Claimed by My Steadfast Soldier

Chapter One

Hali’s POV

‘S.hit!’ I hiss as I slip dangerously across the ice, trying to hurry across the frozen sidewalk to my next showing that I’m already ten minutes late for. Today of all days, my car had to die, the one I bought with the commission from the house I sold to Harrison Cadell and closed on two weeks ago.

OK I didn’t make millions off the sale, but as a small newbie fish in a big pond that is real estate, I was happy to earn enough to pay off the rent I owed and get myself a second hand car. The same second hand car that is currently sat outside of the hole in the wall I call an office, dead as a doornail. For the seven hundredth time I wonder why I left my position at Markwell and Company with their huge client list and heated offices to strike out on my own.

‘Because Darren Markwell was way to handsy and didn’t like to be told no’ I remind myself bitterly. Yeah, when you tell the grandson of the owner, no to his advances, and then take the grievance to his grandfather when he refuses to leave you alone? Your life becomes a lot harder until they can fire you or you quit. Me, I jumped before I was pashed and decided that it was a sign from God that I was meant to finally follow my dreams and set up on my own.

Only now, my savings have dwindled away and I’m shelling out more to keep the doors open than I’m making. I lucked out with Harrison Cadell though, the man was talking to someone in a coffee shop on the phone, about buying a house for him and his girlfriend. Swallowing my anxiety, I threw on my best smile, waited for him to hang up and thrust my card into his hand.

Turns out, Mr Cadell doesn’t like pushy people, but when I literally broke down in front of him after he ripped me a new ass, he bought me a cup of coffee, sat me down and I unloaded my life story on the man.

My cheeks still burn with embarrassment when I think about it, but it did get him to give me a shot, and he agreed to let me try and find him a house that would wow the socks of the woman he loved.

It wasn’t easy, Harrison Cadell is a hard man to please, but when a two story property in a highly sought after area came up for auction? I dragged him over to have a look and the man was sold. He gave me a limit and I stood in the freezing temperatures outside, bidding on his behalf until I secured it for him.

Now Mr Cadell is looking for office space and I think we’ve found the perfect spot for his company. He’s asked me to do another showing for him, and my desperation for money means I can’t let him down.

As the walk sign blinks, I step off the curb, tyres squeal and I jump back instinctively as a shiny Mercedes flies through the lights.

‘It’s a red light you asshole!’ I yell at the car that’s already out of sight before checking both ways carefully and crossing to the other side. Walking across the small parking area that sits in front of the office space I’m here to show, I mutter under my breath angrily. ‘I bet you have a small d**k, that’s why you drive such a flashy car and don’t give a s.hit about other people.’

‘Who has a small d**k?’ comes a deep voice and my head flies up in shock, my feet sliding out from underneath me my arms windmill crazily.

An arm wraps around my body, hauling me into a well-toned chest as I look up into gorgeous blue eyes.

‘Mr Cadell!’ I gasp, catching my footing as Harrison Cadell smiles down at me in amusement, ‘I am so sorry! I was talking to myself, forgive me, that is so unprofessional.’

Mr Cadell shrugs, a wicked grin crawling across his face that makes my stomach squirm slightly.

‘No harm no foul’ he replies smoothly, holding out an arm to allow me to go first so I can unlock the door to the office.

Stepping inside, I pull my threadbare coat tighter around my frame as the cold stagnant air swirls around me. The downside to showing empty offices? They don’t keep the heating on and somehow it’s even colder inside of these buildings than outside.

‘OK, so which parts would you like to see?’ I ask, walking further into the open foyer and turning back toward Mr Cadell who frowns at me in confusion.

‘Uh, all of it?’ he states, raising an eyebrow, ‘isn’t that why we are here? To see the place?’

Ooooook . . . I swallow down my own irritation, and plaster on a smile. So the man has seen the place twice already, knows every single inch of it, he’s still my only client right now so if he wants to look over it again, who am I to argue.

‘Sounds good’ I reply, waving a hand for him to go first, ‘what would you like to see first?’

The business man doesn’t take my hint, instead remains behind me, an expectant look on his face.

‘You know the layout better than me Miss . . ‘ his voice trails off and I feel a stab of anger. He doesn’t remember my name? I know it’s been a few weeks but Jesus, we spent weeks together finding that damn house!

‘Hali’ I reply tightly, ‘Hali Montgomery.’

Mr Cadell nods, ‘Miss Montgomery’ he repeats, nodding toward the stairs to our left, ‘this leads to the offices?’

