23

I looked around the room to make sure we were still alone before answering quietly, Yes.
I knew it. Mahalia squealed and clapped her hands together. I’ve seen how you look at her Sir, the way you hold her protectively when you walk in with her for meals. She walked over and pulled a seat out across from me.
Is it that obvious ? I pressed my palms into my eyes as I silently cursed myself again for the fourth time since last night.
To some of us, yes. What can I do to help ?
You would help me ? I asked hesitantly as I looked over to the older woman. I had not expected for Mahalia to offer anything more than advice.
Yes, Sir. Her face fell slightly, Unless you prefer me not to Sir.
That would be great Mahalia. I, I ran a hand through my hair and looked down as I spoke, I’ve never had to, arg. I balled my fist and clenched my jaw, agitated that I couldn’t think straight enough to form a complete sentence.
You need Ms. Lea to see you as the man you truly are Mr. Stephens. She knowingly met my steel blue eyes.
Do you think I’m a monster, Mahalia ? I watched her as she looked me over.
May I speak frankly Sir ?
Yes. For some reason I wanted to know what the woman thought of me and knew that what Mahalia had to say would be the harsh truth.
I have been working here for a very long time Mr. Stephens. Henry and I have seen and heard a lot of things that we don’t discuss, not even among ourselves. That is how we have been able to survive this lifestyle.
Mahalia took my hand in hers.
Now, I don’t agree with a lot of what you all do, Sir, but I know the things you do has provided Henry and I with a comfortable life, and I understand they are done to make a living, to provide for and to protect your employees and businesses. I don’t know why your family chose this line of work, but what I do know, is that you may be a lot of things, Mr. Stephens, but you are no monster.
How do I show her that, Mahalia, when she saw first hand part of what it is that I do ?
I pulled my hand out of Mahalia’s and pushed back from the table as Mahalia waited patiently for me to continue.
Do you know how crazy this shit is making me ? For fuck’s sake, I have no control over these feelings. They are making me angry and soft and weak. All I want to do is punish someone for what I feel, to prove to myself that I’m not becoming weak, that I’m not becoming soft, to prove that I’m still in control. I was pacing as I spoke, my breaths were ragged and uneven.
Feeling what you feel doesn’t make you weak or soft, Sir. Mahalia spoke softly, It is reminding you that you are, and always have been, human.
I scoffed, That’s pretty much what Darrell said on the plane home the other night.
Then he is a smart young man and you would be wise to listen to him. Mahalia stood and walked to her cart. If I may have your permission to do so, I’ll talk to Ms. Lea and see if I can find out how she truly feels. It may take some time, because right now she is protecting herself. Mahalia stopped and gave me a pointed look. Whatever you do, don’t give up just yet. I’ll bring you a plate Sir, and some coffee. And one more thing, if I may Sir ?
I nodded as I ran my hands over my face.
If she is going to accept you, she’ll accept you for who you are, Mr. Stephens. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Mahalia turned and walked into the kitchen.
If anything I was more confused than before, letting Mahalia’s last words play over in mind, Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
I sat back at the table as Mahalia brought in a plate of blueberry pancakes, sausage, and bacon along with a mug of coffee and syrup.
Thank you Mahalia, it smells delicious.
Mahalia shook her head, Thank Ms. Lea. She had insisted on cooking this morning before I sent her out of the kitchen, something about needing the distraction of cooking to take her mind off of a bribing fool. She chuckled and quirked her eyebrow at me. She wouldn’t have been talking about you, now would she ?
Maybe. I sent a mocking glare Mahalia’s way as she backed into the kitchen, still laughing at my frustration.
As I ate, I thought over what both Darrell and Mahalia had said. I knew they were both right, that I would have to be patient with Lea, allow her some freedoms, trust her, and let her see the person I truly was under the exterior that I showed everyone else. But I had been that the cold, calculating man for so long, that I didn’t know if I really knew who that person was.
Boss, we have a problem.
I was pulled from my thoughts and brought back to the very real world that I was responsible for.
And what would that be, Tony ?
Someone just bypassed the main firewalls to the files stored at the Hong Kong house. I was able to transfer all of our data here before we were compromised any further, but..
Is Marcus ready to go ?
Yes, I called him on the way down here.
I pushed away from the table and threw my napkin in my plate, leaving most of my breakfast untouched. I joined Tony at the door and together we walked toward the main room.
Since we know for sure that we have a mole, Darrell will stay here. Have Darrien, Lynx, and Miller meet us in the showroom in twenty minutes. I looked up as the patio doors opened and Lea walked in, Lewis and Leon not far behind. We’ll discuss this more once we get in the air.
I fell into step with Lea as she walked down the corridor to her room, keeping her face focused straight ahead. Just because you had them put the doors back up doesn’t change anything.
So I heard. I reached for Lea’s wrist, stopping her a few feet from her door. I felt her tense under my fingers and look down to where I held her. I have to leave to take care of some business. Darrell will be in charge here while I’m gone. Don’t go anywhere without,
Without my babysitters, I know Carter. Lea hissed and pulled her arm from my grasp.
I cut my eyes back to the guys and waited until they disappeared around the corner before making a move toward the frustrating woman in front of me. Lea had turned and was standing at her doors, her back to me. As she reached to pull the doors open, I slammed them shut, landing both hands against the door on either side of her shoulders and used my body to pin her against the solid wood.
I smirked as she let out a gasp and leaned down next to Lea’s ear. I nuzzled her hair with my nose and felt a shiver course through her body. I dropped one hand and ran it up her arm and across her back, moving her hair out of the way and felt another shiver course through her as I lowered my voice and let my breath fan her neck.
You really do love trying me, don’t you Lea ? I breathed in her scent. Now, I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not, and if you were anyone else, I wouldn’t even bother. But you Lea, I inhaled her scent again, you keep me on edge. You intrigue the piss out of me, make me feel things that I shouldn’t feel.
I skimmed my lips over her bare skin and felt the heat rise in their path as Lea shuddered.
When I get back, I plan on picking this conversation up where I’m leaving it. Understand ?
You, you can’t do this.
Do what Lea ? Put you on edge, intrigue the piss out of you, make you feel things you shouldn’t ?
Stop it, Carter. It, it won’t work. Lea’s voice was breathy as I felt her squirm against me.
I skimmed my lips back up her neck and stopped just below her ear, my voice low and rough, Oh, I think it’ll work just fine.
I smirked as I felt Lea shiver and backed away. I turned and walked back toward the show room, nodding at Lewis and Leon as I rounded the corner, Take care of her.
Small knowing smiles were on each of their faces. Yes, Boss.