Done With Love (28 page)

Life doesn’t always go the way you plan it to—that was a fact I’d come to realize in such a short time after my relationship with Jeremy went up in flames. There were days I’d been mostly bitter, hated those who had betrayed me, hurt me, manipulated me—and I’d dwelled on that negativity. Ever since leaving Jeremy at the altar, I had fought to guard my heart against the damage those people had inflicted instead of facing it—instead of facing them.

I strolled into LM Security a few days later wearing a sexy navy blue pencil skirt and cream ruffled blouse and a pair of blue and cream buckle heels—a smart and sassy ensemble to match my mood, and my intentions. Nothing could wipe the smile off my face, because this girl had a plan; a plan that only my best friend could help me accomplish. The secretary, a twenty-something woman with black tortoise shell glasses and rose pink lipstick greeted me with a smile.

“Hello. May I help you?” she asked politely.

“Yes, I’m here to see Roxanna. Is she in yet?” I hoped she was, because she hadn’t answered my phone calls.

“They’re in a team meeting, but should be done in a few minutes.” She looked down at her computer. “Yes, in five minutes. Would you like some coffee while you wait?”

I shook my head. “I just had a latte. But thank you.”

While I waited, I read the
New York Times
, shaking my heeled foot to the country music playing on low volume
,
jittery with all the pent up excitement. There was a newspaper article I couldn’t wait to show to Roxanna. I felt—no, I
knew—
this was the turning point in my entire crappy predicament. The disastrous phone call with Deborah had been more important—and necessary—than I’d imagined.

“Hey, Princess, what are you doing here?”

I sucked in a breath at the sight of Leo dressed in a black suit, looking like some kind of man-candy from a government espionage movie set. There were two men in identical suits flanking him. They were just as big as Leo. The three of them together were an intimidating sight.

“Where are you going dressed like that?” My eyes were on the bulge at his side just under the suit jacket. “Is that a gun?” My knees numbed, and the warmth drained from my face.

His easy gait carried him to me in four long strides, and his arms wrapped around me. A good thing. My legs were wobbly. “Private security for a celebrity. No big deal.”

No big deal?

“Is that gun
loaded
?” The guys behind him chuckled, and I stiffened. “I’m serious,” I said, although it really was a silly question. But still. “Can’t you send someone else?”

He leaned down and kissed me on the lips. “No. And it’s not dangerous, I promise. Just a brat hip-hop star who likes having bodyguards around him in every city he’s performing in. His manager says the kid thinks the bodyguards make him look more important. Don’t stress about it, okay?”

“But does he have a reason for a bodyguard? Like threats on his life or something?” I had just finished watching one of those crime scene investigative shows where an actress was murdered because of an obsessed fan. “What if—”

“You sneaky jerks,” Roxanna said from behind us, and I peeked around Leo’s arm. My friend stood beside the big guys in suits. Her arms were crossed, and she wore a triumphant smile on her lips. “I
knew
something was going on between you guys. I thought I heard you sneaking out yesterday.”

I grinned. “I wasn’t sneaking out. I walked out. I also left you a note to call me, which you didn’t do.”

“Yes, well, I was making you sweat it, but I see you haven’t been.”

I laughed. “No. I haven’t been.”

“Your twin owes me twenty bucks,” Roxanna said.

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear. She also mentioned the bet was your idea, so good luck getting the money out of her.” I pressed my hand to Leo’s chest and smiled up at him. Being out in the open with our relationship was invigorating.

Gazing into my eyes, Leo’s words were for Roxanna, “This is a thing now. Don’t make a big deal about it, okay?”

I gave Roxanna a cute smile, and she crossed her eyes.

“Whatever, boss man. You break her heart, and I’ll break your…” She considered her words as she took in Leo’s chiseled body. “Just because you’re all massive muscles, doesn’t mean I won’t find something to break on you. Got it?”

I held my breath for his response.

He squeezed my hand in his. “I don’t plan on it.”

