Page 12 of Nikolai

I shake off whatever the hell came over me. "Sit," I wave my hand to the two chairs in front of my desk, as I take my seat. "I hear you are looking for work?" I look to Leah as she settles in her chair.

"Yes. Will you require references or work history?" Leah asks nervously. My eyes drop between her and Sam, where she hasn't let go of his hand, and I find it irritating.

"The Kings vouched for you." My attention shifts to focus on Leah. Her bouncing knee shows how uncomfortable and on edge she is, and her deer in headlights look confirms the fear she is living with. I think back to the conversation I had with the guys at the clubhouse yesterday, which is why she is under their protection. My eyes linger on the fading bruises that mare her face. Anger churns in my gut. I study her a bit longer, only for a second—taking in her heart-shaped face, and long unruly curly hair. Biting her lip, Leah lifts her hand and fidgets with her glasses. My mouth twitches when her eyes drop to her lap, and her cheeks flush. "Leah," her name brushes past my lips and prompts her eyes to snap back to mine. And fuck if it doesn't affect me. "Have you ever worked in an office before?"

Leah's lips part and she takes a long breath before she speaks, and I find myself anticipating what her voice will sound like. "No, but I pick up on things quickly and know my way around a computer." Her voice is soft and sweet.

"I have no problem teaching you," I assure her, and a small smile graces her face. Damn. She. Is. Beautiful. I look at Sam. "How soon can you start?"

"Today," he says eagerly.

"Good." Spinning my chair around, I open a file cabinet drawer, thumbing through papers until I come across an application form. Turning back around, I reach across the desk, handing it to him. "Fill this out and find Gary. He is the older gentleman you met earlier. He'll put you on whatever crew he needs you on." After a brief moment of discussing pay, Sam stands, as do I.

"I appreciate the opportunity." And we shake hands again. He then looks at Leah, who is still seated. "You okay with finishing out your interview alone?"

Before Leah can reply, I answer for her, "She's safe with me."

After a moment's hesitation, Leah nods to her friend. "I'll be okay, Sam," she offers him a smile, and I wish it were for me. I briefly wonder if the two are more than friends and find myself not liking the concept.

"I'll be waiting to take you home at the end of the day," he assures her, then walks out of my office.

Silence fills the room, and I can tell Sam's presence was keeping her grounded because now that he is gone, she seems tenser than before. "Would you like some coffee, or maybe water?" I ask.

"Um, water, thank you." Getting up, I exit my office, cross the hall to the breakroom, and grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and walk back to my office. I close the door behind me.

Leah's posture stiffens, and she looks frightened. Hell, I don't blame her. What woman would trust any man after being beaten by one? "I promise to learn quickly and not be in the way," she suddenly blurts out.

"You had the job before walking in here, Leah."

"I did?" she questions, cocking her head, causing her loose curls to fall across her face.

"Jake told me you are hiding from your father. Correct?" Instead of sitting in my chair, I sit on the edge of my desk, directly in front of Leah.

She looks away, staring out my office window. "Yes."

I don't know what comes over me. Reaching out, I brush my fingers along her chin, forcing her to look at me. I was expecting her to flinch at my touch, but she doesn't. The sadness in her eyes pulls me in, and I feel like I'm drowning in it. "Do you trust Jake and his club?" Her bottom lip trembles, but she nods. "Good. You should. They are good men, and they are asking you to do the same with me. Do you think you can do that?"

Leah blinks. "Trust you?"

"Yes."

"My father is a cop," she gives a bit of information I wasn't aware of. "He's resourceful, and probably won't give up until he finds me."

My look turns severe and cold. "I'm going to assume you are aware that the men protecting you will go to any lengths to keep you safe."

I have to hold back a grin when Leah rolls her eyes at me, showing me a hint of another side of herself. "I don't live under a rock. I've heard things." Her arms cross beneath her large breast, making them look fuller.

I want her to understand this next part, so I make sure I have her full attention. "Then know your father never wants to cross paths with me either." I pause for a moment, letting my words sink in. "You'll work here for me. I'll pay you in cash every week. Keeping you off the payroll will help keep you off his radar. You need something, tell me. I'll keep you safe." Like that, I have pledged to do whatever it takes to keep Leah out of harm's way—away from her father.

6

Leah

"Are you coming to the clubhouse this evening with Sam?" Alba asks over the phone.

"I told you yesterday I'd be there."

"I know, but you flaked the last two times we made plans."

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