I stormed out of my office, ignoring the fact that clients were in the waiting area. “Thanks, Aiden. I’ll take it from here. I’m sure Bentley needs you back at the office. You can go. I appreciate you bringing the keys yourself.”
He stood with a frown, crossing his arms. His gigantic frame dwarfed me, but I didn’t back away. I met his gaze with all the anger I was feeling. He narrowed his eyes, then suddenly grinned, his eyebrows lifting as he chuckled. He stepped back, slapping me on both shoulders.
“Oh, this is awesome.”
“What the hell are you on about?” I almost snarled.
Laughing, he wiped his eyes. He turned to Fee and held out his hand. “Great to meet you, Fee. No doubt, I’m going to be seeing a lot of you.” He turned and headed to the door, still laughing.
He paused and met my gaze and started to laugh again. “Bent is going to howl.” He walked out, pulling the door closed behind him. I glared at his retreating figure. I stomped back into my office.
“Send in the next client,” I ordered, then flung myself into my chair.
What the hell was that about?
By Friday morning, I was dragging my ass. My few hours of sleep a night had turned into zero hours of sleep. Fifteen- or twenty-minute catnaps a few times during the hours of midnight and five a.m. were all I was able to manage.
And to top it off, on Wednesday night before she left my place for hers, Fee had informed me she felt it best if she came to and from the office on her own. I had argued with her, but she insisted it was for the best.
“If Scott finds that out, he will use it. If he has any idea at all that I was ever at your place, he will twist it until it is so sordid, not even you can unsully it, Halton.” She met my gaze. “I am not sure I should be here in your office, but I am enjoying the work and the challenge. I like feeling productive again—I won’t allow him to take that from me as well.”
“And you don’t think he’ll make an issue of the fact that you’re living in my building?” I challenged her, unable to figure out why it was so important to me that I drive her.
She crossed her arms. “Technically, it’s not your building. They have two separate addresses, Halton. I had no idea they were attached by a walkway until you told me. I doubt Scott will either. He isn’t that bright.”
For some reason, that made me laugh. I relaxed a little. “Come on, Fee, let me drive you.”
“No. I need to do this my way.”
“A cab, then. I’ll arrange it for you.”
“As long as you put it on Scott’s bill with all the rest of the things you are covering.”
Agreeing, I laughed and let it go.
For now.
I worked through Friday morning, and Rene arrived just after I broke for lunch. He looked like Rene. Dressed to the max, his head bright and gleaming, and his grin wide. I could see the effects of his accident, though. He moved a little slower, and his smile was forced at times when he turned certain ways. His arm was still in a sling and a cast, the healing wound on his head covered with a neat bandage. But his mind was sharp, and he looked happy to be back in the office. He and Fee sat together for a while and talked. He came into my office when they were done and sat across from me.
“I hear Scott is coming in this afternoon.”
“Yes.”
Fee had accepted the news quietly enough when I told her, but I knew she was anxious. She hid it better than I did, but I knew she wasn’t sleeping either. The amount of coffee we drank in the day was staggering, but neither of us touched on the subject. It was like a landmine neither of us wanted to step on. The explosion would be deadly.
Fee walked in, interrupting us. She placed a bag and a coffee on my desk. She smiled at Rene. “Are you sure you don’t want coffee? A sandwich? Anything?”
“No, dear Fee, I’m good.”
“Where is your lunch?” I asked.
“I can’t, Halton. Not today.”
Without thinking, I grabbed her hand. “You have to eat, Fee. Something. I need you strong this afternoon.”
“I’m too nervous.”
I squeezed her fingers. “I’ll be there with you. Every moment. He won’t have a chance to be alone with you or say anything. I’ll shut him down so fast, his head will spin.”
Releasing her hand, I unwrapped my sandwich and rewrapped half. “Please eat this.” She hesitated, and I slipped my fingers under her chin. “Please. You’re too pale. You need the energy.”
She met my gaze. Quietly, I added, “For me.”
She took the sandwich and left. I sat down, biting into my lunch and chewing fast. It tasted like sawdust, but I needed it. I looked up to find Rene staring at me.
“What?”
He started to grin, then shook his head. “How do you want to play this?”
I took another bite, thinking. “Fee is going to be in here. I want you at your desk. Show them into the library, and I’ll bring her in. She’s not to be alone with him. At all.”
Rene rubbed his chin. “So Fee is playing the client, I’m the worker, and you’re the attorney? Those are our roles?”
“Those are the facts.”
He shook his head. “There is way more to this scenario than that. You can object and deny all you want, Halton, but I know you too well.”
“Deny what?”
He chuckled. “I’m going to let you figure that part out.”
I slammed my hand on the desk. “I am sick of all the cryptic BS from everyone. Spit it out.”
Rene studied me. “You look like shit.”
“I’m not sleeping. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Your client-slash-assistant looks the same way.”
“She’s nervous. I’m sure she’s having trouble resting too. Once today is over, she’ll relax.”
“Uh-huh.” He sat back in his chair, chuckling and muttering to himself.
I ignored him.
I heard Scott’s voice outside my closed door. It annoyed me more than usual. Drawing in a long breath, I slid on my jacket, pulling down my cuffs and making sure my tie was straight. I shut my eyes and used a few relaxation mind tricks I always relied on to help center my thoughts. I needed my head clear.
I glanced at Fee. She had eaten about two bites of the sandwich I had given her. She was paler than ever, her hands fretting with the edge of her jacket and tugging on the ends of her beautiful hair. At least she wasn’t chewing her nails.
I picked up her file. “Ready, Fee?”
She offered me a smile, but I saw the look in her eyes. It did something to me—tore at my chest and made me want to take away the fear in her eyes.
I didn’t think, only reacted. I stepped close and pulled her into my arms. She flung her arms around my neck and buried her face into my chest. I felt the tremors that ran through her body, and I tightened my hold.
“Together, Fee. We’re going to face this bastard together. He doesn’t get to push you around anymore, and he doesn’t determine your self-worth. You do. I do. And I think you’re fucking priceless.”
She glanced up at me. I cupped her face and broke my own rule. I lowered my mouth to hers and kissed her. Gently. Sweetly. Showing her, without words, how important she was.