Page 136 of Their Famous Dominant (Office Intrigue Duet 4)
I frowned. “What do you mean his plane landed? Where’s Clarissa?”
A slight smirk tilted the other man’s mouth. “It appears she’s with him.”
Despite the energy that started humming in my veins, I masked my expression. “Thanks.”
“Should I tell him to stop here first? Or to go on up to the penthouse?” Ransom asked.
“The penthouse.” Because that was where I was headed. I had an assistant I needed to check in with. Was he aware Clarissa was on her way here? Had he not bothered to tell me?
Without hesitation, I got to my feet and grabbed my laptop. I stopped long enough to tell Dale that I’d be back later and if anyone needed me, they could call my cell phone.
Not that I would answer. However, I would call them back.
Eventually.
I took the elevator to the top floor, ignoring Ransom as he tapped something out on his phone.
“You can take the afternoon off,” I informed him when we arrived at my apartment door. “Now that you’ve got the other boys in place, you don’t have to babysit anymore.”
He chuckled knowingly. “They’re on duty, but I’m still here. Call if you need me. I’ll be downstairs catching a nap.”
Landon and Langston had kindly set Ransom up in one of the furnished apartments in the building while I was in town. Since I didn’t know how long I would be here—I hadn’t made any definitive plans—I had needed him to stay close. Thankfully, he’d called in a couple of guys to stand guard both downstairs and on our floor to ensure no one got near the apartment. It freed Ransom up to take care of his personal life while still ensuring Troy’s safety. I wasn’t about to leave Troy without protection. We still hadn’t figured out who the stalker was or what they were after.
When the elevator door closed, I turned to the apartment door and let myself in, nodding to the guy standing nearby.
Troy was sitting on the couch, his iPad in his lap. His eyes widened when he looked up at me. “I didn’t expect you back so early.”
“Something’s come up,” I told him, watching for any signs he knew Clarissa was on her way here.
He sat up straight. “Anything I need to do? Are we heading back to Dallas?”
The boy had asked me that damn near every day since we arrived nine days ago. I think he continued to hold out hope that we would go home, which would ultimately increase the chances of seeing Clarissa. But for the past nine days, I had told him I wasn’t ready to go back. There were things to take care of here. The disappointment in his eyes never went unnoticed.
“No. We’re not going back to Dallas.” I set my laptop and phone on the counter. “Zeke just let me know he’s landed here in Chicago.”
Troy shot to his feet. “What about Clarissa? Where is she? Shouldn’t he be watching her?”
“It appears he is.” When he opened his mouth to speak, I held up my hand. “I don’t know anything more than that, so don’t ask.”
He snapped his mouth shut and nodded.
“Go ahead and order something for dinner. Have it delivered.”
“Of course. Anything specific?”
“Pizza.” I figured what the hell. Might as well take us back to the night it’d all fallen apart.
“Got it. Giordano’s it is.”
“Thanks.” I was about to tell him I would be in my office, but a knock at the door halted my words.
Troy’s eyes widened and his head snapped over to me. “Are you expecting someone?”
“I’ll get it,” I told him. “You order food.”
“Right, Master.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and walked toward the kitchen, but his eyes continued to dart over to the door.
I opened the door without hesitation. Standing in the hallway, looking even more beautiful than she had the last time I’d seen her was my submissive.
No. Wait. She wasn’t my submissive.
Not anymore.
“Hi,” Clarissa said softly, her long hair hanging down around her face, the pink gloss on her lips making her look far younger than she was.
I nodded, unable to find my voice. Thankfully it came back to me when I looked up and met Zeke’s gaze. “Thanks for bringing her safely.”
“No worries. Tank’s become quite fond of the girl.” He motioned toward the yellow Lab sitting by his feet. “Unless you need me for anything else…”
“No. Ransom’s got it covered from here.” I nodded to the guard in the hall. “But thank you. For everything. You’ll find Ransom one floor down.”
“All well with him?” Zeke inquired.
“Yeah. He and I are discussing a business proposition.”
Zeke smirked. “That sounds interesting.”
“It could be.” I turned my attention back to Clarissa. “Please, come in.”
She glanced at Zeke over her shoulder. “Thank you again.”
“You’re very welcome, girl. Perhaps I’ll see you at the club sometime.”
“Maybe.” Her eyes shifted back my way and there was hesitation this time.
