Page 16 of Big Bold Security

She snorts at my words, but she must read the seriousness on my face because she rolls her eyes.

“Fine,” she huffs. “It’s not like you can do anything about it anyway.”

My brows wrinkle at her words. “What do you mean?”

“I… fine, I need to vent anyway just promise me you won’t try to fix it.”

I stare at her blankly, unwilling to make a promise I have no intention of keeping.

“Ugh, why are you so stubborn,” she cries, glaring at me but I don’t budge. “Fine, a co-worker saw us kissing before you left today and took a photo. She swore she won’t turn me in to the medical board, but today she made me stay very late to do all of her extra paperwork.”

“Scarlett…”

“Shit, Meredith is going to use me like her little puppet, tugging at my strings just when it suits her. I… I can’t be anyone’s puppet. I need to quit.”

“Scarlett…”

“It’s fine, I didn’t even like working at the hospital anyway. The problem is that if I leave she will tell the medical board about my indiscretions and I will lose my license. Then I won’t be able to get another job or be a nurse ever again.”

She stares into space as angry tears spill down her cheeks. I am enraged on her behalf. Although I would be more than happy to take care of her financially, I know that suggestion will only make things worse. Despite her constant complaints about working at the hospital, I have watched her interact with patients and she is always smiling gently at them. I know how much she loves helping people. Hell, she is great at her job, and there is absolutely no way that I am going to let that grumpy bitch ruin her life.

“I’ll take care of it,” I say, lifting her hand to my lips and kissing her soft skin.

“I don’t want you to hurt anyone, Maverick. And if you want the name of the nurse then forget about it.”

I don’t bother mentioning that she already spilled the name during her rant. I met Meredith at her hospital earlier today when she interrupted us, it won’t be hard to get her last name. Even if there are a hundred women there named Meredith, I will vet them all until I find the one I want.

The one that needs to learn to mind her own damn business.

“Trust me on this sweetheart,” I say helping her to her feet. I snake a hand around her waist and pull her against me. “You are not going to lose your license. I am going to make sure that you can either keep this job or leave, with a glowing recommendation, to find a new one, okay?”

“I don’t need you to do anything for me,” she mutters stubbornly, her eyes flaring with a warning.

“Nothing, really?” I whisper, leaning in and brushing my face against the crook of her neck. Her head falls back, allowing me more access to her sensitive skin. “Not even this?”

“I love you,” she mutters, startling me into stilling my movements. I can tell she didn’t mean to say the words out loud, but she doesn’t attempt to laugh them off.

“Scarlett…”

“It’s too soon, I know,” she whispers into my skin, her arms tightening around me.

“It’s not baby. It’s not too soon at all. I love you too.”

She gasps at my words, pulling back to face me, her eyes filling up again. “Really?”

“Yes sweetheart, I am utterly and madly in love with you. I would do anything for you.”

“Christ, Maverick,” she huffs, wiping her wet cheeks. “I’m a mess. I need to clean up.”

She looks perfect but I need her to leave for a few minutes; when she does, I take out my phone and walk out of the apartment, dialing a number.

“Boss,” the familiar voice of one of my employees filters out.

“I need you to hack someone, and delete any photos they may have of Scarlett or myself,” I order. “Make sure they have not shared the photo and then get me something serious enough I can use to drive her out of town. I need her gone as soon as possible. I’ll text you her information right away.”

“Noted,” the voice says before hanging up. Wood is the loudest and nosiest of my employees but he is one of the best hackers in New York. Not once in the five years he’s worked for me, has he ever questioned my orders.

“Maverick,” Scarlett’s voice breaks into my thoughts. “What are you doing outside? Do you need to leave?”

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