Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 86

Chapter 86

The city lights blink up at me-little assholes taunting me as the jet lands back in the Imperial Pack.

Ugh, why did we have to go home?

Just hours ago, I was lying on white sand, soaking up the last bits of sun while Enoch had his mouth all over me, making me forget I was even capable of thought.

Now I'm back here. In this cold-ass, power-hungry, wolf-infested city.

"Ugh." I groan under my breath, dragging my fingers through my hair as I lean against the window. I don't even want to move. Maybe if I stay on this plane, they'll just fly me back to paradise. Or at least away from reality for a little longer.

But of course, reality isn't that fucking kind.

"Come on, baby." Enoch's voice is low and raspy in my car, and I swear I feel his smirk without even looking.

His hand grazes the curve of my waist, and just like that, my body is a traitor. Heat prickles under my skin as his thumb circles lazily over my hip.

"We can go back," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple. "Or better yet..." His hand slides lower, gripping my thigh possessively.

"We can stay at the palace. Spend a few more days fucking. I'll make you forget what work even is."

My eyes damn near roll back into my skull at the way his voice dips, sending shivers down my spine. But nope. Not happening. I'm not falling for that again.

"Tempting," I mutter, peeling myself away before I throw my dignity out the window and climb onto his lap mid-flight. "But I have shit to do, Enoch."

His grip tightens slightly, his jaw ticking as I straighten up, putting some distance between us. I don't even need to look to know that possessive glint is flashing in his eyes.

"Work can wait," he says, the words almost growled. "You've been running yourself ragged. You need rest."

"And I'll rest after I submit these files." I glance at him, trying to soften the blow, but he's already looking at me as though I've just shattered his favorite toy. Fuck.

"Files?" His brow furrows. "For Liam?"

Shit.

I avert my gaze too quickly, giving myself away as a damn amateur. "Yeah," I mumble, trying to make it casual, but the air in the cabin instantly shifts. Thick. Heavy. And absolutely suffocating.

"Of course," he mutters, his voice dropping to that dangerous octave that sends every warning bell screaming in my head.

"Enoch..."I sigh, but before I can even think of explaining, he's already standing, running a hand through his hair and putting a frustrating amount of space between us.

"I get it." His tone is clipped. Cold. "Liam."

Oh, for fuck's sake.

"Don't do that," I snap, my patience hanging by a thread. "It's work, Enoch. You think I want to see his smug face?"

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Chapter 86

But the damage is done. His back is to me now, his shoulders rigid as hell, and I know that silence is louder than any argument we could have.

"Fucking great," I mutter under my breath, collapsing back into my seat and glaring out the window as if it's to blame for this

mess.

I didn't ask for any of this. For Liam's bullshit. For Enoch's damn possessive streak that flares up every time another man's name leaves my lips.

But here I am.

And I can't even be mad about it because I know damn well I'd be just as psychotic if the roles were reversed.

"Okay, but what the actual fuck?" Zoe's voice practically vibrates across the desk as she leans toward me, her face scrunched in disbelief.

"Brooke gave me a ticket back after one fucking day. One! Can you believe that? I didn't even have time to breathe."

I bite back a laugh as she slams her iced coffee down.

"She hates you." I smirk, eyes glued to my laptop as I scroll through my drafts. "I mean... not surprising. You're kinda loud"

"Wow, thanks," Zoe deadpans, flipping me off before sinking back into her chair. "But seriously. I was this close to making it. One more day and I could've gotten an inside scoop. But noooo. Miss 'I've-Got-A-Stick-Up-My-Ass' decided I was a liability."

"You are a liability," I mumble, my lips twitching as I hear her gasp dramatically.

"You wound me, Sinclair," she pouts, pressing a hand to her chest as if she's fucking dying. "But you're right." Her face drops. "I never should've trusted those royals. They play dirty."

"Exactly." I lean back, eyes finally meeting hers. "Never trust anyone in that palace, Zoe. They'll use you, then toss you aside when you're no longer useful. You're either a pawn or collateral damage."

Her brows furrow, and I can feel the wheels turning in her head. "Then why do you trust the King?"

My throat goes dry.

before I can even think, and I force a tight- lipped smile. "Not

narrows her eyes, but I shut her up with a sharp glare before she

Not now.

*****

fly across the keyboard as I double-check the file. Every sentence is polished. Every

as the goddamn

opposite of what

it. If anything, it's a fucking love letter disguised as an

leaning back as I rub

doing. I know Liam's going to lose his shit when he reads

not

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12:42 Thu, 3 Apr

Chapter 86

Not

either. So I reveal Enoch's controversial secrets and get the opportunity Fm looking

I press save, my heart pounding

I shouldn't

But I don't

And I won't

did write it a little too good to be true than the murderer rumors he's been

But still, these are his

do that

Right?

I'm fucking doing

be sweating. It's just a goddamn door. A piece of wood. But

in front of Liam's office-the gates of fucking

my chest like it's my lifeline. Because

I can't do this.

fingers tighten around the cool metal, the slight hum

Long enough for the

exhale, just like those stupid breathing techniques Zoe showed me after I

here.

in. Hold. Breathe

it doesn't do shit to stop the war waging inside

the internet, but I gave him fluff. Safe, sanitized fluff

him like this. I'm already revealing his secrets and coating it in praises

the door, knuckles barely grazing the polished wood. Just knock, Taryn. One

hard.

my feet had other

Fuck it.

to bolt as the fucking coward I am,

"Ms. Sinclair."

12:42 Thu, 3 Apr

Chapter 86

Shit.

11)

Liam's secretary, a woman who looks as if she chews up interns for breakfast and spits out their bones,

will

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

my brain catches up. Next thing I know,

Liarn's office, and the door clicks shut behind

Game over.

look up at first. He's leaning back in

screen in front of him, fingers drumming rhythmically

sharp angles across his face, making

intimidating

"Sit."

It's not a suggestion.

drop into the chair as though my knees finally gave out.

it can physically protect me from whatever the

happen.

"Did

you

is cool. Casual. But I'm not stupid. I can feel

I can't. My throat's too dry, and my mouth tastes like

regret.

to mine, and I swear, he sees

"Taryn."

"Yeah," I croak. "It's...

he expected

He leans forward, his elbows resting on the

have something for

My stomach drops.

a file across the desk. Just a simple manila

it feels

this?" My voice comes out hoarse, barely above a