Page 13 of Defensive Hero
Don’t think about it, Sandy. Don’t let it bother you!
Easier said than done. It’s all I think about, and when the clock strikes three, I want to bury my face in my hands and just will myself into oblivion, but Wilson steps out of his office with his briefcase in hand, and my goddamn heart starts beating so hard at the sight of him.
Snap out of it, Sandy.
I quickly stand and begin to gather my things, prepared to accompany him to his meeting.
“What are you doing?” Wilson snaps, shocking me into freezing. I don’t understand the question. It’s obvious what I’m doing. This is hardly the first time in the last week that I’ve gone with my boss to take notes during an important meeting.
“I-I’m just getting my bag and notepad. I’ll only be a second.”
“You aren’t going. I’ll be fine on my own this time. But we have another meeting over lunch that you’ll accompany me to. I’ll be back to get you at noon.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if I come with you now, so you don’t have to return for me?” I ask, confused. Does he not want me to come with him because of last night? But that doesn’t make sense if he wants me at the lunch meeting. Who is he meeting now? Is it not actually a client? Could he be meeting a woman? A sick feeling settles into my stomach at the thought.
Wilson stops abruptly in front of my desk and leans into my space, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“No. It wouldn’t be easier. I’ll be meeting with Vlad Andreyev at his club to discuss his latest assault charges. I realize you aren’t from around here, so allow me to clue you in. He’s the head of the local organized crime family and about as dangerous as it gets. Everyone in town knows that, aside fromhis baby sister, there is no one Vladimir Andreyev won’t step on to get what he wants. Andreyev is not a man I want in the same room as you. Ever. Do you understand?”
I’m shocked by the intensity of his voice, then I gasp when I meet his eyes and see something there I never imagined I would—fear. Whoever this Andreyev man is, he must be absolutely terrifying for a man like Wilson Hile to be so concerned. I can hardly argue with that, now can I?
“Yes. I understand. I-I’ll see you at noon.”
Wilson looks at me for a tense moment, then nods. “Good girl.”
Without another word, he walks out, oblivious to the effect those two words have on me.Good girl. The words, said in his deep voice, send sparks shooting through my body and my pulse racing.
God, I need to put some professional distance between me and this man. I’ll need every moment that he’s away to build up my walls, or Wilson Hile will leave me with nothing but a broken heart.
***
No one else joins us on the drive to our lunch meeting with a client whose identity I am yet to learn. It isn’t unusual for Wilson to bring along a junior associate to meetings like this. For all his cold looks and harsh demeanor, he never misses an opportunity to help the younger attorneys at the firm get more experience.
While he’d been at his earlier meeting, I’d given my heart a stern talking-to. I will not fall for this man. I will not put myself in a position to have my heart broken or lose the job thatI’ve worked so hard for. I’m determined to remain professional during this meeting, whoever it’s with.
As we pull into a parking spot near the center of town, I gaze out the window, taking in the building in front of us. Like most of the small downtown area, the building is old and constructed with red brick. The windows lining the front are shadowed by a maroon awning, and I can just make out a few of the tables inside. The restaurant looks surprisingly luxurious, and the decor suggests it serves high-end Italian food.
“What is this place?” I ask, quickly forgetting that I am supposed to act indifferent to the man.
“Lorenzo’s,” he responds curtly, and I don’t question him further.
I haven’t explored the town much, and I never would have expected to see such luxury in Valor Springs, but then again, maybe this is exactly where I should have expected to see it. I know there is a mom-and-pop style diner at the other end of Main Street. This must be the town’s fine dining option.
“Mr. Hile,” the hostess says in greeting as we walk inside. Her eyes linger a little too long on my boss, and I have to force myself not to glare at her. Without another word, she guides us through the dimly lit interior. The air is heavy with the delicious scents of pasta and fresh bread, and the soft glow doesn’t provide enough light to make out the faces of the patrons already seated.
Hushed conversations fill the space as low music plays in the background, creating quite an intimate atmosphere. As beautiful as Lorenzo’s is, it doesn’t make much sense as a place for meeting a client.
Wilson puts a hand at the small of my back to guide me after the hostess. Finally, we reach a secluded table in the back corner where a man and woman are already waiting.
“Wilson. About time,” the man grumbles. “And you brought a guest.”
“Raymond,” Wilson says, a clear warning in his voice, and I don’t know what I expected from the other man, but it’s not for him to break into laughter. Well, laughter is a stretch. The sound that comes out of him is more like a clap of thunder, and it scares me a little.
“You’ve never brought anyone to meet me. You can’t blame me for teasing you a little.”
Ignoring him, Wilson turns to the woman and smiles slightly. “Penny. I’d ask how you’re doing, but with this brute, I’m sure I already know.”
The woman—Penny—laughs good naturedly. It’s a musical sound, and I’m caught for a moment, admiring her porcelain skin and vibrant green eyes. I’m brought back to the present by the pressure of Wilson’s hand at my back, urging me to take a seat.