The Billionaire and the Cleaner(24)

Lana frowned, and then she recognised the guy. She’d served him numerous times at the diner. “Why? I’m perfectly safe,” she said.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Lana. You’re my friend. I’m looking out for your safety, and tonight I’m pleased I did. Frank came to visit you,” Kent said.

He seemed to know a hell of a lot. Her anger grew as he threw down a small brown file. “I’ve been getting harassing phone calls from this man.”

The picture was of Frank holding up a black sign. Her stomach took a dive as she looked at the photo.

****

“What is this?” she asked.

Kent had been getting the calls offering information on Lana in exchange for money for some time. The man in question had even been to his office trying to cause a fuss. The police officer who’d escorted him off the premises was a friend and had warned him about a history of violence.

He didn’t know how Lana had gotten away from Frank without some kind of violent outburst. Then he’d discovered Frank took his aggression out on all of his women in different ways. Her ex had been cheating on her throughout their relationship. For all Kent knew, Frank was hurting Lana in some way.

“This man offered me information on you in exchange for money. This is your ex-boyfriend? The one who dumped you and left?” he asked.

She nodded.

“From what I’ve read, you’re a lucky woman. He’s got a history of violence under his belt. Women are terrified of him. He lost his job at the bank a few months ago, and from what I’ve found out, things are tight. Frank likes to live a luxurious lifestyle. He can’t afford it and is looking for someone to help fund the bill.”

Tears filled her eyes as she dropped the file. “I never knew he was like that. I mean, he said horrid things and sometimes his anger got the better of him. I thought I was the one to bring it out of him. I can’t believe he was the same person. He loved his job, or at least I thought he did.”

She folded her arms over her chest.

“What information does he have on you?” Kent asked.

“You didn’t buy the information?”

“No, you’re my friend. I’d rather hear it from your lips.”

Lana let out a sigh. “I’m sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusions, and thank you for that guy. Knowing this,” she pointed at the folder, “Frank would have gotten violent. I’d never use our friendship for his personal gain. I can’t believe I never knew this.”

Kent got up and went around his desk. He pulled her against his body and held her tightly.

“I don’t have a very good past. I don’t like talking about it, Kent. I was never on drugs or anything. It was just a pretty bad start to life. That was all.”

He’d figured that much out with her having no pictures in her apartment or talking about her family. Lana kept herself closed off from the world. His family liked her and looked forward to her spending Christmas with them.

“Hey, Frank is out of the picture. He’s not going to spoil your life anymore. You’ve got me,” Kent said. From the day at his home where she’d promised he would always have her, Kent had made a promise to himself to always be there for her. He’d hired Mitch, the guy who followed her to keep her safe. Kent got daily reports, and when the call came through of Frank harassing her, he wished he’d been the guy with her and not Mitch.

“Thank you. I know I can count on you.” She rested her head against his chest. Stroking her hair, Kent closed his eyes and relished the feel of her in his arms.

“Am I forgiven?”

“Yes. I could never stay mad at you for long, Kent.”

They stood in his office for several minutes. He didn’t want to break the cuddle off. Kent loved the feel of her in his arms. He’d sworn off women. The only woman he cared about was in his arms.

He’d talked with his parents about how he felt, and they agreed with him to take it slow. His mother and father adored her. They thought she was sweet, but they also felt sorry for her. She was clearly used to not having any affection toward her.

Kent wanted to give her the world.

She pulled away. “I better get started. I don’t want you phoning the firm and telling them I’m becoming lazy.”

He’d never do that. In fact, he’d already agreed to give her a large bonus. She should receive it at the end of week in time for her to go shopping with him. He’d settled everything with the firm.

When she’d been in the shower one night, he’d gone hunting for the safe with the bills she worked out. He’d gone through her paperwork and started leaving money in the safe, and when he didn’t get chance to put it in the safe, he left it around her apartment. Kent figured leaving her money lying around on surfaces or slotted inside books would be more realistic.