Chapter 76
Chapter 76:
Austin’s gaze hardened, his voice edged with frustration. “You were smiling far too sweetly at a man who’s nothing but a scoundrel p>
Brinley finally understood what had sparked his fury. She lifted her chin, her tone calm but sincere. “That was nothing more than courtesy. Picking a fight in public would only have made things worse p>
His brow lifted, and the air between them seemed to tighten as he replied, clipped and commanding, “Men like him aren’t worth your breath. He should be driven out of Bleron altogether p>
The cold authority in his profile sent a shiver down her spine. This was the real Austin—the man who could decide someone’s fate with a single sentence.
Her eyes flashed with mischief as she said, “You’re a complete tyrant. Whatever you decree becomes law p>
Austin almost looked amused at being called a “tyrant.” The corner of his mouth softened, even as his gaze remained firm. “Next time you run into someone like that, don’t waste time on courtesy p>
“Sure,” Brinley replied lightly, hiding the weight of her thoughts. She knew better than to believe it was that simple.
He had the luxury of sitting high above the fray, untouchable no matter who he offended.
But she was nothing like him.
With one careless move, she could be the one paying the price.
𝘈𝗱𝘥𝗂c𝗍iv𝖾 𝗻𝘰𝘷𝖾l𝘀 𝘰ո ѕ.𝗰о𝗺
While she wrestled with that reality, Austin had already turned away, his fingers moving with quick precision over his phone screen as he placed a call without hesitation.
“It’s me, Austin,” he said, his tone snapping back to its familiar chill. “The parking lot beneath my wife’s office needs to be secured. Mark off a section and assign two dependable men to watch it. No one else is allowed near p>
Whatever answer came through the line, Austin cut it short with a curt “Okay,” then ended the call.
Brinley studied him, a trace of weary disbelief flickering in her eyes. “Do you honestly have to make such a big deal over one parking space p>
“I do,” Austin replied, his stare blazing with such intensity it nearly burned. “I will not let anyone upset my wife p>
His words carried a sharp edge, and the intensity in his eyes made Brinley’s chest tighten.
“I’d better head up now,” she whispered.
As she reached for the car door, her fingers brushed the stack of documents on Austin’s lap, sending several pages sliding to the floor.
Flustered, she bent down to pick them up—only to feel his hand settle gently over hers, warmth seeping through his touch.
“Careful now,” he murmured, his deep, magnetic voice brushing her ear like velvet.
Brinley instinctively pulled her hand back. She hurriedly gathered the papers, then pressed the stack into his arms. “I’m heading in now p>
A grin tugged at Austin’s lips as he watched her walk toward the office building. In the back seat, he lounged against the leather, his gaze fixed on the slow rotation of the revolving door.
But the instant Brinley’s silhouette disappeared inside, the warmth drained from his expression, leaving behind a sharp, frigid stare.
He spotted a man in a tailored gray suit following her in with deliberate steps.