Page 103 of Fiery Romance

“There’s no need.” Rosie turns to her. “I know Island personally. She wouldn’t lie. But if you insist, I’ll comply. As Island said, it’s very easy to verify this.”

Genevieve sputters. “At the very least, we need to investigatethis woman—”

Rosie shakes her head. “If Island is watching Regan during working hours, then this case is closed. The children do not seem to be in any harm.”

“But…”

“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Bolton. Miss Gen, I think we’re done here.” Rosie rises to her feet and shrugs her purse over her shoulder. “Island, can I see you for a minute?”

“Of course.” Island passes Genevieve and gives her a frigid look before coming behind my desk.

“Bye, Nan.” Regan waves at a retreating Genevieve who doesn’t bother responding.

I rise, my eyes meeting Island’s and my heart pounding. The buzzing in my chest is a magnet, drawing me closer and closer.To her.

If I could grab her face and kiss her, I would. The passion with which she stood up for me and my kids moves me more than anything ever has.

This is a dangerous feeling.

It’s that stupid, foolish giddiness that causes empires to crumble and kings to fall. The kind of giddiness that would make a man tell a woman ‘I’ll give you half my kingdom’.

I speak in a low voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Regan left Mr. Giraffe in your office and asked me to come and get it. Can you hold her for a minute?”

I accept my daughter into my arms and then reach out to take Island’s hand. Her fingers are slim and they slide perfectly against mine.

She glances up, shocked.

I give her hand a squeeze of gratitude and let her go.

Regan and Abe are my everything. I can’t begin to express what her actions just now meant to me.

And how muchshemeans to me.

I’m so freaking glad that I didn’t sign that contract.

My life is full of complications, and I might not know how to move forward from here, but the minute I let this woman go, is the minute my whole world falls apart.

CHAPTER11

THE FEMALE MOB

ISLAND

I’ve never beenthis piping madin my life. And that is saying something because there have been plenty,plentyof moments that pushed me to the edge.

Like the day I got snubbed for a social media award despite having more fans, more views, and more brand deals than my lighter-skinned counterparts.

Like the day my boyfriend of almost a decade told me he wanted an ‘open relationship’.

Like the day Clay freaking Bolton stormed into my salon and said he owned it.

Each time, I’ve managed to lift my chin, smile and spin everything into a positive, lesson-learned, ‘turn lemons into lemonade’ way.

But today, I’m pissed.

“What are you doing here, Rosie? Didn’t you say that you’d already investigated Clay?”

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