Read For Her Protection: 1 (Personal Protection) for Free Online Page B

be happy to look at
it and then make a decision.”
    The silence in the room changed to a symphony of squeaking
chairs and clearing throats.
    Frank’s gaze darkened. “I can assure you—”
    “Can you? Because I have been assured many things by your
department that have been forgotten or overlooked. So I can only imagine what
has been overlooked in this contract. It would be remiss of me not to give it
proper consideration.”
    She saw the shift in Frank’s body and rose. “Thank you,
everyone. This meeting is concluded.”
    After a few moments of deep silence the room came back to
life and people filed toward the doors. Charlize turned to Frank.
    “Frank, I’d like you and Gregory to stay.” She nodded to Bob
at the other end of the room.
    Bob reached her side and she released a breath. She’d need
him beside her to do this.
    “Bob, would you call security please and have someone escort
Gregory from the building.”
    “What—?” Gregory rose from Frank’s side, a scarlet flush
toning his neck.
    Frank shot him a glance and Gregory fell back into his
chair.
    “Charlize, I’m not sure I understand what you are doing.
What cause do you have to make such a request?”
    Charlize arched an eyebrow. “It wasn’t a request. It was an
instruction. Today I gave Gregory a final opportunity to provide me with
information promised to me and he failed. This kind of incompetence won’t be
tolerated. He’s fired, effective immediately.”
    Gregory sprang forward, up out of his chair. “You little
bitch. You can’t do this!”
    Frank clasped Gregory’s arm. “We understand. Gregory, I’ll
have your things packed for you.”
    “What the fuck are you talking about, Frank? She can’t do
this.”
    Gregory tugged his arm but Frank held fast, blasting him a
long look. Gregory stiffened and gazed at Bob for the briefest moment before he
jerked his arm free then stormed toward the doors.
    Frank adjusted his tie stiffly and he gazed at her through
half-lowered lids. “You may be CEO but you might regret such impulsiveness.”
    He turned and followed Gregory out the door.

Chapter Five
     
    Charlize pushed down the handle of the back exit and shoved
against the door with her hip. She barely had energy to haul her own ass out of
the building, let alone the box of files in her arms. To top it off she had to
lug it through the massive rear lot instead of to her usual spot in the
underground parking garage.
    Perfect .
    Just like her perfect freaking day. She hoisted the box onto
her hip and strode toward her car, sticking to the left of the lot where dim
light streamed from streetlamps. The odd vehicles of late-working staff dotted
the parking lot. The crunch of her heels on rock amplified in the deserted
space.
    Her Mercedes hunched in the corner, dwarfed by the Jeep
looming beside it. She slid her keys from her pocket and pressed the button.
Headlights flared in response. Half an hour and she’d be home, neck deep in
files but with a tall goblet of Sav Blanc to take the edge off. Hopefully it’d
take the edge off the raw ache between her legs as well.
    She sidled up to the car and pressed the trunk release. Yeah
she’d need a tall goblet all right. Better yet, she’d drink straight from the
bottle. Maybe that would wash away the memories of dark blue eyes, thick
fingers rocking against her hose, the addictive cologne she stilled smelled
every time she inhaled, all of which seemed stuck in her mind like a
half-watched movie she was desperate to finish.
    Charlize nudged open the trunk and bent over, lowering in
the box. A door clicked next to her. She jerked up, spinning toward the Jeep. A
dark figure rushed out of the vehicle in a head-down bull charge. She choked on
a gasp and stumbled back. The body slammed into her. She fell to the ground,
her cheek hitting rock. Breath rushed out of her.
    She raised her head and a meaty hand slapped over her mouth
and hauled her to her feet. Her legs flailed, struggling to gain leverage