Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
She lifts her chin, steeling herself.
“When did it start?”
She thinks for a moment, a tear escaping her eye and spiraling down her cheek. I reach up and wipe it away with the pad of my thumb.
“About three weeks after I began working at the company.” When I keep looking at her, she adds, “He made me go to an event with him and kissed me. The Monday after that, he threatened to kill my mother if I didn’t do what he wanted. He had a video of her sleeping and him standing over her with a gun.”
Fucking bastard.
“Later that week, he made me kiss him again, but you came into the office, and I hid in the bathroom.”
I have to take a deep breath to remain calm.
Kiara lowers her head, then whispers, “And this morning during the meeting, he touched me beneath the table.”
Christ.
“So it wasn’t cramps?”
She shakes her head, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.
The fucker was molesting her in the same room as me. I glance at the windows and the city lights sparkling outside, my jaw clenching with the rage building in my chest.
I should’ve fucking killed him years ago. Biggest mistake of my life.
Lifting an arm, I place my hand behind Kiara’s head and pull her to my chest. Lowering my mouth to her ear, I say, “Next time anyone fucks with you, you tell me immediately.”
She nods, doing her best not to break down.
“I’ll also have guards protecting you twenty-four-seven.” I almost add only until we find Finn, but then I would be lying.
Kiara wraps her arms around my waist, burrowing closer to me. It has me engulfing her with my body, holding her as tight as possible without hurting her.
After today… after holding her in my arms, there’s no fucking denying it – I’m falling for Kiara. For the first time in my life, I’m allowing a woman into my heart.
Not allowing, idiot. You didn’t have a fucking choice. She walked right in and made herself at home, and there’s no getting her out.
Not thinking, I press a kiss to her damp hair. “Now, we can talk about anything that will take your mind off tonight.”
She pulls back, giving me a wavering smile. “I’m a stress eater. Do you have any food?”
“A fridge full.” I hold my hand out to her, and she doesn’t hesitate placing hers in mine. “And if I don’t have what you want, we can order in.”
She doesn’t hesitate to say, “Donuts. I need donuts.”
Pulling my phone out, I call Paul, one of the guards downstairs.
“Yes, boss?”
“We need donuts.” I look at Kiara. “How many?”
“A dozen.”
My mouth curves into a smile. “Get us a dozen.”
She widens her eyes to get my attention. “A mixture of flavors. Please.”
“Get one of each.”
“Okay, boss.”
Ending the call, I tuck the device back into my pocket as we head down the stairs.
When she sits down on a couch, Kiara glances around the living space. “Do you live alone?”
“Yes.” Wanting to see her face, I take a seat across from her. Unbuttoning my cuffs, I start to roll up my sleeves. Kiara’s eyes lock on my hands, and she seems to slip into a trance as she watches me.
When I’m done, I lean forward, and resting my forearms on my thighs, I link my hands. I take in the darkening bruises on her face, then get up to grab a steak from the freezer. Wrapping a kitchen towel around the frozen meat, I walk back to Kiara and stopping in front of her, I make sure to be gentle as I press it to her jaw and cheek. “Keep it there for a couple of minutes.”
Her fingers brush against mine as she takes hold of the makeshift icepack.
When I sit down again, I ask, “What’s your topic of choice?”
She thinks for a moment, then asks, “Do you always carry a gun?”
I nod, wondering what her reaction would be if she found out I’m the head of the Irish mafia.
She’d probably run for the hills.
There’s a glimmer of fear in my chest at the thought that I might not stand a chance with Kiara. We’re from different worlds.
Chapter 20
Kiara
One of the guards I saw in the basement walks into the penthouse, and immediately my muscles lock up.
When Liam stands up, I shoot to my feet, moving around the glass coffee table so he’s between the guard and me.
“Thanks, Paul,” Liam says, taking the box of donuts from him.
While Paul steps back into the elevator, Liam nods at the couch. “You’re safe here. Sit down.”
After I’ve taken a seat again, Liam holds the box out to me. “All yours.”
Somehow a smile curves around my lips as I take the donuts from him. “Don’t you like donuts?”
“I don’t consume anything I haven’t prepared myself.”
My eyebrows dart up. “Scared someone will poison you?”