Page 20 of Exposed

I ran a hand up and down Lauren's back. I could tell she was getting angry with the silence from Josslyn. I would need to get my team on top of this breach asap because Jacinda was known as being underhanded and evil when she wanted something. Her showing up at Raven wasn’t just to get an interview with Lauren. I’d have my men look into her again because I didn’t know the woman I was looking at just a few minutes ago. Lauren stomped off and Danielle started to get up and follow behind her. I held my hand up for her to stop.

“Let me talk with her.”

“Are you sure? She comes off strong, but Lauren’s really vulnerable and not as tough as she seems,” Danielle replied.

“I’m the best person that knows anything about not being really strong underneath and tough on the outside. Losing my brothers in Iraq crosses my mind every day, Danielle.”

She patted me on the shoulder, and I headed to check on Lauren.

She was pacing back and forth near the exit.

I reached out and grabbed her arm, turning her to face me.

“Hey, you good?”

“Yeah, sorry for walking off.”

“No worries, it happens. Don’t worry about Jacinda, I'll have my men check over the tapes.”

“I can’t have anyone trying to destroy what I’m building, Dominic,” she softly said, burying her head in my chest. I rubbed her back, hoping to calm her down.

“I got you, princess.”

“That’s old, man,” she joked as she wiped the tears pooling in her eyes.

Chapter Twelve

Dominic

One week later…

It was all over the news that Raven Cosmetics had tainted makeup that caused a few people to scar. The publicity wasn’t helping Lauren either, and she stayed holed up in her condo. Her family was getting ready to leave in a few days and wanted her to try and come back to New York for a few days. I parked my car and got out. After talking with Danielle, we were speeding up the investigation and retraining everyone that worked in the lab, even limiting the amount of people that handled the product. Carol had to reassign Josslyn until further notice because of the magazine screw-up. She denied knowing what type of magazine Jacinda worked for but did confess to introducing Lauren to her at the office.

Grabbing the bag of takeout from my mom’s home and several movies, I tapped the doorbell waiting for someone to answer. A few seconds later, the door opened with Lauren only wearing a crop top with no bra and boy shorts.

“It’s the middle of the day, Dominic, why are you here?”

“I came to talk and maybe get you out of the house.” I didn’t wait for the invitation and stepped inside, moving over so she could shut the door. I followed her toward the kitchen and admired her loft.

“You have a nice place.”

“Thanks, Novah helped me decorate.”

“How many rooms, if you don’t mind me asking?” I placed the bags on the kitchen counter. It sat away from the living room with an open archway and a counter for guests to sit at the bar and still communicate.

“Three bedrooms and two baths,” she replied, grabbing the plates out of the cabinet.

“I hope you’re hungry, my mom cooked a lot of food, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish everything.”

“I can eat a little something, but I’m watching my diet,” Lauren answered.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’ve gained weight since I moved out here. My ass is huge now.”

She turned around, showing me her butt, and I licked my lips, wishing under different circumstances I didn’t think she was too complicated. I could see us hanging out.

“Your ass looks fine to me,” I told her, winking and passing the box of yams and lasagna.

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