Page 41 of The CEO

“I have information I think you’ll want to see.” She moves toward her bag, retrieving a folder that she hands me. “Information that definitively connects Knox Industries subsidiaries to four deaths I’ve written obituaries for—not just the three I’d previously thought.”

The addition of a fourth is unexpected, and most likely another loose end from Sullivan. I maintain neutral interest as she places the folder on my desk.

“And you felt this warranted an unscheduled visit rather than going through the proper channels? Is this your usual manner of doing business, Miss Thorne, or do I get special dispensation?” She maintains her hardened exterior, but I see a slight crack starting to form as I move closer to her.

“Proper channels seemed inadequate given the serious nature of things.” Her eyes meet mine directly, searching for a reaction. But she won’t get the satisfaction of one from me. Instead, I move just close enough to reach out and touch the end of her scarf, running my fingers over the silky material.

“Wearing the scarf again, I see?”

Her tongue darts out to lick her lips, her eyes dropping to where my fingers hold the material.

She’s nervous.

“What did you mean in the greenhouse when you said you serve a necessary purpose in our ecosystem?” Her voice remains steady, despite the dangerous territory she’s tiptoeing around.

“I think we both know that based on your detective skills, you can deduce the implications.”

“And I think you enjoy being purposely vague. Is it because you’re too afraid to admit to me the kind of man youreallyare—not the one the rest of the world sees?”

“You know what I think, Eve?” I step even closer, slowly wrapping the end of her scarf around my hand before tugging it so that she stumbles forward another step and her chest hits mine with a huff. Her eyes grow wide, her hands coming out to steady herself against me at the unexpected action. “I think you know exactly what kind of man I am, but you’re too scared to admit to yourself that it intrigues you,” I say, leaning down closer with my lips grazing her cheek, “rather than scares you.”

She doesn’t try to step away, but her eyes scan mine rapidly like she’s trying to decide what my next move will be.

“Your boldness is starting to grow on me,” I murmur. “The way you march into my kingdom, demanding answers you’re not prepared to hear.” I laugh softly. “Like a little creature scurrying through the castle, having no idea that the dragon is right on her heels.”

“And what makes you think I’m not prepared to hear the truth?”

“Because if you truly understood the reality of the questions you’re demanding I answer, you’d realize you’re in danger. I’m not a man with patience and understanding, Eve.” I narrow my gaze so she understands just how serious I am in this moment. “You’ve been warned, and don’t think for a second that I won’t destroy you if I have to.”

“What are you?” For the first time, I see genuine fear in her eyes, and I do nothing to hide the satisfied smile it brings.

“What do you want me to be?” Slowly, I start to walk her backward until she’s pinned between my desk and me, and I’m still holding her scarf tightly around my hand.

“I—I think you’re?—”

“You can say it,” I whisper softly against her lips, which are an inch from mine.

“The devil.”

I don’t respond to the accusation. Instead, I slowly start to unwind the scarf from my hand as she continues.

“I think you enforce consequences, like you said.” She swallows hard. “Consequences outside the traditional legal system. Those deaths,” she says, her eyes glancing down toward the file I’ve tossed on the desk behind her, “appear to be consequences rather than just murder.”

“That’s quite a theory.” Her gaze is back on mine. I take the opportunity to pull the scarf slowly as I remove it from her neck. “Though it would seem reckless, if not dangerous, to make an accusation like that with little to no evidence. Especially if I’m the first person you’re telling about this.”

I don’t have to spell out the fact for her to understand that I could simply get rid of her along with her accusations, and nobody would be the wiser. But the second the scarf falls away, I see the slight shadow of a bruise on her skin. I suck in a sharp breath, my cock pulsing against my thigh at the sight of my handiwork. My grip around her throat must have been tighter than I realized last night. I repeat my actions, my fingers replacing the scarf around her throat, a gentle reminder to her just how delicate her life is in my hands.

“Are you threatening me again, Mr. Knox?” I feel the constriction of her throat against my palm as I tighten my grip. Her hands remain glued to the edge of the desk behind her.

“Would you like that?” I squeeze the slightest bit tighter, her eyes fluttering. I press myself against her, my hard cock against her belly sending a very clear message about what she does to me. “Is that what excites you, Eve—the threat of danger and the forbidden? Knowing you’re gambling with your life testing the limits of a man like me?”

“Does it exciteyou?” she replies, her eyes growing darker. “Knowing I could destroy everything you’ve built and bring you to your knees?”

I watch her for several seconds, her bold approach surprising but intriguing. There’s more to this woman than just a wannabe journalist who stumbled into a story. I slide my hand up her throat and over her jaw, dragging my thumb across her lips. I’m completely lost in her, the reality of the conversation at hand suddenly slipping away.

“Maybe it does,” I admit, sliding the tip of my thumb inside her mouth. Her tongue flicks gently against it, making my cock throb against her belly. “Or maybe it’s the thought of being on my knees for you while you drip down my chin.”

Her eyes remain fixed on mine, wide and curious.

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