Page 18 of The Merger

Jana nervously tapped on the table. “What I want to know is how does he keep getting in?”

“Apparently Waverly is letting him in.”

“Didn’t they have a thing a few years back? Why would she let him in without you being home? It isn’t like they knew when you would be coming home last night.”

“Huh,” I breathed out. While I’d thought it was weird and intrusive that he was in my apartment twice, especially after we argued, it never occurred to me there was no way either he or Waverly knew what time I’d be back. Hell, I hadn’t even expected to return home that soon. Had it not been for the huge revelation about my marital status I would have stayed longer. I usually did.

I swallowed, because as much as what she said would have been an important thing to ponder, it wasn’t after what he did.

The words were even harder to force out than recounting the argument. I still wasn’t sure where my head was at, but I couldn’t deny that Malcolm had basically tried to force himself on me.

I told her everything. The way my heart raced for a moment while I was pinned underneath him. How I panicked and shoved him off of me when he wouldn’t listen. The sounds of his body hitting the table before falling to the floor.

When I was done the look on her face said so much without any words. Anger, shock, and concern. I don’t know why I was worried about telling her. Jana had always proven she had my back, and this time was no different. Part of me expected an “I told you so,” but of course, Jana didn’t operate that way.

“Are you okay? Do you feel safe in your apartment?”

Another thought I hadn’t really considered. I took a moment, and although I’d had a hard time falling asleep the night before, I didn’t fear him. Not physically. Of course, I knew there was no more chance of us being together. I wasn’t even sure if we could still be friends. But, I didn’t feel unsafe in my apartment. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say I was comfortable there either.

“I’m fine. I don’t think he’s going to try anything again. Plus, I’m going to have to put an end to this experiment in dating. We aren’t a good fit.”

“Considering you’re married to his brother, I don’t think you should be dating him either.” There was a smirk pulling at the corners of her lips. I wondered how long it would take her to tease me.

“Only I could manage to be accidentally married to the brother of the guy I was trying to date,” I grumbled.

Jana pointed at her chest. “Married my best friend’s dad, remember? There’s no judgment here. I am worried about you, though. I know you don’t think Malcolm will try something again, but he shouldn’t have tried the first time.”

I hung my head. Shame that I knew I shouldn’t feel, pressed down on me. “I know. I promise I’ll be careful, and if I feel uncomfortable at all at home, I’ll leave.”

She nodded. I could see she wasn’t pleased, but she would never push me to do something I wasn’t comfortable with.

ChapterSeven

Stryker

Alight knock tapped on my closed office door. I wasn’t one of those bosses who had an open door policy. I didn’t like people on a normal day. Listening to petty bitching made my eye twitch.

The knock sounded on the door again. I suppressed a groan and bit out, “Come in!”

Jana poked her head in. “Are you sure? You don’t sound like this is a good time.”

“It’s your company,” I grumbled.

She entered the office and closed the door behind her. “Are you okay? I know you’ve got a reputation as a grumpy asshole, but I don’t usually get to see this side of you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not good with people, and all your employees keep coming to me with problems.”

Jana rolled her eyes at me and dropped into one of the chairs in front of my desk. “Would you stop calling this my company?”

“But, it isyourcompany, and these areyouremployees.” I needed to remind myself where I belonged. Always on the outside.

Jana reached down and grabbed her briefcase. “That’s actually why I’m here. I’ve got a contract for you to sign.”

She handed me a legal document. “You don’t mind if I have Caroline take a look at this do you?”

Jana shrugged. “No problem. She’s the one that drew up the documents.”

“And what do these documents say?” I asked while I took the packet from her.