Page 85 of Forbidden Kisses

We didn't bother knocking. I just opened the front door.

"Christ. What the hell are you two doing here?" Her boss was outrageously belligerent, just like last time.

“The better question is, why areyouhere?” Duncan bellowed. “We told you to stay the fuck away from Paula.”

"You have no real basis to come here and demand that she go back to work for you," I said as coolly as possible.

He glanced at Duncan, then at me. "You know what? I've looked you up. You're not a licensed attorney, so don't think you can put up that same spiel you did last time. You're a liar, just like she is."

Paula rolled her eyes.

"I’ll have my license this month."

I had no idea how I was being so calm, but I suspected it had something to do with having this mountain of a man next to me. I'd always been sassy and strong, but having him next to me made me feel grounded in a way I'd never experienced before.

"Riley might not be a lawyer yet, but I've got an army of them at my beck and call."

The guy sneered. "Really? Is that so? And who the fuck do you think you are?"

"Duncan Sterling."

His eyes narrowed. Sterling Investments was a huge company. Even a slimeball like him would have heard about it.

"Yeah, right," he said with disbelief. "The fuck you are."

Duncan stepped closer to him. "You leave here right now, or we’re going to sue you into the next century."

"For what?"

"The list is endless," I said. "Stalking, for which she has witnesses." I pointed to myself and Duncan.

"Not providing safety and security at work," Duncan added through gritted teeth. “You name it."

Paula wasn't saying anything. She simply crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot.

He looked between all of us and said, "This conversation isn't over."

"Yes, it fucking is," Duncan said. "Now get the hell out."

Duncan stepped closer to him. The guy winced. My heart was in my throat. I hoped it didn't come to a physical altercation because it would definitely count against us.

Finally, he stomped out of the room. I blew out a breath of relief when the door closed behind him. Paula started shaking. I put an arm around her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm just glad that he left."

"What the hell did he even want?" Duncan asked in a harsh tone. He rolled his shoulders and shook his head, as if he needed to expel the adrenaline from his body.

"He said that the last few people he'd hired all quit after a few days and that I was his longest-lasting employee. It all startedgood on the phone, you know? Friendly. He almost convinced me to go back to work. He was so charming; he can really be nice when he wants to. Then, when I asked if he planned to install cameras, he totally turned on me. And then he showed up here."

"All right, you can't stay here anymore," Duncan said. "And no argument allowed."

My sister looked straight at him and then back at me. "You know what? I think I really shouldn't."

Will you look at that? She ignored me when I wanted her to, but Duncan convinced her with one sentence.I would definitely remember this for the future, whenever I have a hard time convincing her again.Sheesh.

"I don't think he’d show up here again," Paula said, "but I also don't want to risk it."