Mandy hadn’t told her friends yet. It just didn’t seem like an appropriate conversation to have on the phone.
When she finished her story, Olivia’s jaw dropped. For once, she was speechless.
Claire’s face was white as a ghost. “Why didn’t you tell us?” she whispered.
Alexis nearly barreled Mandy over with another fierce hug. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. Alexis had faced her own battle recently with an asshole of an alpha who tried to claim her as his own.
Unfortunately, sharing the story made things a little awkward. Dinner was delicious at least. Clint had cooked. After helping to clear the table, Clint made an excuse and left the girls to have some time alone.
“What do you think of Clint?” Mandy asked as she shut the door behind him.
Claire glanced at Alexis, who stared at Olivia.
Olivia chuckled without mirth. “Fine. I’ll be the one to say it. He’s a great guy. He really seems to dig you.”
“Why do I sense a but?” Mandy asked.
“Because there is one,” Olivia said frankly. “You’re taking things kinda fast, don’t you think? For someone who freaked out about dating, you’re all up in his grill.”
Mandy opened her mouth and hesitated. For exactly one point two seconds, she feared they were right.
But then she got over it. She knew she loved Clint, and he loved her. Nothing else mattered. Not her past. Only their future.
2
Clint Ramsey hoped things went well. Mandy meant everything to him. Yes, they were moving kind of fast. That didn’t surprise him though. Mandy had been through so much. She had been married once. Her husband died. That Mandy opened her heart up again meant everything. She knew what she wanted, who she wanted, and she wanted him.
He loved her. He always would. That was why he tried to make a good impression. Olivia being a little standoffish didn’t surprise him. In fact, he expected it. They loved Mandy too. They just wanted to make sure he was the best werewolf for her.
I am. I know I am.
>>><<<
The next morning, Clint woke with a groan. Mandy hadn’t called him, which mildly surprised him. Hopefully, she and the girls had a fun time after he had left.
He was about to text her when his phone rang. Today was Sunday, his day off, but he didn’t recognize the number. In case it was a potential new client, he answered just before voicemail would’ve kicked in.
“Clint Ramsey, landscaper extraordinaire. How can I help you?”
“Extraordinaire? That’s exactly what I need.” The woman sounded eager but also infuriated. “I am interested in hiring you for a complicated job. Are you available?”
“What kind of work do you need exactly?”
The woman, Dana Carson, launched into a intricate project that would take Clint a month or even longer to complete. He had one job he was currently working on that he should finish up tomorrow. After that, he had a few already lined up, so it would be a little tight to squeeze her job in. When she mentioned what she was willing to pay, though, he couldn’t turn it down.
With that kind of money, he would be able to buy something very special for Mandy. Yes, it was insane, but he already wanted to marry her. Not immediately, of course. They could be engaged for as long as she wanted. Or as short. Whichever. The choice would be hers.
The best part about this job was that he would have plenty left over after he purchased a ring. He’d have a head start on the wedding costs too. It was perfect, and he couldn’t help feeling excited and eager.
“I can draw up some paperwork. Once it’s signed, we can get started,” Clint said.
“Wonderful! I have time available today. When can I stop by to sign them? Oh, dear. What am I thinking? I’m so excited I forgot it’s Sunday.”
“It’s not a problem,” Clint assured her. With the money she was paying him, he was more than willing to meet her demand. “You can stop by my office in as early as an hour.”
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to working with you. You come highly recommended.”
He hung up. In a mad dash, he rushed to shower and change. His office was a small room in a towering building full of other businesses. He often thought about getting his own place, but what would be the point? He only needed a spot for his computer and printer. He did all of his work himself. If he couldn’t do it, he hired out. None of the actual dirt and grime happened in his office. For the first two years, he’d worked out of his home.
The printer just spat out the last page when a knock sounded at his glass door. He waved the woman in, all the while grinning and thinking about what cut of diamond Mandy would prefer. He loved that wolf so damn much.
Dana Carson was in her mid-thirties, tall, with dyed red hair. Her heels pounded against the floor as she walked over. Her bracelets fell forward as she reached out her hand.
“You must be Clint,” she said.
“Mrs. Carson?”
“Not Mrs. and please call me Dana.”
She glanced around his office. For the most part, it was barren, but his mother had given him a plant for it and his father a painting.
Dana walked over to it. The landscape was beautiful.
“Did you do this?”
“The painting? No.” He crossed over to stand a step or two behind her.
“The yard work.”
Clint grinned. “Yes, actually.”
His father had taken the picture. Clint’s first job.
“Not many people realize that,” he added.
Dana glanced over her shoulder, smiling widely. “I tend to realize a lot of things.”
He retreated a step, suddenly uncomfortable. Why? She was being friendly. Nothing more. Still, he wanted to hurry up and call Mandy. He wasn’t sure if she would be spending the day with her friends alone or if he could tag along. He would love to get to know them better.
“The paperwork,” he said. He grabbed a pen from his desk and handed it to her.
