Page 68 of Under Fire

“You’re a strong, capable woman. A worm like Norris doesn’t stand a chance against your strength of will and courage. You have the right to confront him and I won’t take that from you. I’ll support whatever you decide.”

His belief in her boosted her confidence to another level. She could do this. No, Delilah had to do this. She turned to Sasha and Cade. “We’ll return soon.”

“Want me to keep your strawberry drink for you?” Sasha asked.

Delilah nodded. “Thanks.”

She and Matt crossed the street and entered the red brick building. Matt steered her toward the stairs to the right of the lobby. On the fourth floor, they walked a long, carpeted hallway until they found the right suite.

Delilah’s mouth gaped when she saw the sign on the door. Sebastian had founded a charitable foundation for children. Interesting career choice for a man who abused his own children.

“Ready?” Matt cupped her cheek with his palm, his gaze steady on hers.

His rock-solid faith in her ability to handle herself and the situation sharpened her resolve. She nodded.

He turned the knob and pushed open the door. The receptionist’s desk was empty though it was obvious the employee had recently left. The computer screen showed a document still open, and a pink mug filled with coffee sat close to the mouse. Matt closed the outer door with an audible click. Still nothing.

A woman’s soft, sultry laughter came from behind the closed door with Sebastian’s nameplate displayed prominently.

Matt rolled his eyes. “Sounds like he’s not missing his wife much.”

“What should we do?”

“Break up the party.” He strode to Sebastian’s door and knocked hard.

The woman inside gasped. “Just a moment,” a male voice called. Murmured voices, then male laughter.

Delilah’s cheeks burned. Good grief. This was a place of business. Couldn’t Sebastian wait until the workday was finished?

Two minutes later, a lock clicked and the door opened to reveal an attractive woman with auburn hair and sleepy blue eyes. Her skirt was twisted and wrinkled, her blouse buttoned wrong. “I’m sorry. We were in the middle of an important conference call.”

Delilah’s eyebrows rose. Right.

“Do you have an appointment? Mr. Norris is a busy man. His time is valuable.”

She wanted to point out the woman had just been wasting Sebastian’s precious time as well as her own. “I’m an old friend of Sebastian’s.” Big exaggeration. “He’ll see me.”

She pushed past the woman to catch Sebastian smoothing his hair. His tie was crooked and his shirt tail was out.

Sebastian scowled as he tucked his shirt into his pants. “Who are you and what do you want? I don’t appreciate you barging into my office when I’m in the middle of business negotiations.”

“Wonder what your wife’s lawyer would think of your negotiations.” Matt pressed his hand to the small of Delilah’s back and nudged her further into the room. He closed the door on the nosy assistant.

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “Who are you?”

“Matt Rainer. You already know Delilah, don’t you?”

Those familiar icy gray eyes swept over Delilah, then settled on her face. He stilled, a light of recognition appearing in his eyes. “You’ve changed.” His gaze trailed over her again, heating as he absorbed the changes in her body.

Matt stepped half in front of her. “Eyes right here, buddy.”

“What do you want?”

“I can’t have what I want. Yet. I’ll settle for a few answers for now.”

“Are you threatening me? Do you have any idea who I am?”

“No threat. A promise of things to come. As for who you are, yeah, I know exactly who and what you are. You’re a pathetic worm who preys on the innocent, especially defenseless women and children.”

---