Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I hated relaying everything to the detective in front of them. By the time I was done, Fay was a mess, and Theo looked ready to explode. The detective didn’t sound very confident they would find the guy who assaulted me because of the area it happened in and all that but said they’d keep me updated. Fay and Theo waited for me to be released and drove me home, arguing that I should stay with them for the time being. Spending a few days in a fancy penthouse condo would be no hardship, but I needed my own bed and space to come to terms with what happened.
Or what thankfully didn’t.
Now, I have to meet with Theo because he doesn’t know when to butt out. I love him, and he’s perfect for my bestie, but I don’t need a keeper. If I blow off this “meeting,” though, I have no doubt he’ll show up at my door. Bossy asshole.
I get up and fight through the pain while I shower before dressing in a chic top with a high neckline, jeans, and black spiked heels. My forehead and neck may look like a mess, but that’s no reason not to dress cute. Grabbing my keys and phone, I call an Uber since my car’s still by the studio and head to Theo’s fancy office in the city.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you?” the receptionist addresses me, her smile straining as she takes in my jacked-up forehead. I know, so not sexy—nor does it go with my outfit.
“I’m here to see the big dog.”
She looks at me, her head tilting to the side. “Excuse me?”
“The big dog. The guy in charge. Your boss.”
“I’m sorry. Do you have an appointment?”
Her brow pinches in confusion. I’m not the average client who walks through the door demanding Theo Monroe’s attention. I wonder if it’s my pink hair or my provocative shirt. It may hide most of my neckline, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t missing a large strip of fabric along my cleavage. “I’m here to speak with the man who signs your paycheck—”
“Mindy, hey.” We both turn at Fay’s voice. “I’ll take it from here, Bethany.”
“I don’t think she has an—”
“Theo’s expecting her.”
“Hey, buttercup. Who’s the stuffy new girl? Where’s Amy?”
Fay leans into me, offering a hug. “She got a promotion. Now, how are you feeling?”
“Like my head was used as a bouncy ball against a brick wall—”
“Mindy!”
“Kidding. I’m fine. Really. A little sore, but that’s it. Nothing some couch time and junk food won’t cure.”
Fay looks like she wants to say something but holds her tongue. “I’m glad you’re okay. Come on, Theo’s waiting for us.” I follow her, giving his uptight receptionist a little finger wave. Theo is at his monstrous desk when we enter the office. He stands, his lips thinning in disapproval.
“You’re late.”
I look down at my imaginary watch. “Am I? Shoot. No leeway or sympathy? I did get jumped last night.”
“Mindy,” Fay warns, and I raise my hands.
“Sorry. Not funny. So, what was so important I had to come all the way up to your castle and fight off your receptionist instead of being told over the phone?”
That’s when a man I didn’t realize was sitting on the couch to my right stands. He appears out of the shadows, his stride eating up half the room in two steps. Jesus, he looks like he devours little children for breakfast.
“Who’s the giant?” I ask, pointing at him, trying not to stare. Giant or not, he’s super hot.
“Mindy, this is Tate.”
“Taint?”
“Mindy!” Fay squeals.
“What? I have bad hearing—”
“You do not have bad hearing.”
Theo’s jaw tightens. “Tate. Your bodyguard.”
My head whips to Tate, and I hiss at the sudden movement. Fuck, that hurt. “You’re who? And why?” I slowly turn back to Theo, mindful of my neck. “I told you I didn’t need this—” I gesture with my hand, “him.”
“I say otherwise.”
“Well, you don’t get a say—”
“I do.” I look at Fay, who has her fucking puppy dog eyes out.
“Oh, no. Put those away.”
“No.”
“They’re not going to work on me. I do not need that.” I point at the giant. “I told you both.”
“That was before I got the whole report.”
“What do you mean? You heard me tell the cop everything—”
“You failed to mention you’ve been getting flowers with disturbing notes.”
My mouth falls into a frown. “H—How did you know about that?”
“So it’s true.”
My hands start to shake. “Those have nothing to do with—wait, are you having me investigated now?”
Fay steps in. “No, he’s just doing what the cops won’t.”
“It’s their job.”
“And I don’t think they’re going to go out of their way to solve this one, so I’m stepping in.”
I cross my arms over my chest to hide my trembling. “I did not ask for any of this. It’s a violation of privacy.”