Page 33 of Under Their Protection

Once we make it around to her office, she grabs a folder from her desk and we go to the door. “You look exhausted,” she laughs.

“I am so tired,” I admit.

“You know Max likes you, right? Like a lot. They both do,” Emma says.

“I’m starting to realize that. What’s complicated is that I like both of them so much. I refuse to pin two friends against each other though. I’d rather be lonely than fuck up their friendship.”

“Let them share you,” Emma says. “It’s literally all they talk about. Rowan just wanted things to remain smooth at work. He slowly let things progress so he didn’t scare you. He knew you and Isaac wouldn’t last. We all knew. Max isn’t so subtle.”

“If I could have what happened tonight forever with them, I would take the chance in a heartbeat,” I admit.

“Then be blunt with them. Tell them you like them both and you refuse to choose,” she says as she opens her door. “If they talk toyou, absolutely do not respond. Let me do all of the talking.” I nod and we step out of her office. I see someone standing outside of her office, off to the side. She must see certain clients here sometimes. We pretend to be in fake conversation as we walk through the club toward the front. Just when I think we are in the clear, someone grabs my arms. It happens so suddenly that I gasp and jump away from the touch. Emma and I turn to see a raging mad Isaac. Harper is a few feet behind him looking as smug as ever.

“I knew you were a whore, but damn… Both of them?” he asks.

“Please do not address my client, Mr. Allen. If you, Harper, or her family have anything that you wish to say to her, you may email it to me and I will get it to her,” Emma says.

“Everyone heard you get fucked. Where are Rowan and Max?” he asks me.

“Stop addressing my client,” Emma says as she nudges me to keep walking. We turn and walk away from them.

“They are following us,” I whisper.

“I know. We will be okay. Security will walk out with us,” she says softly. We get to the front and one of the security guards sees the panicked look on my face as we are walking out.

“All done for tonight, Ms. Emma?” Quinn says. Quinn is a six-foot-seven, three-hundred-pound man made of solid muscle and protectiveness. He looks absolutely terrifying, but you’d think he was a teddy bear compared to if you ever saw him get protective over a woman. He absolutely hates abusive men. Maybe I should tell him what happened, and Isaac will disappear.

“Yeah. Anika had a last-minute meeting, so I’m just walking her out,” she says.

“Waiting on Mia?” he asks me.

“Yes. I’m just going to enjoy the nice cool air while I wait for her to come out,” I say.

“Oh, well I’ll walk out and keep you company,” he says with a smile. Quinn glances at my arm and his eyes flash with anger as he connects the dots. He wraps me in a hug instead of killing Isaac on the spot. “It’s good to see you,” he says as a show. I literally just saw him a week and a half ago. He is a smart man and now knows why I look panicked.

“Yeah, It’s been a while,” I say, enjoying his strong hug.

“Are you scared of him?” he asks quietly.

“Yes. Ask Emma to fill you in later,” I say as I pull away. We all three turn and go outside and stand by Rowan's truck. Isaac and Harper promptly follow behind us. This man is a fucking idiot to come out here with Quinn here.

“Are you really so fucking stupid that after everything Dad said, you’re going to act like this? You’re going to act out like a child?” Harper yells at me. I tighten my fists and grit my teeth. It would look really bad if I punched a woman with kidney failure. “Nothing? Finally learning to keep your fucking mouth shut for once?”

“You have a lot of nerve for someone who’s going to die without a new kidney,” I growl.

“Oh, I’m getting a kidney. Mom and Dad will make sure of that. All this bullshit you are pulling will ensure they’ll put you rightwhere you belong,” she laughs. I look at Emma, wanting to just say it.

“Let him come out and you can tell them,” she says with a smile.

“This is bullshit. Just tell the fucking truth. You were getting fucked by your boss and your so-called friend,” Isaac says as Rowan, Max and Mia come outside. Isaac and Harper haven’t seen them come out, so they stay quiet. “It must be an accomplishment to them or something to make a fat chick come that loudly,”

“How would you know what I sound like when I come?” I ask him with a smirk.

“Ah. I see what you did there,” Quinn chuckles.

“You are a fucking cunt, you know that? The world will finally get some peace when your parents have you committed,” Isaac says.

“She’s not being committed and she’s not consenting to surgery,” Emma says simply.

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