"You'd throw your entire career away for . . . for . . . for him?" Jax says astonished.
I force myself not to look at him. Lying about the Taurus' involvement is something I can't get over, not right now. He glares at me, waiting for an answer, and I turn my face away.
"Agent Unnami, I won't be dismissing her from the team tonight. Why don't you turn in and let me speak to her alone." Hyde gives Jax a pointed stare.
Jax's nostrils flare and he turns on his heel, quickly leaving the room. I take several deep breaths, calming my nerves.
"Interpol can’t afford to lose you as an agent, and I can’t afford to pull you off this case," Hyde says in a quiet but stern voice.
I stare at him, waiting. "So, what happens now, sir?"
"If you're going to pursue a relationship with a client, you need to be able to separate your feelings from your job. That's easier said than done."
"You did just fine," I say.
Hyde chuckles. "Hardly. My feelings interfered greatly with that case, but I made a decision and saw it through. In the end, it worked out, and I've been with my wife a very long time. I just want you to know, that if you follow this path, it could end up hurting you and him. If your feelings get in the way or cloud your judgment, I need to know you can walk away and let someone else do the job."
"If my feelings get in the way, you'll be the first to know," I say trying to believe the conviction in my voice.
"Well, I'll leave you to think about things then, Agent. Goodnight."
Hyde walks from the apartment, my eyes closing once the door clicks shut. I've already made a mess of things, at least for myself. I'm defending my feelings for Blake when I don't even understand them. I've spent the last three weeks trying to push them aside, but everyday I'm with him, it gets harder.
"You think you're something special don't you?" a female voice says behind me.
I whip around as Miranda comes down the stairs.
What the fuck?
"Not at all," I say icily.
"Blake is a total mess about you. You'll never be able to hold him. You're nothing but some stupid cop who wants to have a little fun on the job."
Between the charity event, Jax, and Hyde— dealing with this stupid bitch is the last thing on my to-do list.
"And you're nothing but a gold-digging whore."
"Excuse me? You're just jealous."
"Of what?"
"That you can't touch him. Don't think I didn't notice. You shake like an epileptic whenever someone gets near you." She takes a few steps closer. "I, on the other hand, can touch him, and have on many occasions. Friends-with-benefits, and oh, the benefits are exquisite, in and out of the bedroom."
Red clouds my vision, hate boiling in my veins. If this bitch keeps talking, I swear to God, I'm going to make her eat her teeth.
"If you're so damn good, why aren't you his girlfriend? Oh wait, because even Blake has enough sense to realize a woman like you is only good on her back . . . or her knees." I sneer.
"What the fuck did you just say to me," she yells. "Let me tell you something, you no account piece of trash. If you think you're going to come in here and take him from me, you've got another fucking thing coming. I will fucking beat your ass like the stupid bitch you are!"
My hand flashes out and grabs her throat as footsteps echo behind me.
"Lily, don't!" Dresden's voice is panicked.
Miranda grabs my wrist with both her hands, a gurgle barely escaping her lips.
"He deserves better than some slut who only wants him for his money," I say, my face only inches from hers. "And if you make another comment about me and him, I'll snap your neck."
"Lily, let her go," Blake whispers.