Page 39 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

He exhales sharply, his eyes dropping to the floor for a second. "I’m trying, Silas. Five years! I gave her space for five years! I tried calling, texting, everything. She never gave me the time of the day. I tried to overlook it since we weren’t in the same city, but now? I just don’t want to lose her."

I nod, the weight of the conversation settling between us. "I’ll do what I can, but I can’t promise anything."

"I appreciate that." He stands, his mood shifting. "And one more thing—"

Here it comes. My stomach tightens as I prepare for the worst.

He crosses his arms, looking every bit like he’s about to deliver a death sentence. “I’ve seen the news, Silas. I know you’re engaged.” My stomach plummets. But then he adds, “I’m glad you took my advice.”

Ah, of course. He thinks I’m talking about someone else, some other woman I’m supposedly engaged to. It takes every ounce of willpower not to let out a breath of relief. “Yeah, well, it seemed like a smart move,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

He nods, almost smug. “Told you it’d be a good look for you. A nice fake engagement to keep the press off your back. Just didn’t think you’d go through with it.”

“You know me, always thinking ahead.”

"Good," Harvey chuckles. "You need someone to keep you grounded, keep you out of trouble."

Funny. That someone happens to be his daughter, but I can’t exactly tell him that.

Before I can say anything more, he slaps me on the back too hard and starts walking toward the door. "Just try to look out for her while she’s working for you, alright? She may be tough, but she’s still my little girl."

"You have my word."

I open the door, and we step out together. We ride the elevator till we are down by the lobby’s entrance. One of the valets brings Harvey’s car around.

“I’ll see you around, buddy.” He clasps my hand and nods at me.

My heart’s pounding in my chest as I watch him leave. As he disappears down the road, I see my car pull up in the distance. Crisis averted.

For now.

The moment Harvey’s taillights fade into the night, Leah steps out of the car. She’s wearing a flowing black dress, jacket, and a small purse with a lengthy strap. Her dark hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and she strides toward me with worry etched on her face.

"You’re late," I say, trying to inject some humor into my voice, anything to break the tension still buzzing from Harvey’s visit.

“What’s going on?” she asks, her voice breathless. “I got your text, and I was so scared that—"

“Come on.” I pull her inside, and we don’t speak till we’re in the whirring elevator. “Your dad was here.”

Her eyes widen. “What? What did he say?”

“Nothing about us, thank God. But he knows you’re working for me, and he’s unhappy.”

She lets out a breath, her hand going to her forehead. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Silas. I didn’t mean for him to find out. He came around, and he was being a total ass, and the words just came out.”

“The words just came out?”

“I think I was just trying to hurt him the best way I could.”

“It’s fine,” I say, though I’m not sure that it really is. “Are you okay?

“I’m fine,” she says, waving a hand. “Did he make any trouble?”

“No, he left a few minutes ago. But we need to talk about Caleb.”

Her expression softens, concern flickering in her eyes as she looks up at me. “What happened?”

The elevator dings, and we step onto my floor. I head to the door, and she follows behind me. When we’re inside and the door’s shut behind us. I turn to her.

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