"Not at all, Darren."
Hope picked up a pen with one hand while keeping the other pressed firmly against her chest, terrified that Homelander might do something even more outrageous in there.
She scrawled her signature at the bottom of the document and tossed it back to Darren.
Darren picked it up and carefully checked the signature. At last, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Thank you for your support, Hope. You've always been my strongest ally."
"Since you're not feeling well, I'll let you rest. Shall I have my driver wait for you downstairs?"
"No need. I have my own car." Hope made it clear she wanted him to leave.
"All right. Drink plenty of warm water and take care of yourself." Darren offered his concern with a false smile, then strode out of the private room with his two bodyguards.
Click.
The door slowly closed. The footsteps in the hallway faded until they disappeared entirely.
Only after Hope was sure Darren had gone did her taut nerves begin to relax.
She took her hand from her chest and felt around with trembling fingers.
Finding Homelander's collar, she pinched it and lifted him before her eyes.
Hope glared at him, her face burning with embarrassment and anger.
Back in the light, Homelander tipped his head up toward her flushed face and spread his hands.
"Sorry, Hope. Things were complicated back there. I didn't have much choice."
Hope gritted her teeth.
After being "offended" like that, she should have flown into a rage, told him off, perhaps even swatted the bastard across the room.
But looking at his tiny, adorable form, she couldn't bring herself to be angry.
Worse... amid all that tension, she had felt a shameful flicker of pleasure.
Oh God, what am I thinking?
Hope shook