Page 62 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

“Frankly, given that Mr. Maxwell apparently couldn’t wait five minutes to discuss his newfound ‘daddy phase’ with you,” I shoot a pointed look at Leo, and his jaw tightens visibly. “Perhapshe’sthe one who needs the refresher course on confidentiality agreements, not me.”

Boom. Served.

Luca’s smile tightens until it’s just a thin white line.

Leo pushes himself slightly straighter in his chair, turning his head to look directly at Luca now, and the coldness in his green eyes isn’t directed at me this time. It’s aimed squarely at his partner.

“I said,” Leo repeats, each word clipped, distinct, and carrying unmistakable weight. “It’s not fucking necessary. Drop it, Luca.”

The finality in his tone hangs in the air. Luca looks momentarily stunned, clearly not used to being shut down so decisively by Leo, especially not in front of an outsider. A silent battle of wills seems to pass between them in a fraction of second.

Then, Luca gives a barely perceptible shrug and leans back in his chair. He’s defeated for now, but his eyes still hold a warning glint when they flick back to me.

“Thank you, Ms. Taylor.” Leo turns his gaze back to the window, effectively dismissing both of us. The fragile truce, the momentary flash of him defending me, or at least defending my integrity against his partner’s bullshit, evaporates as quickly as it appeared.

Without another word, I turn and practically flee the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind me with a sound like a cell door locking.

I reach the reception area. Michelle is on the phone. And sitting on the couch in thewaiting area near the elevators is a woman I don’t recognize. She’s stunningly fit, dressed head-to-toe in high-end, hot pink athleisure that showcases her abs, with a sports bra clinging to her chest so tightly it looks like two overenthusiastic marshmallows are trying to escape a pink straitjacket.

Is she auditioning for a Baywatch reboot or something?

Other than her inappropriate office wear, she looks impatient and annoyed.

Just as I approach, I hear the conference door close down the hall behind me, and the clicking of a cane, receding.

The woman’s head snaps up, then she stands and rudely brushes past me as she makes for the hallway.

“Leo!” Her voice is sharp, demanding. “You weren’t in the gym downstairs. I came up to check on you. Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”

I glance down the hall just in time to see Leo turning around.

He seems weary. “Jen. Now’s not a good time. Gonna have to skip this week.”

Jen?

She steps closer to him, lowering her voice, but I can still hear her. It’s almost like shewantsme to hear. Wants to show her claim on him.

Behind the reception desk, Michelle is fidgeting, too. Is that a glint of... jealousy in the assistant’s eyes?

Of course it is.

“How about your penthouse gym tonight, then?” Jen insists quietly. “I can bring the… usual recovery aids.”

Jesus, could she be any more obvious?

Leo shakes his head, avoiding her gaze, his eyes briefly flicking towards me before looking away again. “Too busy, Jen. Seriously. I’ll call you.”

He moves away from her, heading down the hall toward a distant office, and leaves her standing there, fuming.

Her eyes narrow as she watches him go, then they land on me. Cold, appraising, hostile.

My cheeks flame. I quickly press the elevator button, desperate to escape this floor, this building, this entire complicated mess.

Then she starts walking toward me. Those tightly-bound boobs rock back and forth more menacingly than Jell-O shots in a conga line.

Oh god I hope I’m not trapped in the elevator with her. Come on, elevator! Arrive!

But thankfully she stops at the reception desk to chat with Michelle.

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