Page 79 of Dr. Damaged Protector

I kept my guard up and followed him, thinking I’d be able to reason with him about the Kate issue.

“So, I guess you have something to talk to me about,” he said as he poured me the glass of red wine.

“It's someone,” I said as I accepted the glass. “I'm sure you know who I'm about to talk about.”

“Before that you have to be careful receiving drinks from people,” he advised. “I mean I know you saw me pouring the glass. But there are people like my wife that could pour it in your presence and still be poisoned.”

I wasn't bothered at first but as he mentioned it. I stared at the glass in suspicion.

“Relax, I said my wife not me,” he said and laughed. “I wouldn't do something as inhumane as that.”

“What exactly is wrong with your family?” I frowned, putting down the glass and losing my appetite.

“I have no idea,” he replied. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Are you really going to marry her?” I asked. “Because it seems to me that you're just stalling.”

“What if I am stalling?” he asked, taking a few steps closer to me. “Maybe I haven't fully settled on what I want yet.”

“And what's that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“What exactly it means,” he said as he grabbed my hair and sniffed it. “Remember when I said if only I met you earlier?”

“Let go of my hair, James,” I warned. “You don't have to touch me to tell me what you want to say.”

“Maybe I do,” he responded but let my hair go, “but I meant what I said that day.”

“And your point is?”

“Maybe….” he replied as he placed his hand on my hip.

I stared at the hand and looked back at him.

“Maybe the reason you're so against my marriage with Kate is that you wish to be in her position?” he asked and touched my backside. “Am I right, Olivia?”

He pulled me to himself, and I punched him in the face.

“Sorry my hand slipped,” I apologized. “You better start treating my friend better or let her go.”

“That smarts,” he laughed and checked his nose for bleeding. “I deserved that, didn't I?”

“From where I'm standing at least,” I replied and emptied the glass of wine. “Good night, James.”

“Good night.”

As I retreated to my bedroom, the adrenaline wore off and I started to panic. Kate had to leave this place.

Lucas

“And the next time you will need help, call in advance,” Helena warned. “You can't just block me out of wherever I am and land me at your hospital whenever you need it.”

“I'll speak to the financial department and settle you,” I sighed.

“Double it or never call me again,” she warned and got into the car.

“I don't require any pay, sir,” Isaac said. “Saving that woman's life was all that mattered.”

“Me neither, I'll just call in the favor when it's my turn,” Gregory said and walked past us.

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