‘Yes’ I agree, my annoyance growing, is he pranking me? He knows full well that the offices are on the top floor! I find it hard to believe that he’s joking though, because one thing I know from working with this man is that Harrison Cadell does not mess about. The man is regimented, close-lipped and has never come across as even owning a sense of humour, in fact, the only time I have ever seen that cold exterior slip is when he talks about his girlfriend.

Shaking my head slightly, I turn around and head toward the stairs, Mr Cadell a step behind me, so close I can almost feel the body heat radiating from him. I hurry my steps, uncomfortable with just how aware I am of my client all of a sudden.

I let out a breath as I step onto the top floor, my heels sinking into the thick carpet as I lead the way down the corridor ahead of us.

‘The three offices up here are all of pretty much equal size’ I comment just to try and ease the tension that seems to be building around us. ‘If I remember correctly, your friend and your brother each need an office as well?’

Mr Cadell laughs, ‘yeah, we’d kill each other if we were all in the same room’ he replies, opening the door to our left and looking inside. ‘This one would be good for Callen, he deals more with new clients so putting him closest to the entrance makes sense.

I nod, moving to the office next door and opening the door, ‘this one would probably suit your brother’ I continue, ‘leaving the corner office for yourself Mr Cadell. The boardroom being next door would work well for your needs and the private bathroom is always a nice perk.’

The man next to me laughs again, shaking his head, ‘yeah, I can’t see big brother going for me having the best office’ he mutters, ‘it’ll be me next to Callan.’

My confusion deepens, I thought Harrison was the head of the company, not his brother?

Moving down to the main floor, I guide my client around each room, pointing out the same things I pointed out the last two times whilst the Marine nods along.

The lower level is where I see Mr Cadell come to life, walking into the open space, he nods approvingly, striding past me and sweeping the area with a keen eye.

‘He’s right’ he mutters to himself, ‘this would be perfect for our own gun range, we could even split the area with reinforced walls and have half as a gym for the guys.’

I wait for him to finish his tour of the space before leading him back up the stairs and into the foyer. Turning back toward him as we near the front door, I find him watching me intently.

I shiver under his intense gaze, not sure what is going on, ‘uhh . .’ I stumble, ‘do you . . have any questions Mr Cadell?’

Mr Cadell nods, a smile lighting up his face, ‘sure’ he replies, ‘would you like to get a drink with me?’

My lips part in shock, did he . . just . . . ask me out? I blink, shaking myself slightly, of course, he didn’t he’s in a committed relationship, he must want to set up a business meeting.

‘I can check my planner for a suitable date’ I reply, starting to remove my bag to pull out the book that organises my life. ‘I’m sure we could schedule a meeting for later this week. Does this mean you are thinking of putting in an offer? I really do feel like this might be what you are looking for.’

A hand lands on my arm, drawing my attention back to those mesmerizing blue eyes.

‘I wasn’t trying to organise a business meeting Miss . . .’ he frowns again and I almost scream, he’s forgotten my name again??

‘Montgomery!’ I snap harshly, ‘my name is Hali Montgomery!’

‘Miss Montgomery’ he repeats again, ‘as I was saying, I was asking you out for a drink, I thought maybe we could get to know each other better.’

The feel of his hand through my coat sleeve is like lava, the heat burning me as I stare at him, a weird attraction arcing between us.

‘What do you say, Hali?’ he asks, giving me a panty-dropping smile that tells me he’s used to women finding him charming.

Pulling my arm from his hand, I glare at him, my anger at him for being a lowlife who would hit on a woman when he’s in a relationship and with myself for reacting to him surging to the forefront.

‘No, I do not want to get a drink with you, Mr Cadell!’ I snarl as he takes a step back in shock. ‘This is highly inappropriate, I am here to show you an office space, not to be hit on! I am a professional businesswoman, not some . . ‘ I search for the word I need, ‘tartlet who is happy to be your bit on the side!’

‘Uhh . . ‘ the man starts, holding up his hands to me as if warding me off.

‘I am not finished!’ I snap, pointing a finger at him, ‘I have been nothing but professional to you and I do not appreciate being lowered to the position of a girl that you might meet in a club.’ I drag myself up to my full five foot five inches and hold his gaze, ‘you have a girlfriend’ I state angrily, ‘I helped you purchase a house for her! I thought you were a decent man, obviously, I was wrong. Good day, Mr Cadell, I hope you find a space suited to your needs, but I do not think that I am the realtor to find it for you.’