His Last Chance at Redemption Read Free Page A

stirrings of irritation she usually had no trouble keeping in check.
    ‘Yes. You said that. But I’ll need a little more information before I can release him into your care.’ Even saying that last word felt like a misnomer given his steely demeanour.
    He folded his arms across his chest and the room seemed to shrink. ‘What kind of information?’
    ‘Your name for one.’
    Despite her better judgement, Lexi dropped into her comfortable chair. Her feet were killing her and she hoped it would induce him to do the same; anything to make him seem a little less imposing. ‘Please, take a seat,’ she offered with forced equanimity.
    He didn’t answer, nor did he take up her suggestion. Just scanned the room like some sort of secret service operative and Lexi felt her pang of unease turn into a shiver of real dread. Should she be calling the police right now? Did the man have a gun thrust into the back of that expensive-looking suit?
    Lexi gave herself a mental head slap. It wasn’t like her to overdramatise situations. Still … ‘I have to say you’re making me feel distinctly nervous.’
    His eyes found hers again and a jolt of something other than fear shimmied through her. ‘I am Leo Aleksandrov.’ His tone told her she should recognise who he was but she didn’t. Her life was far too busy to read gossip magazines.
    ‘I can tell that’s supposed to mean something to me, but I’m sorry, it doesn’t.’
    He shrugged. His first human movement. ‘That is of no consequence to me. Now, please—’ he inclined his head in what Lexi imagined was supposed to be a demonstration of politeness but just came across as an incredibly superior gesture ‘—I am short on time.’
    She frowned. ‘What is your relationship to Ty Weston?’
    ‘Not your concern,’ he said, his nostrils flaring slightly as if the question was beneath him.
    ‘Actually, it’s very much my concern—’ Lexi barely controlled her growing annoyance ‘—if you’re serious about taking him with you.’
    ‘Did I not say I was short on time?’
    Lexi’s eyebrows hit her hairline at his condescending tone. Just who did this guy think he was? ‘And did I not say I required more information from you? We don’t usually allow the children in our care to just go off with anyone who happens in off the street. There are procedures to follow. Forms to sign.’
    He looked as if he hadn’t considered that. Then his eyes raked over her again and Lexi wished she was still wearing her professional suit from earlier. ‘I’d like to speak to the manager.’
    She smiled, never more pleased at being able to utter her next words. ‘I am the manager.’
    He stared at her and Lexi couldn’t drag her eyes from his intense blue eyes.
    ‘I apologise,’ he said finally, a mocking lilt in his voice that suggested otherwise. ‘It seems we are at loggerheads, Ms Somers—’
    ‘Miss.’
    Now why had she said that? She preferred Ms!
    ‘
Miss
Somers,’ he intoned. ‘And while I appreciate your concern for Ty Weston’s welfare, I have permission from the boy’s mother to collect him this evening as she is apparently out of town.’
    Lexi frowned at his use of the word ‘apparently.’ ‘I’m sorry, but it doesn’t seem as if she has informed the centre of this change. Do you have proof of this permission?’
    He paused and his mouth quirked slightly upwards. ‘Alas, I left it back in my office.’
    Lexi nodded, not at all convinced by what he was saying.
    ‘Well, alas, Mr—’ Damn, what was his last name again? ‘—you’ll just have to come back when you have your proof.’ She stood up. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me—’
    ‘You’re dismissing me!’ The shocked outrage on his ruggedly handsome face would have made her laugh any other time but right now butterflies were tap dancing in her stomach and making her feel strange.
    ‘Yes, I do believe I am.’
    He planted his hands on top of the paperwork on her desk and leaned towards her.