My stomach is burning with tension. I hardly slept from all the worry, and this morning it really sunk in. I spent the entire weekend trying to come up with a solution, but I have nothing.
Only the damn worry eating at my insides while I get ready for work.
I have no idea what Finn’s going to do, and I’m at a total loss on how to handle this situation.
Do I just ignore it?
Would it work if I avoided Finn?
Should I report it?
I’ve researched sexual harassment in the workplace, but the fact that I don’t have any proof and it’s my word against his leaves me hesitant to go to HR with the problem. After all, I’ve only been with the company a month where Finn’s the owner’s brother.
God.
With no other option but to go to work and hope for the best, I leave my apartment.
Finn had a lot to drink on Friday night. Maybe he won’t even remember what happened.
Ha, you should be that lucky.
By the time I walk into the lobby, I can’t keep my hands from trembling, and my stomach feels raw.
“Morning,” Denise greets with her usual warm smile. “How was the event?”
“Morning.” I place my bag in the bottom drawer, then answer, “It was okay. I can’t remember half the names of the people I met.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to confide in Denise, but deciding against it, I say, “I’ll make us coffee.”
Feeling anxious, I keep glancing around me as if Finn will appear out of thin air. After preparing the coffee, I take my seat behind the counter and focus on checking the schedules.
“You’re quiet today,” Denise mentions. “How was your weekend?”
“Good. I just stayed home and got some rest,” I answer, forcing a smile to my face. “How was yours?”
“Boring,” she chuckles. “I can’t wait for payday.”
“Just two more days.”
Denise’s eyes widen, then she whispers, “Just smile. The CEO is here.”
My head snaps up, and even though Denise told me to smile, it drops right off my face at the sight of the CEO. I have to blink a couple of times because the man looks exactly like Charlie Hunnam.
Holy shit.
His steps are filled with confidence, the three-piece suit fitting his muscled frame like a second skin. I always thought I preferred dark-haired men, but taking in Liam’s dark blonde hair, I have to admit, he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My sensitive stomach starts to spin with nerves and something unknown as he walks in our direction.
Smile.
Smile, dammit!
My lips curve up in a trembling smile, my entire body now humming with nerves and an emotion I’ve never felt before.
Liam stops on the other side of the counter, and he nods at Denise. “Everything okay down here?” he asks her, his voice sounding like rough velvet.
Sweet Jesus.
My heart flutters, and I swallow hard.
“Yes, sir,” Denise answers. “Welcome back.”
She gestures at me, and it has me shooting to my feet. Liam’s crystal-clear blue eyes lock with mine, and it feels like I take a physical punch to my gut.
Totally off balance, I hold out a trembling hand and ramble, “Kiara Murphy. It’s a pleasure meeting you, sir. Thank you for the opportunity to work here. I’ll do my best.”
Instead of shaking my hand, Liam’s eyes flick down to my hand, then back to my face. His features look like they’ve been carved from stone, his stare icy.
Shit.
Does he know?
“Welcome to Byrne Enterprises,” he says, his tone unnervingly grim.
Oh, God.
Leaving my hand hanging in mid-air, Liam turns and walks toward the elevators.
I slump back into my chair, a hard tremble wracking my body.
Did Finn tell him a different story, and now he’s judged me before giving me a chance to explain?
“Hey,” Denise says, laying a comforting hand on my forearm. “It’s okay. Liam’s always like that, and I should’ve warned you he hates being touched. That’s why he didn’t shake your hand.”
My head snaps up, a slither of hope unfurling in my chest. “Really?”
Her smile is soft and reassuring. “Yes, don’t worry.”
If only she knew what happened between Finn and me, she might think differently.
God, today’s going to be torturously long.
The internal line rings, the sound making me jump.
“Denise speaking.” My eyes are glued to her face. “Yes, Ma’am, we received them on Friday. Kiara will hand them out today.” She ends the call, then says, “We need to program the access cards and hand them out.”
I let out the breath I was holding, and glad to have something to keep me busy, I get to work.
By the time the day is winding down to an end, and I haven’t seen or heard from Finn, I don’t know what to make of it. It doesn’t make me feel any better. Every time the phone rings, I expect to be called up to the executive floor.
After handing out the last of the access cards and getting the staff members to sign for them, I press the button for the elevator. When the doors open, my stomach drops at the sight of Finn and Liam. Both men look like they’re about to kill someone.
Noticing they’re going up, I say, “I’ll get the next one for the lobby.”
Finn’s eyes rest hard on me while Liam doesn’t even bother glancing at me. The look Finn gives me makes it clear he didn’t forget what happened, and he’s angry as hell.
The doors slide shut, and I let out a breath of air, my heart racing in my chest.
At this rate, I’m going to have a heart attack.
