Page 227 of Hate to Love You

“Sorry, Boss,” Oleg says, lowering his eyes to the ground.

He’s lucky.

Because if I wasn’t worried about Abby bolting back into the house and locking the door behind her, I’d be beating the fuck out of him right here on the sidewalk.

Instead, I turn back to her, finding that she hasn’t moved.

In fact, she’s still pointing the massive pistol at the kid who is more than a block away at this point.

“Foxy,” I say, placing my hand on the top of the gun, and pressing downwards firmly. “It’s okay, baby. He’s gone.”

With my other hand, I gently tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. It takes Abby a few seconds to register what I’m saying to her, and I could be wrong, but it almost appears as if she doesn’t want to put the gun down.

Eventually, however, she relents, throwing the safety on and putting it back in her purse. She turns, and just as I’m about to snatch her up into my arms again, she reaches for the car door handle and yanks it open, looking at me.

“What?” she says with a shrug, seeing my confusion. “It’s not as if I can stay here right now. That kid knows my house and might send the police over. And honestly, orange really isn’t my color.”

And without another word, she hops into the passenger seat.

I stand there, trying to process everything that just took place, feeling as if I have a bit of whiplash.

One minute Abby is vehemently opposed to coming with me, and the next she is just climbing into my car?

Women.

Stepping into the driver’s seat I throw on my seat belt and immediately speed off toward the city.

I’m just about to ask her about her issue with my penthouse, but once again I’m interrupted by my phone ringing.

Goddamnit!

I tell myself that I’m not going to answer, until of course, I see that it’s Ana and change my mind.

“Good morning,” I say.

“Good morning?” Ana scoffs loudly.

“What?”

“Seriously? Good morning? What the fuck, Roman? You never say good morning to anyone. Were you abducted by aliens last night?”

Abby giggles.

“Wait, is someone…with you?” Ana asks.

“Um…yes,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’m with Miss Wayne at the moment.”

There is a long silent pause.

“Alllllright then,” she says, barely hiding her chuckle. “Well, I’m going to have Paulie pick him up in an hour. What does he know?”

“Nothing,” I say firmly. “I thought it was better that way.”

Ana laughs hard.

Why is she amused?

“Yeah, okay,” she snorts. “Well, this should be fun then.”