Adam grabbed him by the shirt. “You need to leave right now. If Dylan sees you here, he’ll kill you. And if he doesn’t, maybe I will.”
“I’m not leaving until I get back what you stole from me.” Tariq turned his attention to Amy. “You should know that you’re about to do business with thieves and liars. They’ll promise you the earth, but they’ll give you hell. Example… you. You were supposed to be mine.”
Fear gripped Amy tight, causing her knees to buckle. “What?”
Adam lurched forward and slammed Tariq against the wall. “Leave her the fuck alone, asshole – she doesn’t want to talk to you. You need to get the fuck out of here before I throw you out – preferably off the roof!”
Adam held Tariq in place as he frantically pressed the elevator button, but the elevator had gone back down. Tariq struggled against Adam’s grip and appealed to Amy.
“I need to tell you something. It’s important. Please!”
“Don’t speak to her, Tariq!”
“Let go of me, Adam!”
Adam called over to the receptionist. “Get security up here, will you?”
“Already called them, Mr Quinlan!”
Tariq scuttled out of Adam’s grip and was suddenly in Amy’s face. “Listen to me – the Quinlan brothers are trouble!”
She stepped away. This guy seemed dangerous – as if he might explode in her face like a petrol bomb.
Amy flinched as Adam punched him. “Get away from her, Tariq – leave her the fuck alone.”
As if on cue, the elevator doors swished open and two uniformed security guards shot out and grabbed Tariq, then they dragged him struggling back towards the elevator, like demons dragging a soul to hell.
“Don’t let him up here ever again,” Adam called, straightening his suit.
Amy watched as Tariq was manhandled into the elevator. She realised that her heart was pounding frantically in her chest. This sort of commotion would never happen at Grafton Techs. She suddenly felt in over her head.
The elevator doors slid shut, and the terrifying atmosphere smothered Amy – what the hell had just happened? And how had that guy known about Grafton Techs? Amy’s mind raced with confusion. But as Adam turned to face her and threw her a tender smile, she suddenly felt comforted. She smiled back at him, feeling relieved that she could finally let her guard down – knowing that she was fighting a losing battle when it came to Adam Quinlan. Yes, he was probably trouble, but there was something decent about him, too. He was the sort of man who’d do anything to protect her; she’d always be safe in his company.
He rested a hand on her shoulder, sending electric fizzles into her body. “Are you okay, Ms Carter?”
“I think so. Yes.”
“I’m so sorry about that.”
She realised she was trembling. “Who was he? How did he know about me and my company?”
“Let me explain everything… Over dinner?”
She shook her head and smiled cynically. “I don’t think it’s safe to be with you.”
Adam chuckled kindly. “I understand, but I promise–”
Adam’s attention was suddenly seized by his brother’s furious anger, as the receptionist informed Dylan about their intruder.
“What the fuck!” Dylan shouted. “Tariq Shard was here? Where is he now – I’ll fucking kill him!”
Adam winced at Amy. “I’d better go. Dylan’s about to explode.”
Amy nodded tightly, disappointed that Adam was choosing his brother over her. But of course he would.
“Can I see you later?” he asked, edging away.
Amy was desperate to know who Tariq Shard was, but she knew having dinner with Adam would be a mistake. “You know where I am, Mr Quinlan. And I’ll see you tomorrow for the meeting with the finance director.”