Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
NADINE
Smoothing my palms down the front of my skirt, I stand at the closed front door of my apartment, ready for work.
Months ago, I would not have paused.
I would have hitched my purse over my shoulder, swung my door open, and been on my way.
Today, I pause.
My dark hair is smoothed down and straight, pinned behind my ears so it doesn’t get in my face while I’m working.
I can’t stand to have flyaways tickling my skin or in my eyes.
My cream-colored blouse is tucked into my pencil skirt, and I’ve decided not to wear a blazer today, mainly because I’m so nervous and hot.
And sweaty.
Hitching my purse over my shoulder, I clear my throat as I look down at my phone and wait for Hale’s response—his all clear.
And as I wait, I think about the fact that I’m going back to work and everything it will entail.
I’m sure papers have piled up on my desk, and it’s no longer neat and organized the way I prefer it to be.
Theron was kind enough to allow me to do what was imperative from the safe house, but there are things I needed to physically be in the office for, and I’m already feeling overwhelmed by it all.
The phone buzzes in my hand, causing my entire body to jump.
I am lost in my own mind, much like I’ve been lately.
The text is a response from Hale.
The message I’ve been waiting for.
Sliding my thumb across the screen, I glance down at the incoming message.
He says I’m good to open the door, then reminds me to lock it behind me.
I don’t think I will ever, in a million years, forget to lock a door behind me.
Living in fear for years imprints that physical response onto your soul.
Lock doors, check mirrors, have a bag ready to run, and keep large amounts of cash on hand.
I’m not sure how long I stare at the text message.
I know it’s a while because my phone screen goes to sleep.
But it takes me a long time, far too long, to work up enough courage to actually reach for the doorknob, twist it, and walk out into the hallway, alone.
Honestly, I can’t even comprehend how I’m feeling.
I’m not quite as terrified as I was when I finally decided to run from Landon, but it’s close, and I know it’s because Landon himself is close, and I’m bait.
Maybe Grayson shouldn’t have even told me the plan, although I’m sure he hasn’t told me everything, but still.
Maybe I didn’t need to know anything at all.
Inhaling my breath, I hold it in and begin to move.
One step in front of the other.
That’s what I need to do, and that is what I focus on.
To the point where I’m murmuring to myself as I walk.
One foot in front of the other, over and over.
Until I’m down in the parking garage and standing at my driver’s side door.
When I have to actually unlock the door, that’s when I realize I went down the elevator and took a staircase, and I remember nothing.
This is the absolute worst thing I could have done.
I know better than this.
Everything I’ve been doing the past several years, the highly vigilant person that I've become, simply goes straight out the window. Someone could have been watching me, following me, anything, and I wouldn’t have noticed shit.
Not a single damn thing.
Unlocking my door, I sink down into my driver’s seat and touch the push button to start my car. Trying to shake myself out of the haze that I’ve somehow not only allowed myself to become consumed with but have also, for whatever reason, accepted. I try to refocus on the task at hand.
But I haven’t driven in months.
When my gaze flicks down to the gas gauge, I realize it’s been topped off, something I’m fairly sure I didn’t do myself.
An ease washes over me instantly.
My lips twitch into a smirk because I know who did it. It had to have been Grayson. I’m not sure how I know, just that I do, especially as I adjust my seat and mirrors. It feels comforting that he was here in my car, filled up my tank—he’s taking care of me.
Shifting the car into Reverse , I back up before turning my wheel and heading out of the parking garage. It may have been months since I’ve driven to the office, but my body has the route memorized.
It’s muscle memory because when I pull into the parking lot, in my usual spot, I have the same feeling as if I did all of this without being present. Like that isn’t one of the most dangerous things I could do.
As if I completely blacked out.
Gripping the steering wheel, I stare at the building and wonder how the hell I’m going to make it from my car to the front door without completely freaking out.
Sucking in a breath, I try to force myself out of the car, but I don’t move. It’s as if every single muscle in my body is completely frozen in place. I know that Grayson is inside and that I’m safe even right here where I sit, but I can’t move.
There is a knock on my window that causes my spine to straighten. Slowly, I turn my head, not sure what I’m going to see when I lift my eyes to the figure standing at my car door.