“So much feisty from such a little girl,” one of the men said with a laugh.

Roxanna socked him on his huge bicep, but he didn’t even blink. “You know it. Now you guys get out of here. Lexie obviously came to see me.” Roxanna tilted her head and peered at me. “Right?”

“Right.” I nodded. Turning to Leo, I said, “Be safe, okay?”

He leaned down and kissed me again. “I’ll see you later, babe.”

Roxanna made a gagging noise. “God, if you two are going to be like this from now on, I’m going to die. Relation here,” she said and jerked her thumb to her chest.

I hooked my arm through hers. “Knock it off. I came to see you, and I think you’ll be very excited about what I brought with me.”

She perked up. “
Ooohhh
. Sounds interesting.” She swung me around, away from Leo and said over her shoulder, “She’s mine now. Go away.”

“Just behave,” Leo said, and his next words made us stop in our tracks. “No more public confrontations with the ex.”

“Busted,” Roxanna whispered. She whirled around, forcing me to turn with her. “How’d you find out about it?”

“Catherine mentioned it when I changed her tire. Something about a top hat and a cane and Jeremy getting slapped.” His head cocked to the side. “Not that I disapprove of that slap.”

He hadn’t said a word about it these last two days, and his expression told me it’d been bothering him. He raised his brows at me, and the men behind him stood in identical postures of not-buying-this-garbage.
Jeez,
I would never last in an interrogation.

“It was no big deal,” I said, sounding much like Roxanna. His expression told me it really was a big deal. “I mean, it was a big deal. But not really a big deal. We had to talk to him, because Roxanna said it was the only option.”

“Hey.” Roxanna glared at me. “We all thought it was a good idea.”

“Right,” I corrected. “I thought it was a good idea. I feel really bad that I didn’t tell you,” I said in a rush. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, what she said,” Roxanna added.

“You had to talk to him about what?” Leo finally asked after I’d squirmed under his gaze for too long. The man had skills.

“Because she’s about to lose her boutique and might have to file bankruptcy because of that bitch, Deborah Buchanan,” Roxanna blurted.

My mouth dropped open at her words, and Leo’s eyes softened.

“Lex, why didn’t you tell me?” He closed the distance between us and pulled me into his arms. “Is this what you’ve been so—”

“Bat-shit crazy?” Roxanna interrupted. “Yes. So don’t get mad about our failed attempt at coercing Jeremy into a truce with his family.”

I couldn’t have put it better—Roxanna had a way with words.

He squeezed me one more time before letting me go. “No more schemes, you two. I mean it.” His stare was serious, and we both nodded. “We’ll talk about this later and figure something out. Together.”

“Okay,” I said, though I had no intention of letting him fix anything for me. This was my fight, and I had the solution. Finally. After next week, I would be in charge of my life again. Taking control made me giddy.

“Good.” He nodded, dropping one last kiss on my lips.

“Oh!” I said when he’d gotten two steps away. “Dinner at my parents’ tomorrow, remember?”

His smile warmed my insides to a gooey marshmallow mess. “I remember. See you later, Princess.”

“Gag,” Roxanna said, and I glared at her while Leo and his security men stepped into the elevator which would take them to the lobby.

When the doors closed on them, I elbowed Roxanna in the side again. “What the
hell
, Rox?”

She shrugged. “What? By the way, very lame of you not to tell me about you and Leo.”

“I know, sorry.” I stopped walking when she halted in front of a door with a keycard security panel. “But not as lame as you not telling me about Blake.”

Her eyes widened. “So Leo squealed on me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me Blake was back in town?”

“I don’t know. It didn’t seem important. We just met for dinner a couple of times. He’s already gone.” She shrugged and turned to swipe the keycard she wore around her neck on a lanyard. “Now, I’m going to blow your mind.”

The fact the door required keycard security made me nervous.

“What’s behind this door? Are you sure we’re supposed to be in here?” I glanced behind us down the hall, half expecting Leo to turn the corner and bust us.

