“You don’t have to escort me up,” I said, feeling a little embarrassed to have my dirty laundry aired for him to see.
“I need to talk to Chase.”
I looked up at him. “Not about me, I hope.”
He looked down at me with dark eyes. “Not only. But he needs to know. You’re our responsibility.”
“I’m not a child.” Although the tone of my words did make me sound like a child.
“No, you’re an intern that we’re responsible for. We’re responsible for our employees too.” He shifted. “Or at least I am.”
“Why?”
“Security is my job.” There was an annoyance in his eyes that had me thinking he was feeling like he’d failed in his job when Glenn accosted me.
“You’re good at it,” I said.
He smirked.
“Would you really kill Glenn?”
He eyed me. “Do you want me to?”
I shook my head vehemently. “No. I’m not asking you to, I just want to know if he kept bothering me if you would kill him, like you threatened.”
He looked ahead with his hands clasped in front of him. “Maybe. You should tell me who he is so I can make sure I don’t have to kill him.”
“You scared him off. He won’t bother me again.” Of course, I wasn’t sure of that. In fact, knowing Glenn and his inability to let someone outdo him, chances were, he’d be back. But I didn’t want my history laid out for all the Raven brothers to see. Chase would feel like he made the wrong choice in picking me, and he’d be right. My history would probably hurt the Raven name worse than a pair of short-shorts.
19
Chase
I sat at my desk, studying the project plans for the new resort in Florida. My stomach growled letting me know it was about time for lunch. A couple of times this week, I considered calling Sara to see if wanted to meet me or suggest I go home and combine business with pleasure.
I shook my head. That woman was spoiling me sexually.
I heard voices outside my door, recognizing my wife’s. That though jerked me to attention. My wife. I’d certainly called her that, but I couldn’t remember thinking of her in those terms. Of course, she was my wife, but this was a business deal.
There was a knock and then Hunter walked in with Sara in tow. What the fuck was he doing with Sara? I stood, not liking the angry scowl on Hunter’s face. Granted, the guy never smiled, but he clearly wasn’t happy. I stood and came around my desk.
“Some dumb fuck was man-handling your intern outside the building,” he growled.
My gaze jerked to Sara. “Are you hurt?” I scanned her perfect body, stopping when I saw bruises developing on her arm. “Who did that to you?” My voice was calm although on the inside, rage was boiling.
“It’s nothing. Hunter chased him off.” Her voice sounded calm, but I could see in her eyes that the incident unsettled her.
“Those bruises aren’t nothing.” I wanted to pummel the fucker that dared lay his hands on my wife. “I have a right to know.”
I noted Hunter’s brows pulling together and I wondered if he thought I’m overstepping the bounds for an intern. If only he knew the truth.
Sara sighed. “He’s an ex-boyfriend who tracked me down to talk to me.”
Hunter’s head swiveled to her, wearing the same expression. “He was yanking you up the street.” He turned his attention back to me. “He doesn’t seem to know or accept she’s not into him.”
Sara’s behavior last weekend was starting to make sense. “Did he hurt you? I mean before.”
She swallowed. I saw her eyes fill with tears, but she kept them from falling. “Not really. He’s mostly all talk.”
I had the urge to grab her and hold her tight, protecting her from all the evil in the world. At the same time, I needed to hunt the mother fucker down and make him regret ever touching or scaring her.
Hunter studied me and perhaps saw the murderous rage building in me. He’d certainly be able to recognize it.
“Sara, why don’t you get some water and freshen up,” Hunter suggested. “Take a minute to settle.”
She looked at him and then me. I nodded because I couldn’t trust the words that might come from my mouth. They wouldn’t be angry at her, but they still might not be appropriate.
When she left my office, I ran my fingers through my hair. “Fuck.” Deciding I needed a drink, I went to the bar. I poured a double shot of the first bottle I grabbed, not caring what it was as long as it was at least eighty-proof.
“What’s going on, Chase?” Hunter asked. He stood with his hands on his hips, his dark eyes piercing mine. I felt like he could see into my soul.
“Want a drink?”
“No, I want to know what’s going on with you and the intern.” Hunter was always direct, often to the point of abrupt. Usually I appreciated that in him. Right now, I needed a moment to get my shit together.