Page 208 of Pure Recklessness

If I had a pound for every time I’d tried and failed to persuade them to visit, I’d be the billionaire standing here right now, not Blake.

‘Yes,’ Valerie replied. ‘Apparently, they’re very insistent that they rescue you from Mr Devil.’ Her lips twitched.

‘Oh, Lord.’ I sighed. ‘I should’ve known that my text wouldn’t have satisfied them. If they’ve travelled to London, they must be really worried.’

‘Send them straight up,’ Blake said without hesitation.

‘I can go downstairs?’ I suggested. ‘I don’t think you know what you’re letting yourself in for.’

‘I can handle them,’ Blake said. ‘Don’t worry. We’ve got this.’

What felt like seconds later, the lift doors sprung open and George, the security guard, stepped out followed by my parents.

As soon as they saw me, they sprinted over.

‘Thank God you’re okay!’ Mum squeezed me so hard I thought she’d break my bones. ‘We were so worried.’

Dad stormed over to Blake, smoke pouring from his ears.

‘You disgusting, depraved, shameless Devil man!’ he shouted, before poking Blake’s chest. ‘Ouch!’ He jumped back. ‘I think I’ve just broken my finger!’

‘Yes, Dad. You can’t just prod his chest like that. It’s very muscular.’ Oops. That comment wasn’t likely to calm his anger.

‘You… You defiled our sweet little girl.’ Dad went to poke Blake again, but decided against it. George stepped forward.

Seb, Oscar and Heath came racing down the corridor.

‘We heard shouting!’ Seb said. ‘Everything okay here?’

‘It’s fine,’ Blake replied.

‘Who are they?’ Oscar said.

‘My parents,’ I said.

‘Oh, shit!’ Oscar chuckled. ‘I mean, damn. Nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Lewis.’

‘We’ll leave you to it,’ Heath said.

‘Really?’ Oscar said. ‘I was about to ask Valerie to get some popcorn. This is going to be good. Do we really have to leave?’

‘Come on,’ Seb pushed Oscar back towards his office and Heath followed.

‘It’s okay, George,’ Blake said. ‘Mr and Mrs Lewis, please join me in my office so we can discuss this somewhere more private. Valerie, please can you bring us some tea.’

‘Of course, sir. Would you like some biscuits too?’

Dad’s eyes lit up, but then his expression hardened.

‘Don’t think you can soften me up with a few biscuits, Mr Devil!’

‘Dad, his name is Mr Devlin, not Devil.’ I stifled a smile.

‘Please, call me Blake.’ He opened his office door and invited them in.

‘Oh my goodness!’ Mum gawped as she stepped inside. ‘This is your office? It’s bigger than our whole house. And look at the views, Harold! You can see Tower Bridge from here!’

‘Don’t let this man’s money corrupt you, Jan!’ Dad spat. ‘He’s destroyed our poor innocent daughter’s life!’