So, what happened? I mean, if you want to tell me. She sounded hesitant, like she was worried I wouldnt tell her.

Ive got no problem telling you. I should have told you earlier, but I hate the story. I put my fork down and covered her hand. I hate it that I was so stupid.

Because she hurt you?

No, because I was a dumb s.h.i.t, and I really dont want you to think that about me. I gave her a one-shoulder shrug.

You were young. She turned her hand so that our palms were touching and linked our fingers. And h.o.r.n.y. She dropped her head and bit her lip.

Jesus, she was cute when she turned shy. Tessa was hot, and I was getting ready to ship out. I liked the idea that someone would be waiting for me to come home. I took a drink of my lukewarm coffee.

Ill get you fresh. She started to pull away.

No, its okay. I didnt want her moving away. So, while I was in Germany, she moved back to Texas and hooked up with the guy next door. The one she said that she didnt want anything to do with.

Oh no, she said, sounding a little outraged. Thats just wrong.

I got called into my C.O.s office, Tyes dad, and there was a guy in a suit waiting to see me. Tessa was pregnant with the guys kid and needed a quick divorce. Her daddy was more than willing to pay me to make that happen. I smiled ruefully. Thats where I got the seed money for my investments.

The baby wasnt yours? Her voice shook.

The lawyer said it wasnt"I asked. I ran my hand through my hair. Even if it had been, I wouldnt have been able to fight the Roberts family.

What a b.i.t.c.h! Layla growled. I cant believe she would use you like that and then cheat. You were serving your country. Her eyes were flashing.

I wanted to laugh at her outrage. There was plenty of blame to go around, Lay. I was impetuous. I got blinded by all of the s.e.x. She needed an escape. We both made mistakes. Now, I wanted some coffee.

But still, I hate that it happened to you.

I look at it as something I learned from. I leaned over, kissed her cheek, then stood and headed to the coffee maker. The s.h.i.t Ive been through, its how I know this is a good thing. I grabbed the pot and brought it back to fill her cup. I know youre a really good thing. I kissed the top of her head, and she wrapped her arms around my waist. The best d.a.m.n thing in my life.

She pulled me in closer and held on to me.

Chapter Fifteen.

I loved working at Limited. Sure, I dropped calls the first couple of days, but everybody was cool about it. Rick and Osi thought it was hilarious when I would almost have a stroke panicking about how to get the caller back on the line. They were thrilled that I missed the chance to book in office appointments for them. I got the feeling Osi and Rick preferred the type of cases where they were out of the office as opposed to sitting at a desk anyway. They were men of action not the type who liked to be tied to a desk.

Jenn, the IT specialist, spent some time with me, showing me how to navigate the computer system and phones more thoroughly. I liked her. She made me laugh. She was in her mid-twenties, had dark purple hair and wore T-shirts with geeky sayings on them. As far as I could tell she lived on Red Bull and junk food, and yet, she was stick-thin.

At first, I worried it would be weird with Forde being my and everybodys boss, because it was clear he was the one in charge. However, he didnt seem to be the type of leader who always asked what his employees were doing. Everybody reported in giving updates, but they seemed to come and go on their own schedule, except for me. I was in my chair at nine and finished at four, unless we had a late appointment, and then I stayed until the client arrived. If n.o.body was free to babysit me until Forde was done, then I hung out in the breakroom and read or talked to Zoe on the phone. Tye would even drop by to talk.

After work, Forde and I went home or out to dinner, sometimes with Tye or one of the staff.

At home one evening after a busy day, Id just made the bed and was putting away some laundry. I really needed to get some more clothes. It was a pain to do laundry almost every night. I heard Forde moving around, doing his final security check when his phone rang. I didnt really listen. I was trying to figure out if it was too soon to wear my blue blouse again. Maybe I could talk him into an official office uniform, and then I wouldnt have to worry about my clothes rotation?

f.u.c.k. He sounded angry. Yeah, call it in, and then have it towed. Ill check with Layla to see what she wants to do.

There was more silence as I strained to hear.

Later, was all he said as he walked into the bedroom.

I watched him move to his nightstand and drop his phone. Hed changed into sweatpants that were cut off at the knees to work out in when wed gotten home. His gaze met mine. Got another problem, babe.

I braced. Wed had almost a week of quiet. Except for me always having a sitter, life had been pretty normal. What now? I felt my breathing turning shallow.

My fault, really. We havent gotten around to discussing your car, so I left it sitting at the rental. The boys have been doing regular drive-bys, but n.o.body thought to bring it here. He started to walk around the bed to me.

Like my poor Honda would fit in next to your rides. Id almost fainted when Id learned he had five personal vehicles and a motorcycle, plus he drove a company SUV.

My comment got a small grin in response. Still, somebody tagged your car today. Left a few messages.

I knew there was more. What kind of messages?

You dont need to worry. Osi put in a call to Det. Eames and took photos. The muscle at the side of his jaw was pulsing.

I want to see the photos. I needed to know.

They cant hurt you.

If he was shielding me, I knew it must be bad. I felt the blood drain from my face as I pushed. But I still need to know. The trial was set to start in just a little over two weeks.

Get ready for bed, and Ill show you. He pulled his T-shirt over his head.

Geeze, everythings a negotiation, I groused, teasing him. I knew hed show me the pictures, but it would be on his schedule. I headed into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

A few minutes later, I settled back on a mound of pillows. The pictures. Now, it had become a thing, I couldnt let it go.

I didnt figure youd forget. He reached for his phone.

I need to know whats going on. I watched his finger slide over the screen.

