Taming Lily (The Fowler Sisters #3)(89)

“You called security?” Daddy asks when Ryder strides into view.

“They’re on their way,” Ryder says curtly, his gaze cutting to the glass window wall of Violet’s office. He sees us sitting there and his expression softens, his eyes never leaving Violet.

Pilar notices and focuses her attention on us. Her gaze is narrowed, her face pale save for two high spots of color on her cheeks. I swear she’s so angry I can see her entire body vibrating from where I sit.

“Stupid, smug whores!” she yells as she storms for the open doorway of Violet’s office. “I hate you both! Do you two really think you can ruin me?”

Ryder grabs Pilar’s arm before she can enter Violet’s office, effectively stopping her in her tracks. “You say one more word against my fiancée and you’ll regret it,” I hear him murmur, his deep voice full of barely contained rage.

She sends him a look over her shoulder and then returns all of her attention to us. “You may have won this battle, but you haven’t won the war. Not by a long shot.”

Violet and I say nothing. What can we say? I wish she’d just go away. I’m sure Violet feels the same.

Pilar jerks her arm out of Ryder’s hold and sends us a withering stare before she stands tall and starts to stride down the hall, Daddy following after her. I hear him speak to someone else—I can only assume it’s the security that Ryder just summoned—and Ryder enters Violet’s office, going straight to her as she leaps from her chair and practically falls into his arms.

“It’s done,” Ryder says as he runs his hand up and down Violet’s back, as if he’s trying to soothe her. “She said nothing when we presented the emails between her and Felicity Winston. She really started to protest when the Zachary emails appeared, though. That’s when I called security. They’ll escort her out of the building.”

“Did she sign the confidentiality agreement?” Violet asks as she looks up at him.

Ryder nods. “We made sure she did that before the Zachary emails came up. Your father handled it all beautifully. Never even broke a sweat.”

I’m strangely proud to hear it. “What about you, Ryder? Did you break a sweat?”

“Nah, though I did want to wring her neck with my bare hands.” He smiles, then drops a kiss on Violet’s lips. “It’s over, baby. She’s out of our lives for good.”

“Hopefully,” Violet adds.

“No hopefully. What’s done is done. Her career in the cosmetics industry is most likely over, but I’m sure she’ll reinvent herself. Or somehow convince someone she’s worth the trouble,” Ryder says with a shake of his head. “She did a lot for me …” His voice drifts and he almost looks guilty.

My sister snaps him back to reality. “But she also held you back,” Violet points out as she slowly withdraws from his arms, turning to face me. “Maybe you should start working at Fleur, Lily. With Rose gone and now Pilar, too, we need someone. And I’d like to keep it in the family.”

I blink in surprise. I can’t believe my sister is suggesting I come to work at Fleur. “I appreciate your faith in me, but I have plans of my own.”

Violet frowns. “What are you talking about?”

“I think I’m going to work with Max. Put my hacking skills to good use,” I admit, feeling embarrassed. I hope she doesn’t think that’s a stupid idea. It’s been fun, discussing plans for the future with Max. Not just fun, but exciting. I’ve never been one to think far ahead but with Max, it’s all I want to do.

Violet’s frown turns into a small smile, her eyes lighting up. “That’s … amazing. I love the idea. Father will be so proud.”

“You think so?” I’m pleased at the idea that I could truly make my father proud. I don’t think he’s been proud of anything I’ve ever done.

Ever.

“I know so. We’d love to have you at Fleur but completely understand that you’d rather work with Max. That sounds more like your calling, so I get it.” Violet smiles and steps closer to me, holding out her arms. I go to her and we embrace, clutching each other tight. “Go where it feels right, Lily,” she murmurs close to my ear.

That’s the best advice anyone’s ever given me.

Epilogue

Three months later

Lily

“YOU REALLY WANT me to move in with you?”

I nod, scooting across my giant bed so I can press my naked body against his. He still has on his boxer briefs but I can feel his erection. If I plan this right, that big cock of his will be inside me in minutes. “Please ease the suspense and just say yes. We’re together all the time anyway. If you’re not here, I’m at your apartment.” But he’s in Brooklyn, so we spend more time here. Plus, my apartment is bigger. It also has better security, thanks to Max and the new system he recently convinced them to put in. He’s still not sold that Pilar won’t pop up out of nowhere and come after me or Violet.

Max chuckles and slips his arms around my waist, his big hands moving down to cup my ass and haul me into him. “I should be like Caden and make you move into my place so we can all be neighbors,” he murmurs against my neck as he starts kissing me there. His lips are hot, his tongue wet, making me shiver.

“That would be kind of dumb considering we’re opening up our new office downtown next month,” I remind him. It’s only a few months after I started working with Max and Levi, and business is booming. Word got out that Max now has a team of tech experts working with him and we’re almost to the point where we have to turn business away.