Page 13 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

At the reminder of what had occurred yesterday, I feel a soreness from where Allard had painfully gripped. I don't rub the spot like I am tempted to but instead focus on trying to give Declan a convincing smile.

"It was nothing. I am fine now."

"I’m glad that I stepped out when I did," Declan murmurs, picking up his drink to take a sip from it as well.

"I’m glad as well," I confess. "I have been trying not to think about what could have happened if there had not been anyone to stop him."

Declan frowns at the thought.

"I wonder how he even got in. It appears that our security has been compromised. I will talk to the chief of security tomorrow. We not only have to guarantee your safety but that of the other staff members who might decide, like you did, to stay and work late into the night. The work environment should always be a safe space for staff,"he says and then moves his hands over mine, the warmth of his palm reassuring me as he speaks. "I am sorry if his invasion has made you feel like your work environment isn't a safe space anymore."

I draw strength from Declan's reassuring touch and smile.

"I do feel a little creeped out about it. But I love to work and won't allow that one ordeal to ruin something I love to do so much."

"That's what I like to hear," Declan says."But who was he anyway?"

He sounds casual like it's a question that he thought of. But I know that he has been very curious to know.

I take another sip of my drink and wish that I had ordered something stronger. Well, I didn't want to be an irresponsible adult, drinking alcohol while knowing fully well I would be driving myself home.

"Allard is an ex who has refused to accept that we are broken up,"I explain.

Declan frowns.

“That explains why he had come to see you.”

I nod.

"It's been like that for months. He stalks me and keeps telling me that we belong together, even though I have made it crystal clear that we are no longer a thing."

Declan looks like he wants to know what happened between us. I am thankful when he doesn't ask but instead says, "I think you should file a restraining order. He definitely took it too far last night. I fear to think what he’d do if he cornered you alone."

I shake my head, hating the feeling that engulfs me at being helplessly cornered by Allard. I hate that I am weaker than he is. I hate that I couldn't stand up for myself and needed someone to do that for me. I loathed that Allard had gotten the notion that he could do whatever he pleased with me as long as no one was there.

"I had mentioned to him that I would. I guess that was what tipped him over the edge."

Declan's eyes darken in anger, his hand molds into a fist.

"I really hope for his sake that he never attempts to harass you where I'm present. Someone will sleep in jail, and it won't be him."

Declan's eyes are dark and filled with rage, the same rage that I'd seen in his eyes when he'd sent Allard scrambling away with threats uttered in that low tone of voice. His father had mentioned when he joined the company three years ago that he was a retired Naval Officer. I’m curious to know more about what he’d done.

I let my eyes run over his face once more, noting how well-built he is. With bulging shoulders and a prominent chest, it looks like he'd needed more than an intense workout to achieve that. I also note a big scar on the side of his neck, which is almost silvery in color.

"How did you get that?" I ask him.

Declan brings his hands to the skin of his neck and brushes them softly over the old wound.

"From an assailant who had tried to kill the public figure I'd been assigned to guard."

My eyes widen at his words.

"Assassin? I didn't think those existed except in movies."

Declan chuckles.

"They actually do. I have a lasting scar right here to prove it."

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