Page 72 of Captured Beauty
I was at the office finishing up my workday and all I could think about was going back home where Azeira was waiting for me.
Last week at the symphony something had shifted things with us. It was obvious though I refused to acknowledge it out loud. She made a comment about going on a date and I felt compelled to make it happen.
“Mr. Navarro.” My secretary’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“What is it?” I grunted.
“Uh, Mr. Marks is here to see you. He says it’s urgent.” My jaw clenched as I glared at the intercom. Azeira’s dad being here wasn’t a good sign and I was sure he was about to ruin my peaceful day.
“Send him in and hold all my calls.”
“Yes, sir.” I straightened in my seat and folded my hands on my desk.
The sound of the clock on my wall ticking filled the brief silence. My eyes went to the door when it opened. Jeremy stepped inside with a smug expression on his face. I noticed the bag on his arm.
“I hope you’re not here for another half ass payment because this time I’m not gonna be so gracious,” I warned him, already feeling my patience running thin.
Jeremy cleared his throat and shook his head. “Actually, no. You’ll be happy to hear that I’m here with full payment.”
My brows shot up in surprise before my eyes narrowed.
Jeremy walked to my desk and placed the duffle bag on the table. I eyed it then glanced at him. He nodded toward it.
“It’s all there.”
Clenching my jaw, I reached for the bag and snatched it toward me. Opening it I checked out the money piled inside. I grabbed one pack of hundred-dollar bills and thumbed through it, studying it to make sure it was real.
“Now I would like for you to free my daughter and send her home.” My nostrils flared and I tossed the money back in the bag.
“Who says she wants to come home?”
His jaw ticked. “Of course she wants to come home! The deal was you keep her until I can pay back my loan. There’s the repayment right there.” He pointed at the bag. “Now it’s time for you to honor your word.”
My blood ran cold, my nostrils flared, and my pulse sped up. The thought of Azeira leaving me sent fury flashing through my body.
I rolled my shoulders back and stood up slowly. My hands slammed down on my desk and I glared at the man in front of me. He thought he had won. That I would just let Azeira go easily. What he didn’t get was this was bigger than the money he owed. She wasmine.
“How do you think Azeira would feel if I cut your heart out and fed it to you?” I asked him lowly.
His eyes glowed with fear and he took a step back.
“You think she would be with you knowing you killed her dad?” The confidence in his voice wavered. “She would hate you.”
A snide grin formed on my face. “Perhaps, but then again.” I cocked my head to the side and cut my eyes into slits. “She might be glad the burden in her life is gone.”
Jeremy noticeably swallowed hard and swiped his tongue across his lips. “I just want my daughter home. I don’t want any problems.” The fear in his face caused my blood to pump viciously.
“Get out,” I told him, balling my hands into fists.
He stayed planted where he was for a second before his shoulders fell in defeat. “I’ll be expecting her home.” He turned to leave.
The clock suddenly seemed to tick louder once I was alone. My blood boiled, burning with rage. Flashes of red flared through my eyes. Unbearable heat flooded my body.
“Ah!” I bellowed, swiping my arms across my desk, sending the bag and everything else flying to the floor.
Jeremy thought I would let Azeira go easily. That he won, but he was wrong. No one was gonna come between the two of us. Paying me back meant nothing. She was mine to keep and I planned on doing whatever I could to keep it that way.
Storming into my house, I had tunnel vision as I stalked through the halls. My veins still pumped with fire. My chest was tight, my pulse racing.
