Page 89 of Arrogant Bastard

Scot frowns. “You can’t go in there with her.”

“Then bring me a chair. I’ll wait out here.”

“Uh…I don’t think that’s protocol.”

“Fuck protocol. Is Fionnella Smith here?” Killian snaps, his eyes narrowing mercilessly on the increasingly uncomfortable-looking man.

Scot’s frown deepens. “Who?”

Right. Of course he has no idea who we’re talking about.

Killian’s jaw tightens. “A chair. That’s all I need. Now, Scot.”

“I’ll have to speak to my supervisor—”

The door behind us opens. The redhead is drop-dead gorgeous, right down to the superbright gray eyes, long lashes, and the twin dimples that appears in her cheeks when she spots Killian and smiles.

“Killian…Mr. Knight. This is an unexpected pleasure.” She glides past me, her pencil skirt swishing silkily, and holds out her hand in greeting.

Killian’s look of surprise turns into a smile. “Lisa, what are you doing here?”

“I was called in on a case.” Her gaze shifts to me, reluctantly. “I’m guessing you’re my nine o’clock?” she asks with a perfectly plucked, raised eyebrow.

My nod is jerky and cold. I can’t help it. She reminds me of Heather Jane Fitzgerald with her fake warmth, perfect teeth, and boyfriend-stealing body. “I’m Faith Carson. You must be Mrs. Channing.”

“It’s Miss. I’m single,” she adds. While staring right at Killian. I want to punch her in the face. After a moment, she lowers her gaze demurely. “Come on in, please.” She stands aside to let me in and then immediately turns to Killian. “Can I help with anything?”

I’m expecting him to repeat his request for a chair. Instead he shakes his head. “Scot was just about to escort me to level seventeen, weren’t you?”

Scot runs a shaky finger inside his collar. “Uh…I’m only allowed up to level ten.”

Killian holds up his keycard. “Luckily, I am. Just point me in the right direction. All these corridors look the same to me.”

“Yes, of course. I can do that. Right this way, sir.”

“Good to see you again, Lisa,” Killian says with a nod and a smile.

“You too. I’ll be here all day. Feel free to stop by.” She points to a small light bulb at the top of her door. “If that’s red, it means I have someone in with me. If not, I’m wide open.”

I bet you are.

“I might just do that,” he replies. I stare in astonishment as he walks off without a second glance at me.

I’m still reeling when she shuts the door behind her and turns to me. “Miss Carson, please take a seat. According to my notes, you’ve been…away for four years? Make yourself comfortable. We have a lot to get through.”

For the next three hours, she probes every inch of my first and second assignments with the agency, jotting down my reactions and responses when I was under pressure.

“Why are you taking notes?”

She looks surprised. “For assessment of your fitness for future missions, of course.”

Right. She doesn’t know I’m quitting. “Okay.”

Her smile is quick and tight, not slow and seductive like the one she gave Killian. I shift in my seat when another arrow of jealousy lances me.

At midday, she calls a halt to the interrogation. I can’t leave her office fast enough. Scot is on his own when I exit Lisa Channing’s office. He escorts me into the lobby and hurries away as Killian straightens from the pillar he was leaning on and crosses to me.

We walk outside in silence and get into the SUV we drove in.

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