My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison #3) - T.L. Smith Page 0,2

that man I married, that broken, tortured man whom this town doesn’t like, was also in love with Rylee. Rylee was in love with him. I married him. And here she sits, still not hating me.

I think I may love her a little now. Go figure.

“Hey, I’m working for your brother today. Any tips?” I ask. She laughs, and so does Shandy. “What?” I state while staring at both of them.

“He’s an asshole to work for. Just don’t quit. Okay?” Shandy says, which makes Rylee smile.

“Why do you think my office is at the other end of the building and not next to his?” Rylee adds.

Oh geez, I didn’t even think of that.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” I tell them.

Well, I hope it will be.

I met Beckham once when I was pregnant over five years ago. He was a good guy. Protective of what he loved but overall nice.

However, people change.

“As long as you keep on believing that …” Shandy pats my shoulder and walks off, muttering, “… that’s all that matters.”

Taking a step into Rylee’s office, I spin around and shut the door behind me, then take a seat in front of her. “Oliver has been asking to see more of August. Would that bother you at all?” I ask. She offers me a sad smile. I didn’t want to ask, but Oliver loves August, and he was a father figure in his life for a few years.

“Of course not. Why doesn’t he come over for a sleepover? I’m sure Winter would even love it.” I bite my lip and glance away. “Jacinta …”

I look back at her with a small smile. “I haven’t really had a night away from him. I have no family, and well …” When I had Oliver, August was the only one there for me. But he wasn’t Oliver’s father, even if he was an amazing man with him.

“Well, all the more reason to. You need alone time too, you know. You need to go out for cocktails or sit in your bath and eat chocolate. Gosh, do whatever the hell you want.”

Relief floods me as I stand. Rylee should hate me, but she doesn’t. I know why August loves her so much, even why Anderson was so scared to lose her. She’s someone you gravitate to, even if you don’t want to. She’s a naturally lovely person and one I have grown to appreciate so much.

“I should go before Beckham arrives.”

Rylee laughs. “Hunny, he’s already here. Beckham is the first to arrive and last to leave.”

My eyes go wide at her words. “Are you joking?”

She shakes her head. “Nope, but his assistant doesn’t usually get here for at least another half an hour, so you showing up early will make a good impression.” I stand, nod, and straighten my skirt before I turn to open the door and walk out. “Good luck, Jacinta.” I hear her words as I quickly step it to my office.

I changed my name to Mary when I was away, but Rylee refuses to call me that. And, eventually, I went back to my real name.

“I may need it,” I say quietly to myself as I walk to the other end of the building where Beckham’s office is located. My new desk is situated right outside his door. No one is currently at the desk, and the door to Beckham’s office is slightly ajar, so I knock lightly.

“What?” he barks.

Oh, crap! I straighten my spine and push the door open, attempting to give him my confident look. However, angry eyes glance up at me as I stand frozen in the doorway. Shit, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

“Mr. Harley, just letting you know I’ll be at my desk if you need me.”

His eyes rake over me, and something passes over them before they turn angry again. “What desk? Who the hell are you?” His hands now rest on the desk in front of him as he watches me, or should I say, assesses me. How can someone be so young and yet so damn intimidating? We are almost the same age, but shit, he knows how to get right under your skin and quickly.

He has a power to him. Even from a distance, I can see it, feel it as it emanates from his whole persona. And when you add on his looks, well, none of that is fair to any self-respecting woman.

I shouldn’t care about that though, right?

I’m here to work.

To do a job I am