Her fingers brushed his even though he had held it in a way specifically so that wouldn’t happen. Great. He hadn’t misjudged things.
Clint stepped back, arms crossed. He would have to keep an eye on her and stay far away. It wouldn’t make working for her easy, but he would manage.
She signed and initialed each page with a grand flourish and held out the pen. “Your turn,” she said.
He ignored her and gestured toward the door. “I’ll sign in just a moment.”
Dana dropped the pen and bent over to pick it up. Clint didn’t bother to look. Her shirt wasn’t revealing when she stood, but when she bent over, it certainly was.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her straightened. Swaying her hips, she sauntered over. He held the door open for her.
But she didn’t walk through it.
Instead, she lifted onto her toes and kissed him.
3
Mandy tried to text Clint, but her cell wasn’t working again. She really needed to have some tech guys look it over. This was ridiculous.
That morning, there were far too many cooks in the kitchen, but the girls somehow managed to make breakfast. They ate and talked, and Mandy was really enjoying herself.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” Claire asked.
Mandy grinned. “I don’t care. I’m just so glad you were able to find babysitting so you could join us.”
Claire grinned. “I love my girls, but sometimes, I just need a break.” She put her hands together as if praying. “Thank you.”
Mandy laughed.
“We should do something with Clint,” Alexis suggested.
Olivia nodded. “I want to keep an eye on him more.”
Mandy mocked-glowered at her. “Back off. He’s mine.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “I just want to make sure you aren’t just getting together because of the trauma you two shared. That you have a foundation to build on.”
“Because you know all about relationships with foundation,” Al
exis teased.
Olivia pursed her lips. “I’ll admit it. I’m not one to give relationship advice,” she said shockingly, sounding sorrowful and depressed. Olivia was normally so upbeat all of the time. “However, I know why they’ve been failing. Because there is no foundation. You need someone who will always be there for you.”
Mandy swallowed hard. That was exactly what she needed. Her first husband she had loved desperately, but he had left her. He died. Her heart still ached when she thought of him.
“Clint’s not going anywhere,” Mandy said firmly.
“Because you have him whipped,” Claire said. “He’s not a wolf. He’s a puppy dog!”
The girls howled with laughter. They tumbled out of the house. They had all meet up at Mandy’s family home. Her parents were off on vacation after Mandy assured them a million times she would be all right.
A glance next door at Clint’s place showed his car gone, so Mandy ushered them into hers. “He probably went to his office. I’ll swing by and grab him.”
“Kidnap him, you mean.” Alexis laughed.
“You want to borrow my handcuffs?” Olivia asked.
Mandy gaped at her through the rearview mirror. “I can believe you have handcuffs, but you brought them along? Why?”
“I don’t have handcuffs!” Olivia protested. “I was joking!”
“Sure, you were,” Claire said.
All of them, including Olivia, laughed as Mandy drove away.
It wasn’t far to the office building, and Mandy left the car running. “I’ll be right back,” she said.
She raced inside and bypassed the elevators. They were so slow. Eight flights of stairs were nothing.
When she reached the floor, she started down the hall when she saw the door to his office open. Mandy picked up the pace in time to see an attractive woman lean up and kiss Clint right on the lips.
“What in the hell?” she demanded.
Clint jerked away from the woman. “Mandy. It’s not—”
“Who the hell are you?” the woman asked. She brushed her red hair back. The dye job was hideous. No, it was flawless, but Mandy hated her, especially when the woman licked her lips.
“I’m Clint’s girlfriend.” Mandy crossed her arms. It was taking everything in her to not turn into a wolf and maul the woman. “Who the hell are you?”
“You’re not single?” the woman asked. Her eyes flashed.
Mandy’s anger rose to new heights. It seemed to her that the woman hadn’t realized Clint was in a relationship. Was he really two-timing her? She found it hard to believe, but he had been kissing this chick.
“No, he’s definitely not single considering we were up half the night two nights ago making love four times!”
To Mandy’s shock and dismay, the woman proceeded to walk farther into Clint’s office rather than out the door. She marched over to the table, grabbed papers off it, and promptly ripped them up.
“We’re done here,” the woman said coldly to Clint. She paused and looked at Mandy. “I didn’t know. I saw no ring, and I just assumed—I’m sorry.”
The woman marched out the door, head high, hair bouncing with every step.
Mandy whirled around to follow her. She was done.
4
Clint could hardly believe what just happened. He couldn’t say he was totally blindsided by the kiss. Still, he hadn’t wanted it, and he hadn’t kissed back.
That Mandy showed up made things worse. And better. He would’ve had to tell her about the kiss even if she hadn’t witnessed it.
Mandy turned to leave, and the paralysis at his despair over the kiss finally broke away. He lunged forward and grabbed her arm.
“Please, Mandy. Just listen to me. Hear me out. We’ve been through too much—”
“Don’t you dare give me that,” Mandy snapped. She jerked free and jabbed a finger to his chest. Even when angry and hurt, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her eyes were glittering, and a flush colored her cheeks just right.
