Page 16 of Resisting the Lawyer (Dirty Hot Resistance 3)

I don’t say anything, instead choosing to look in the direction she’s looking in, only to see the elevator doors close behind someone. I catch a flash of a male shoulder and something feels off about this whole thing.

When I turn back to Elise, her expression is blank and she’s quietly fussing with Sophie’s dress, the child unnaturally subdued.

“Elise, who was that?”

And for the first time since I’ve known her, she sounds sharp as she answers, “No one important. Leave it alone, please.”

I don’t let her tone bother me and neither do I plan to leave it alone.

I have a fair number of suspicions about what this man meant to Elise and I felt a wave of slow anger simmering inside of me. However, my smile is pleasant and my next words are a blatant lie, “If you say so.”

She almost looks relieved.

Oh, my dear, Elise, I think, affectionately. You’re dealing wit

h a very dangerous man, darling. As if I’ll let something like this go so easily.

And it’s true.

Caleb is and Oliver may be lethal in the boardroom, they have some level of conscience. I have none of that. Behind my smiles and playful veneer lurks a cold unfeeling monster that doesn’t care as he ruthlessly rips a man’s life apart. There’s a reason why I’m so good at my job.

I’ve given Elise enough time to get to know me.

Now, it’s time to take what’s mine and eliminate the threats.

So, I smile at the woman and the child as I’m dazzled by the fierce protectiveness in the eyes of the woman I love when she looks at her daughter.

So much strength inside of her that calls to me.

I’ve been so good over this past year. And it’s gotten me nowhere with her.

Time to show her the real me and see if she can handle it.

“You want me to do what?” Roger gapes at me.

I continue to study the case file in my hand. “You heard me.” I look up at him from where I’m sitting.

“Why can’t I just order it?” He frowns. “The bakery is a half hour drive from here.”

I rub the bridge of my nose. If he wasn’t so good at his job, I would fire Roger. The man argues too damn much. “It’s just Tuesdays and Thursdays and I’m extending your lunch break, so I don’t see what you’re bitching about.”

“And what about the rest of the days?” He asks suspiciously.

I blink innocently. “Why, of course, I’ll go myself.”

When he gives me a disbelieving look, I scowl, “I have weekly meetings on those two days which is why I’m entrusting the task to you. And also.” I sit up, my expression cold. “Anything you hear, I want you to report it to me.”

Roger studies my face before giving me a quick nod.

He’s about to leave for the bakery when I call his name, making him look over his shoulder, and I say, annoyed at the embarrassment in me, “Uh, I lost my phone again.”

My assistant makes a nasty comment under his breath.

I pretend not to have heard it.

Two hours later when I casually pass by the front desk which is missing the pretty little receptionist and her baby, I notice the half eaten strawberry cheesecake muffin, and I grin in satisfaction.

Hook.

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