Page 114 of Lumi

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll make her fix it.”

“Is that a threat?” I narrowed my eyes, fury burning in my gut.

“Lumi Robertson, come out here right now. Don’t think you can hide from me. I’m not afraid of your bodyguard.”

When John White made another attempt to push past me, I gave up reasoning with him. Twisting his arm back, I pushed his face against the wall. “Stand still.”

He wailed and fought back, but I was a fit professional, and he was an overweight, out-of-shape man in a suit.

“Fuck you! I’m reporting you to the police for attacking me. Heeelp!”

“Don’t worry about it, with the way you’re whining and screaming, I’m certain some of the neighbors have alerted my colleagues.”

“You’re breaking my arm. Stop! Someone help me,” John kept screaming until Lumi opened the door from the bedroom.

“Oh, John, will you shut up? People are trying to sleep.”

“You did this!” he accused her. “I tried to reason with you, but instead of taking responsibility for ruining my life, you ran to Daddy and told him to fire me. Well, I hope you’re satisfied because that’s just what he did. I have nothing now.” John was sputtering with a face full of resentment and hatred.

“I didn’t do any of this to you. How did you even find my apartment?”

“Finding your address wasn’t exactly rocket science. You owe me. Do you hear me? You fucking owe me, Lumi.”

Lumi crossed her arms and looked at the pathetic man whose face I was squeezing up against her wall. “What do I owe you?”

“Everything!!! No one treats me this way and gets away with it. You’ll apologize and fix it. Do you hear me?”

“I think the whole building hears you, although I’m not sure they understand your slurring. You’re drunk, John, and tomorrow you’ll regret this. I called the Gardaí and they’re on their way.”

“No, call the police. This man is hurting me. I want to press charges.”

“The Gardaí are the police here in Ireland, and that man behind you is part of their elite unit. Damian isn’t hurting you so much as he’s making sure that you don’t hurt me.”

“Fuck that! I’m an American citizen. You can’t do this to me. I demand to see the ambassador. I’ll sue your asses for police brutality.”

“Why didn’t you go home like Charles asked you to?” Lumi asked in a voice with an edge of pity.

“I tried, but they wouldn’t let me board the plane.”

Lumi sighed and shifted her balance. “Let me guess; you were too drunk.”

“No. I only had a few drinks. I would have been fine. It was the lack of service when I tried to upgrade to business class. They said my credit card kept declining, and they wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Did you use your business card?” Lumi asked.

“Of course. I’m the CEO of Solver Industries.”

“If Charles fired you, all your business cards got canceled. It’s standard procedure.”

John White roared with anger and pushed back again. I tightened my hold on his arm, and it made him cry in pain. An idea came to mind.

“Lumi, would ye mind getting the handcuffs for me?”

She fetched the cuffs and the key, and while I held John in a firm hold, Lumi put them on his right hand.

“I know yer arm is hurtin’, so we’re puttin’ you in some less painful handcuffs. If ye promise to relax, I’ll let go of ye.”