Page 311 of Phobia
“Kings don’t play by the same rules as men. They don’t ask for permission. They take what they want.” Her eyes roam over my face. “And even though you’re a mouthy little bitch, Dom appears to deem you worthy.” Smiling, her grip softens. “But don’t get used to the royal treatment because, in nine days, I’ll be back to clean house.”
Speech over, Jean releases me and sits back down, drinking her coffee like she just won the battle I’m unwilling to concede. “Don’t worry, Jean. In nine days, all you’ll have to clean is dust.”
Chapter 22
“A word, Mum.” Heading down the hall, I step into my office, holding the door open for her.
Mum says nothing until it’s closed, then turns on me, charging forward. “Tell me the truth!”
“What Naomi said is true.” I sidestep her and move to sit behind my desk, feeling the need for a barrier between us.
“Her truth, not yours,” Mum snaps.
For all her faults, the ups and downs, and periods when she’s an utter liability, Mum still has her wits and sees through my bullshit.
“You don’t buysex,Dom.”
Very true. “I’m not buying sex. I’m investing in my future,” I deadpan.
She flaps her hands around, never one for riddles. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means I’ll tell you what you need to know when you need to know it and not a moment sooner.”
She huffs and paces the room, all but tearing out her hair before coming to my side of the desk and kneeling at my feet. “Is it really a good time for this?”
Probably not.“Time’s relative.”
“Shut your fucking face, smart arse!”
I hide my grin. There’s only so much deflection she can take.
Breathing deeply, Mum looks me in the eyes. “I need you to be safe, Dom. She’s an unknown.”
“I know all I need to.”
“Doessheknow what you’re dragging her into?”
That makes me smile. “I thought you didn’t like her?”
Mum shrugs, “If Naomi’s your future, she’s my future.”
Loyalty. Born and bred.
“But my word, Dom. That mouth of hers.”
Grinning, I pull her to her feet. “I’m rather fond of it.”
Mum scrunches up her nose. “That’s my cue to leave.”
“See you in nine days.”
“Yeah… yeah.” Mum waves me off, leaves my office, and goes straight out the front door.
Entering the kitchen, Naomi sits at the table with a plate of untouched food in front of her, wearing a scowl that I can’t wait to wipe off. “You must be hungry.”
She shakes her head.
“Lovely, get your arse upstairs and naked th-”
