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“Yes, quite so. We do things a certain way, though, and for good reason. We can’t sell to just anyone. They might be terrorists, foreign spies or international criminals.” He looks me over as he speaks.

“Is that what you see when you ogle me? Do I look like a terrorist from one of your porn movies? A foreign spy with whom you wish to trade secrets with? A femme fatale criminal that you wish to apprehend and then interrogate for all my secrets?” I know what he is seeing when he looks at me. Men are so simple to read when they look at you. Does he think he is the first man to undress me in his mind? My blood boils when they do this. I am so much more than a body for their carnal pleasure.

He finally takes in what I am saying, and it jolts him from his thoughts.

“No, not at all. I was picturing the sort of house that would make a perfect home for you. Unfortunately, I have nothing available at this time. The market is fluid, and nothing is staying on the market very long. There isn’t much happening on the domestic market, most properties currently listed are commercial buildings or businesses.” He gives me the falsest smile imaginable, and I can feel my Italian blood begin to boil.

“So, what are you saying? You don’t want my business? My money is not good enough for you?”

“Of course not. I just have nothing to offer you at this time.” His face is as easy to read as a teacher's blackboard.

“What do you suggest I do then? Visit another realtor, perhaps? Take my business to a competitor?”

His smile immediately changes to that of a predator about to pounce on its next meal. “That won’t be possible, Miss Morony. Home and Hearth Realty is the only realtor in town.” His smugness, and his mispronunciation of my name, just manages to push yet another of my buttons.

“The name is Moretti. You are the moron. I’m sure that you don’t have to have an office in this town to sell real estate. I can soon find one in the surrounding towns that will be able to take my money. Perhaps you need some healthy competition. I could approach my friends at the Bitter Slayers MC to start up in the real estate business. They would have exceptional bargaining and negotiating skills, I’m sure.” I don’t know if it’s the thought of competition or the mention of the Bitter Slayers, but the color drains from his face and he looks ashen.

“There’s no need to make threats. I think I’d like you to leave now, Miss Morbid.” He stands suddenly, and I think he is going to strike me. I’m not having any of that shit, I think to myself, and push him from across his desk back into his chair. He hits the chair heavily, and his arms flail like the sails of an old-fashioned windmill. Maybe if he had sat down and stayed still, he wouldn’t have tipped the chair over backwards. His feet fly in the air as it goes over, and he squeals like a little girl. There is a sudden thud as his head, or the back of the chair, I’m not sure which, hits the floor.

Candi has a phone to her ear and is telling someone to get here quickly. I don’t know if that is the police or the EMTs. I am not running away. I have done nothing wrong in defending myself. The police will have their hands full when they get here, I can tell you, if they think they are holding me responsible for any lumpy-bumpy he may have from his little fall.

Chris stands up, rubbing the back of his head, and giving me evil looks. “You will pay for that, Miss Moody. I will not be assaulted in my own office,” he shouts at me.

“Fine. Step outside and I will do it again, this time in full view of many witnesses.” At 5’ 7” I notice I am taller than him. It’s a shame I don’t have my heels on. I could have stared down at him and given him a very real complex about taller women. He looks shocked at my statement, and I think he thinks I’m seriously telling him to go outside.

He looks at the door, and I see his face show relief. I turn, expecting to see a police officer, but am surprised to see Vortex from the MC walking in.

“What’s going on?” Vortex demands from the room in general, and Chris and I both start to get our version of events across first. “Candi! What happened here?”

“I didn’t hear everything, Vortex, but Chris thought that the lady threatened him. He jumped up quickly from his chair and the lady…”

“I am not a lady! I am Allegra Moretti. You will do well to remember that name!” I tell her, standing loud and proud, hands on my hips.

“Miss Moretti obviously mistook the move for one of impending violence and pushed Chris back into his chair. It fell over and he banged his head. That’s the general gist of it.”

“So, what started it?” Vortex looks directly at me, and I have to say, I am intimidated by his look. I immediately become a little girl, my bottom lip quivers, and my voice cracks as I tell him that Chris wouldn’t show me any houses for sale.

“I don’t have any houses for sale. I told you the same thing, Vortex.” He gets the same look from Vortex, and I notice how quickly he becomes silent and can’t look him in the eye.

“Both of you, this is ridiculous. I thought something serious had happened here.” I see some of the tension ease in his shoulders. Broad shoulders, too.

“She pushed me off my chair. That’s assault!”

“He wouldn’t take my money!”

Candi bursts out laughing, and Vortex slaps his forehead with his palm. “You sound like a couple of spoiled brats. I’ve a good mind to put you both across my knee and spank the pair of you.” He holds my gaze as he says this, and I blush furiously.

Taking my hand, he drags me to the door. Before he leaves, he turns back to Chris and Candi. “This is done. I don’t want to hear another word about this stupid incident. Got that, Chris? Candi. Lock the door behind us and make sure you give him plenty of incentive to forget this ever happened. You understand?”

“He’ll have amnesia by the time I’m through with him, Vortex. Don’t you worry.” Candi totters over and locks the door as we leave.

I walk obediently alongside Vortex, still with my hand in his, and wonder where we’re going. It doesn’t take long for me to see his bike at the side of the road.

“Have you got transport?” He asks me as we get to the bike. “Where are you going from here?”

“No, I don’t have transport and I’m going to work from here, but it is too early for my shift right now. I was expecting to have something to look at, so I came early.” I’m going to get to ride on his bike, and the idea has a thrill run through me. I haven’t been on a bike in a long time.

I see him take his phone out and call someone. “Cannon. You need to get your ass over to the realtor's office right away. Allegra needs transport. I’ll wait with her until you get here.”