22. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Shock rushes through me, paralyzing my body as I try to process the situation. Quickly, I throw my hands up, pushing against his chest gently. I'm trying to be polite, not shoving him, but he still doesn't take the hint.
"Elijah, stop," I mumble against his mouth, trying to take a step back.
He's strong, body pushing me back against the wall as he continues to try to kiss me. When I realize I'm pinned, the severity hits me.
I push harder, completely disoriented and at a loss as to why this is happening. He's never openly flirted with me—or at least, I didn't think he had. I thought we were just friendly colleagues, but now I'm questioning everything.
Still not budging, I give a third shove with all of my strength, as much as I can with the little space I have to work with. He finally pauses, breaking the kiss to look at me with hurt and confusion.
"Why won't you kiss me back?" he asks slowly. "If it's because we work together, I can promise it's not an issue."
My heart's racing, and I don't want to make the situation even more awkward. After all, we still need to work with each other.
Did I accidentally lead him on?
"Elijah," I start softly. "We're just colleagues. I'm not interested in seeing anyone here."
He hasn't moved his body, still pinning me against the wall as he scans my face. Slowly, a smile breaks out, like he's had a light bulb moment.
"It's because of Nick, isn't it?"
"What?!" I yelp. "What does he have to do with anything?"
God, Nick and I are cordial at the best of times. He's not even a factor in my mind, but Elijah just nods.
"Look, I know it can feel a little awkward, but he'll get over it. He's just a little hostile because I'm here now. But I really like you, Rayne."
I stare at him wide-eyed, completely perplexed at his line of thought. Clearing my throat, I put my hands firmly on his chest as a warning.
"It's not about Nick," I tell him. "Or anyone. I'm just not into you like that."
Elijah looks hurt again. "Seriously? I thought there was a connection here. Are you saying there isn't?"
"A work connection, sure," I answer, trying to defuse the situation. "But I've never tried to make any advances at you."
He blinks slowly. "We could just give it a try? We can take it slow."
Take it slow? I don't think he realizes the meaning of it.
"I'm not interested," I say more firmly. "You're concerning me. Can you please step back?"
I'm too terrified to tell him what I'm really feeling. I'm fucking scared.
I barely know this guy. We've only worked together for a short amount of time and I'm alone with him in an office.
Suddenly, Hawk's words come back to me, finally making sense…
"You're so blinded by the world that you see what you want to see. Stop and consider the possibility that people aren't always what they seem."
Is this what he meant? He was enraged yesterday when I had a drink with Elijah, adamant that he was bad news.
"Why would you willingly stay behind in an office, alone, drinking with someone you don't know?"
Oh, my fucking God. I'm an idiot.
Elijah still doesn't move, not convinced that I'm telling the truth. "It's okay to be scared. But rest assured, I did the research. There's no policies in place that co-workers can't date here, and statistically, people are able to continue to work together when having a personal relationship. Honestly, we're both mature and professional, it would be fine."
This guy is really trying to convince both of us that we're in love or something. Panic is flooding through me as I try to figure out a way to resolve this without escalating the situation.
My fingers twitch as I resist the urge to slap him. But physically, I know I'm no match if he fights back. I have no idea how to defend myself.
Staring around his arm, I spot my cell on the desk. If I can just get to it and call for help…
"Why don't you go do what you needed to do and we'll walk out together?" I say firmly, trying to find a way to get to the cell.
Elijah raises an eyebrow. "I just wanted to kiss you first before we left. Honestly, it's just one kiss. Please?"
I shake my head. "No, Elijah. I'm sorry, but the answer is no." I keep my voice strong—standing my ground despite the fear begging me to give in. I can't let him, because the moment I allow something like that, I'm opening myself up to more trouble.
"Rayne," he says, annoyance in his voice. "It's just a kiss to see if we have chemistry. Stop making a big deal out of this."
His lips slam onto mine again, and I fight back against him, clenching my mouth together so tight that pain radiates up my cheeks. I hear him scoff with frustration and his hand comes up over my top—Jett's shirt—squeezing my breast.
I gasp in shock and disgust, unfortunately giving him the access he is looking for. His tongue thrusts into my mouth but it's not the same feeling of dominance that Hawk and Jett use. Elijah is sloppy, rough—our teeth banging together as he follows my darting face around.
Fight back… I tell myself. Fucking fight back. Don't let him do this.
Swinging my knee up so violently that my pencil skirt rips up the side, I knee Elijah in the dick. Immediately, he cries out in pain, slouching over.
Quickly, I try to side step him, reaching for my cell. My fingers graze it and I manage to pick it up, but Elijah grabs my arm, yanking me back.
I stare up at him, eyes wide as I spot anger on his face. His hand whips out, grabbing my neck as his fingers dig into my skin. I whine from the pain, slamming the bottom of my cell into the side of his head.
"Jesus fuck!" he yells, clutching his head. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"Me?!" I shout, bewildered, stumbling back. "What is wrong with you? Get away from me!"
