Page 64 of Under His Protection
Hoffman glances back at me and frowns. When he turns his attention to Haley and says something to her, she shakes her head.
God, I would give anything to be inside that classroom. I hate not knowing what he’s saying.
Haley glances back at me with a forlorn expression, but at least she seems calm. She’s not hollering for me to storm in there and rescue her.
The next hour crawls by at a snail’s pace. I keep checking the time, wishing it would speed up.
Haley and Mark are both on their feet, standing at the table as they perform some kind of science experiment with glass bottles and test tubes and various liquids. All they’re missing are the white lab coats, and they could be mad scientists. They do have safety glasses on, though, so there’s that.
Hoffman is doing most of the talking. Haley’s only making brief one-word replies and occasionally nodding or shaking her head. Every once in a while, I catch her looking back at me, as if to reassure herself I’m still here.
Yes, baby, I’m here.
Hoffman has noticed where her attention is, and he frequently looks back at me and scowls. By the end of the class period, Hoffman looks downright pissed, and Haley has stopped talking to him at all.
Finally, when class is nearly over, they start cleaning up their table.
When class ends, Haley is the first one out of the room. She grabs my hand and pulls me along with her as she heads out of the building.
“Hold on,” I say once we’re outside and out of the hearing range of anyone who matters. “What the hell happened? What did he say?”
She turns to me, fuming. “He’s an egotistical narcissistic asshole! Ugh!” She glances around to make sure no one heard her.
I struggle not to laugh, because the situation isn’t at all funny, but seeing her so riled up like this is a first. I try again. “What did he say, Haley?”
She frowns. “He said you’re—” The words die in her throat.
“He said I’mwhat?”
Adamantly, she shakes her head. “It’s not worth repeating.”
I refrain from laughing, but a grin does slip out. “Honey, I don’t care what he says about me, but he obviously said something that pissed you off, and I do care about that.”
“He called you a neanderthal.”
Now I do laugh, hard. “Is that it?”
“No, but the rest I won’t repeat.”
“Okay. I’ll let it go.” I take her hand. “Come on. Let’s go. We have just enough time to get downtown to the McIntyre building for our meeting.”
Chapter 20 – Haley
When we arrive at the McIntyre Security office building on N. Michigan Avenue, Philip pulls into the underground garage and parks in his dedicated spot.
“Ready?” Philip asks as he turns off the engine.
Not really.“As ready as I’ll ever be.” The truth is, I’m nervous. Like really nervous. I’m going to be in a room full of people who are there because of me. I don’t like being the center of attention.
“It’s going to be fine,” he says as he opens his door and gets out.
I meet him at the back of the truck, and we walk to the elevators.
When the elevator doors open on the fourth floor, the big boss, Shane McIntyre, greets us. He looks very much like a polished CEO with his charcoal gray suit, white dress shirt, and matching gray tie. He seems kind of young for a CEO, probably in his mid to late thirties. His brown hair is short, and he has a trim beard. What’s most striking about him are his electric blue eyes.
“Haley,” he says as he offers me his hand. “I know we’ve met before at work events and family gatherings, but let’s make it official. I’m Shane McIntyre. Your parents are here—all of them.” He chuckles. “Philip, why don’t you wait for us in the conference room? I’d like to have a private word with Haley.”
“Sure thing,” Philip says. He squeezes my hand. “I’ll see you soon.”
