Page 91 of The Reluctant Hero

He turns me and lets me go. I’m standing next to a fancy red truck that I’ll need a handle and the running board to get into. Before I can speak, he has the door open, and his handwarms the small of my back as he guides me. As soon as I set one foot on the running board, his hands are at my hips, helping, and they linger.

“Hands off,” I start laughing and spin to sit down.

“I’ll try, but I ain’t makin’ any promises,” he grins at me. The turnaround in his mood reminds me of Shade’s reaction to South. It makes the warmth in my stomach flutter around in excitement.

He gets in and takes me to work while I start floundering in confusion. Weren’t we pissed at each other a second ago? And he brushed me off. Right? Or did my past take over that interaction?

We ride past the gated entrance to the VIP parking lot, and I let out a sigh of relief. This means I don’t have to walk by the front desk to see if flowers are waiting for me.

Ace is a complete gentleman, opening doors and placing his hand on my lower back to guide me like I’m something precious to him. It makes me feel delicate, something I’m strangely ok with while my brain is insisting I don’t need it. Although, if he can put up with my bad attitude and still treat me like a lady he’s worth his weight in gold. So am I, since I’m putting up with him in return.

When he escorts me into the office, I’m met with several glares. The harshest from Matthias himself.

“You’re late,” he says in his frosty tone.

Cade is in Ace’s place with a scowl and crossed arms. Jake has a hip propped on the corner of Matthias’ desk and his friendly smile is nowhere in sight. Mikael is looking between Ace and me with suspicion.

“If I am, it's by seconds. Ace drives like a maniac. Let’s get this over with,” I prop my fists on my hips and look at each of them with a disappointed shake of my head. “The game is over. You win. I’m not bending over backward for you anymore. I can’ttake the flashbacks. I’m getting the files and going to the filing room, or you’re firing me. Either way, I’m not staying up here to listen to any more abusive bullshit. Six years of it was enough.”

Ace promptly walks to the mini desk and starts packing up the files. Matthias watches with a blank expression. Mikael’s arms drop to his sides, his expression becoming concerned. The other two look confused.

“What makes you think you can dictate terms to me?” Matthias’ eyes snap back to my defiant expression and narrow.

My eyes meet his, my rage competing with his freeze-out tactic. “I’ve put up with it because I wanted to win. It was a mistake that cost me, and it isn’t worth my mental health. I’ll be professional, and you’ll forget I exist. Even trade. No more games.”

Matthias opens his mouth to give a cutting rebuttal, and Ace interrupts him with snarling rage.

“She got blackout drunk on Saturday with people she hardly knows because of this shit. Believe me now? It’sdone, Gabe.”

The words seem to startle Mikael and Matthias. Their concern starts bleeding out as they watch Ace roughly stuffing files into the box.

“Or because it was fun?” I sputter out. He makes it sound like I went out to drown my sorrows. Wait, I was. Shit.

Ace gives me a sneer. “How many times have you gotten drunk like that?”

The answer would be never. I’ve never had the urge to do anything like it before. I cringe a little, which makes Ace nod angrily.

“Never. That’s fuckin’ spiralin’ darlin’.”

“Are there no Gs in your alphabet?” I snap back petulantly.

“Getyour ass downstairs,” he tells me slowly without a trace of his accent.

“I was kidding,” I protest with wide eyes. “I didn’t have any other comebacks that were burn-worthy.”

“This is my fault,” Mikael says with a frown. “Amanda, I’m sorry I suggested it.”

The apology surprises me, and it shows because Mikael looks really worried as he takes in my expression. He sounds sincere. Does he feel guilty?

I flounder for a second. The anger stifled for the moment at his earnest expression. A man that big looking vulnerable is not something a woman is prepared for and it makes me melt into a puddle. I want that to stop ASAP.

“Well, shit,” I sputter out in bewilderment. “I’m the one that agreed to the act. I didn’t think about it until it was too late. It’s not like you knew what would happen any more than I did.”

“He gets let off the fuckin’ hook?” Ace looks enraged over it.

“Look at him!” I protest defensively. “He’s actually sorry, and it’s hitting me in the feels!”

“Iwas actually sorry, and you treated me like shit,” Cade snaps and gives Mikael a dirty look.

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