Page 45 of Brutal Knight

His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket. Scowling, he turned it off and tossed it on the bed.

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Just Rook.” He shrugged a shoulder.

“Isn’t he your best friend back home?”

“Yeah. So what?”

God. Is that how he acted about me when I wasn’t around? I turned to leave but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “I'm sorry. I’m being an asshole.” He gently tugged me to sit next to him. "I didn't mean any of that.”

I reluctantly sat, and he wrapped his arm around my neck, pulling me close. "It's okay." My voice sounded meek, even to myself.

I waited for him to take his arm away, but when he didn't, instead holding me tighter, I relaxed against him.

It felt right, as if nothing had changed between us.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

I felt him nod, his chin brushing against my hair. "Yeah.”

“I’m sorry I just showed up like that.” I should’ve known better.

“And I'm sorry I didn't come see you, yet.” He brushed his thumb across my wrist, making my heart pitter patter in my chest. “I’ve been working day and night since I got here. My abuelo is trying to make nice with the men from Veracruz.”

“It's okay." I didn't tell him how comforted I felt by his explanation, though it still didn't explain whatthat girlwas doing on his lap.

Of course, I knew that all the girls wanted Knight. That they threw themselves at him, offered him sex and money. But I was proud of the fact that, despite all that, he always seemed to prefer to hang out with me. And I hadn't even offered any of that.

“So what,” I tried to keep my voice light, “was Valentina doing here?”

“Valentina?” He huffed out derisively. "She brought us this week's money."

"Then why was she sitting on your lap?" I couldn't help the jealousy that bled through my voice. She was more beautiful than me.Not only beautiful, but sexy.

"You jealous, little polva?” Knight tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I hated when he called me polva,little dust.Like I needed to be reminded that I was only dirt beneath his feet.

I frowned. "No. You wish."

He took my chin in his hands, forcing my head so I was looking up at him. Ilovedit when he did that. It made me feel like he wanted my attention so badly, he had to force it.

"You think so?" His gaze was challenging.

I nodded, staring into his eyes. The light from the window lit up his face and hair, drawing attention to how handsome he was. Even the moon followed this charming man. It made his eyes look more clear, and brought out the beautiful copper color of his hair. "I know so," I said defiantly.

He chuckled, amused, but he let my chin go. “I checked your window for a ribbon.”

"You did?" My traitorous heart picked up again and I stared at his classic Mediterranean styled dressers, not wanting him to know.

He nodded. “Yeah, even though I was busy. If you'd have tied a ribbon, I would have found a way to come see you."

I thought about why I’d come, and my stomach twisted with nerves, anxious about how to ask him for what I needed.Don’t tell him. He won’t care.

I raised a shoulder. "I just wanted to talk."

"That's good enough for me." His voice was so stern, it made me look at him in surprise.

"It is?"

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