Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Faith wanted to stand, but she forced herself to stay seated.
“Ms. Leonard. What are you doing here?”
“Where is he? I know it was him!”
Faith wondered what was going on with her. Because she looked like she was losing it. She was wearing a pencil skirt and a red shirt, but they were wrinkled and there was a dark mark on the shirt. Her hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, but it looked greasy and lank. Her makeup wasn’t as perfect as it usually was, and Faith could see a whopping big pimple on her chin.
“I want to see him!” Kirsten screeched.
“He’s not here.” She jumped to her feet as Kirsten strode toward Reuben’s office door. Faith stood in front of it, barring her way.
“Let me in, you bitch!”
“That’s not very nice. I’m not the one who turned up without an appointment, making demands. If you’d like to see him, you’re welcome to wait.”
Please don’t wait.
“It was you, wasn’t it? He’s ruined my life all because of you!” Kirsten’s hands went to her hair, and she started tugging on the strands.
Holy. Heck.
What did Reuben do?
“He sent those photos to my husband and now he’s mad. I have a fucking prenup, and now my husband has evidence of my infidelity!”
She’d been cheating on her husband? And she was mad because Reuben had sent proof to her husband?
All right.
Faith wasn’t feeling so sorry for her anymore. “It sounds to me like you made your own bed and now you have to lie in it.”
“Lucien has been taken into custody by the FBI. I’ve got no job, no money, and now I’ve lost my husband! And it’s all your fault!”
“No, it’s yours.” Faith glared at her. “Leave. Now. Before Reuben comes back.”
“No, no. I’m not leaving until someone pays. And maybe that someone will be you.” She stepped toward Faith, a crazed look in her eyes.
“Step away from Faith, Ms. Leonard.” The words were said in a steady voice.
But Faith knew how mad Reuben was because his eyes were now icy cold.
Kirsten grew pale. Honestly, how did she think this was going to play out? She’d come in here looking for a fight.
Reuben wasn’t a man that you threatened.
Kirsten spun toward him. “You! You did this to me!”
Reuben ignored her, glancing around her to see Faith. “Come here, Faith.”
She skirted the other woman and nearly ran to Reuben. But she didn’t want to look like she was running from Kirsten.
Reuben took hold of her shoulders, looking her over. “Are you all right? She didn’t touch you?”
Faith shook her head. “No, she didn’t touch me. I think she’s lost it, though.”
“It’s her! Isn’t it? It’s because of her that you’ve done this. What does she have that I don’t? You could have had me!” Kirsten yelled.
“But I never wanted you,” Reuben said coldly. “Because you’re a manipulative bitch who uses sex to get what she wants. And now that’s caught up to you. Your choices are to leave town and stay away. Forget about Faith. About me. Or stay. And I will end you.”
A shiver ran through Faith at his words. He meant them. And Kirsten seemed to sense that as well. She stumbled back, falling against his door.
There was a dazed look on her face and Faith couldn’t help but feel another pang of sympathy.
“Don’t,” he warned Faith. “As well as fucking around on her husband, she also gathers information to blackmail the men she sleeps with.”
Kirsten gaped at him before moving toward them. Faith braced herself, but the other woman just gave them both a weary look. “I’m leaving the city. I’m going home. Well done, you win.”
It didn’t feel like a victory.
Faith watched her as she left, her shoulders slumped.
Reuben cupped the side of her face, turning her to look at him. “I love how soft you are, baby. I will guard that softness with my life. But she doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”
She nodded.
“Fuck, you’re shaking.” He gathered her close, wrapping her up and lifting her against his chest. “She isn’t a nice person.”
“I know. It’s just . . . I’m just . . .”
“She didn’t touch you, did she?” he asked.
“No. No, she didn’t.”
“She scared you, though, didn’t she?” He walked to his office and shut the door behind him, locking it.
“Just a bit. What are you doing?”
“You need a nap.”
“Uh, Daddy, I’m working.”
“Who is the boss?”
She sighed. “You are. But you know that you can’t use that to always get your way.”
“Of course I can.” He sat in his seat. “I don’t like that she ambushed you while I wasn’t here. I need security here.”
“You don’t need security here. I was fine.”
Reuben ran a finger down her cheek. “My baby is tired.”
Maybe just a bit.
“I have lots of work to do,” she protested.
“You need rest. And what my baby needs, she gets. And the truth is, I need you close.”