Don't Startle the New Girl

Lila

An hour later, after carefully pointing the helpful reporter to some areas of Becky's life to explore for a different view on the story, Lila returned to her office and sat in her chair just to have a minute of peace before she had to go deal with the brothers again. Spinning around to stare out the massive windows to the city below, she frowned.

Even when she'd been on the phone with the reporter, her mind had kept turning back to Dane and his touch when she was in the chair, the anger he'd had that she would think he would hurt people, and the way his face softened when she reassured him that she wouldn't share his secrets.

There was something more behind all of this fighting and shouting, but she didn't have time to figure out what it was. In a moment she'd return to his office and have to spar with him and Chris again. Tired as she was, the thought made her grin. There was a part of her that liked the challenge, liked the way the two men didn't treat her like she was breakable—or able to break their necks.

Usually women found her intimidating, and would avoid her, or simply do as she said even if it wasn't a good idea. Even Lila knew the best way to success was for everything to be challenged before it had to hold up in the public eye. Too many women gave in to her, or were afraid to cross her.

But then, too many men assumed because she was a woman she had to be treated like she was fragile. Whenever she met one of those types she showed them quickly that she wasn't someone to be treated with care. She was strong enough to take whatever was needed. She'd worked hard to cultivate the reputation that allowed her to walk freely and speak her mind, and she was intentional about standing up to people—especially arrogant men—so they'd know she wouldn't be intimidated. But sometimes she wished for people in her life who were as strong as she was but they just . . . liked her. Sometimes it would be nice to spar with laughter instead of gritted teeth.

Sometimes she wished she hadn't earned the nickname "Bitch Queen."

Only sometimes.

After a moment, she sighed. She couldn't put it off. She needed to understand what was happening behind this story with Chris and Becky—why Chris had been so naïve, and who was really behind introducing them and bringing Becky into the clientele of Daniels Security. She had to figure out if Chris knew more than he was letting on, or if he really was just that full of himself that he'd gotten sloppy. It happened to everyone. But still . . .

Checking her phone and answering a quick text, she stalked out of her office and up the hall to Dane's. She hoped they were both still there. She didn't have time to go chasing them down.

*****

Dane

Dane sat behind his desk, one finger rubbing his jaw as he tried to hide a smile. His brother was sweating under the attentions of Miss Delilah Farris, and it was a joy to watch.

"Stop smirking at me, Chris. It's a serious question."

"How am I supposed to know if she arranged an introduction between us? She wouldn't be the first one. Most people in those circles know who I am, who I work for." Chris flung a hand toward Dane and he frowned. Was that true? Was his brother well known for . . . being his brother?

"I'm asking you how you actually met? Did someone else bring her to you? Was it at a party or a work meeting? How did you actually cross paths?"

"And I'm telling you, I don't remember!" Chris said, exasperated. "I don't keep a mental catalogue of every blond I meet."

Her eyes went flat, but she made a note of something on the pad in front of her and moved on to the next question. Dane smiled again. She wasn't taking any of his shit, and it was hilarious. He was glad he hadn't fired her. As long as she did as he told her, he'd let her go to town on Chris as much as she wanted. It would be the highlight of Dane's day.

The afternoon wore on, seeming endless. Delilah went back over her questions with Chris, just to make sure there was nothing else he remembered, but she didn't turn up anything new. Dane knew he should be out in the conference room they'd set up as a project center, seeing if the assistants needed anything. But he couldn't take his eyes off her. There was something fascinating about the way she took no shit, but also had a . . . softness about her. It was an odd combination. He wondered what had brought it about.

Eventually, she was done with Chris who got up from the table they'd sat at and ran a hand through his hair. "You need anything else, boss?" he asked Dane sarcastically. Dane shot him a look, but shook his head.

"I need you, Dane," Delilah said, flipping through her notes with a soft frown on her face. "We need to make a plan—it's almost five."

He blinked twice before he remembered. Oh, yes, he'd set her a deadline to come up with a strategy he'd approve. He could tell her it didn't matter—he already knew he was keeping her. But he wanted to see how she'd handle it. So he got up from his desk and joined her over at the table as Chris began walking out.

"Dane, there is one thing—" she started, distracted. She'd stood up and was walking something around the table to him when Chris, either remembering else something to tell her, or just wanting to flirt with her, turned back and walked behind her, reaching gently for her arm.

It happened so fast, Dane didn't even have time to say anything.

As soon as Chris's fingers brushed her elbow, Delilah's papers dropped out of her hands. She grabbed his arm at the same time she twisted her body so fast, Dane wasn't even quite sure what had happened. All he knew was that his brother was on his ass on the floor and Delilah stood next to him, hands on her mouth, gasping, "I'm so sorry! You startled me!"

Chris lay blinking on the floor, his arm still extended. He knew how to land a fall, so he wasn't hurt, but he was clearly stunned.

Dane couldn't help himself, he chuckled.

Delilah whirled to face him. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't—I thought he was gone. It was reflex!"

But Dane shook his head and walked over to extend a hand to help Chris up from the floor. "Don't you worry about it, Miss Farris," he said somberly, fighting a smile. "My brother could use a few more of those before I'd get worried about it."

Chris scowled and straightened his shirt. But he was fine. As Delilah started apologizing again, he shook his head. "Forget about it. I shouldn't have been that easy to flip. I was . . . taken off guard," he muttered.

Dane choked back a laugh. Off guard was right. She was the most unexpected thing he'd ever seen.

*****

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