Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
He surprises me by nodding, and despite his flaring nostrils, he turns his back to me. His footsteps echo in the small room, and when he reaches the door, he looks at me over his shoulder before opening it and letting it close behind him.
“Hello, Miss Piper? This you? It’s Ben, one of the night shift guards.”
I don’t realize my hands are trembling until I reach for my phone and tuck it between my ear and shoulder. “Yes. I’m about to leave the office. If I’m not down in ten minutes, can you come check on me?”
“Absolutely. Are you in any immediate danger? I can go up right now.”
As much as I want to act tough and brave, I know I just made the huge mistake of pushing Brent to the edge, especially since I may be alone on the floor right now. God, there goes my mouth running off. I could’ve told him that while everyone was still here. “Yes, I’d appreciate that.”
The silence is deafening, and it makes me nervous.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I toss my phone into my bag, close my laptop, and slip it into its sleeve. With one last scan of my office, I turn to the door. Just as my hand reaches the aluminum glass handle, my eyes zero in on the massive frame rushing toward the office.
On instinct, I reach for the lock and turn it. The glass between us is thick and frosted, but it’s still glass. If Brent decides to smash it with a chair, it’s gonna break and there won’t be anything separating us anymore. My only hope is for Ben to arrive as soon as possible. I can’t call Parker because I don’t want to worry him. He’s probably relaxing at home after a long day of outdoor photography.
Besides, Brent may not do anything reckless. Although I won’t put it past him to go full scorched earth on me. After all, I seem to remember hearing about a pending promotion for him in a few weeks. A promotion that most likely won’t happen anymore.
Bang!
Brent’s face contorts with anger as he slams his fists on the glass door. The whole frame rattles, and I step back, fumbling with my phone. Fuck it. I’m calling Parker. I underestimated Brent. The guy has the common sense of a cucumber. He doesn’t care about the cameras recording his every move.
“You think you can destroy my life, Piper? Not if I destroy you first!”
Brent’s voice is muffled but no less menacing. Faking the courage I no longer feel, I meet his gaze head-on, not breaking eye contact even as I dial Parker’s number.
But…
Dread pools in my stomach because it just rings and rings. And Ben is still nowhere near me.
God, what have I done? I am in so much trouble.
5
PARKER
I’m still in an exceptional mood when I arrive in the lobby of Piper’s building.
“Damn, Thor. You seeing this, buddy?” I whisper in awe, my eyes surveying my surroundings. The marble floor is so polished that Thor keeps slipping, so I just scoop him and carry him in one arm.
The reception desk is empty, but I spot the security guard on duty. He’s a big, bald man with a bit of a paunch but still not someone anyone wants to mess with.
His forehead furrows, and he scowls at his phone before pulling his pants up and heading for the elevator. I jog toward him, and we both let out identical looks of frustration when we find that it’s out of order.
Noticing me just now, he spins on his heel and faces me. His nameplate says, “Ben,” so I throw him a smile. “Hi, sir. Good evening. I’m Parker Perry. My girlfriend is still working on the third floor. I was hoping to just go to her. I have my ID right here.”
He looks distracted though, and his eyes glaze over when I keep talking. Ben just waves me off. “Who’s your girlfriend? I’m on my way to the third floor right now.”
“Perfect. Her name’s Piper. She’s a manager at the—”
His momentary confusion clears, and I see fire behind his eyes. What’s happening?
“Good. Let’s go.”
We start toward the staircase, him gripping his baton until his knuckles are white. He’s semi-sprinting, and I have to keep up with him while making sure I don’t drop Thor, who’s already squirming and letting out noises of disapproval.
“Your girlfriend called me a few minutes ago, asking me to check on her. I saw a man on the floor with her. I think his name’s Barry or Bryan or Bert or something. Anyway, she has—”
I don’t let him finish. Horror dawns on me. I thrust Thor to him and take the stairs two at a time. My pulse pounds in my temples, and an anger I’ve never felt before makes my stomach turn over. My blood freezes solid, and barbed wire coils in my gut.