Page 39 of Ache
The woman scoffs. “Is that what you’re calling it? To save face? Or your job?”
I remain silent.
“Mr. Prescott, this can be as easy or as hard as you make it. Deliver Everly to me, when and where I text you.”
“Never gonna happen.”
“Fine.” She shrugs aloofly. “It’ll be a pity when your firm finds out you were having an affair with a secretary.” Her tone is mild yet threatening.
“Are you trying to blackmail me?” I snort. “Go ahead. Tell them. Let the whole world know. I don’t give a fuck.”
Her brown stare sharpens. “Okay, then, how do you think they’ll feel when they find out you’ve been taking kickbacks from clients, and tampering with evidence,andhaving an affair with a fellow employee?”
My blood pressure skyrockets. “Those first two things aren’t true.”
“Your firm doesn't know that. I have some very powerful people in my pocket, Mr. Prescott. You’re not the only one with connections. I can make things very difficult. I can take away your career. Your fairytale. I can ruin your life.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” She pulls on the handle and the door pops open. “I don't want this to get ugly or violent, Mr. Prescott. But I’m willing to do what I must to get what I want. And Everly has something I want.”
“Which is?”
Her red lips curl up, but she doesn’t satisfy me with an answer. “I’ll be in touch. Keep your phone close.”
She slips out of the car and then out of fucking sight.
I’m blinded by red as my emotions go haywire.
I gave Everly the benefit of the doubt, but now it’s time to confront her.
* * *
I rushout of the elevator to find Everly in her usual spot behind her desk. I texted her two more times on the way over to the office, and again there was no reply. After my little rendezvous with the woman in the car, I am positive something is up, and I’m going to find out what it is. Right-fucking-now.
“Miss Paige, can I see you in my office, please?” I rush by the front desk with urgency and yank open the double-glass doors. I hold them ajar waiting for her, but she doesn’t follow.
We stare at each other, a storm-bed of tension bubbling beneath just the two of us.
I wait only a moment more before blowing through the doorway. In my office, I expel a volatile breath. Something is wrong. So, so wrong, and somehow, I landed myself right in the middle of all the shit.
There’s a soft knock at the door, and I look up to find Everly standing there meekly. She’s a hot mess in high heels. Her clothes are wrinkled. She has no makeup on, there are bags under her eyes, her skin is pale, her hair is frizzy, and her glasses are sitting crooked on her nose. But worst of all, her body language is standoffish. Her arms are wrapped around her waist, and her head is hung low.
Something twists painfully in my stomach, and I’m uneasy on my feet. The fear of the unknown combined with an untrusting duress has me teetering on a razor-sharp edge.
“You wanted to see me?” Her sentence is cold and distant. I know we’re at work and need to keep up appearances, but right now, the distance feels too damn real.
“Shut the door.” I jerk my chin.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She won’t take one step farther into my office.
“We need to talk.Privately,” I insist.
Her eyes widen, almost fearfully.
“I can’t do this right now, Alec. Not here,” her voice strains.
