Harlow
Harlow had spent the week trying to acclimate to working a full-time job and taking care of her daughter. Thank God for her mother, otherwise, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to be a working mom without her own mom. She was getting good at giving Iris a bath before heading to work, and even feeding her daughter so that her mother would have a bit less to do. She had two nights off a week, and those were the nights that she cooked for her mother and Iris, having her mom over to her house. She wished she could do more for her mother, but she knew that would come in time. First, she needed to get back on her feet, then, she’d make it all up to her mom for helping her out.
She dropped Iris off at her mom's and was running late tonight. She hated being late to work. Ryker didn’t give her a lot of shit, especially since her little outburst on her first night on the job, but she didn’t want to take advantage of her new boss—no matter how much she wanted him to take advantage of her. She not only liked him, she wanted him, but hearing him say that he wasn’t interested in her threw a bucket of cold water on her libido. She wanted to tell him to go fuck himself and shove his job up his ass, but she needed the work. Instead, she pretended that his denial didn’t hurt her feelings. Hell, she’d even started flirting more with Taz, knowing that for some reason, it pissed Ryker off. Every time he walked in the kitchen and caught the two of them talking, he’d grumble something about not paying either of them to stand around and giggle like schoolgirls. Honestly, she knew the score. Taz was only flirting with her to piss Ryker off, but neither of them discussed that. He seemed to take just as much pleasure in ruffling Ryker’s feathers as she had.
“You’re late,” Ryker said, as she walked into his back office to dump her jacket and purse.
“Sorry,” she said. “Iris isn’t feeling good and she’s a bit whiney. I tried to get her quiet before leaving, but my mom promised to call if she gets worse.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to jump all over you—it’s just been a bad day. Do you need the night off?” he asked.
“As of now, no. I need the money for my mortgage payment and now, possibly a doctor's bill. Hopefully, Iris fell asleep just after I left her with my mom. Thank you though.”
She turned to leave the office and ran into Taz. “Sorry, Harlow,” he said. “Boss, there is a guy with two big bodyguards here to talk to you. They said that it can’t wait.”
“Did you get a name?” Ryker asked.
“Joseph Billows,” the man said from behind Taz.
“I thought that I asked you three to wait out in the bar,” Taz growled. The three big men behind him didn’t look phased by his anger.
“Not my scene,” the guy said. “I’ll just need a moment of your time, Ryker,” he said.
“Guys, can you give us a minute?” he asked Taz and Harlow. She worried that if she left Ryker with these guys, nothing good would come of it.
“I’ll stay,” Taz offered. Harlow hid behind Taz, trying to make herself invisible. If he was going to get to stay, she planned on being there too.
The three men walked past Taz and her, pushing their way into Ryker’s office. “Suit yourself,” Billows said. “I don’t mind an audience. I’m here to let you know that I’ll be expecting my money in five days.”
“Right,” Ryker said. He shot Harlow a look and she almost felt bad for staying. This was personal, and she suddenly felt like an intruder. “You came all the way over here to tell me something that I already was aware of, Billows.”
“I was lenient with your first payment—overlooking the fact that you were a day late. I won’t be so generous this time. I’m sure that you understand. This is business, not personal.” It sure felt as though the guy was personally threatening Ryker if he didn’t pay him his money on time.
“I’m sure that it’s nothing personal, Billows,” Ryker said. “You’ll have your money on time, don’t worry.”
“Great,” Billows barked. “I’ll be back in five days then. See you soon.” He turned to leave and stopped to look Harlow over. “You new here, honey?” he asked. She didn’t make a move to answer the guy.
“My employees are none of your business, Billows,” Ryker growled. Taz stood a little taller as if trying to block Billows from being able to see her. Billows chuckled as if he was enjoying the guy’s bluster.
“Right,” Billows said. “None of my business, yet. Just make sure that you pay me on time or maybe, I’ll make her my business.” Harlow could feel the threat of his promise down in the pit of her stomach. She had known men like Billows before—hell, she was married to a man like him. When he made a threat, he kept it like he was making a promise.
Ryker stood from behind his desk, slapping his palms down on it, making the whole thing shake. “Taz, will you see these gentlemen out?” she asked.
“Sure thing, boss,” Taz said. He stood aside so that Billows could find his way out of Ryker’s office, and he looked Harlow over one last time. As soon as they left Ryker rounded his desk and shut his door. He turned back to Harlow and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, trying to pull free from him as his arms tightened around her body. “The question is, are you all right?”
“I will be,” he said.
“What did he mean by, ‘I’ll make her my business’?” she asked. She had a pretty good idea already, but everything happened so quickly, she wanted to hear Ryker say it.
“Exactly what you’re thinking,” he said. “If I don’t pay him in five days, he’ll take you as payment.”
“He can’t take me—I’m not a form of payment for your loan. That’s ridiculous,” she insisted. “How did I get involved in any of this?” she asked.
“You stayed behind Taz. God, Harlow—you should have left when I asked you to. But you didn’t, and now, you’re caught up in this mess whether you like it or not.”