Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“What?” The color leached out of the young woman’s face. She rushed forward to hug Ivy. “Are you okay?”
Ivy tugged on Steele’s cut, drawing their attention back to the man next to her. “This is Steele, ladies. He saved me.”
Virginia straightened her spine and held a hand out to the handsome man next to Ivy. “Mr. Steele, thank you.”
Steele shook her hand and repeated the gesture when Beatriz offered hers as well. “Ivy actually saved herself by making noise.”
“And, in the process, caused a brain injury that has to heal. The doctor won’t allow me to come back until I’m less scrambled,” Ivy explained. “I don’t know why Mr. Harris told you I was on vacation. Perhaps he didn’t want everyone to be worried about their safety. That should be the focus now. Everyone should leave in groups. Could you spread the word for me?”
“Of course. They haven’t caught the horrible men who hurt you?” Beatriz asked.
“Not yet,” Ivy warned, peeking up at Steele, who squeezed her a little tighter before shifting Ivy slightly. She moved without asking any questions.
He leaned forward to say to her softly, “Don’t move from this spot.” When she nodded, he strolled to the window to complete his business and allow her to speak privately to the women as he kept her in view at all times.
“Are you safe with him?” Virginia asked.
“With Steele?” Ivy asked and laughed. “I’m safer than I’ve ever been.”
“When are you coming back?” Beatriz asked.
“The doctor won’t let me come back for another week. Then they’ll check to see how my brain is healing.” Ivy paused to wave a hand over her bruising. “I hate to leave everyone in a lurch, but my thought processes haven’t settled back into place yet. I’d be a detriment here.”
“People have been so mad. We’re all working extra days and longer shifts. Mr. Harris said it was because you had demanded to take vacation time without notice,” Virginia shared with gladiator-level rage etched on her face.
Ivy used all her business skills to not allow her anger to show as well. “I don’t know why he would tell you this.”
“Oh, we’ll be sure to spread the word about your vacation as well,” Beatriz assured her.
“Maintaining a professional atmosphere in the bank is more important than anything else. I do not wish to return to the bank to find a conduct violation report for you or anyone else.” Ivy tried to squash the rumor mill process before it could catch fire.
Beatriz nodded to acknowledge the warning. “Got it, boss. I can’t wait until you’re back. It will give people hope that this crap is temporary.” Daring to hug Ivy, she dashed off as the lines at the tellers’ windows grew.
“Several people are talking about turning in their notice. We’ll try to hold it together until you get back. Don’t worry about us. Just heal,” Virginia urged.
As the powerful biker returned to Ivy’s side, Virginia added, “Mr. Steele, keep her safe.”
“I’ll guard her with my life,” he promised, and there was no way to miss the truth of that solemn oath.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Ivy allowed the anger brewing inside her to show on her face as Steele escorted her to her car. “I can’t believe that…” her voice lowered to a hiss to preserve her professionalism, “asshole told everyone I went on vacation with no notice and required everyone to work overtime.”
Automatically, she had headed for the driver’s side of the car, but Steele turned her gently to walk around the vehicle to the passenger side. She continued to fume as he helped her into the car and fastened her seatbelt across her lap.
When he slid in next to her and closed the door, sealing them inside, Ivy exploded, “I should sue him for slander. No wonder everyone shunned my greetings. That obnoxious, manipulative man!”
“I think asshole is a perfect name for him,” Steele agreed dryly.
“Right!” she said, turning abruptly in her seat before grabbing the console between them when the world spun around her.
Immediately, Steele’s powerful arm shot out to pin her firmly against the upholstery. “Do not let him have power over you, Little girl. Your soldiers are already at work.”
“What?”
“Calmly look at the window now,” he instructed with a nod toward the drive-through area.
Ivy shifted her view slowly from his face to focus on the area he indicated. The teller on duty in the far right station leaned to the side to whisper something to the next employee as she waved to Ivy with a big smile. The word passed to each in the row. It was overwhelming to feel the emotional response of everyone who saw her reversed in seconds, but Ivy knew it had. She settled back against her seat and returned their greetings with a wave.
“Now, they know he’s an asshole,” Steele observed as he started the car.