Page 5 of Protected By Him

I heaved a sigh and decided to make one last bid for information. “Hey, Jon, I just wrapped up my latest assignment and haven’t gotten my next one yet. Why don’t you give me that list of vendors from Mr. Harvey’s credit card statement. I’ll look them up for you.”

Jon looked at me suspiciously. “Why would you do that?”

I tried to not look guilty. “Well, I know you’re really busy. And I am sure you would love to spend your evenings with Sarah, not working overtime digging through reports. I really am happy for you and Sarah. I can handle the reports during the day while I am already slow, so you might not have to work late. Besides, we all pitch in wherever we’re needed, don’t we?”

The last part wasn’t a total lie. I’d done a dual major in accounting and English. Writing was my passion, but my brother had convinced me a job in accounting would be more stable. After graduation, I’d taken a position with the accounting department at Prime Media. I’d always thought I wanted a desk job in the back corner, hidden from everyone. But after six months of mundane numbers every day, I had quickly realized it wasn't for me. I’d fallen in love with the excitement of journalism and transferred departments as soon as a position had come available. However, this wasn't the first time I’d pitched in with the accounting department when they were busy and things were slow on the journalism side.

He considered this for a moment, then brightened. “Thanks, Laura. That’s really nice of you. I’ll email you the list.” Jon popped up from his seat and shoved the last of his donut into his mouth with a grin, then waved as he left the breakroom.

As I walked back to my cubicle, I wondered if Jon was right. What if Harvey had made a mistake due to stress? I shook my head. No, that didn’t explain what I’d overheard that morning.

Luckily, Emily wasn't at her desk when I walked past on my way out. I heaved a sigh of relief and nearly jogged out of the building.

I needed to run a few errands during my lunch break, and there was no better way to keep my mind busy than bussing around the city.

Chapter Three

Leo

Uggh, Laura Anderson. I’d wanted that woman since I was twenty-six and had moved back home to be closer to my parents. It had been a shock to realize that Laura wasn’t a little brace-faced girl anymore. She was all grown up and gorgeous. And there I’d been, a newly single father with an infant, and she’d still had her whole life ahead of her. Not to mention Laura was my best friend’s sister, and Brandon had always been fiercely protective of her. The last thing I’d wanted to do was risk my friendship with him.

But damn… Her long, auburn hair, light green eyes, sun-kissed skin, and curves for days were enough to bring any man to his knees.

However, Brandon left her in my care while he was away. He trusted me to look after her, make sure his little sister is okay.

Even though I’d long since gotten my life together and she was older and living her own life, she was still my best friend’s sister and should have been off limits. I wished I could say when it happened. Maybe it started getting intense for me when I was suddenly around her more often, without Brandon. The nights when she came over to have dinner with Ella and me, occasions which she always assumed were excuses to drill her about what was going on in her life for Brandon.

But they weren’t.

I loved seeing her with Ella.

I loved her genuine laugh at my stupid jokes.

I loved how at ease she was.

I had somehow fallen in love withher.

It was getting harder to conceal my feelings for her. It was like I could break at any given moment.

I didn't know if she felt the same, and it was too risky to ask outright. Instead, I tried to test the water by flirting, curious to see if she’d flirt back. But she was always so relaxed, like she was having a conversation with…her brother.

If she didn’t feel the same way, things could become awkward, and I did not think I could stand pushing her away like that.

I have wanted to ask her to dinner or drinks without Ella as a buffer, but I hadn’t been able to think of any way to do it without it seeming weird. I couldn't just call or text her and ask if she wanted to go out for drinks. That would have definitely thrown up red flags.

I’d still been trying to figure out a way to make it happen, when I’d literally run into her on the sidewalk outside her office. Immediately, I could tell something was wrong. Laura had never been able to hide the truth from me. In all ways but one, I could read her like a book. As kids, it had driven her crazy that I was the only one who could consistently tell when she was lying, just like I could tell she’d lied to me now.

“Just a hangover my ass,” I mumbled under my breath as I made my way further down the sidewalk to the courthouse. Seeing her had reminded me that Ella wouldn’t be home tonight, and I was grateful for the opportunity to finally get some time alone with Laura, but my excitement was dimmed by concern for her.

Sure, she had the pallor and bloodshot eyes of someone who’d had too much to drink the night before, but her look had not beenjustfrom a hangover. There was more to it. She’d looked as if she’d seen a ghost. Or something had happened to her. Maybe someone had made an uncomfortable pass at her? Was she being threatened? Whatcould have made her look so confused and terrified?

I determined that Iwouldget it out of her tonight. One way or another.

Tonight… I exhaled with worry and anticipation. I had to figure out a way to find out if she felt anything for me. Tonight would be the night to get answers to all of my questions.

Walking into the courthouse, I pushed my thoughts of Laura to the back of my mind, so I could focus on my job. Finally, my firm was set to wrap up a class action lawsuit. After months of preparation, I thought I’d made a strong case for the judge to toss the suit altogether, but judges could be fickle creatures, and I couldn’t get ahead of myself. So, I mentally flipped through the biggest issues with the case as I went through security.

As I was collecting my briefcase and suit jacket, I caught sight of an old friend of mine from college who I hadn’t seen in several months. I caught his eye, and he immediately waved before walking over.

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