Page 43 of Second Chance Husband

Sheer rage slid over me. “Are you fucking kidding me? How many times has he done this to you? You told me he didn’t hurt you that way. Were you lying about him? Because I will go out there right now and kill him. He doesn’t get to touch you.”

“And you don’t get to try to protect me from him. I can do that myself.”

“Yes. Because you could always do everything by yourself, Paisley Cassidy Renee.”

“Don’t full name me. You have no right to stand in here and yell at me and try to take over. We were both very clear that we have nothing to do with each other than our shared connections.”

“And yet, what were you going to do to Jacob to get him out of your office? Where’s your fucking security? Why are you here alone where anybody can just come in?”

“My security is on a different floor at the moment as they’re closing up. I was just packing my things so I could go home.”

“And yet he was allowed to come up here.”

“Because he was my husband. And apparently whoever’s at the front desk decided that he was allowed to be up here. Do not worry, I will take care of that.”

“Yes, because you’ll take care of that.”

“Don’t say that so sarcastically. I can handle things on my own.”

“Didn’t look like that from here.”

“Fuck you.”

“Yes, so original.”

“You’re the one who tried to use his fists. So I don’t know what you’re talking about being original here.”

“They let me up here without a second thought because I’m apparently family.”

She blanched. “What?”

“Yes, because I’m family with two of the women that work here, and they know that I’m your ex-husband, so they just let me up here. What kind of fucking shit show for security are you running here?”

“Apparently one that I need to change,” she said, letting out a breath. “He didn’t hurt me, August.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“I’m fine. He’s not here anymore. And he’s not coming back.”

Underneath the bravado, finally I could see the fear. Not of me, hopefully never of me. But of that man.

I let out a breath, my heart rate finally being able to slow down. Because that first tableau I had witnessed when I had walked into this office? It had nearly taken ten years off my life. Jacob had hovered over her, caging her within his arms against the desk. And there had been nothing I could do until I was suddenly on his back, pulling the man away. If I had been just seconds later, what would that man have done to her? It didn’t bear even thinking about, and yet I knew those would be the only thoughts running through my mind for far too long. The only thing that ever echoed in my memories. The look of her fear right then and there, and the fact that she had looked so helpless in front of her ex-husband. And Paisley never looked helpless. Even when she looked as if she were falling underneath the weight of a thousand commands and responsibilities, she never looked as if she couldn’t handle it. And yet clearly, something had happened.

“Why was he here? And what did you threaten him with?”

She took a step away then and headed over to the beverage cabinet. I thought she would pour whiskey or something else absurd that businesspeople always seem to do in the movies, but instead, she poured two glasses of water in lowball glasses, and handed me one. I took it, and frowned, before she downed half of hers in one gulp.

Well, she was far more rattled than I thought.

“Paisley.” When she didn’t say anything, a cold sensation spread through my chest. “Paisley. What happened with pretty boy?”

Her eyes flashed for a moment, exactly what I had wanted. I didn’t care about the fuck face, Jacob. But I did care about what he was doing to her. I would have to dig a little deeper about what all that meant later. But for now, I needed to know.

“He wanted to make sure I was going to sign an extra non-disclosure. Evidently he doesn’t want any of his dirty secrets out in the world. Even though I already told him I wouldn’t be signing it, and there was nothing he could do about it. It wasn’t part of our prenups, and he can’t make me.” She held up her hand before I could say anything. “Not that I would have said anything to begin with. I just want to be out of the news. I want people to see what we’re doing here at work. See the good, the money we’re raising to help others. I want them to see women in business kicking ass. I don’t want to be the bitter ex-wife. But I’ll absolutely play that part if he comes after you. If he threatens to sue you, I will go to the press, I will tell them everything I know about him. All about his cheating, and any business ties that might be a little shady. I will tell them everything.”

I cursed under my breath and moved forward after setting the water glass down. “You don’t have to protect me, Paisley.”

“I think I just said the same to you.”

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