Page 24 of When He Protects

Rage flashed on Jorlan’s face. A savage, chilling rage.

His lawyer whispered to him again.

Jorlan’s chin notched up. “I will absolutely call her.” A cold promise. “Thank you for letting me know about the confusion.” He turned on his heel and marched for the door.

Grayson waited until the guy wasalmostout of his office and then, acting on a hunch, he asked, “Was there anything else of value in your safe?”

Jorlan stilled.

“Anything else taken that you would like to report to the Feds?”

Jorlan turned. Stared at him. “Esme Laurent is not here.”

“Yes, that’s what I said.”She’s flying away as we speak.

“I believe that I will be handling my own affairs from here on out. It’s so hard to find good help in order to get a job done.”

There was something about those low words…

Good help.Fuck. Grayson was around his desk in an instant. “Did you send that sonofabitch?”

Both suit-clad lawyers jumped between Grayson and Jorlan.

Over their shoulders, Jorlan gave a little wave. “See you soon, Agent Stone.”

And he walked right the hell out, whistling as he left.

Jorlan climbedinto the back of his limo. The fool lawyers tried to climb in with him, but he waved them away. “Shut the damn door!” he ordered his driver.

The door shut.

A few moments later, the limo was shooting down the road and leaving the lawyers in his dust. Jorlan’s right hand fisted.

The bitch thinks she’s getting away from me?Rage churned in his gut. Oh, hell, no. No one played him for a fool. No one screwed with his business. No onetouchedwhat belonged to him.

Esme Laurent wasn’t just going to disappear into the sunset.

He’d hunt her down. He’d rip apart her world.

And then she would be very, very sorry that she’d ever tried to play games with him.

Too bad the hitman he’d tipped off with Esme’s location at the FBI office hadn’t gotten the job done properly. Jorlan yanked his phone from his pocket. He made a fast call because loose ends truly were a pain in his ass. The call was answered on the first ring.

He appreciated promptness in a business associate.

“What can I do for you?” No other greeting. Just that.

“Snip the loose end.”

“Done.”

He hung up. The failed hitman would be eliminated soon enough. No ties back to him. And now Jorlan could focus once more on the beautiful Esme.

His thumb scrolled across the pictures on his phone. Stopped when he came to her. Her dimpled smile stared back at him. So deceptively beautiful. And with just theright hint of evil inside. He’d thought they might be a perfect match.

Too bad she’d screwed him over.

Too bad he’d have to make her pay.

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