Page 3 of By His Rule

He exudes more than enough of everything I hate to put me off for a lifetime.

I guess it should be expected that he’s forgotten we’re already acquainted. He was with some fake blonde bimbo the first time we met, and he was as big an asshole that night as he has been every other time I’ve met him.

“I was merely pointing out that it’s tradition that the best man and Maid of Honor hook up at a wedding if they’re single.”

“Then I guess it’s good that I’m not single, isn’t it?” I retort as our drinks are placed before us and my feet hit the floor.

“If that’s true, then he isn’t worthy of you.”

Walk away.

Just walk away.

“And why is that?” I ask, unable to follow my own advice.

Spinning on the balls of my feet, I find myself at eye level with him. Many would cower the second his eyes locked on theirs. But while I may not be as powerful or as important as him or anyone else in this room, I refuse to bow down to them.

Money doesn’t make you more important. Your job title doesn’t make you more or less worthy of anyone’s time or attention.

The only thing that matters is the kind of person you are. And the one staring back at me with a mixture of mirth and expectation lighting up his green eyes is a selfish jerk who only cares about his reputation.

“Because a beautiful woman like you should never be attending an event like this alone if you’re not single.”

I raise a brow but keep my expression neutral.

“It’s a huge risk when, instead of missing him…” he explains before throwing his whiskey back and pushing to his feet, moving closer. He towers over me even in my heels, forcing me to raise my chin to keep eye contact. “You could be spending your time getting to know me better.”

His alcohol-laced breath rushes over me and his eyes bounce between mine as if I’m meant to be…what? Impressed at that pathetic attempt to pick me up?

“Fortunately for him, it’s a risk he doesn’t need to worry about. Goodnight, Kian. Good luck with your next victim.” And with those words hanging in the air between us, I walk away, making sure I put as much sway into my hips as possible.

1

LORELEI

“I’m sorry, Lorelei, but we have reason to believe you’ve been stealing from the company. We have no choice but to let you go.”

My heart stops and my blood turns to ice, my entire body freezing as I stare at my boss in disbelief.

I’ve felt fear before in my life, but this moment is right up there with the worst.

I’m not a thief.

Not even close.

I’ve never…

Okay, that’s a lie. There have been times in my past where I’ve made bad decisions. But only because there was no other choice.

My childhood…it wasn’t like my best friend’s or of any of the people in my life now.

It was hard. Brutal at times.

Times when we didn’t have money or food, and never any heating or hot water.

Sometimes things were so desperate there was only one way of getting the things we needed.

But that was then. I left that life behind when I got accepted into my place at college, when I left my hometown and started over.

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