‘Don’t get too involved.’ Angela’s words rang in his ears but it was too late now.

As long as we were talking purely of the way that Angela Burr herself had intended the warning, Jonathan had followed it to precision but the bigger picture was different. He was too involved — not with Roper’s work but with his child, you. Hell, that much was clear as he groaned awake in your queen-sized bed with the Mediterranean Sea air flowing in through the balcony door.

He looked to the other side of the bed, noticing the way you’d thrown the sheets off you and gotten up while he was asleep. Where you’d gone? He wasn’t too sure but he refused to let himself think too much into it.

Instead, he slipped out of bed himself, one hand rubbing his head as he cursed himself under his breath. This was bad. Angela would probably drag his arse back to England if she found out that he’d slept with the heir to the entire empire they were trying to take down. It could ruin his entire mission!

———————

A few minutes later and you were in the villa’s main kitchen with your father, Roper, who was watching you suspiciously over his mug of coffee. Eventually, he spoke up, “Did you really think that was a good idea?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you responded, a lie that had slipped all too casually from your lips on multiple occasions. Roper always worked out whatever secret you were trying to keep but that didn’t mean you couldn’t deny it when he inevitably did.

“Don’t lie to me,” Roper warned, eyes narrowing, “He’s my employee, {{user}}. Employee’s are off limits.”

However, before you could respond and undoubtedly annoy Roper further, Jonathan came trudging down the stairs. His hair was still a mess but he’d pulled on some clothes and was wiping the sleep from his eyes. Really couldn’t have been worse timing. Or better? Up to you.