Free Sergey: Love Me Harder by Serena Simpson Page B

door. “Meet you downstairs.”
    She flew down the stairs, feeling lighter than she had in years. She thought about her ex before kicking him to the curb for good. She’d spent too much time remembering him and all of his little put downs.
    “So what are we taking today?” He had way too many cars. There was no way he could drive them all.
    He walked over to the red mustang and pulled out the keys. “I thought you might want to drive.”
    She took the keys and slid in. She loved this car.
    They kept the talk light and easy as she drove into the city. They stopped by a drive thru, getting breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
    She pulled into the parking spot he’d directed her to. “So what will I be doing today?”
    “Meeting the employees. Learning who’s who. Finding out where both Rena and Dee work and getting a feel for their schedules and movements.”
    “You truly want me to protect them? That wasn’t a pretext so you could get in my pants?” She asked.
    “Nothing and no one was going to keep me out of your pants. You’re part of the family, my family, which means you don’t have to work. I honestly didn’t think you would be happy doing nothing.”
    Part of his family. A part of her desperately wanted that, but when you had been alone as long as she had it was hard to believe. She gave him a tight smile and ignored the comment.
    “You were right. I’d hate sitting around and doing nothing.” She followed him into the building.
    He stopped at the first security guard, the one at the door. “Phil this is Lorali. Lorali this is Phil. Lorali will be working a special security detail. Give her any help she asks for.”
    “Yes Mr. Dare.”
    “Phil, you can call me Sergey.” They walked away.
    “You scare him.”
    “I’ve never done anything to him. He has no reason to fear me.”
    “Fear is unreasonable. You scare him. He’ll never call you Sergey. Stop asking him too. Then he’ll begin to warm up to you.”
    “What makes you say that?” He frowned at her.
    “The way he holds his body. The tightness of his smile. He recognizes you on some level as a predator. It makes him weary and it should that’s why you hired him because he has good instincts. That’s why I assume you hired him.”
    He nodded and walked over to the guard who manned the desk in the entrance.
    “Brian, I want to introduce you to Lorali, she’s a new member of the staff. She’ll be working a special security assignment for us. Lorali this is Brian. Ask him any questions you need answers for. He’s very knowledgeable about the comings and goings of the staff.”
    “Nice to meet you, Lorali. I’ll give her any assistance she needs, Mr. Dare.”
    Sergey opened his mouth. The feel of Lorali’s hand on his arm changed his mind. He walked to his office with her following.
    Vance was sitting in the waiting room. “Sergey,” his secretary said, “Mr. Baal insisted on waiting for you to come in.”
    “That is fine Sylvia. Find Aran and Niko. Advise them of the situation. Have them come to my office.”
    “Vance, it is a pleasant surprise to see that you’re up and well. Please come to my office. Lorali will you join us?”
    Lorali took a seat at the rear of the room where she could watch Vance to be sure he wasn’t a threat.
    “Vance, you’re out sooner than the doctors thought.”
    “I healed faster than they thought. They aren’t sure why. I was given a clean bill of health.”
    Sergey nodded. There was a quick knock on his door, then Aran and Niko walked in. They greeted Vance.
    He used to be the head of the accounting department at the security firm.
    “Vance.” Niko moved to stand in front of him. “I’m not sure how much you remember of what happened before the ordeal you went through. I do have some questions for you.”
    “I’ve lost large chunks of my memory. It is frustrating. The police question me, thinking I’m lying. I try to remember. It feels like I’m close, then nothing. I’m left with