Daniel shrugged. “And?”
Poppy sighed as though his ignorance was ridiculous. “And his mom moved to exclude you from the vote on the sale of the land adjacent to yours. She called a meeting Friday. Why are you acting like you don’t know this?”
Daniel frowned. “Because I didn’t.”
Poppy’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know?” Then, her gaze cut to me, and realization took over her face.
Yes, he and I had a sex-a-thon all weekend and he missed something important related to his job.
He ignored her question. “Send him back, Poppy.” His eyes flicked to me. “Stay with Poppy,” he ordered.
It was my turn to frown. “I’ll stay here with you,” I insisted.
He shook his head. “She can get you out of here and keep you safe if Leo starts any crap. Or his mother decides to get involved.”
I glanced between the two of them. “Are violent coups common in this town?”
Poppy shook her head. “Not usually, but it has happened before.”
I swallowed past the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat. “It has?”
“Please, Cari. Just stay with Poppy.”
I acquiesced and nodded without another word.
He smiled at me but spoke to Poppy. “Go ahead and send him back.”
“I should—”
He shook his head. “I can handle Leo. Please just focus on keeping Cari safe.”
“I will,” Poppy answered, and it sounded like a vow.
She didn’t grab my arm this time as we walked back down the hall to her desk.
“He’s available for a chat,” she said to Leo, her tone even and calm.
Leo looked over from the painting he was studying. When he wasn’t wearing a sullen or angry expression, he was a handsome man.
“Thank you,” he said, heading toward the hallway. He paused in front of us, his eyes on me. “I’m very sorry for what happened the first day we met. I regret frightening you.”
His eyes were bright gold, like those of a real lion. And, shocker, he looked completely sincere.
“Um. Thanks?” I replied.
Leo nodded and disappeared down the hall.
“What was that about?” Poppy asked, leaning in closer.
“He tried to eat my face off the first time I saw him. And he had a lion head.”
Her eyes widened. “I knew he pissed Daniel off, but I didn’t realize that was how.”
I nodded.
Poppy didn’t sit back down. She walked around the office straightening non-existent clutter. I realized that she wanted to be ready in case the shit hit the fan.
I leaned my ass against her desk and tried to stop looking at my watch. It was a useless endeavor.
