And while I may not pick up on their emotions, I can tell they aren’t like me. Their loyalties are with the Embros family.

With Onyx.

She’s got a good group of men behind her, and if it wasn’t for the fact they can’t see the snake in front of them, I’d say she’s made herself an iron-clad army.

Too bad they don’t see me.

After they part ways to secure the grounds, I meander upstairs and around the long hall. All the doors are painted black, presumably belonging to the rooms of the twins, Shi, Maddy, and maybe the jittery guy.

While yesterday was spent exploring acres of rose bushes, the edge of the forest that backs straight into her property line, and the massive pool, today will be on camera duty.

A loud roll of thunder passes overhead as the hallways open up into a curved bridge surrounded on either side by sheets of glass overseeing the side of the estate and said pool. The tan body baking on a chaise lounge as if the sun was beaming gives me pause.

It’s Onyx, with her amber curves on full display.

She’s lying on her stomach, her head tilted to the side and her eyes closed. Her long strands sprawl over her back. Her ass is barely covered by the black bikini bottom and the two guards watching across the pool makes my palm itch.

“Why is she out there?” I turn to see a surprised Trigger standing a few yards away.

His mouth gapes open for a moment before he shifts, so he’s not hidden in the shadows of the hallway. “How did you know I was here?”

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