Free Serving HIM Vol. 6: Alpha Billionaire Romance by M. S. Parker, Cassie Wild

the townhouse. “Penelope made her angry at first, then she was just…sad, sir.”
    “I know.” I climbed out of the car, but didn’t shut the door. He didn't say anything, but I felt the need to make sure he knew why I was here. I bent over and met his eyes in the mirror for another moment. “I’m taking care of it. It shouldn’t happen again. Not after today.”
    To my surprise, he climbed out of the car and studied me, but the look on his face wasn’t that of an employee addressing his employer. His gaze was steady, as if taking a measure of me. I wasn't sure I liked it, but I waited to see what he planned to say.
    “It will happen again,” he said bluntly. “As long as she’s dealing with sharks like Penelope Rittenour, it’s going to happen.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “Vincent, you’d do well to remember your place.”
    “I know my place, sir.” He nodded, stiffly. “But I care for Aleena.”
    Not Miss Davison now. Not Miss Aleena.
    I scowled, possessiveness washing through me. She was mine.
    Vincent's stance stiffened. “She’s a friend, Mr. Snow. Nothing more. But she’s a sweet woman. A kind one. If all you’re doing is…” His face reddened. “There are plenty of woman who can offer you anything you need and they can handle the sharks. But Aleena…” His voice softened now. “Sir, she’s a tough girl. Solid and smart and strong. She might even have a skin thick enough to withstand the attacks. But she doesn't deserve it, sir. If she's going to have to deal with people like that, I hope it’s only because you plan on staying with her.”
    There was only one reason I gave him the truth. Only one reason I didn’t fire him right there. It had nothing to do with the fact that he’d spent ten years working for me and it had everything to do with the fact that I could see the loyalty in his eyes. Loyalty to the woman I loved. Strange, I realized. That loyalty mattered to me now more than loyalty he should owe me .
    “I love her,” I said softly. “Does that help, Vincent?”
    After a moment, he nodded. “Yes. Yes, Mr. Snow, it does.” He gave me a stiff nod. “I’ve overstepped my bounds and I apologize.”
    “No. You spoke your mind and shown me that you will always stand by her. That means a lot to me.” I brushed an imaginary speck of lint from my shirt. “I think I’ll reassign you, effective today. You’re her driver now. Permanently. I'll find another driver to cover opposite Maxwell, but I want you with Aleena.”
    “Sir?” Vincent blinked, looking stunned.
    “You’re not fired,” I said mildly. “Like you said, she’ll end up around a lot of sharks and I’m not always with her. You know those people well enough because you’ve been around them for years. I'll expect you to watch out for her when I’m not able to. Are we clear?”
    The stunned look left his eyes and slowly, he nodded.
    “Excellent.” I turned to look at the townhouse. “I want a list of names you think would be a good secondary driver for me. You’ve got seventy-two hours. Is it doable?”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Excellent.” I started toward the townhouse. The brick walk way was patterned in a diamond design and my shoes rang on it hollowly as I strode up toward the door. The flowers were perfect, a brilliant spray of color and something in them made me want to sneeze. I stifled the urge and rang the doorbell. Only a few seconds passed before the door swung open.
    The butler was young, polished and pretty. Exactly the way Penelope liked them.
    “Hello. Is Penelope available?” I asked.
    He gave me a polite nod. “May I asked whom is calling?”
    She’d gone for a Frenchman this time. Last summer, it had been an Italian.
    “Dominic Snow.” I checked my watch. “I’ve got ten minutes.”
    “Of course. Please come in, Mr. Snow.”
    As I stepped inside, a maid disappeared into a room, her head bowed so she wasn’t looking at me. She wasn’t young or pretty or polished—again, just