Page 22

Easton Forbes, the top stunt double in LA, is one of ten stunt people who were injured in a controversial on-set accident. He’s personally suing the movie production company, the stunt coordinator, and the special-effects team for poorly planning an explosion that was mistimed. Easton suffered life-changing injuries and severe burns. If Nathan wins the case, the other victims will sue and there will be a high probability the production company will settle out of court so as not to bring more negative attention to the movie they are still currently filming and damage the movie before it’s even released.
One thing for sure: Nathan is a force to be reckoned with. He’s the best because he’s dedicated, never gives up, and has the highest track record, winning ninety-five percent of his cases.Is this because he uses shady ways to win them? I don’t think so because everyone at Hart Law follows strict protocol, which is all they ever harp on about, meaning I could be wrong about Nathan and his family. Which sucks.
Since becoming his secretary, I have discovered that Nathan is not only ethical, but he’s also not a quitter.
But neither am I.
I’m only here because I have a mission to complete but some days, I have considered telling Nathan where he can shove his demands.
Like a rabid dog, when Nathan is stressed more than normal, he barks instructions at me, Joseph—everyone.
With ladyballs of steel, I do not let him see how much he bothers me. Any small chink in my armor is like an in for him and I will not allow that to happen.
Not now.
Not ever.
I know his moods aren’t a personal attack on me. It’s like something comes over him when he steps through the doors of this building because the night we slept together I saw the other side of him.
He was kind.
Thoughtful.
Tender, even.
Which I find perplexing.
I still want to stick hot fire pokers in his eyes while at the same time nurse them back to health so he can see me again. The real me.
The one he saw glimpses of at his apartment.
My mind frequently drifts back to our night together, remembering the way he made me feel. There has been no better feeling than the way he held me, like I was precious cargo, and then waking up in his strong arms that felt like home.
How is that even possible? I want to hate him, but I can’t.
Maybe I do, just a smidge.
But he’s like a spell that pulled me under and into his dangerous charm.
He’s the kind of man I want to open a door for me with one hand and spank my ass with the other.
Sadly, I won’t ever get to sample that ass-spanking side of him again, which I’m fine with.
Not really.
Because every morning, I find myself daydreaming, imagining our hot night, but he blows it all to hell when he appears in the office like a bear with a sore head and then has me praying his inner ogre will go into his cave and stay there until my time here is over.
But that’s wishful thinking.
When Joseph informed me Nathan’s mood is even worse when he’s mid-trial, my shield of armor grew even thicker.
Gee, I can’t wait for those days. I think I’d rather have a root canal.
I’m ready though, because I won’t let him see me falter.
Fingers crossed I only need to put up with Mr. Crankypants, Joseph’s nickname for him, until I get my hands on what I came here for. Until then, I’m trying to be patient but it’s wearing thin, and I still haven’t achieved what I came here to do. It doesn’t help that Nathan continues to test my patience daily.
Although, I shouldn’t complain. The salary he’s paying me is more than compensating me, and I’m going to take whatever I can from him and his family while I can. The Hart family are my enemy and that’s never going to change.