Page 10 of Anger

“Alainen sends his regards,” Simon said smugly.

“Who? Mr Clare, I don’t know what you think I am—”

“You’re a god-damned monster who shifts into a snake!” Simon spat, his face contorting. “Alainen has found you, and we’re going to kill you!”

Her door banged open as Simon was raging, and Ranson strode in with McIntyre on his heels. Building security was also behind them.

Ranson dragged Simon from where he was leaning over the desk, threatening Lanie, and shoved him against the wall. In the meantime, McIntyre came and stood by Lanie, offering protection and reassurance.

Lanie watched as Simon was frisked and then, with his arm up his back, escorted from her office. He kept shouting threats at her, and Ranson shook his head.

“Call the cops. He’s a lunatic,” Ranson ordered, and the building guards nodded.

“Don’t hurt him. Mr Clare is obviously mentally unstable. Perhaps we ought to speak to his professor and see about getting him some professional help,” Lanie said with mock concern.

McIntyre’s lips twitched, and Lanie guessed he’d realised that she was being false. Lanie met his eyes and witnessed amusement in them.

“Don’t you agree?” she asked softly.

“Indeed, Ma’am. He certainly needs some help,” McIntyre agreed.

“She’s a monster! She turns into a half-human, half-snake creature! Listen to me, Lanie Cross is not what you all think!” Simon screeched.

“Get him out of here!” Ranson bellowed.

“I’m going home. This day had been bloody awful,” Lanie announced, standing up.

“Security will call the police on him, as he does seem mentally unstable. I’ll bring the car up to the door if you don’t mind waiting a few moments,” Ranson said.

Lanie nodded and sat down as Ranson left the room, and Lanie gazed at McIntyre.

“Why do you all wear black combats and tees that show your biceps?” Lanie asked and then looked embarrassed.

This man seemed to throw her off balance, and she’d no idea why.

“It’s uniform,” McIntyre replied with amusement.

“Um.”

“It doesn’t show blood stains,” McIntyre continued, and Lanie’s eyes grew wide. “That was a joke.”

“Security humour?”

“Yes, we have our own brand of humour,” McIntyre admitted.

Lanie’s gaze narrowed. “You treat me different to Ranson.”

McIntyre looked surprised. “I do?”

“Ranson is deferential and respectful, but he also treats me normally. With you, there’s something else. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Life’s little mysteries and all that,” McIntyre stated, and Lanie sat up straight.

“Right there. Ranson would never say that to me.”

“Maybe because, although you are some rich billionaire type of person, you’re still a woman. And I was in the SBS, after serving with them, not much scares me,” McIntyre replied.

Sharp green eyes studied her as she gazed back. McIntyre tilted his head as his phone pinged.

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