Page 44 of The Auction Block

"Glad to hear it. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here."

"I know why you're here." I hold my head high.

I refuse to give anyone the satisfaction of cowering. I might be wrong for liking Blake, but Jax never should've lied to me.

"You know relationships with clients of any kind are against protocol and warrants immediate removal from the assignment."

I take a deep breath. "I do, sir. May I speak plainly?"

"Of course."

"I never planned on having feelings for anyone. Check my psychiatric evaluations if you must, but this isn't something I thought possible. That aside, regardless of my feelings or relationship with Mr. Mason, I'm still one of the top agents Interpol has, and can do my job underanyandallcircumstances, including these. If you remove me from this assignment, then I’ll put in my resignation and bring my time with Interpol, and this team, to an end."

Hyde sighs, and Jax's mouth drops open.

"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, 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, inandout of the bedroom."