Page 77 of Monsters Wear Crowns
His voice was low, earnest. “I need you to know that I’m not trying to lock you away. But you’re not untouchable anymore, Adela. And I hate that.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I stepped up to him, resting my hand gently on his chest. “I hear you,” I said, meaning it. “But I need to do this for myself. I can’t run Sinclair Solutions from a gilded cage. I need to be in my office.”
“Your office isn’t necessarily safe.”
“That’s why we're hiring more security. And a few of your men.” I raised a brow, letting my own frustration bleed through. “My building is a fortress. You said it yourself, my systems are nearly impenetrable. If Moreau comes for me, it won’t be through the front door.”
“Don’t test me,” he warned, his voice taking on a slight edge.
I stepped closer, tilting my chin up. “Then stop treating me like I’m helpless. We both know I’m not.”
His eyes darkened, sweeping over me with a mix of frustration and hunger that sent a shiver down my spine. But I didn’t back down. Finally, his mouth curled into a dangerous smile. “You’re so goddamn stubborn.”
“Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you.”
For a moment, I thought he might push harder. But then he exhaled, stepping back. “Fine. But you’ll take my men with you.”
I crossed my arms. “They’ll stand outside. I’m not walking in there with an armed entourage.”
His laugh was dark. “You’re fucking impossible.”
I turned away before I could give in to the heat sparking between us. “Pick your battles, Rafe. I’ll see you tonight.”
***
The atmosphere at Sinclair Solutions was different the moment I stepped inside. Security was thicker, my own men mixed with Rafe’s. I could feel their presence even when I couldn’t see them. They were intense, wearing all black and buff as hell.
The staff moved more carefully, their eyes flicking toward the corners of the room, their whispers just a little too quiet. Fear had settled into the building like a low, steady hum. It wasn’t every day that I had to beef up security.
Laura was waiting in my office when I walked in, her arms crossed and her sharp blue eyes blazing. “I swear to God, Adela, if you don’t start talking, I will shake it out of you.”
I dropped my bag onto my desk with a sigh. “Good morning to you, too.”
“Don’t start.” She stepped closer, her voice lowering. “We’ve got Rafe Vaughan’s men camped outside, our security’s beendoubled, and I’ve got a dozen employees whispering about someloomingthreat. You need to tell me what the hell is going on.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s complicated.”
“Un-complicate it.”
I hesitated. Laura was my closest friend and my partner in building this empire. But there were some truths too dangerous to speak out loud. “There’s…a situation. It’s under control, but there’s a chance Sinclair Solutions could become a target.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Because of Vaughan.”
I met her gaze without flinching. “Yes.”
“And you’re still in bed with him?”
“Laura–”
“No, Adela. You’re involved in some shady shit.” She paced, her heels clicking against the polished floors. “I don’t care how powerful he is. You thinkMoreau’sgoing to stop at sending threats? You think he’s not going to come foryou?He’s done it before. People who have crossed him have wound updead. Listen, I love you, but I don’t want to be anywhere near you if he comes for you. I’m not skillfully trained in combat like you and I like living, thank you very much.”
My stomach twisted, but I kept my face calm. “I’m handling it.”
“You’rehandlingit,” she echoed, her voice dripping with disbelief. “And when yourhandlinggets you killed?”
I didn’t answer. Because there was no good answer to that. My gaze darted to several employees walking by.
