pressing charges, Lyse,” Mark Alvarez told her.
Lyse staggered back, her knees banging into the chair behind her. She had no choice but to plop into the seat—it was either that or sprawl in undignified glory on the floor. Either way, her legs weren’t holding her up any longer. She’d embarrassed herself enough for one day, thank you very much. “You won’t?”
Mark had always been an intimidating man, but looming above her, a scowl marring his handsome face, his arms crossed over a chest that easily matched Fionn’s broad muscles, he was, honestly, terrifying. “We won’t.”
She swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. Unsure if saying the wrong thing would change his mind. Still… “I cost GF a lot of money; I’m more than aware of that. I don’t expect—”
“You shouldn’t expect anything,” he said, dark brows drawn down over his near-black eyes. “Replacing that wing of the hospital was, indeed, enormously expensive. I’m sure we can come up with ways for you to compensate us. Freelance work, for instance. A…gift…from you to us.”
Freelance. Because they would never willingly allow her access to their security again. She decided not to tell him she had access whether he was willing or not. Their new head of technology, Tucker, was good, but not as good as she was. “Of course.”
She could afford any gift Mark demanded, and she’d give it willingly, not only to make up for her mistakes, but because it meant not being away from Fionn. Not being locked up for the rest of her life.
“Lyse…” Mark planted his fists on his desk, looming over her. Intimidating her. “I understand why you did what you did. I know you felt like your choices were limited.” He didn’t mention Fionn, for which she was grateful. Nothing made her feel more naive, more…rash…than people pointing out that she’d blown up a multimillion-dollar building for love. “That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed in you.”
Ouch.
“You came to us very young, straight out of intelligence training. You were bright, smarter than anyone I’d ever met, and I had high hopes that you’d be with Global First for the rest of your life. We certainly needed you. The fact that now, in light of everything, I can’t trust you to come back…” He shook his head. “Disappointed is putting it lightly.”
“I understand.” The words tried to clog in her throat, but she forced them out. She did understand, no matter how much it hurt. And she’d do anything Mark asked to make it right.
“I’ll have Tucker go over some protocols with you once we put them in place.” Protocols to keep her out of their system, she presumed. “After that, you’ll hear from us.”
The words were a clear dismissal. She stood, glad her legs would support her. She kept her hands at her sides, afraid Mark would refuse to shake one if she held it out. Fionn’s love had healed some of the “misfit” insecurities she’d carried for so long, but not all of them. Instead she dared to look him in the eyes, trying hard to convey all the things she couldn’t bring herself to say. “Thank you, sir.”
Mark’s nod was sharp. Without waiting for more of a reply, she turned and made her way on shaky legs to the door. Only then did she pause. “Sir?”
“Yes?”
She dared another glance. “About Fionn…”
Mark sighed. “Fionn will continue in his support role, Lyse. As long as we don’t detect anything…untoward. Keep your fingers away from your boyfriend’s security credentials, and all will be well. Don’t, and we may have to revisit this decision.”
Relief coursed through her. “Thank you.”
Mark grunted a reply, and she took the chance to escape. In the reception area, Fionn stood at the far end, his head tucked close to Deacon’s as they talked. She’d tried to leave him at his apartment, but the man was the epitome of stubborn. Honestly, if their roles had been reversed, she wasn’t sure she could’ve waited at home either. He needed to protect her as much as she needed to protect him, so here he was, waiting. Worrying. Anxious about being separated from her.
A weird little flutter shot through her belly. They wouldn’t be separated now. Would he be okay with that, with her staying with him? Would he want her to move out? Would he—
“Lyse.” He was across the room in a second, the yards between them no match for his long legs. Despite the receptionist’s eager gaze and Deacon’s knowing smile as he slipped out the door,