should talk to Heidi. She might be better equipped to offer advice.” Mona turned toward the connecting hall leading to the main office building. “Actually, I know quite a few women who could probably help you when it comes to the defiant behavior department.”
Intel’s office was full when Mona and Helen walked in. All eyes immediately came their way.
“This is Helen. She has some questions about how to handle a defiant teenager.”
Heidi grinned. “You brought her to the right place.”
“That’s Heidi.” Mona pointed to where her best friend sat. “And that’s Eva. She doesn’t like being told what to do either.”
Eva pointed at Harlow. “She’s the one who steals shopping points she can’t even use when someone pisses her off.”
“Only his.” Harlow tipped her head toward Dutch. “And now I get all his points anyway.”
Helen turned toward the mess of writing on the wall. “Wow.”
“Right?” Heidi shook her head. “Pierce needs to give us all raises.”
“Pierce is giving everyone raises.” Pierce’s voice no longer made her panic.
It no longer made her want to shrink back.
There was no nauseas twist of her gut when he stepped into a room.
But her body’s reaction to him was no less dramatic.
Or problematic.
His eyes caught hers immediately and the heat there only made everything worse.
He lifted a hand, curling a finger in her direction. “Come, Love. We need to have a chat.”
CHAPTER 21
“THAT WAS QUICK.” Mona glared at him as he closed the door. “At least now you don’t have to worry whether or not Zeke has your back.”
“I would argue that the primary back he has is yours.” Pierce turned toward Mona. “I see you met Helen.”
“She’s worried about Amelia.” Mona lifted a brow at him. “She’s apparently acting like a normal teenager, and Helen wanted to know if I had any advice for her.”
“What advice did you give her?” Pierce walked to Mona, stopping just in front of her.
“I told her I was the wrong person to come to for advice about how to handle a defiant personality.”
“I’m not sure that’s entirely true.” Pierce eased a little closer. “You are the woman who keeps trying to offer herself up as a sacrifice, are you not?”
“It’s only a sacrifice if I die, and I don’t plan on dying.” Mona’s glare held as she looked up at him.
“Well, your persistence has paid off.”
Her pale brows lifted. “Really?”
“After careful consideration, and much discussion with Vincent and the team leads, it would appear that the fastest way to conclude this mess is by forcing Anthony to make a move.”
“And you’re going to do that by letting me go out?” The hopeful edge of her voice made it clear Helen was not as off-base with her search for advice as Mona thought.
“I’m going to do that by letting us go out.”
Mona’s mouth opened, then clamped shut before opening again. “I don’t like that idea.”
“Too bad.” He reached up to tip one finger under her chin. “Because the only way you’re going out is if I’m right beside you when it happens.”
“But he wants to kill you.”
“In case you don’t remember, there are two separate listings soliciting your murder, Love.” He held up his pointer and middle fingers. “Two.”
“But if you’re there he won’t want to kill me.”
“That’s the hope.” Pierce leaned down, planning to brush a kiss across her lips.
Mona’s head tipped back. “I’m not doing this.”
“A second ago you were more than ready to run out the gates.” His smile was easy in spite of the day in store.
Or maybe because of it.
For the first time in his life he didn’t feel alone. Didn’t feel isolated by a past that drove him from a world of wealth and power into a world of fear and control.
Mona’s frown was deep and strong. “Stop smiling.”
“I don’t think I will.” Pierce ran his finger along her jaw. “Not for a long time.”
“Let’s just dress Zeke up as you.”
“While I appreciate the fact that you’d rather Zeke die than me, I’m going to have to pass.”
She turned away from him, skin paling, one hand going over her mouth. “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
“Considering I’m sure you aren’t yet pregnant I will try not to be offended by that.”
Mona’s eyes were wide when they came back his way. “Did you just say yet?”
Pierce moved in close to her again, unable to stay away from her now that he’d finally found the woman strong enough to stand at his side.
Meet him head on.
“You know exactly what I said.” He tipped