Kellin’s not in my office.
John—Shout, as most people call him—closes my door and reclines against the wood, arms folded across his chest. He tilts his head, an unsettling half grin inching across his face.
“Daddysent me to check in and see if you need help finding adequate service for the repairs.”
Of course he did. Because when Declan Gallagher snaps his fingers, he expects immediate gratification. “Not yet, but please inform my father that I will let him know if I require any assistance. Feel free to let yourself out.”
He fails to take the hint. “You’re not still working at this hour, are you?” Combined with his leer, the slow, oily drawl sends a shudder down my spine. “Don’t wanna overwork yourself, sweetheart.”
I’m starting to think my father has nothing to do with this man’s presence, but at the end of the day, the why doesn’t matter. He’s here, invading my space, and I need him out.
I sit up straighter, wrangling my features into a mask of cool indifference. “I’m too busy for chitchat. If my father has feedback to share, he can reach out to me himself. You can go.”
He pulls away from the door and draws closer. The scent of cigarette smoke and cheap aftershave reaches me, and I wrinkle my nose, resisting the urge to wave my hand in front of my face.
“I was real happy to hear we’d be staying a while.” Shout’s eyes roam my figure, and my skin crawls from his inspection.
I jump to my feet and slap my palms on the top of my desk. “I think you should leave, John.”
His grin widens, and he continues his pursuit. “We can finally get to know each other, since we’ll share such close quarters. From what I can tell, you ain’t been entertaining no one lately. You must be…missing the affection.”
Raw lust swirls in his eyes, along with a sinister darkness. He practically reeks of violence.
I push steel into my voice. “John.” Maybe the idiot forgot his real name. “Shout. I have a meeting. You should leave?—”
“I bet a man hasn’t taken care of youproperlyin ages.” Mock sympathy drips from his lips. “You act like you’re in charge here, but a woman like you just needs a man who knows how to handle her. Put her in her place. And your place?” His gaze drops to my chest. “It’s beneath a man like me.”
Disgust crawls across my neck as I replay his words in my mind. For several seconds, I’m too stunned to reply.
Shout’s always given me the creeps. Whenever he’s around, he observes me with almost rabid fascination, like he’s picturing me naked…or maybe bleeding out from a mortal neck wound. He’s never actuallydoneanything, not in my presence, but several of my female employees complained about his unwantedattention, stray comments, and wandering eyes. Not enough for me to insist my father get rid of him or trespass him from the property. Hell, I’m not sure my father would ditch the guy even if he attacked someone, so I can only imagine Dad’s disdain over some alleged “PC bullshit.”
A deep, primal part of my brain understands that Shout poses a real threat to me right now.
Nausea roils in my belly and slides up my throat. My hands twitch, nails digging into the wood of the desk. “Get. Out.”
Shout lurches closer, within arms’ reach. I fumble for the pepper spray in my pocket that I carry in case of emergencies.
My heart sinks. Along with my phone, the little weapon is in my blazer pocket, hanging by the door. On the other side of Shout.
His eyes narrow like he’s stalking a skittish animal and ready to pounce at any moment. “You act untouchable. Boss’s daughter and all that. Always in control. But I can see you’re starving for some action. A little sexual satisfaction will probably stop you from being so uptight. I can help with that.”
His words slither into my bones.
My pulse thunders in my ears.
I want to retreat. Step away. Run.
But I won’t.
I refuse to show this man fear.
Narrowing my eyes, I force every bit of vitriol I possess into my command. “Get. The fuck. Out.”
He chuckles as he closes the distance between us. His breath reeks of garlic and booze. “I can help you remember what it feels like.” He shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it over my desk. “How to let go. How to beg for more.”
Did this asshole not hear me?
“If you leave right now, I’ll consider not calling the police.” My voice wavers on the last word. “And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get to keep your job.”
