Page 50 of Stone Rules

Arriving at my destination, I throw a twenty at him, leaving him way too big a tip, but not wanting to hang around for change. I run through the building and get a few nasty looks when I skirt by some people waiting to get on the elevator. “Emergency,” I say, out of breath.

The elevator can’t get to the ninth floor fast enough. I swear it stops at every goddamn floor. When it finally opens, I dart through the main door into the reception area. “I need to see him,” I tell Gretchen. “Now.”

She tilts her head at me and gives me an amused smile. “I’m sorry, do you have an appointment?”

“You know I don’t, Gretchen. Just let me in, please. It’s important.”

“All of our clients are important,” she says.

I walk over to the door and tug on the handle. It doesn’t budge. I pound on the door.

Gretchen picks up the handset to the phone and waves it at me. “Do I need to call security?”

I close my eyes and breathe. “No.”

Just as she puts the handset back in the cradle, the door to the back opens and a lady walks through. I don’t even hesitate. I edge through the door before it slams shut and turn right to go to Ethan’s office.

“You are so arrested,” Gretchen barks at me before I hear her call security.

“Stone!” I yell before I even reach his office.

Several office doors open and unfamiliar faces peek into the hallway. Ethan appears in his doorway at the same time as Gretchen buzzes through a security guard. “That’s her,” she says, pointing to me with a sneer.

I look to Ethan. He shakes his head in disgust. At me for barging in? At Gretchen for calling security on me? At himself for having me followed? The possibilities are endless.

He holds up a hand, stopping the progress of the security guard. “It’s fine, Harold,” he says to the aging man who looks like he’s held this job since New York became a city. “This is just a misunderstanding. There isn’t a problem here.” He turns to me. “Is there, Charlie?”

“Hmmpf,” I rage at him. Then I turn to Harold. “No, no problem here.”

“Thanks, Harold. You can go now,” Ethan says.

“If you’re sure, Mr. Stone.”

“I’m sure. Thank you.”

He turns back to me and steps into the doorway of his office, waving me by with a cautious arm. “Well?”

“Thanks, Gretch,” I spit out at Barbie before stepping across the threshold.

Ethan shuts the door behind me. “Before you say anything,” he starts. “I can—”

“Sayanything?” I shout. “Oh, I’m not going tosayanything, but I’m sure as hell going toyellshit, so sit the fuck down, Ethan Stone.”

“Charlie, calm down. Please. People will hear and Gretchen might sic Harold on you again.” He gives me a crooked smile.

“Ha ha,” I say snidely. “I’m so glad you can joke at a time like this.”

“So, Levi called me. He said you made him.”

“Madehim?” I ask.

“Yeah, you know, caught him following you.” He sits on the edge of his desk. The same edge we had sex on a month ago. I wonder if he picked that exact spot on purpose. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to protect you.”

“Protect me?” I yell. “Why the hell would you think I need protection? I’m not one of your cases, Ethan. And I’m not your girlfriend. You made that perfectly clear when you couldn’t get away from me fast enough Friday night. Hell, we’re not even in a fucking relationship according to you and what you seem to tell everyone who asks.” I pace back and forth aggressively from wall to wall, trying, but failing to keep my voice at a respectable volume. “But what I can’t figure out is what the hell you want from me. You have me followed? You warn men away” —he goes to speak but I raise my hand to shut him up— “don’t give me any shit, I tried to talk to Devon at the gym the other night and he avoided me like the goddamn plague. And your own cousin seems to think you’ve been in a foul mood since you met me. If you don’t want me, fine—but don’t you dare presume to try and tell me whom I can and can’t date. And call your damn lackeys off. I can take care of my own fucking self.”

He watches my whole angry tirade without raising an eyebrow. He’s casually leaning on his desk, arms crossed in front of him. The man is as cool as a cucumber and it pisses me off even more. I kick the leg of his couch in frustration.

“Tell me why you’re having me track down all these men, Charlie.”

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