Elijah straightens up, rubbing his head. His hardened expression watches me for a few moments, and I think I've finally made it clear I'm not interested.
SLAP.
The force of his smack sends me to the ground, my head hitting the wall of my office while my body connects with the floor.
Fuck. That really does hurt. For a split second, I spare a thought for Hawk after being on the receiving end of mine.
HAWK!
I look down at my cell, punching in my passcode. I quickly hit my text message icon so I can find the number quickly but Elijah snatches my cell from my hand, flinging it across the room. It hits my computer screen with a bang, knocking the monitor over.
He storms over to me, fingers wrapping around my arm as he heaves me up from the ground. "I don't know what I ever saw in you," he sneers angrily. "You're a fucking bitch."
I fling my hand out, scratching his face. Quickly, I follow it up with another knee but he ducks, pulling me into a tight squeeze from behind.
"Let go of me!" I yell frantically, flailing about.
Suddenly, his hold loosens and I stagger on my feet as I hear a bang. Spinning around, I freeze.
Elijah is pinned against the office wall, feet dangling off the ground as Hawk holds him with one hand by the throat.
A rush of relief goes through me and movement behind them catches my eye as Jett casually strolls into my office, watching Elijah with a dark look.
"Get her out of here," Hawk says firmly to Jett.
Jett walks past them over to me, picking up my hands in his hold. His eyes scan over my face, his expression softening.
"Tempest," he whispers.
"I'm so happy to see you," I blurt out.
Jett gives me a small smile, before putting his arm around my shoulders. He starts to walk me out, but stops next to Hawk first.
"Hawk," he says to his brother, motioning to me.
Slowly, Hawk turns his head to look at me, gaze still dark and wild. His eyes look over my face before trailing down my neck and body, taking everything in.
"I'll catch up with you soon," he answers to Jett, turning back to Elijah. "I need to have a talk with him."
"No! Come with us," I beg with panic. I don't want him to be left alone with Elijah in case he gets hurt.
Hawk's eyes shift back to me. "I'll meet you downstairs, Rayne. Go."
I try to argue some more but Jett moves me along, dragging me to the elevator.
"We can't just leave him," I plead with Jett, watching as he hits the down button.
Jett grabs my hand, stroking his thumb over my skin. "He'll be fine, I promise. I just can't say the same for your colleague."
"What?" I gasp, swinging my head around to look toward the direction of my office. The elevator doors open and I'm pulled inside before I can find Hawk.
Slowly, the elevator descends before Jett leads me to the parked Porsche. When he pulls the seat forward so I can climb in the back, I do so, surprised to find him following me inside.
I shuffle over to the other side to make room for him, the door closing behind us.
"Are you okay?" Jett asks softly when I don't speak.
I shake my head. "No."
"Come here," he says, holding his arm out.
Instantly, I move closer, pushing into his side as I hug him. My head rests on his shoulder and I hold onto him tight, afraid to let go.
Jett rubs my back, putting his chin on the top of my head. "You're safe now."
"How did you know?" I ask quietly. "It's not seven yet."
He laughs quietly, amused that I read his email. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah," I answer without hesitation.
"We put a tracker on your cell," Jett replies simply. "We knew you hadn't left yet."
I pull back, gazing up at him. "But I still had until seven. Why did you come into the office? You could have waited outside or something."
Jett looks out the windshield. "See that car over there?" he points to a Ford F350.
I nod. "Yeah?"
"That's his truck. The empty space next to it was occupied by another colleague. We watched everyone leave and knew you were the last two inside."
"How did you know who was at work? Or who I even work with?" I ask suspiciously.
Jett smiles at me. "We hired a PI. Hawk stood out the front this morning and watched everyone arrive—and cross checked it with their RFID cards. We get an instant notification and log of every single employee card and when it's swiped and where. That PI was well worth their money. If you ever need one, I recommend someone with a specialty in IT—well, hacking for lack of a better term. We know everything about everyone you work with, Tempest."
"What?" I pull away, baffled.
"Oh, yeah," he says casually. "We know all about your little colleague there. Especially the reason why he changed firms."
I frown. "Elijah? Why did he change?"
Jett's smile fades, eyes darkening. "Because someone made a complaint against him for sexual harassment. It couldn't be proved immediately so he was given the choice to either resign without a formal investigation on his personnel file or be fired if evidence came to light. He contacted your firm and with his excellent billings and seemingly clean record, he jumped shipped before anything could be found."
My eyebrows furrow in thought. "Is that why you said he wasn't a good person?"
"Yes," he says firmly. "But also we knew he wasn't a good person for you. Because you're ours. And no one touches what's ours."
Before I can respond, the driver's seat swings open, startling me. Hawk slips into his seat, holding out my purse.
"Your cell is inside," he murmurs.
I don't take it immediately, my eyes narrowing on his hand.
"Hawk… why is there blood all over your hand?"