Page 15 of Big Bold Security

At the end of my shift, I am in the changing room stripping off my uniform when someone walks in.

“Meredith, hey, I was just leaving,” I say, slipping on my sweater and turning to the mirror to straighten my hair.

“We need to talk,” she says, sounding serious and when she turns to face me, I can see the malice in her eyes.

“Okay…”

“I know about your relationship with your patient. I saw you.”

It takes me a second to process her words before my heart falls to my feet. It takes me another full minute to realize that this isn’t just a friendly warning.

There is nothing friendly about the way she coldly smiles at me with glee…

“What will you do?”

Chapter Eight

Maverick

Scarlett doesn’t show up.

Not at the office and not at the Italian restaurant we were supposed to visit for our first date. I try calling her phone but it sends me to voicemail, and that’s when I get worried.

I barely break a sweat as I climb the ten flights of stairs to her apartment and when I get to her door, I expect no one to answer even as I knock loudly. I hear some noise from inside the apartment before the door is pushed open to reveal the woman whom I’ve spent half of my evening worried about.

She’s fine.

I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, willing my heart to calm down now that I’ve confirmed she’s alive. Only when my heart has stopped racing do I allow myself to feel irritation.

“You never answered your phone,” I say, my eyes burning a hole into her. She is dressed in yoga pants and a long sweater like she is ready for bed. Did she really intend to stand me up? “Scarlett!”

“What? I was tired, okay? I didn’t want to go out or be bothered tonight!” she snaps.

“Am I… bothering you?” I grit through clenched teeth. Really? How can she turn cold so quickly? We were fine this afternoon. More than fine, unless perhaps she is upset about the interruption.

“I… I just want to be alone tonight,” she says trying to push the door closed, but I don’t let her, placing my foot in the way.

I reach out and grab her hand, forcing her to face me—ready to confront her about her change of heart—when I notice the tears. Her beautiful hazel eyes are filled with unshed tears and for a moment, I think I’m the cause of it until I notice the dry streaks on her cheeks signaling the fact that she’s been crying for a while.

My teeth clench and this time, it’s not from irritation but anger. Someone clearly hurt her, and I need to deal with them.

I just need to find out who it is first.

“Hey,” I whisper, my voice gentle as I step into the apartment and shut the door behind me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she snaps, wiping her eyes angrily. “Just go. Leave, Maverick. I need… I just want to be alone tonight.”

“And I will leave only when you tell me who upset you.”

“Why, will you kill them for me?” I don’t respond to her sarcasm and her eyes widen in shock. “What? No, I don’t need anyone killed. What the hell!”

“I never said I was going to kill anyone.”

“You didn’t have to,” she huffs, making her way into her tiny living room and throwing herself on the couch. She glares at the ceiling, and I would find it adorable if I wasn’t already seething with anger at the thought of someone causing my baby even a moment of grief.

I drop to a crouch in front of her and grab her hands, tightening my grip when she tries to draw them away.

“If you want me to leave, I will,” I say, hating the bitter taste in my mouth from uttering those words. “Under one condition. You give me the name of the person that made you cry.”

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