Page 20 of My Hired Valentine

Violet looks up at me, her blue eyes shining in the dim light. “I have to do this. It’s not just about me anymore. It’s about youand it’s about anyone Harris could hurt if someone doesn’t stop him. And I… I’m done being scared.”

Pride swells in my chest, and I lean forward, brushing a kiss to her forehead. “No matter what happens, I’ve got you.”

She exhales a shaky breath, leaning into me. “Thank you for loving me, Dex.”

“Always, babe.” I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around her and holding her tight. “Now, let’s take this bastard down.”

CHAPTER 19

Violet

Monday arrives far too quickly, and yet not quickly enough. I barely slept last night, my mind running through every possible outcome, every doubt whispering in my ear. What if no one believes me? What if Harris spins this into something else? What if?—

“Stop,” Dex says softly, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. He sits beside me in the car, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting over mine. His grip is steady and warm. “You’re ready for this, Violet. You’ve got the truth on your side, and you’re not alone.”

I exhale and look at him. He’s calm—so calm it makes me wonder how he does it. How can he be so sure when I feel like my knees might buckle the second I step into that room?

“What if it backfires?” I whisper.

“It won’t,” Dex replies firmly. “And if he tries to fight back, he’s going to lose. You’ve got me, you’ve got the recording, and you’ve got friends in there who know the kind of person you are. He doesn’t get to win; this is his reckoning.”

My heart squeezes at his words. “What did I do to deserve you?”

He gives me a soft smile, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. “You’re you. And I love you. It’s that simple.”

I nod, take a deep breath, and step out of the car. It’s time.

The conference room is packed. Rows of chairs line the large mahogany table, and every seat is filled. The senior partners stand near the front, chatting quietly while employees settle into place. As I enter, Dex walking at my side, I feel the hum of nervous energy in the air.

He doesn’t belong here—not technically—but no one dares stop him. Not when he’s got that look in his eyes, the one that says he’s ready to take on anyone who dares step in my path.

I spot Tiffany, Seth, and William sitting together near the middle, and Tiffany’s eyes light up when she sees me. She nudges the others, and they all give me small, encouraging smiles as Dex and I approach.

“We saved you a seat,” Seth whispers, patting the empty chair beside him. Dex, without hesitation, pulls out the chair next to mine and sits down. His presence at my side is a silent declaration: I’m not doing this alone.

The chatter in the room quiets as Mr. Sterling, one of the founding partners, steps to the front and clears his throat. “Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here. As you know, we like to start these quarterly meetings with updates on firm policies and upcoming projects. Before we get into today’s agenda, does anyone have anything to add?”

This is it.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. My hand shakes slightly as I raise it but keep my chin high. I feel Dex beside me, his gaze locked on me to remind me that I’ve got this.

Mr. Sterling looks surprised to see my hand in the air. “Yes, Miss Turcott?”

I stand slowly, my legs trembling beneath me, but my voice is steady when I speak. “I do, sir.”

All eyes turn to me. The weight of their stares is almost too much to bear, but then I glance at Dex. He gives me the slightest nod, his expression calm and reassuring.

“What is it, Miss Turcott?” Mr. Sterling asks, his brow furrowed.

I clear my throat and reach into my bag, pulling out the small recorder. I hold it up for everyone to see. “I have something that needs to be heard.”

There’s a ripple of murmurs throughout the room. I see Wayne Harris out of the corner of my eye, his face going pale, his smug mask cracking just slightly.

“Violet, what are you doing?” he demands, his voice sharp.

“Quiet, Harris,” Dex says coolly, his voice carrying across the room. “Let her speak.”

Mr. Sterling raises a hand to settle the noise. “What is this about, Miss Turcotte?”

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