“Don’t be a wimp. I have a key to the door.” She waved the keycard at me. “And besides, the dangerous stuff is behind another security panel, and only Leo and my uncle have keys to that.” Roxanna pushed the door open and tugged me in behind her. She whirled with her arms wide. “Voilà!”

The walls of the room were lined with tactical gear, batons, tasers, what looked like flak jackets, even those plastic restraint-thingies I’d seen on an old episode of
Alias
. I’d probably watched it with Roxanna, it was another one of her favorite shows. There were lots of shelves with things like pepper spray, smoke grenades, and I couldn’t help but wonder if all this stuff was necessary for security detail for the rich and the famous.

My eyes took the room in again in a quick, nervous sweep. “Um, this is a little intimidating. How about we have our discussion in your office?”

“We’re here because you need a taser gun. Every girl should have protection. If you don’t want to carry it in your purse, keep it in your apartment or in your glove box. You never know when some psycho might attack you.” She pulled me across the room to a black metal shelf. “I’m surprised Leo hasn’t forced one on you already. I’m going to save him a step and give it to you myself.”

Shaking my head, I took a step backward. “No, that’s okay. I’m not really comfortable with the idea of packing a taser gun.”

“Since when did you become such a wimp?”

“Since when?” I raised my brows at her. Everyone knew I was a wimp. The very idea of someone getting hurt, physically, made me queasy. I couldn’t even watch one of those tasteless jackass videos where the people did idiotic stunts and ended up with broken arms. The idea of it now made me shudder. If I had to taser someone, I’d pee my pants and then vomit on my shoes. Even the sight of blood from a small cut was enough to make me pass out.

“Okay, since always. But this is
life,
Lexie.” Roxanna took a taser gun off the shelf. She shoved it at me, but I wouldn’t take it. “If some psycho attacks you and all you do is stand there because you’re scared you might hurt him, you will
die.
Probably
slowly.
You might even be
tortured
first
.
”

I blanched at the visuals. “
Jeez,
fine. Give me the damn thing.” I took it from her and shoved it in my purse. “Now let’s go.”

“Not yet.” She opened a drawer, and when she turned around to face me, she held a large can of…

“Is that pepper spray? I already have one in my purse.” I slipped my hand into the side pocket and produced the cute little can I’d purchased from a hunting and sporting goods store. It was even pink. And no, a hunting and sporting goods store wasn’t the kind of establishment I frequented often, but I’d gone to help my mom and sisters pick out a gift for my dad. The can looked dinky compared to the one in Roxanna’s hand. “And that can is really ugly.”

“I agree, but that pink bottle of yours isn’t going to bring a psychopath to his knees. You spray him, and then he will kill you.” She shoved the can into my hand. “This has a fast-acting release formula.”

It did have a neat trigger. “Fast-acting? Shouldn’t they all release fast?”

She turned me around and nudged me to the door. “I don’t know. I’m not a pepper spray guru. One of the guys mentioned the advanced formula and something about fast-acting release.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll take the pepper spray if it makes you happy. Now can we get on with the reason I came here?”

I was just glad she hadn’t offered to demonstrate how to use the taser gun. I would rather have Leo take care of the demonstration. Roxanna with a taser gun frightened me, even if she claimed to be comfortable with one. My friend was all about being proactive and ready for the just-in-case scenarios.

“Yes,
sheesh.
I forgot how impatient you are.” Roxanna shut the door behind us, and the little round light on the keycard pad flashed red.

In conversation, Roxanna had made her office sound like a shoebox when really it was spacious and decorated in trendy contemporary furniture and décor. I doubted any other office in the firm looked like hers. There was a large vase with a zen flower arrangement of lilies and cherry blossoms, and a contemporary painting which looked more like splotches and streaks of paint than anything. But the office definitely was Roxanna, from the black wood desk to the bright red shag throw rug she’d put down in the center of the room.