Page 13 of Protected By Him

I chuckled at her adamant concern. "Coffee?" I asked.

Emily looked apologetic. "I'm afraid I can’t today. I've taken two breaks already, and there's a shitload of work to do."

I nodded in understanding, my heart clenching at the thought of going home to do nothing but mope.

"Laura, tell me what’s going on," Emily said as she leaned forward again to whisper. "Maybe I can help."

"I don't want to get you in trouble," I said again, shaking my head. "You need this job more than I do."

I stood and started packing my things. Who would have guessed that I would come into work today, only to be fired? I certainly had not.

There was very little to pack. I picked up a picture of Brandon, Leo, and myself. My favorite fountain pen and several writing pads. Thankfully, everything fit into my bag. This would save me the embarrassment of walking out with the "you've been fired" box.

When I stepped out of the building onto the sidewalk, I looked around and contemplated what to do next. Even though I had let Harvey know that I wasn't going to stop probing, I had not thought about how I was going to do that without access to anything.

I leaned my head back, looking toward the blue sky. What the hell was I going to do?

I took a deep breath and suddenly, the image of Leo came to mind.

He’d told me to stay out of it. Now, look where I was. But I knew he could help. I knew he would know what to do, he always did. I already had some evidence since I’d taken home the statements I’d printed out the night before and the reports I’d printed that day were in my bag. I had the statements, what Harvey had said to me, and the strong suspicion that he was doing something completely illegal.

Unable to wait a second longer, I searched around my purse for my phone, breathing a sigh of relief when my hands wrapped around it.

A minute later, my phone was pressed against my ear as I waited.

"Hey, Laura." The familiar, low-timbred voice that filtered through the speakers immediately calmed me.

I took a deep breath. "Hello, Leo. I think I need your help."

Chapter Seven

Laura

Ilookedaroundthebar as soon as I stepped in for Leo. When I saw no sign of him, I moved to the bar and took a seat. We’d agreed to meet here at 7pm. He wasn't late; I had just arrived a little early.

I did not want to be left alone with my thoughts any longer. Being at home on a Wednesday afternoon had felt strange. I’d noticed things about my apartment that I’d never noticed before. My next-door neighbor, for example, had a piano that they obviously only played during the day because I had never heard them play when I was home at night. This afternoon, the piano had been played by unlearned hands that nearly caused my ears to bleed.

I managed to survive that, but not the loneliness and utter despair I’d suddenly felt. I already missed being out in the field and pursuing the next hot story. I cried a little at the notion that my career, which I loved so much, could possibly be over.

I looked over at the bartender and caught his eye, and he smiled at me. "Vodka with club soda and lime," I said. I was going to need something really strong to dull the current ache in my chest.

The bartender slid the drink over to me, and I picked it up and brought it to my lips, then downed it in one long gulp.

"Please, don't choke on that." I heard from behind me.

I could tell who the voice belonged to immediately. It was one I’d heard most of my life. Leo…

I turned to him with a small smile. "I would drown in it, if it were possible," I laughed. My eyes looked him over, trying not to be too obvious. He was dressed in navy blue slacks and a white patterned shirt. The sleeves were rolled up like they had been other night, and the first two buttons were left open.

I eyed the exposed skin of his chest, and when I caught myself, I quickly blinked away.

"I would say that's a very, uh, questionable fantasy," he responded as he took the seat next to me.

I eyed the way his slacks fit snugly against his skin. I could just about make out the way those sturdy thighs bulged with the slightest of movements.

I signaled to the bartender for a refill. I could feel Leo's gaze, and I turned toward him.

"Are you alright?" Those dark eyes were filled with concern.

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