Bowles, Jan - Bought for the Billionaire's Bed [Guilty Pleasures 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Jan Bowles

welt marked her face. “Trent.” Her voice was a mere whisper.
    “Mia, are you all right? Has this woman hit you?” He stared angrily at the owner.
    Mia’s hand trembled as she felt the mark with her fingers. “It’s nothing.” Trent noticed she appeared ground down by life, her complexion now ghostly pale. This wasn’t the woman he remembered. When their eyes connected, he saw fear. Surely she wasn’t afraid of him? It was only then that he realized she was fearful of what he’d unleashed.
    Who wouldn’t be? This gorgon of a woman could make grown men quake in their boots but not him. He’d met her type before. They were full of hot air. A few succinct words would easily deflate her. Before he could ease the situation, the woman expressed her displeasure once more. “Sir, this is between my employee and myself. Now please leave. She has work to attend.”
    Mia stumbled and then held onto a nearby chair for support. The atmosphere felt stuffy and oppressive, and he wondered if there was proper ventilation.
    “I don’t think this lady is in a fit state to continue.” Just as he finished speaking, Mia stumbled again, this time almost dropping to the floor. He scooped her up and brought her out into the front of the shop where he sat her in a chair. “Put your head between your knees, Mia. That’s it. Take deep breaths until you feel better.”
    “You won’t get any sympathy from me, you ungrateful girl.” Monica spat out her words.
    “Madam, your employee is ill. Do you have proper ventilation? More to the point, do you actually have a heart?”
    “I’ve just had to pay fifteen thousand dollars to get a dress repaired that this silly girl has ruined. My reputation could also be ruined because of her. Sir, this really is none of your business. I’m asking you to leave my establishment.”
    Trent reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his checkbook and pen. Women like her were only influenced by money. He began writing. “So, how much did you say you are out of pocket again?”
    “Eighteen thousand dollars.”
    “Didn’t you just say fifteen thousand?”
    “Yes, I did. Fifteen thousand plus expenses.”
    “Trent, what are you doing? I can’t allow you to do this.”
    He looked into Mia’s beautiful aqua blue eyes. “Would you rather owe me or this lady the money?” She didn’t answer.
    He glanced at the woman disapprovingly. “Let’s round it up and say twenty thousand dollars for all the trouble you’ve gone to.” Trent finished writing the check and then tore it free. “Here, take this.”
    “How do I know this will cash?”
    “Believe me, Madam, it will.” He showed his disbelief. “I’m surprised you haven’t any insurance for something of this nature.” The woman at least had the decency to look embarrassed. No doubt she would be making a claim, too. “I see.”
    “No, you don’t see. My reputation could be in tatters. I should really call the police over such a deceitful affair.”
    “Madam, you won’t call the police or anything of the kind. You know as well as I do it would only make matters worse.”
    He glanced down at Mia. She looked stunned by the whole event. Even the dowdy clothes she wore could not hide her exquisite beauty. Only she now seemed weighed down by life. He wondered where the carefree woman he’d met just twenty-four hours before had gone? Why had she deceived him? Why had she lied? He could still see the red mark on her cheek. No matter how he felt about the lies, no one deserved to be treated so unkindly by their boss. Taking pity on her, he asked, “Feeling better?” When she nodded, he continued, “Get all your belongings, Mia. We’re leaving.” He just couldn’t leave her with such an evil employer. Anything could happen. He’d figure something out later.
    As though in a trance, Mia gathered her things together.
    “You can’t leave, Mia. You’ve work to do.”
    “I just quit, Monica.”
    She linked her arm through Trent’s and