5/5 22 The Boss's Protective Decre 22 The Boss's Protective Decree Hazel's POV My throat burned as tears welled in my eyes . I tried desperately not to cry , but the shock of Julian's assault caught up with me . The feel of his fingers around my neck lingered like a phantom touch . " Sit down , " Liam guided me to the leather couch in his office . His hand never left the small of my back . I sank onto the cushions , a tear escaping despite my best efforts . Liam crouched in front of me , his violet - blue eyes filled with concern . " Let me see ," he said softly , tilting my chin up with his fingertips . His touch was gentle as he examined my neck . The tenderness in his actions contrasted sharply with the fury still evident in his expression . " Does it hurt when you swallow ? " he asked . I tested it . " A little " " We should get you checked out ," Liam said , his thumb brushing away a tear from my cheek . " I'm really okay ," I insisted , embarrassed by my emotional display . " Just rattled ." The door opened , and Damian stepped in with a glass of water . " Security has escorted . Julian out of the building " He handed me the water , his normally playful expression replaced with genuine concern . " You alright , sweetheart ? " I nodded , taking a small sip . The cool liquid soothed my throat . " Thank you ." " That bastard , " Liam muttered , rising to his full height . He paced the length of his office . " I should fire him . " " The board would have questions ," Damian pointed out , leaning against Liam's desk . " Julian's been here forever , " 20 : 4 1/5 22 The Boss's Protective Decree " I don't give a damn , Liam snapped . " He put his hands on Hazel . The protectiveness in his voice made my heart skip . This wasn't just a boss concerned about workplace violence . This was personal . " I'm sorry ," I said , wiping my face . " I should have handled it better . Both men turned to me with identical looks of disbelief . " Are you apologizing ? " Damian asked incredulously . * Hazel , Liam said firmly , returning to crouch before me . " You have nothing to apologize for . Julian was completely out of line ." " But I- " " No " Liam's tone left no room for argument . " You did exactly what you should have done . You protected my privacy and stood your ground professionally ." Damian nodded . " Most people would have crumbled under that kind of pressure ." " Your job is safe , Liam assured me , his hand covering mine . " More than safe . " The warmth of his touch spread through me , calming my nerves . I took a deep breath and forced a smile . " Thank you both . For stepping in when you did . " " Speaking of stepping in , Damian said , his familiar mischievous glint returning , " that was quite the knight - in - shining - armor moment , Liam . " Liam shot him a warning look , but his ears turned slightly pink . " Any decent would have intervened . " person " Mmmhmm , " Damian hummed knowingly . " And the way you pulled her against you ? Very heroic . " " Knight ? " I couldn't help but ask , curiosity momentarily overriding my distress . " Oh , our boy here practically kicked down his own door to rescue you , Damian explained with obvious delight . " One second he was on a call , the next he was flying across the room like a man possessed ." " Don't you have work to do ?" Liam asked pointedly . 22 The Boss's Protective Decree Damian grinned . " Nothing as important as watching you blush , boss . " Despite everything , I laughed . The sound surprised me , breaking through the tension that had gripped my body . Liam's expression softened at my laughter . He stood and adjusted his tie . " Since you seem to be feeling better , perhaps we can discuss dinner plans for tomorrow . " " You're still planning to come , right ? " Damian asked me . " Alexis has been planning the menu all week . " I nodded . " Of course , I wouldn't miss it ." " Good ," Damian said . " Because Liam hasn't stopped talking about- " About reviewing the quarterly reports , " Liam interrupted smoothly . " Which we still need to finish . I caught the subtle exchange of looks between the men . There was clearly something I was missing . " Well , I'm especially looking forward to dessert , " Liam said , fixing me with an intense stare that made my cheeks warm . " I hear chocolate cake is on the menu ." My blush deepened at the reference to our earlier encounter . Damian looked between us , eyebrows raised . " There's a joke here I'm not getting " he observed . " Inside joke , " Liam replied , a hint of smugness in his voice . " Right , Ms. Vance ? " " Very inside ," I murmured , unable to meet his gaze . The door opened again , and Evelyn stepped in , a concerned expression on her elegant . face . " I just heard what happened ! Are you alright , dear ? " She hurried to my side , her motherly concern washing over me like a balm . " I'm fine , Evelyn ," I assured her , touched by her worry . " Julian Clairemont is a menace , " she declared indignantly . " This isn't the first time he's intimidated staff , though he's never gotten physical before . " Liam's head snapped up . " What do you mean , not the first time ? " 20:44 3/5 22 The Boss's Protective Decree Evelyn sighed . " He's been warned twice by HR for aggressive behavior toward administrative staff . Always women , always when he doesn't get his way ." Liam's jaw tightened visibly . " And I wasn't informed because ? " " The complaints were withdrawn ," Evelyn explained . " The women feared retaliation ." The room fell silent as this information sank in . I could practically see Llam processing it , his expression darkening by the second . " That ends today , " he finally said , his voice steel . He reached for his phone and dialed . " Security ? This is Sterling . I want all executive floor access restricted immediately . New elevator passcodes , effective within the hour " We all watched as he issued instructions , his CEO persona firmly in place . " The only people with unrestricted access will be myself , Damian Knight , Evelyn Reed , and Hazel Vance . Everyone else needs an escort or direct approval . " He paused , listening . " Yes , that includes board members and department heads . No exceptions ." He ended the call and looked at each of us in turn . " No one threatens my people . Not in my building ." The protective decree made my heart swell . I wasn't just an employee to him . I was his to protect . " Well , that'll certainly send a message , Damian remarked , looking impressed . " Good ," Liam replied . " It's about time people remembered who runs this company ." Evelyn smiled approvingly . " I'll have HR pull Julian's personnel file . If there's a pattern of behavior , we'll have grounds for more permanent action . " The conversation shifted to security protocols and the logistics of the new restrictions . I sat quietly , watching Liam take command of the situation . There was something incredibly attractive about seeing him in action , fierce and protective . Our eyes met across the room . The intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down my spine- not of fear , but of something much more dangerous . " So ," Damian clapped his hands together , breaking the moment , " who's hungry ? I vote we order in and celebrate Hazel standing her ground against that jerk . " 4/5 22 The Boss's Protective Decmo . " I second that ," Evelyn sald . " I could murder some Thai food. " As they debated restaurant options , Liam moved to sit beside me on the couch . His thigh pressed against mine , warm and solid . " You're sure you're okay ? " he asked quietly , just for me to hear . I nodded , suddenly very aware of his proximity . " Thanks to you . " " No ," he countered , his voice low . " You were handling it before I got there . You're stronger than you look , Hazel Vance ." The compliment warmed me more than it should have . Before I could respond , Damian launched into a dramatic retelling of the confrontation , making us all laugh with his embellishments . As I sat surrounded by their support , Julian's attack faded into the background . What remained was the certainty that I belonged here , in this circle of protection Liam had created - just for me . Comment 0 20:44