Chapter 46 — A Little Touch can do Dangerous Things

It's been a week since I joined Delgado Industries. Even my lie came true when Christian offered me a room to stay in the mansion as a privilege of the job, and I accepted because I had no other option. I called and told Anna all about the recent happenings in exchange of a promise to never leak a word to her or my parents.

I sat in front of the mirror applying eyeliner around my eyes extra winged and brushing mascara on the lashes. Doing a smokey burgundy eyeshadow over the lids I put on a similar dark lipstick. Examining myself in the mirror I curved my lips in a satisfying smile.

I don't usually get ready like this at work but today was different for a meeting of the Elite Board was called for the members to attend along with their assistants of course, by the newly crowned head Mr. Hunter King, the true king of deceptive assholes, and I wanted him to see how good I'd been without him.

"Ready, Ember?" Christian asked as I descended down the stairs.

"Yes, sir!"

He groaned. "Oh Ember, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me sir, call me by my name, like before."

"Oops, sorry! Will remember now."

Together we walked to his car and began driving to the spot where the meeting would be held. The whole ride I attempted to contain my laughter from Christian's cheeky jokes, unless I wanted bits of my burst stomach all over the car. As the car came to a halt in front of a King's convention center taking a deep breath I took one step out when a hand grasped mine from behind, and I turned back eyebrows raised.

"Will you be okay?" Concern filled his face.

I plastered a smile on my face. "Of course, Christian." I still hadn't told him the reason, yet he never questioned me but respected my decision. He was truly a gentleman.

Exiting the car we began walking to the building with Christian's bodyguards on our tails when a car came to a screeching halt just some feet away from us, and out came the one and only Mr. Douchebag King. As his eyes landed on us they blazed with a ring of fire and jaw set hard until a girl in a formal wear and his troupe of bodyguards came standing behind him, and a corner of his lips lifted infinitesimally into a smirk.

My eyes narrowed. The heck was she?

Beside him Chris stood, jaw dropped and eyes steering from Hunter to me to Christian continuously. I could just imagine him taking out his eyeballs and wiping them in case they were seeing wrong.

Stepping forward Christian waved his hand. "Hey, King!"

Not bothering to answer Hunter turned around and strode straight into the building. What a jackass!

"Huh He seems to wake up on the wrong side of bed today," Christian remarked, shaking his head.

