Page 20 of Securing His Obsession

Reed came around and picked up the first one. Then another and another and another. “Fuck, when did these arrive? How did they arrive? Was there a note?”

He fired the questions off with the speed of an auctioneer calling out bids.

“Today, mail, and yes.” Somehow she managed to find the words necessary to answer Reed’s questions.

“Right.” He marched over to the entrance door and locked it. He came back and scooped up everything. “Let’s go.”

He headed back toward the main area of the office, expecting her to follow, and she found herself doing just that.

The chill of shock was seeping into her bones at the incredulity of it all.

“Everyone, conference room now,” Reed hollered as he strode toward it.

An instant later Damon was by her side. “Meg? What’s wrong?”

Meg.

This was the second time he called her that. He hadn’t used it since the night he left her place over a week ago.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled, because that was the truth. Was she dreaming? If so, it was very vivid and real.

Warmth surrounded her, along with the comforting scent of pine she associated with Damon, and she burrowed into him, not caring that they were in the middle of the hallway in front of everyone. Being in Damon’s arms grounded her, chasing away the shock. She sighed, long and low, as if blowing everything away.

“I’ve got you. You’re okay,” Damon murmured, as he kept her close and walked them to the conference room.

The need to believe him was strong, but she wasn’t okay—not really. Someone was watching her. Knew where she went. Where she lived. The places she went to.

God, Steve was going to freak when he saw the picture of her outside of his wife’s café. He’d already endured her being hurt at her work once. Granted, it was at the old location, and the person had been caught, but he wouldn’t be happy with this turn of events.

Would he expect her to leave?

As quickly as the thought developed, she slapped it way. If anything, he would be as concerned about her as he would be about his wife. He would do everything to keep her safe. He certainly wouldn’t blame her, because she’d done nothing wrong.

Aware the others were coming into the conference room, and the fact Damon still had his arm around her, Margot pulled away and found a seat. It was no surprise to her when Damon took the one next to her.

Steve walked in and took in that she was there, and how close Damon was to her. He’d shifted his chair so that their legs were rubbing together. Steve didn’t say anything, but gave a short nod.

“Reed, would you like to tell us what’s going on?” Steve queried.

Reed looked over to her for confirmation; she was more than happy for him to take the lead. She didn’t want to talk about what had happened. It was bad enough she was going to have to see the photos again and hear the note being read out loud.

Her hand was engulfed in warmth, and she looked over at Damon, who gave it a reassuring squeeze as the corner of his mouth lifted into half a smile. Most people wouldn’t even call it a smile, but for her, it was the sign that she wasn’t in this alone. And like he had the night when she’d been sick, he was there for her.

Somehow she managed an answering smile, but she didn’t think it was convincing.

Reed took control and spread the pictures out on the table, Damon’s sharp inhalation, and the way his hand tightened around hers, an indication that what he saw pissed him off.

As Reed held the note in his hand, Margot wanted to run out of the room. Just thinking about the words she’d read had her stomach churning.

He started to read it, and she zoned out, not wanting to hear. Margot glanced out the window at the sparkling river and the cars driving along the freeway, the occupants having no idea of the evil that existed in the world.

“What the actual fuck?” Damon growled beside her, and she tuned back into the conversation.

“I know,” Reed commented. “That is what I want to know.”

“Margot?” Steve said her name gently. When she looked up into her boss’s eyes, she saw nothing but compassion in them. Along with a hint of a fire that suggested he wasn’t as calm as he looked.

“I’m sorry.” The words erupted out of her.