“I didn’t kiss her back. I didn’t lead her on. I swear I didn’t.” He paused and reconsidered. “I honestly don’t think I did. Mandy, come on. You know me.”
“Do I? We’ve been together how long?”
He opened his mouth and then shut it. After a slight hesitation, “I would like to think that you know me already. You know the kind of man I am. Am I a liar? A cheater?”
“No,” she whispered.
“No. I love you, Mandy. Only you. I want you and no one else. Not her. Not anyone. Just you. I swear.” He held out his arms.
Visibly, the anger and the fear lifted from her shoulders. Inch by inch, she moved forward to accept his hug.
But she didn’t exactly hug back.
5
Mandy believed Clint. She did, but the incident also opened her eyes. They were moving a little too fast. It helped to spend time with Clint and her friends. None of them seemed to notice the slight tension between her and Clint.
That night, though, she had to say goodbye to her friends. She wasn’t ready to head back to Toledo with Olivia and Claire. For now, she was staying in Hazel Park. At least Alexis was nearby in Detroit.
A week passed. Slowly, just as Mandy was beginning to warm up to Clint again, a knock sounded at his door.
He was in the kitchen, cooking. “Can you answer that? Not sure who it is.”
“Sure.” Confused, Mandy opened the door.
A tall man dressed in black stood there, holding an envelope. “Is Mr. Ramsey here?”
“Clint?” Mandy called.
Clint entered, wiping his hand on a towel. “Can I help you?” he asked.
The man handed him the envelope. “You’ve been served.” He nodded and left.
On autopilot, Mandy closed the door. “Served?”
Clint had already opened the letter and was reading. “I’m being sued.”
“By?”
“Dana Carson. The woman who…”
“For what?” Mandy shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t want to hear it.”
>>><<<
The next day, while Clint was out working, Mandy did some digging of her own. Dana Carson. Mandy found the woman’s phone and address at the same time. Even though calling probably would’ve been smarter, Mandy hopped into her car.
The woman’s house was beautiful, but the yard did need a lot of work. At least she had legitimately hired Clint in the first place.
Mandy hesitated for a few minutes before working up the courage to get out of the car. She marched along the path to the front door and rang the bell.
“Coming.” A moment later, the door opened. Dana’s face immediately closed up, and an indifferent mask came over her. “Why are you here?”
“I only want to talk.”
“You shouldn’t.” Dana started to shut the door.
Mandy slid her foot forward to block it. “Please. A moment.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m going to talk anyhow. You can listen or not. Your choice.”
Dana crossed her arms but did not walk away.
Mandy took that as a sign to continue. “Clint lives next to my parents. He’s a good man. A really good man. An extremely hard worker. He loves his jobs. He’s great with his hands.”
“I’m sure he is,” Dana muttered.
Many flushed, embarrassed. “A man threatened me, threatened my parents. Clint was acting as a bodyguard for my parents. He helped me, protected me, and I protected him. We’ve worked so hard to come together. He’s worked so hard to build up his business. Why would you take that away from him?”
Dana said nothing.
Until now, Mandy had been gracious, but now, anger rushed over her. “Did he really lead you on? Or is your ego that big that you can’t see that he didn’t want you?”
Dana’s mask collapsed. Pain swam in her eyes along with her tears. “Get out. I don’t give a shit about your sob story. Don’t you dare step foot here again, or else I will call
the cops.”
Mandy stepped back, and the door slammed shut in her face.
6
Clint knew the moment he saw Mandy that she had done something and that something had not gone over well.
“What happened?” he asked, worried.
Ever since the kiss, she had been a little wary of him. It killed him, but he understood. He would’ve hauled off any guy kissing her and beat him to a bloody pulp. And if he learned the guy had kissed without her wanting him to, the guy most likely would be in a coma.
Things had gotten a little better until Clint learned Dana was suing him. Clint was still trying to wrap his head around it. He didn’t understand legal jargon at all. He did have one lawyer friend who said that Dana didn’t have a case at all. Something about emotional distress? Maybe? Clint trying to block it out of his mind, so he wasn’t even sure what exactly the lawsuit was over.
The only thing frightened him. He needed his business. He couldn’t lose it. Worse, he couldn’t lose Mandy. He had gone from being on cloud nine with a way to buy a ring and pay for a lavish wedding. Now, he might soon have nothing at all, not even his business.
Mandy had just entered the kitchen as he finished making himself a sandwich. He handed her the plate, but she shook her head.
“I went to see Dana,” she said.
Since she hadn’t wanted the sandwich, he’d taken a bite, and he choked on it.
“Not a good idea,” he gasped. He gulped down some water.
“No. I’m sorry. I was just thinking… If she could get to know you, the real you, she would drop this.”
“Mandy, we can’t contact her. It’s not smart.”
“This whole thing is stupid!” Mandy threw up her hands.
“Maybe she has a reason for this,” Clint suggested.
“Like what? She has a massive house. She doesn’t need your money.”
Protecting What's Hers (To Love And Defend Book 2) Page 12