A scream escapes from my throat at the sight of a man standing in front of me. Except this isn’t a threat.
It’s Theron.
My direct boss.
He’s wearing sunglasses. His lips are pressed into a thin line. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his chin is dipped down. I can’t help but feel a wave of disappointment emanating from him.
Rolling down the window, I look up at him, though I don’t say anything immediately. He releases his hands, curling his fingers around my door as he leans down slightly.
“You coming inside, Nadine?” he asks.
My whole body freezes.
The intimidation vibes this man gives off cause my entire body to feel funny. I don’t know why, because I’m not attracted to him. I’m scared to death of him. I know I shouldn’t be.
I’ve known him for five years, and I know without a doubt that he would do absolutely nothing to hurt me.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t scare the shit out of me.
“I’m coming inside,” I whisper.
Theron’s lips twitch into a smirk. “Would love some coffee, and I’m sure Grayson would, too,” he says, his voice deep and husky. “Nobody else makes it as good as you do. But if you tell Lucille that, I’ll deny it.”
Immediately, I lift my hands to my cheeks. I feel the heat radiating off them, and I know they’re turning bright red. Inhaling a deep breath, I hold it for a moment, then nod once before I roll my window back up.
“I’m sure Lucille’s is wonderful,” I say.
He snorts before he lets out a chuckle. “Sure, Nadine. My wife is a lot of things, but she is not a barista.”
Theron opens my car door for me, and as much as I don’t want to get out and walk across the parking lot, I gather my purse, then throw my legs over the side, placing my feet on the ground before I unfold and straighten.
The moment I step away from my car, he closes the door behind me, then turns to face the building, and starts to walk straight ahead. I follow behind him, trying to keep up with his long gait. When he stops at the door, I watch as he opens it and then steps to the side to allow me entrance.
Walking through, I stop just inside the building as I watch Theron. He closes the door, and both of us wait for the lock to click into place. Silently, we walk down the hallway together and toward the private elevator.
Once we’re in front of the doors, I reach out to touch the button and feel his fingers curl around my wrist. Slowly, I turn my head, tipping it back to look up and into his eyes.
“Theron?” I ask in a whisper.
My body is trembling as I stand in front of him. “We will protect you, Nadine,” he murmurs.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I’m serious.” His voice is stern. “We have you. No matter what happens, you will be safe.”
Then, before I can respond, he releases his hold on me, reaches out, and touches the button to call the elevator. It opens with a ding before we both walk inside. The elevator climbs to our floor, then dings again, and the doors slide open.
I’m met with Grayson standing right in front of the open doors. His smile is easy, and his gaze is focused on me. All the worry and trepidation I feel completely melts away at the sight of him.
GRAYSON
Nadine’s eyes are wild as the elevator car doors open. I knew that she would be having some kind of anxiety coming into work after being holed up in the safe house for so long, plus the threat of Landon, no doubt, isn’t helping her to feel secure and calm.
Which is why I’m waiting for her as she steps off the elevator. Theron jerks his chin toward me, but thankfully, he doesn’t stand around and watch me greet Nadine. I know that I only saw her a few hours ago, but I need to at least kiss her.
Feel the warmth and softness of her lips against mine. She doesn’t hesitate to move directly toward me. Her hands lift between us as she places her palms against my chest and tilts her head slightly, her gaze focused on mine.
Dipping my chin, I smile down at her. I cup her cheek as I slide my thumb along her bottom lip before I speak. Keeping my voice soothing and calm, I smile.
“Good morning.”
“It was hard driving to work this morning,” Nadine murmurs.
I assumed it would be, but I don’t tell her that. Instead, I continue to smile down at her, searching her gaze with mine. She doesn’t seem upset. Her eyes are clear, bright even, minus the darkness that seems to always be somewhat present somewhere in the distance.
“It will get easier, and then hopefully soon, this feeling, this whole situation, will be nothing but a distant memory.”
I say the words, and I hope to hell that they come to fruition, but I’m also not confident in our ability to nail Landon Tate to the fucking wall. He’s broke and still pushing forward, still focused on Nadine. There is something bigger at work here. I’m just not sure what the fuck it could be.