Page 33 of Shades of Loyalty
I swear, I learned how to control my feelings. But this? This is my worst nightmare waiting to come true.
Chapter Fourteen
Jennifer
“What the fuck did he do this time?” Daniel growls, his tone dropping, dark and dangerous. The shift in his voice is so subtle yet so commanding that it sends a shiver down my spine.
I glance at him, trying to keep my expression neutral, but it’s impossible not to notice how his annoyance amplifies everything about him—his presence, his authority, his allure. His jaw tightens, sharp and defined, as if he’s barely holding back his frustration. A few strands of his long, dark hair fall across his face.
And fuck, it suits him. All of it. The long, tousled hair, the sharp cheekbones, the way his fitted shirt stretches over his shoulders as he crosses his arms. It’s almost unfair how effortlessly attractive he looks when he’s pissed. Itunwillingly makes me fantasize about what he would’ve done that day in his office if we wouldn’t have been interrupted.
It's been bothering me ever since. Fuck, I don’t want to admit it, really. But I’d never tell him to stop—not even if he’d ask me for more than just a hug. Or a kiss. I’m blaming his looks, and the way he turns soft when he looks at me, only to look back at his men and act like he’ll kill them if they don’t follow his orders correctly.
Isn’t there some type of psychology behind that?
He acts like he’d kill to protect me, but he wouldn’teverdare to raise his voice at me. Frankly, it’s hot. And him respecting me like this makes me want to allow him to disrespect me in the bedroom.
Fuck. I should stop.
I gulp, my throat suddenly dry, and turn my eyes away before he notices me staring. But even as I look elsewhere, the image of him burns in my mind—a storm contained in human form. It’s ridiculous, really. No one should look this good while irritated. But Daniel… he owns it, makes it his. Like I want him to make me his in this moment. As much as I hate admitting it.
His voice cuts through my thoughts, sharp and focused. “Fucking tell me already!”
Hayden sighs, probably used to how Daniel reacts whenever this man’s name is mentioned. There’s no surprise in his expression, no flinch at the sudden shift in Daniel’s tone.
I’ve seen the way Daniel and Julian look at each other.
They’re not just simple enemies.
They’re each other’s nemeses.
And I have a feeling that whatever happened between them before doesn’t end here. It might never end.
“He fucked up. That’s all,” Hayden replies.
“Don’t fuck with me now. I need details.”
Hayden looks at me with a hint of worry, hesitating ever so slightly before he speaks.
“He tried to convince Vittorio again to…” Hayden looks back at me again before continuing, “Um, you know, Dan. And he almost succeeded. I could interrupt them and talk to Vittorio, but…”
The burning rage in Daniel’s eyes intensifies the second he hears the news. And stupidly, before I can even hold myself back, I ask, “Who’s Vittorio?”
Daniel turns back toward me, his eyes softening at the sight of me. “He’s… my father.”
I nod and mutter. “Ah… Okay.”
Hayden looks between the two of us, a confused expression lingering on his face.
“Let’s talk about this later, Hayden. I didn’t come here to let my anger out on Jennifer.”
Hayden nods, excusing himself as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Daniel looks at me. All the anger and frustration on his face disappear immediately, replaced by uncertainty.
Or… is it?
What could he possibly be uncertain about?