He handed me the phone, and I looked at my poor car. Sure, it was a piece of junk, but it was paid off and was all mine. I used my finger to increase the size of the words.

b.i.t.c.h was written in red on my silver car. f.u.c.kin Die was painted in black on the hood. Theyd shredded the tires and broken the windows. I made a sound in my throat. The spelling isnt bad.

Did you see the Cancerberos tag? It all goes back to Vador. He held out his hand for the phone, and I gave it up.

It was dying, thats why Id been taking the bus some days. I was trying to prolong the inevitable.

Its a piece of s.h.i.t, Lay.

I know, but its my piece of s.h.i.t Forde. I chewed on my lip.

He took in my meaning. Say the word, and Ill have it fixed up, or you can drive one my or Limiteds rides. If that doesnt work for you, we can shop for something you like better.

When I can drive by myself you mean, I said quietly.

The days going to come. Think on it and tell me what you want to do. He put his phone on the nightstand and turned off the light.

I dont want you to spend any money on that car. I guess they should just junk it. I sighed.

Ill take care of it tomorrow. He scooted down onto his back.

I, too, moved under the covers. I turned into him and rested my forehead on his chest. What else is going on? Is there more youre not telling me?

Im thinking that Vador and I need a meet, face to face. His arm tightened around me. He isnt getting my total message over the phone.

What does that mean, a meet? I knew it wasnt going to be over tea or aged scotch and cigars at his office.

You dont need to worry about it. Rick will go with me, and nothing will happen. Vador isnt that stupid. He put me off after the fire and I accepted his a.s.surances, but now I think I need to discuss a few things in person to make my point crystal clear.

I raised my head and wished for the hundredth time I could make the lights turn on from my side of the bed. But it is dangerous, right?

Anytime youre alone with a guy like Vador its dangerous. His voice was calm, so nonchalant.

I think the same could be said for you. Id been paying attention at work, picking up clues here and there. My man had a reputation, and you didnt f.u.c.k with him.

Thats part of the job. He moved his hand to my breast and thumbed my hard nipple.

Thats why youre a bada.s.s, I said as I leaned over him and kissed his lips.

He chuckled. Your bada.s.s.

My bada.s.s, I agreed between kisses and touches.

The weekend had pa.s.sed quietly. I spent Sat.u.r.day morning with Zoe and Tony while Forde attended to some out-of-office work. We spent Sunday doing couples things like going out to breakfast, and then to shop for groceries. While Forde watched football and took calls, I enrolled in an online cla.s.s to learn how to do billing. So this morning, I was back in my receptionist chair ready to start the week.

Jenn sat across from me recounting her weekend. Shed gone to a party where shed watched a group of gamers compete.

I was trying to follow her story. So, let me get this straight. You just watched these people play? n.o.body at your party was playing? This was a section of society I had no idea about.

Guys, they were all guys, but chicks are getting into it. The guy who was having the party had an insane set up"five big screens with plenty of good sight lines. She plunked her green Chuck Taylors on the side of my desk.

So did you have a good time?

She gave me an eye roll. Are you asking did I go home alone?

No, I wouldnt. Well, maybe I do want to know, but I dont feel like I could ask you that. I stammered. I liked her, and I didnt want to upset her by digging into her personal life.

She burst out laughing. Layla, you are the s.h.i.t. You make being nosey sound so polite. She shook her head at me.

Did Forde put you up to this? Ask you to hang out to make sure I was comfortable here? Push you to be friendly? I appreciated his protectiveness, but I needed to make my own way, especially with my alpha-strong co-workers.

She laughed showing her perfect white teeth. Nope. Im doing this because I like you, and youre good at this job.

I sent a thank you smile her way.

Plus, if you stay happy, then I wont have to train another receptionist, and I can get my s.h.i.t done. She pulled out her phone and started tapping away.

I vowed to use what Id learned yesterday and attacked the billing. I swear the bada.s.ses liked to work, but they hated paperwork. I could already see I was going to be the one to make sure the billing got done on time.

At ten, Forde stuck his head out and asked, Anything going on?

Jenn looked up from her phone. Nope.

He nodded once. Jenn, do you know anybody thatd fit with you? Needs the work?

I watched the two interact. It was like they spoke in shorthand.

Give me a couple of days. Maybe got a line on somebody. Jenn made a note in her phone. I could teach your woman how to do some of the checks.

Fordes gaze came to rest on me. Think she can do it?

From what I can see, shes taught herself how to do billing since Friday. So Id say, yeah. Jenn dropped her feet to the floor.

Lay, if you get some time check in with Jenn about that. It would take a load off of her, and Id appreciate it. He smiled and turned to go.

I watched the door close behind him. I love how he bosses us. I cant believe I said that out loud. My hand came up to cover my mouth.

You guys are so cute. Jenn laughed. Hes all tough and serious. Youre so girly and sweet. It cracks me up.

I took it as a compliment. I smiled as I opened up another screen on my computer and dealt with some e-mails.

Two hours later, I looked up when I heard someone putting in the code on the door. Rick walked through cradling a baby in his huge arms.

I jumped up from my seat. Oh my G.o.d, who is this? I was around my desk in three steps, and I had my arms out for the adorable little girl.

This is Nahla, my daughter. He transferred the child into my arms.

I didnt know you had a daughter. I glanced at the baby and then back at him. She had his gorgeous skin color and a lopsided smile.

I usually go to her for a few days here and there, but this time she got to come home with me. Her mothers in Charlotte. For a moment he looked so sad.

That statement told me a lot. There had been a relationship, and now the woman and his child were in North Carolina. How long do you get to stay with daddy, Nahla? I sing-songed to the sweet girl who rested her head on my shoulder.

Ten days. I flew down and back yesterday. My mom has the week off to help. He watched me handle his daughter.

Ill help too, I told him as I slowly rocked my body from side to side. I mean if you want it or need it.