But what he didn't know was that Hunter always woke up on the wrong side of bed.

~~~

As the meeting started all the assistants sat behind their bosses. Hunter came and gave a curt speech on how the organization had grown and facilitated its members over the years. His assistant, who was newly employed in the King's Corp, got up and began delivering project files to the members.

I was writing down some important notes when I felt a stare burning through my skull. Looking up, I glared in Hunter's direction, but stopped when I realized what he was glowering at. I looked down at my hand, which now displayed a palish white mark instead of a golden ring on my ring finger.

Immediately hiding my hand down in my lap I started looking around ignoring his burning gaze. Wait! Why am I hiding it? He should know he doesn't affect me anyhow. Smirking I brought my hand back up, leaning my cheek on its palm and placing the finger fully on display. Watch and burn!

My smirk faltered when the assistant girl sat back down, and everyone had their files except Christian.

What the!

These projects being conferred by prominent folks or federations from around the world brings bonanza to the members. Getting debarred from this means losing a massive opportunity, and above that, if I was the reason behind this loss of the Delgado Industries then it'd just be bloody outrageous.

If Hunter was trying to play his dirty games with Christian because he helped me then I'd be damned to let him. The rest of the meeting went by me tapping my foot continuously on the table and sending glares his way from time to time. As everyone got up and began exiting the room Christian glanced at me.

"Let's go."

"But we haven't got what we came here for."

Giving off a sigh he displayed a tight-lipped smile. "It's alright, I guess."

I nodded. "Alright, you go ahead. I'll catch up."

Soon the room was emptied except me, Hunter and his assistant.

Marching towards him I fixed on the girl, "You leave," and directed my eyes back at him, "You stay."

His eyes daringly narrowed as he ushered the girl out.

"You dare order me like that?" he hissed his voice warningly low in temperature.

"I'll strangle you!" I matched his tone.

His lips twitched slightly as he swaggered towards me. "Are you threatening me openly?"

I took a couple steps back. "We're alone here." I smirked and mimicked his actions prowling towards him. "Think...If I just kill you here and dump you in the nastiest dumpster no one will know."

Not moving an inch he raised an eyebrow and looked me up and down, then leaned over a bit. "Look around you," he whispered.

Furrowing my brows I did as told, and my eyes widened at the miniature spy eyes lurking in every corner. Gulping I gazed back at him. "Just stop troubling Christian because he helped me."

His jaw hardened once again. "Don't get your panties in a twist yet." Half turning he drew something from the table and shoved it in my hands.

I looked down at the dark leather folder and brightened up until my eyes scanned the words: 'Order to manufacture five planes.'

You’ve got to be kidding me! I looked up, putting my hands on my hips. "For your information, Delgado Industries builds luxurious cars, not planes."

"Surprise everyone, why don't you?"

"Sure! Why don't you sew lingerie instead of drawing buildings? We can surprise each other together. What say you?" I retorted back.

His eyebrows knitted together. "Take it or leave it. That's all you'll get."

"No! You're being unfair."

"I am not."

"You are."

"No."

"Yes!"

"Stop it."

"Never."

Hunter was about to take a threatening step towards me when both our phones rang. Plastering a matching scowl on both our faces, we turned away from each other and took our calls.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Ember King?" A deep male voice came from the other side.

Closing my eyes shut I gnashed my teeth. "Speaking."

"I'm Officer Brown from the NYPD. You are required to pay a visit here asap."

I frowned. "Why? What did I do wrong, officer?"

"Don't worry, ma'am. We just have some questions regarding the Cali wildfire."

"Oh...Alright, I'll be there." Turning around I found no sign of him in the room.

Exiting the building I found Christian still waiting and sent him off alone calling myself a taxi to the police department. Paying the driver I turned around to come face to face with Hunter. He had just gotten out of his car as well.

"You! Have you been following me?" I demanded.

A teeny line appeared between his brows, and his eyes showed shock. "I could ask you the same question."

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. King. I'm Officer Brown. Hope I haven't interrupted something important." A voice cut in the smartass remark I was about to throw his way.

We both turned to see a middle-aged man standing in the entrance of the building in a navy-blue uniform.

"No, no, officer."

"Yes."

This time I and the officer looked back at him. Had he no fear?

"Well, I apologize, Mr. King. We won't take much of your time. Please follow me."

Nodding we walked after the officer through a buzzing hall to a glass room where another officer awaited.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. King! I'm Officer Fox."

I clenched my fists. Could everyone just stop calling me that name?

"Please, sit down."

The seats however were too close to each other and as we sat the skin of Hunter's thigh was touching mine. I closed my eyes tight as electricity sparked in the spot sending a warm feeling all over my body. My heartbeat raised and breathing fastened as perilous thoughts swarmed my head.

No! Not after everything he did. No.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" the officer queried.

Slamming my hands on the steel surface of the table I got up. "Can we be questioned in separate rooms?"

The officer's eyes widened until the shock wore off and a smirk took its place. "Why ma'am? Sure if you insist." His smirk took a nasty turn as his eyes checked me up and down.

This time another pair of hands pounded on the table, and Hunter stood up as both the officer and I jumped from the sudden impact. I glanced at Hunter, and his glare at the perverted official was so deathly I was afraid he'd be blown to bits anytime then until, thank the Lord, the door opened with a creak interrupting the silent killing session and all our eyes turned meeting a set of familiar blue ones.

"Hope I didn't make everyone wait too long."