Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I should quit. Would that end any of this, though, or would I still be a target with no protection? Fuck, it’s all so complicated.
When the sun finally comes up the next morning, I feel exhausted and irritated, but I know I’m not going to quit.
I walk into his office. He’s already there, which is no surprise. There are dark circles under his eyes too, and they give me some satisfaction. If I can’t sleep, I’m glad he can’t either. It’s the least he deserves.
When he sees me, he looks both surprised and relieved. A moment later, that look gives way to casual indifference. I’m starting to think no one in his life has ever given him the space to show genuine emotion. It kind of makes me sad for him.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you today,” he says quietly.
“I work here.” I shrug.
There it is. That’s my decision, laid bare in front of both of us.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I nod, and he allows just the slightest smile.
“Well, at the very least, I think you should take some time off. Take a few days. Last night was traumatic.”
“Is everyone in the office getting a day off?” I ask him pointedly.
“Well, no…” he hesitates.
“Because it wasn’t just traumatic for me,” I say. “I’m sure plenty of others are feeling stressed after last night.”
“You were the only one who saw what actually happened,” he says. “The only Vieri Holdings employee, that is. All anyone else knows is that there was faulty wiring and it was a false alarm.”
“It’s New York City,” I point out. “Knowing it’s a false alarm doesn’t erase the fear.”
He groans in frustration. “So, to be clear, you won’t be taking time off.”
I shake my head. “No, I won’t be taking time off.”
A small smile pulls at his lips, making him look younger. He’s handsome now, but there are so many sharp edges and masks. I wonder if he was different when he was younger. Maybe he didn’t have to be so guarded all the time.
“I should probably be clear about something,” he says after a moment. “Being near me puts you at a certain risk. As my assistant, you’ve become one of my closest confidants. You know more than anyone else who works here, apart from Rafe. I promised myself I wouldn’t let you go into this blind.”
I wince, remembering my words from last night. I basically accused him of trapping me in this job. Not my best look.
“So, I’ve been in danger as long as I’ve worked here,” I argue. “Right? Knowing the truth is just like putting on a pair of glasses. It was always there, I can just see it now. If I walk away from this, it’s not going to magically erase what I know. People have seen me with you. Those men who were threatening my father, Kevin Armand, and who knows who else?”
His jaw tightens and he stares at me with an unreadable look on his face. I can’t decide if he’s agreeing with me or angry that I’ve pointed it out. Either way, he doesn’t look happy.
I walk around to his side of the desk and perch on the corner of it. His eyes go wide for a fraction of a second, then cut to the door like he’s worried we’ll get caught.
“There’s another reason I can’t leave,” I tell him softly, heart racing. “Life feels too short, especially after last night, so I think I should tell you—”
He shakes his head, and I feel the sting of rejection until he takes my hand and brings it to his lips. They brush softly against the skin on the back of my hand, and I melt at the touch.
“Not now,” he says huskily. “I very much want to hear it, but wait until everyone’s gone. I’ll make it worth your while, I swear.”
I get off his desk and walk toward the door.
The rest of the day is torture. I’m just going through the motions, waiting for the moment when the day finally ends and we have a chance to be alone. My stomach twists and lurches in a way that has nothing to do with morning sickness.
Something very real has shifted. Something important. I don’t want to keep having dirty office hookups with him and hating myself after. I want something real. I think we could have something real. Now that the truth is out, or his truth, at least, we can try.
The hours seem to drag by. Nina comes by to gossip about last night’s events, retelling it like it’s a war story and she was nearly a casualty. I have to remind her that I was also here when it happened and it was just a false alarm. That’s the official story, anyway.
I sit behind Dominic, taking notes in two meetings I couldn’t care less about. I find myself staring at his neck, considering leaving him a hickey to get revenge for the one he gave me last time. I watch the way his jaw moves and think about kissing all along it until he’s desperate to put his lips on mine.