Page 4 of Undeniable

“Jeez,” I huffed. “Are you trying to make me even more nervous?” I was teasing. Sort of.

We both knew how badly I wanted that promotion. It came with a bigger marketing budget. More autonomy. And—best of all—my own office.

Goodbye, dinky cubicle.

I glanced at the clock on my computer, my knee bouncing beneath my desk. “Almost time.” I stood, smoothing my palms down my thighs.

“You’ve got this.” She tossed her red hair over her shoulder.

She was gorgeous, like a fiery pixie with her petite size. I towered over her by nearly a foot. We couldn’t be more different in both looks and temperament, but we were the best of friends, bonding over our mutual love of books and good food.

I grabbed my printouts, and we headed down the hall toward the conference room. As we entered, Alyssa leaned in and said, “If you can not only jump out of a plane, but convince me to do it, you can do this,” then gave my arm a squeeze before heading to her seat.

In many ways, jumping out of a plane seemed so much easier. All you had to do was fall, fly. But putting my ideas, myself, out there felt like an even bigger risk. Especially when it was something I’d worked so hard on. Invested so much of my time—and myself—in.

I took a seat at the table next to Nicole and tried to take a few calming breaths. Seth ran through some administrative details, and I skimmed my presentation one more time.

“Olivia,” he finally called, and I stood.

I was jittery with nerves, but then I remembered why I was doing it. I remembered my grandfather and all the men and women who served our country. If they could put their lives on the line day in and day out, I could muster the courage to pitch an idea that might somehow benefit soldiers like them. If they could fight for my freedom, I could stand up for myself and my ideas.

CHAPTERTWO

Ipulled out my phone, blood covering my hand. The phone rang once, and then Clay picked up. “We have a situation.”

“What kind of situation?” Clay asked. “Is the principal down?”

I shook my head, my thoughts hazy from blood loss. “Need a med team. The ambassador’s son shot me.”

“What?” he roared.

“Disco is in pursuit,” I said through gritted teeth.Fuck, that hurt.

“I’ll send backup, and I’ll be there soon. Where’s the ambassador and the rest of his family?”

“Asleep upstairs.” Though, I wasn’t sure for how long, considering the commotion we were making.

“Good.” He disconnected the call.

Disco returned with a sullen-looking George, who had bruises developing on his face. I gave him an update.

“ETA?” Disco asked.

I checked my phone, continuing to keep pressure on my wound. “Nine minutes.”

“Good,” Disco said through clenched teeth. He was pissed. And maybe in pain. His wrist looked odd, but maybe my own wound was making me delirious.

George tried to escape Disco’s hold, but Disco held tight with his good hand.

“You’ll pay for this,” George seethed at me.

I glared back at him.

There was a knock at the side door, and Clay entered along with a team once it was clear that the situation was no longer active. Clay ran the New York office of Hudson Security, an exclusive executive protection agency. He was a formidable man and a well-respected one—a fellow retired Navy SEAL. I liked him, was proud to work with him.

“He attacked me!” George blurted, pointing at me.The fucker.

All eyes swung to me. “Is that true?” Clay asked, while a medic checked out my knee.

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