“I called Carlos.He’s the only one I trusted to keep this quiet.Plus, Liam knows so many people.He had a doctor in here in less than ten minutes,” she responds.
I fight a wave of jealousy and comfort myself by curling tighter around her.
She made the right choice, but I don’t like the thought of her surrounded by a bunch of men in my office while I lie unconscious on the couch, even though I know they’re strictly friends.
“Why do you think it was Ms.Baker?”I ask mostly to enjoy my baby doll’s response.
“Ms.Baker is the logical suspect.She was the only one in the office who handled your food, and I know you’ve trusted her for years, but sometimes she’s a little… off.”
I agree with her words, but I lift my head and tilt her chin back.Her lips look too kissable in the soft lamp light.
“What do you mean byoff?”I ask.
Ms.Baker has always been an exemplary employee.I hired her for her skills and have never been disappointed by her advice nor found her work ethic lacking.Her ability to keep up with me throughout the years has made her an invaluable asset on many projects, but maybe I was too focused on her work and missed something obvious about her character.
Audrey shrugs.Itskand lift her chin higher.Her heart hammers against her ribs and vibrates into my chest as I curl my fingers around her thigh.
“You brought this on yourself, baby doll.Answer the question.”
She swallows.Her throat shifts against my knuckles.
“She’s territorial over you, and you know it,” she accuses.
I lift a brow and rub my thumb over her inner thigh.She clenches her knees together and digs her nails into my wrist.
Despite her flushed cheeks and the visible peaks of her hardened nipples through her bra and blouse, I shift my hand to her outer thigh and slide the fingers of my other hand into her hair.With the images of her standing dead-eyed and disassociated fresh in my mind, the terror lurking in her gaze is too much.I never want to see her so lost again, and I’ll never forgive myself if she aims vacant eyes at me.
“Is my baby doll jealous?Or is it my lil stepsis who can’t stand having another woman so close to her big brother?”
My goading works.After a gut-wrenching moment of not responding, she scrunches her features and glowers at me.
“You’re disgusting,” she accuses.
“Disgusting is better—”
“—than a monster.Yeah, sure, whatever.We went through this already,” she interrupts with an impressive eye roll.“This has nothing to do with me being jealous and everything to do with your safety,” she insists.
For the first time since our run-in with my father, she vibrates with life.The intensity in her eyes isn’t from desperation or panic but from determination.
To protect and avenge me.
Gentle warmth flows through my soul.I missed this side of her.She’s the only one who has ever been able to reach beyond my defenses.
She pops my shoulder with the side of her fist as she continues.
“You don’t have to believe me, but—”
“I do believe you.You’d know better than I would if she had other intentions.I’ve only ever viewed her as an employee, so I doubt I’d notice unless she did something extreme,” I say.
“Is drugging you something you consider extreme?”she challenges.
I knead her scalp and squeeze her thigh.
“Yes, baby doll.Drugging me is extreme.I’m aware now and will be more cautious going forward.”
“Good.We confirmed it was your sandwich by matching a sample of your blood.The doctor also gave you fluids to help flush it from your system.”She taps my elbow, highlighting the bandage in the crook.
“They’re still analyzing the drug, but the main component was a sedative.Rest and hydrate well for the next few days until you recover,” she demands.
