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Her palm shot out like a stop sign, halting him mid-sentence. “No. Like I said last night, you deal with Haider. I’ll be fine.” She lifted her chin, determination mingling with the sadness he’d seen in her smile. “I think, after last night, you’re right. It might be best if we kept our relationship on a strictly business level.”
She whirled on her heels and marched out of his office, leaving him standing there with his hands in his pockets, feeling like a bloody fool.
Sophia might think she could keep herself safe, but until Lachlan located Haider, he wasn’t taking any chances. As much as he loathed involving his boss in his personal affairs, another pair of eyes on her wouldn’t hurt. He swallowed his distaste at the prospect of airing his dirty laundry and strode down the hall to Jared’s office. Penny was away from her desk, so he went straight to Jared’s door, gave it a firm rap, and turned the knob. “Got a minute?”
“A minute.” Landry waved him toward the chairs in front of his desk.
Lachlan sat, indigestion burning behind his sternum as he contemplated what to reveal. “Did you ever come across Nadia Haider when you were in Afghanistan? She served as an interpreter for coalition troops out of Bagram.”
Landry’s brows knitted. “Maybe, I don’t remember. We worked with several ’terps.”
“You’d remember if you met her. She was one of the few female interpreters working with us. Her parents were Afghans who immigrated to London when she was a bairn.”
“I think I know who you’re talking about.” Landry waved a hand in dismissal. “What about her?”
“Nadia’s brother, Roshan Haider, is in town.” Lachlan grimaced. “He’s been stalking Sophia.”
“Why the hell would he do that?”
“He blames British forces for his sister’s death.” Lachlan shifted in his chair. “I think he saw us together when I brought Sophia home from the gallery reception after you left her without a ride.”Arsehole. He didn’t say the word aloud, but his tone conveyed the message.
Jared’s eyes cooled. “I was called away unexpectedly. You said he blames the British for his sister’s death. Is Sophia in danger because of something you did?”
“I’m taking care of it.” Lachlan rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension bunching them. “I wanted you to know so you could keep an eye on her, maybe make sure she has an escort if she has any meetings out of the office until I resolve the issue. I’ve made sure she can get to and from work safely.” Thanks to Nathan.
“Jesus.” Jared scrubbed a hand over his face. He picked up the pen on his desk and toyed with it before pointing it at Lachlan like a weapon. “I’ll watch after her—but you’d better make damn sure this Haider doesn’t pose a threat. And don’t do anything illegal.”
“I understand. As I said, I’m taking care of the situation.” Landry’s admonition hit too close to home. He stood, eager to end the conversation.
“Did you do it?”
Jared’s question froze him in his tracks. “Do what?”
“Kill Nadia Haider. Is that why her brother is here?” Jared watched him with a curiously blank expression, hands steepled under his chin.
“You know better than anyone we can’t talk about what we did on missions.” He wasn’t about to spill his deep dark secrets.
“Stay away from Sophia.” The warning in Jared’s voice was unmistakable.
“Is there a problem we need to discuss?”Shite.Lachlan had been going for neutral, not the challenge he’d just thrown out.
Landry threw up a palm. “Of course not. I’m not in the habit of concerning myself with relationships between my employees—unless it interferes with business. Or, apparently, their safety.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Liar.
He saw the frost in Jared’s eyes. He’d seen how Jared looked at Sophia when she wasn’t paying attention. Landry was her boss. He’d better not cross that line.
Lachlan’s hands fisted. Landry’s gaze dropped to them before returning to meet Lachlan’s, his brow arched.
Lachlan forced his fingers to relax. “You needn’t worry. Sophia and I are strictly colleagues.”Now, who was the liar?His words hung in the air while their stares fought for dominance.
Landry broke first. He gave a sharp nod. “She has a promising future with LAI. She’s also innocent. Not your usual type, I assume. I would hate to see her hurt because she misunderstood your intentions.”
“I won’t hurt her.” Lachlan couldn’t promise that, though he wished he could. “I won’t let anyone else hurt her either.”
A vow he’d keep or die trying.
Sophia sat at her desk, chin in hand, getting nothing done as she stared blankly at her computer.