Page 143 of Bound By Her

“Only Miss Federov,” he said, looking at Eric.

Eric moved to argue, but Adria put her hand on his forearm.

“I’ll be all right.”

Eric’s hard face told her he didn’t agree, but he stood aside, allowing her to move through the threshold.

Once in the room, Adria heard the large door shut behind her, leaving Eric and Crest in the hallway.

“Quite the show you put on today,” Jonathan said.

He stood with an arm on the mantel, looking into a roaring fire.

“I had to redirect the tension. Your methods, while effective, are unheard of at Club Shale.”

He looked at her, his face framed in firelight.

“That was not what I saw,” he said. His eyes tightened and his lips curled downward.

Adria forced herself to stand still, denying the step back her body was screaming for.

“I did my job,” she said, voice steady.

He took a long gulp of his drink, eyes already glassy.

“The Triune felt the display was acceptable,” he said, swirling the remaining amber liquid in his glass.

Adria let out the breath she was holding. Her hands flexing, it was hard to hide the relief she felt.

“That is great news.”

He strode towards her, each step punctuated by the thud of his shoes. His form backlit by the flames, and Adria watched shadows billow around him.

“Sell them to me, Dri,” he said, face close, eyes hard.

“No.”

There was no hesitation. No indecision. She wasn’t even surprised at how firm her voice sounded.

They were not for sale.

Not for Jonathan.

“No?” Jonathan probed, clearly wanting more.

“Why do you want them so bad?” she asked.

He moved closer, his breath hot, his eyes wide. “Why do you?”

“I—” Her voice caught in her throat.

Don’t want them.

But that wasn’t exactly true.

“I have a buyer,” she finished.

“Mine can pay more.” His body crowded hers, his arms stiff at his sides.

---