Setting down Denise’s cup, I take a seat and sip of my own coffee.
“Sooo, how are things between you and Mr. Byrne?” she asks as she brings the cup to her lips.
Instantly, I grin like an idiot. “So good.” I shake my head. “It’s surreal. I swear the man is Prince Charming.”
The internal line rings, and with a huge smile, I answer, “Kiara speaking.”
“Hmm… how can you be downstairs, and I already miss you?”
My grin widens, my cheeks warming. Clearing my throat, I use the best professional tone I have, “Can I help you, Mr. Byrne?”
“Jesus, woman. I want you on your knees beneath my desk, sucking my fucking cock dry while I deal with business.”
Good god.
I fan my face with my hand, slightly turning my back to Denise, who starts laughing at me.
“You’re making it really hard for me to work right now,” I whisper.
“Not the only thing that’s hard, baby. Can you send Denise up? Make it sound like she’s in trouble.”
Yasss! She’s getting her promotion.
“Of course. I’ll tell her.” I force my face into a worried expression, widening my eyes as I turn to Denise. “You better run. I’ve never heard him so angry before.”
“What?” she gapes. “At me? Why?”
Shoving at her chair, I keep my tone urgent. “Go, woman! Before he loses his shit.”
Denise is up and jogging toward the elevators, and the second she’s inside, I slump back in my chair, then grin at Declan, where he’s leaning against the wall. “She’s getting a promotion.”
“Hmm,” he mutters, his eyes not leaving the glass wall at the front entrance.
Party pooper.
I turn my gaze back to the elevator, already anxious for Denise to come back with the good news.
It takes a while before the doors slide open, and Denise comes out, waving an envelope as she runs toward me. I shoot out of my chair, and meeting her halfway, I grab her in a hug.
“You deserve it so much,” I say excitedly. “I’m so happy for you.”
She jumps up and down, lets out a happy shriek, then shoves the envelope in my face. “Look! Assistant to the CEO! Oh my God!”
Taking the envelope, I read her promotion letter, then we’re both shrieking.
“What happened?” Will suddenly asks.
Denise lets out another happy shriek, then she storms Will, practically jumping in his arms.
“She got promoted,” I tell him, then wanting to give them some time alone to celebrate, I return to the desk.
Will has to practically carry Denise to the kitchen where they’ll have privacy.
Today’s a good day.
I grin at Declan again, and this time he has a smirk on his face. “He’s gettin’ lucky tonight.”
“Dude, seriously?” I scowl at him. “That’s where your mind went?”
“That’s where my mind lives,” he mutters, returning his attention to scanning the sidewalk.
With residual excitement still bubbling in my chest, I get back to work, wanting to stay ahead of the load, especially now that I’ll be working reception alone for a while.
Ten minutes later, Will walks across the lobby’s floor, a broad smile on his face, his hair mused.
When Denise appears, fidgeting with her dress, I let out a burst of laughter.
“Scratch that, someone just got lucky,” Declan mutters.
“Shht!”
Luckily, Denise doesn’t hear what Declan said. She sits down, trying to look all professional, but the moment her eyes lock with mine, a smile stretches over her face, and she slumps back in her chair. “Don’t say a word.”
“My lips are sealed.” I wag my eyebrows at her.
She shoves playfully at my shoulder. “Stop.”
“Uh-hmm.” I get back to work, the atmosphere in the lobby so light and happy, nothing can ruin it.
When it’s time for lunch, I get up and ask, “Want me to grab you something from the deli?”
Denise shakes her head. “I’m too happy to eat.” Every couple of minutes, I catch her reading her promotion letter.
I grab my bag from the bottom drawer, and tucking my phone inside, I wait for Declan before leaving the building. Waylon and the other guards fall in behind us as we walk the short distance to the deli.
Suddenly Declan comments, “You’re really happy for her.”
I glance up at him. “Of course. She’s my friend.”
“You’re good people, Kiara.”
It’s almost time to go home, and I’m counting down the minutes.
Damn, I’ve never been this excited for the day to end.
I just want to enjoy dinner with Liam, curl against his side, and watch boring news with him.
Denise starts packing up her things, then glances at me. “You’ll be okay alone down here?”
“Yes, besides, you’re just a call away.”
I take hold of my phone, and checking my messages, I see two.
I open the one from Mom.
Miss you. Are we getting together for lunch or dinner soon?
I quickly type out a response.
Saturday? We can go to the Navy Pier and grab something to eat there?
Mom responds immediately.
It’s a date xxx
The corner of my mouth lifts as I exit the chat and open the other text.
Your apartment.
Frowning, I wonder if the owner of the building sent the message. There’s a video. I press play, thinking it might be a presentation of some sorts of repairs that will be made.
It’s about time.
The footage begins, showing my living room, then moving to my bedroom. Whoever made the recording goes to my dresser, and opening a drawer, he takes my underwear out, throwing it on the bed.
What the hell?
‘So, this is the dump you live in?’
I know that voice.
Ice spreads through my veins, my heart instantly thumping heavily in my chest.
The camera turns, then I’m hit with the sickening sight of Finn’s erection. He strokes himself.
Bile churns in my stomach, the shock shuddering through me as my breaths come shallow and fast.
‘Liam can’t protect you from me. I’m going to fuck you so good.’
Flashes of that Friday night hit hard, mixing with the current shock, creating a chaotic mess of my emotions.
“What are you watching?” Denise asks, leaning closer to see.
I sit frozen in horror as Finn ejaculates over my underwear and bed, groaning, ‘Kiara. Kiara. Kiara.’
Denise grabs the device from my hands, switching it off. “God, that’s disgusting!”
The punches.
The groping.
The bites.
His hand between my legs.
Her arm wraps around me. “Kiara?” My breaths keep coming faster, the trauma rushing back full force. “Shit, Declan, help!”
“What’s wrong?” I hear him ask, then everything becomes too much to bear, and a sob breaks free.
Darting up, I run for the emergency stairs, and rush up them until I’m breathless and sobbing.
“Kiara!” Declan shouts behind me, but I don’t stop until I burst into Liam’s office.
“Baby?” he shoots out of his chair and only has time to open his arms before I slam into him.
I’m safe.
His arms wrap around me, giving me the cocoon of safety I need so I can try to calm down. Clinging to Liam, I struggle to regain control and force the tears back.
“What the fuck happened?” he snaps angrily.
“I don’t know,” Declan answers.
“Shit… need… air,” Denise gasps from running after me. “Video from Finn. Disgusting shit,” she explains. “Masturbating.”
The panic and fear start to retreat, but I press as close to Liam as I can get. “Don’t let go,” I whisper, breathing through the emotions.
“Not a chance, baby.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
I nod, my cheek rubbing against his vest and shirt.
I’m safe.
It was just a video.
Finn can’t get to me.
