Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Get out.”
MJ began to shout obscenities. Cursing me. Mila. She spewed threats. I slid my hand into my pocket. “I’m calling the police,” I said calmly, refusing to let her see the pain radiating through my cheek or how upset I was. I hadn’t wanted it this way. I wanted a clean slate and to walk away, knowing it was for the best but had been handled well. Of course MJ wouldn’t allow that.
She turned and headed to the door. Mila slipped out from behind me, staring in horror at my rapidly swelling cheek. “Oh my God,” she murmured. “She is vile.”
MJ spun on her heel, lunging the short distance.
Mila turned in front of me, calm and steady. As MJ pulled back her arm, I reached to yank Mila out of the way.
But there was no Mila to grab. She bent, avoiding MJ’s attack. She twisted, coming up behind her and taking her down in a move so smooth and lethal I blinked. One moment, MJ was right there; the next, she was facedown on the carpet, Mila bent over her, MJ’s arms held against her back.
“He told you to leave,” Mila seethed. “He gave you the chance, you horrible excuse for a human. He doesn’t love you. He told you that. He doesn’t want you. Now, you have two choices. Wait for the police and the charges that we will both press. Assault. Attempted murder for switching his meds. Or you get up, you walk out, and you never bother him again. You attend that meeting in the morning, and you sign the papers. If you don’t, we will still press charges. Do you understand?”
I blinked at the tone of Mila’s voice. The fury and determination in it. I had never seen her like that. A protective lioness defending her mate. Me.
I was shocked, thrilled, anxious, and, frankly, a little turned on.
“Get off me.”
“Is Nick calling the police?”
I saw MJ’s shoulders drop in defeat. “No. I’ll go.”
Mila got up, keeping her hold on MJ’s arm. She walked her to the door, opening it and pushing her out. “Think before you do something stupid, MJ. Nick is giving you the break of a lifetime. I wouldn’t be so generous.”
“You are such a sanctimonious little bitch,” MJ hissed, rubbing her arm. “You will regret this. I’ll make sure of it.” Then she nodded my way. “He isn’t worth the trouble.”
Mila cocked her head. “Do your worst, MJ. And by the way, he is. And it’s not trouble when you really love someone. It’s called support. Empathy. You should try to learn that.”
She slammed the door, locking it.
We heard MJ’s rants all the way down the hall.
Our gazes locked, and I shook my head in wonder at the incredible woman standing there.
Fearless. Strong. Mine.
“You should probably call Tom and Jacob,” she said as her left eyebrow twitched.
I caught her before she hit the floor.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MILA
I opened my eyes, meeting Nick’s concerned, dark gaze.
“Hey, Shortcake.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “There you are.”
“Oh God, I went down again.”
He smiled, brushing his finger over my cheek. “Not before you pulled some cool Charlie’s Angels moves on MJ. You threw her out of here like last week’s trash.” He shook his head. “How did you learn to do that?”
I smiled ruefully, pulling myself up. We were on the sofa, me cradled protectively in his arms. “Have you met my uncles? Aiden and Dad made sure all us girls knew how to defend ourselves. Sammy can flip a man twice her size in the blink of an eye.”
“Remind me not to get you angry with me.”
“She’s gone, right?”
He looked upset. “Yes, thank God. I texted everyone while you were out. We’re meeting at the hotel once we’re done here. I told Andi what you did.”
“I was out that long?”
“Only a few moments. My voice-to-text was fast. She said you sometimes were out longer than usual if the trauma was intense.”
I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder. “That’s one word for it.”
“I’m sorry, Shortcake. I didn’t want her near you at all. She’s poison.”
I cupped his face, frowning at the bruise already forming. “You took the brunt of it. That bitch.”
“It’s the last time.”
I frowned. “Was there a first before today?”
He nodded with a shrug, and my heart hurt for him. “Never again, Nick.”
He smiled. “No. Never again. Now, you finished out here?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll be done in ten, and we’ll load up and head to the hotel.”
“Okay.”
He pressed another kiss to my head. “Okay, baby.”
A couple of hours later, I looked at Andi, who met my gaze calmly. Jacob and Tom had been busy. When Nick expressed his worry over her retribution, they had assured him everything was locked down.
“All your accounts are safe. Passwords changed. Access limited. We’ve notified those needed that she no longer represents you as your business manager slash agent. You brought all the contracts from your safe?”