I wait until I’m sure it’s safe before calling an elevator, and when I finally get to sit down in my chair again, my body’s wound tight.
Somehow, I manage to smile at Denise, who’s busy on a call, while my heart beats violently in my chest and a light sweat beads on my forehead.
What am I going to do?
Taking a tissue out of my drawer, I pat the sweat from my forehead while focusing on calming my racing heart.
It’s going to be okay. Just do your work and avoid Finn.
Luckily the lobby isn’t busy, and I manage to regain my composure. Not wanting to think about the problem, I keep myself busy with work, checking everything three times to ensure I don’t make any errors.
The knot in my stomach is burning something fierce.
Denise’s gaze flits over my face. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I force my lips to curve up.
The internal line rings, and like a coward, I let Denise take the call. She answers, then scrunches her nose. After ending the call, she mutters, “Finn wants to see you.”
Oh, God.
When I hesitate, she adds, “You better head up. He sounded like he’s in one of his moods.”
Reluctantly, I rise to my feet. I wipe my sweaty palms on my sides, dreading what will happen.
Maybe he wants to put the unpleasantness behind us?
That’s wishful thinking, Kiara.
My legs are heavy as I walk to the elevators. The ride up has my heart beating, faster and faster, until it feels like it might burst from my chest.
I feel like a complete mess by the time the doors slide open, and then as if the universe has it out for me, I walk right into a wall of muscle.
Gasping, I bounce back into the path of the closing doors. Liam grabs hold of my shoulders, and I’m yanked forward, slamming into his chest again. This time a woodsy and manly scent hits my nose.
The trembling grows into full-blown tremors rocking through me, my nerves unable to handle much more.
I’m hit with a shitload of intensity, and without a word, Liam pushes me to the side. He slams the button to call the elevator back.
I’m so rattled I don’t stick around to be scolded and forget to apologize. Darting down the hallway like a fearful deer, I don’t have time to steel myself before knocking and letting myself into Finn’s office.
Just get it over with.
I keep repeating the words to myself as I focus my sight on Finn. He’s leaning casually back against his desk, his arms crossed over his chest. There’s a triumphant sneer on his face, making me think he’s going to fire me.
Crap. There goes my new apartment.
The fear multiplying by the second robs me of the ability to think of a way to start the conversation.
Nodding at his laptop, he says, “Come take a seat.”
What?
Does he want me to capture data again?
Cautiously, I keep my eyes on him as I walk to the chair and sit down. The second Finn moves around the desk and comes to stand behind me, every muscle in my body locks up. My mouth grows dry, and panic flares to life in my chest.
Shit. Not again. I should’ve stayed by the door.
Finn leans over me and presses a button on the laptop. The screen lights up, and instead of it showing a spreadsheet, a video starts to play.
It takes a solid ten seconds before fear bleeds through my veins. My heart stutters to a stop. My breaths falter over my lips.
Oh. My. God.
I watch the footage of Mom fast asleep in her bed, her lips slightly parted as soft snores slip over them. Someone’s standing over her, then I see a gloved hand holding a gun.
Oh, God. No!
My eyes grow wide as pins and needles painfully rush over my skin.
Finn leans down until I feel his breath on my ear. “Your mother sleeps like the dead. I could’ve killed her easily.”
No.
The shock starts to shudder through me like earthquakes, ripping gaping holes right through my entire life.
God, no.
The footage stops, then Finn asks, “Do you need to watch it again?”
In a stunned daze, I shake my head.
The chair is turned, so I’m facing Finn. Lifting a hand, he brushes his fingers over my cheek, making my skin crawl, then he takes hold of my chin. “This is how things are going to be from here on out.”
With horror-filled eyes, I meet his triumphant gaze.
“You’re going to be at my beck and call. You’ll do everything I tell you to, and you’ll fucking love it, or I kill your mother.”
His words hit hard, like nails being slammed into the coffin he’s about to bury me in.
“Nod to show you understand,” he demands.
Somehow my head bobs up and down.
“If you go to the police, I’ll know. Your every move will be watched, so don’t try to get help. Just do as you’re told, and your mother will continue to live her shitty life.”
God.
My mind finally catches up to the enormous shock it’s been dealt, and I manage to ask, “Why are you doing this?”
The corner of Finn’s mouth lifts with arrogance. “Because no one says no to me. I warned you, you were making a mistake, and now you’ve forced me to take extreme steps.”
He makes it sound like it’s my fault. He’s… insane.
The realization sends a fresh wave of panic burning through my veins.
God only knows how I manage to ask, “What do you expect from me?”
His lips curve more as he leans closer. “Everything, Kiara.”
The words sound sinister, filling me with dread.
His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, then his eyes lower to my mouth. “I’ll do whatever I want, and you will fucking love every second of it. It’s as simple as that.”
Simple?
