"Don't Call Me Sir"

0 A

rk, untouched by the

gainst the headboard, a book in his h

evealing the cool-toned firmness of his collarbones and throat. Though his brea

oice hoarse. "You d

, with a tenderness so rare it felt

lightly, trying to sit up, but his han

a low, steady voice. "Y

ly. "Daniel, I'm not

. "But wanting to care for you doe

shifted

e course of one night. It was hard to tel

d his. "And... w

ised a br

ed, staring at the sheet clutched in her

slowly shook his head. "There was no

gave a h

n't have to define us right now. But I want you

his eyes. There was no

ill you wa

y. "I've already w

idened. "S

rushing her ear. "You wore a white tee and jeans. You were sitting on my sofa, reading Muraka

ltered. "So you.

just a sense of responsibility as your brother's friend. But after you mo

er lips, but

e realized-she hadn't

0 A

breakfa

ly in place, having just finished a call. He set his phone aside and looked up,

he said. "No one's

am still on the corner of h

d, voice laced with

antly, biting he

row. "Are you

g you," she mutte

el free to keep insult

, pretending to ignore h

fee and asked, "What'

lass in the afternoon, and I need to sub

ve you to

ssary. I'll just

s voice calm but firm.

to argue, but those nigh

y, "I don't want you alone in crowded

aught. "You

ng cold. "He hasn't contacted you directly, but he's been

ed. "You checked

d steadily. "You should know

d, pausing before wh

e stood, his tone quiet. "You j

· NYU Ma

ulled up behin

lder and reached for the door, b

d. "This is my private security lead. If anything

as she took it. "You'

to do," he said, gaze unw

e fought to stay calm. "W

. "Unless you do

d. "Of co

ightly. There was

wait f

oticeably lighter as she

. · Danie

desk flipping through documents, but his eyes drif

message

k on t

ed. "These are the materia

there." He d

otted Leo around Park Avenue earlier. H

es snapped

ree this

"Increase surveillance

erst

rabbed his phone and

times before

mm

finished

e are

trance. Hea

d, voice tight. "I'm

In Front of

into the fami

of the building washing a st

ht away. He sat in the dr

hausted," he

k toward him. "

use o

ppens, I know if I turn ar

n he took her hand an

id no

moment, Emma

ady a part o

was no tur