It’s a freaking nightmare!
I start to shake my head, but it only earns me a dark chuckle. Finn shrugs, “Or disobey, and your mother dies.” He lets out another chuckle. “The choice is yours.”
What choice? Either I let him do what he wants with me, or my mother dies.
This is insane. Absolute madness.
Finn slowly closes the distance between our faces, his eyes remaining locked with mine. I sit like a frozen pillar, and the instant his mouth presses against mine, unbearable revulsion fills every inch of my being.
Disgusted, I press my lips together, but it only makes Finn chuckle again. “Do you want to be responsible for your mother’s death?” The words stick to my skin.
This time when he kisses me, I don’t stop him. His tongue breaches my lips, making bile churn in my stomach. He tastes awful, every brush of his tongue against mine, revolting. It feels like an eternity filled with dread and revulsion passes before he lifts his head. Giving me a pleased smile, he murmurs, “Good girl.”
God, help me.
Straightening up, he warns me again, “Tell anyone, and your mother will die. I trust you won’t be that stupid.” He nods to the door, showing I can go.
My legs are weak, but I force them to take my weight as I get up. Still in a horrified trance, my body is on automatic pilot as I walk to the door.
“Kiara.”
My body convulses, but I stop and numbly turn around to look at the man who’s become the monster in this nightmare I’ve been thrown into.
“Smile,” he demands.
My lips curve up while my heart feels shriveled in my chest.
While darkness closes in around me.
While my dreams of making a success of my career vanish.
While the nightmare becomes a living, breathing force sucking the very air from my lungs.
“That’s better,” he praises me, a pleased smile forming around his mouth.
Stepping out of the office, I shut the door behind me, then stare at the gleaming tiles beneath my feet.
I’m going to be sick.
Covering my mouth with a hand, I rush to the executive restroom, not caring what anyone will think about me using it.
I make it just in time, and rushing into a stall, I drop to my knees and empty my raw stomach of the bile.
I hear the restroom door open, then Devon calls out, “Kiara, are you okay?” The sounds of my vomiting must reach him because he curses, “Shit.”
I can hear Devon coming in, and once I’ve emptied my stomach, I grab some toilet paper to wipe my mouth and flush the toilet before glancing in Devon’s direction.
He crouches next to me, a look of concern tightening his features. “What happened?”
“I must’ve had something bad for lunch.” The lie comes too easily, making me feel worse.
Devon takes hold of my arm and helps me to my feet. I walk to the basin and rinse my mouth before washing my hands. When I’m done, I give Devon a pleading look. “Do you think I can go home? I really don’t feel well.”
I need to check on Mom.
“Girl, I heard you puking your guts out. I’ll let HR know. Get some medicine on the way home. Okay?”
My chin wobbles as a wave of emotion hits. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell Devon what happened in Finn’s office, but the image of my sleeping mother flashes through my mind.
“Thank you,” I reply, my voice hoarse from the chaos I’ve been dumped into. Needing to flee this hell, I rush out of the restroom.
I give Denise the same excuse I gave Devon, and grabbing my bag, I leave Byrne Enterprises in a traumatized trance.
The instant I’m a safe distance away from the building, I pull out my phone and dial Mom’s number.
“Hi, sweetheart. Won’t you get in trouble calling during work hours?”
Just hearing her voice acts as a soothing balm to the trauma I just suffered.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I ate something bad for lunch. They’re letting me go home early. Is everything okay there by you?”
“Oh, dear. Make sure you drink a lot of fluids, so you don’t dehydrate,” Mom tells me.
“I will. Is everything okay by you?” I ask again.
“Everything’s fine. Oh, on Saturday, the window in the living room wouldn’t close. You won’t believe what happened!”
My heart all but stops in my chest.
“Mr. Rodgers came to fix it for me. Can you believe that? I thought hell was freezing over.”
“Nothing else happened?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
“Besides the total three-sixty in Mr. Rodgers’ attitude, nothing else happened. Kiara, the man even smiled at me. It was weird… but pleasant. Kind of.”
Usually, I’d joke with Mom. I’d tell her Mr. Rodgers has a crush on her.
But not today.
Relief soaks into the cracks all the worry and fear have ripped through me. Closing my eyes, I suck in a deep breath of air.
“I’m just glad you’re okay. Always make sure you lock your windows and door.”
“You don’t sound well, sweetie. Are you almost home?” Mom asks, concern tightening her voice.
“Yeah, I’m just going to sleep. Don’t worry about me.”
“Let me know if you get any worse.”
“I will.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips, tears threatening to push up my throat. “I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Ending the call, I tuck the phone back in my bag, then continue to walk toward the bus stop.
Should I have told her?
Should I go to the police?
I don’t have any proof. It’s my word against his.
God, I can’t believe this is happening to me.
