Cassidy #2
I gather the empty folders before I can stop myself, then hesitate, because the whole purpose of my visit was to drop off these files.
I’m an idiot.
“Leave them,” he says, not even looking at me now as he turns back to the mood board that had his attention when I got here.
I place them down carefully, my hands steady even if everything else feels like it’s fraying at the edges.
“Goodnight,” I say, ducking my head because I know he’s not going to answer.
I turn and walk out of the office, keeping my steps even, controlled, measured—right up until the door clicks shut behind me.
Only then do my lungs finally stutter, my composure cracking just enough for the air to rush in too fast, too sharp.
But I don’t stop. I don’t slow down.
Because if I do… everything is going to come crashing down.
***
“He’s inside waiting for you,” Jamie says, with a calm smile. It took me far too long to figure out how to even get to this floor, since everyone has to have a pass that allows them this high up, so Layla, one of the sweet betas downstairs, had to organise for me to be buzzed up.
Jamie is one of the front desk assistants for Sterling and the other execs. I’m terrified that he’s going to mention to the other assistants that I’ve been hauled in to the chief security officer on a Friday evening, because I have no doubt that the gossip will reach Harlan’s ears.
Or worse—Evander’s.
“Thank you,” I say softly. I slowly walk into my cousin’s office, and I try not to dawdle as I know I’ve likely kept him late enough as it is.
“CeCe,” Sterling says, grinning at me as he rises from his desk. I hesitate on whether to close the door behind me or not. “Close it. You don’t need to look so worried. This isn’t a firing squad, little cousin.”
I turn to close the door, spotting an interested look on Jamie’s face, and I cringe.
“Sorry that I’m so late,” I murmur, walking towards him. He rounds the desk, pulling me into a quick hug. My head barely reaches his shoulders.
“You could never be late,” he says, gesturing to the sofas in his office.
I take a few steps further in, my gaze flicking over the space as I go. Sterling’s office has always felt more like him than any photo ever could—sharp, deliberate, and just a little intimidating.
The hardwood floors gleam under the late evening light, the faint pattern etched into them pulling my focus before I can stop it, like it’s designed to keep your brain exactly where it should be.
It probably is knowing Oscar, his packmate.
The room is open and uncluttered in a way that makes me want to curl up somewhere smaller, softer and safer.
Whilst Emme would probably feel at ease surrounded by her pack scents, to me it feels far too vulnerable.
A leather chair sits behind his desk, and off to the side there’s a seating area—an armchair tucked into the corner and a two-seater sofa opposite it.
Very Sterling.
He steps back from me, and I’m reminded—like I always am—that he somehow manages to feel bigger than he is. Not tall—not really—but solid. Controlled. Every movement measured, like he’s already thought three steps ahead.
His suit is perfectly tailored, not a single crease out of place, dark hair styled like he hasn’t moved all day, and those sharp hazel eyes flick over me in a quick assessment that misses absolutely nothing.
They soften a second later.
“Sit,” he says, gentler now, nodding toward the two-seater sofa. “I wanted to catch up with you, and we can’t do that when you’re about to jump out of your skin, CeCe.”
I move towards it, the space bright enough from the tall windows that it almost feels too exposed, like there’s nowhere to hide. Even the air smells clean—green tea and mint, crisp and steady, so very him that my shoulders loosen despite myself.
I perch on the edge of the sofa, smoothing my hands over my thighs. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted this to be… formal. I’m sorry.”
Sterling huffs a quiet laugh, rolling his shoulders as he leans back against the edge of his desk, arms folding loosely across his chest. The signet ring on his right hand catches the light as he shifts.
“CeCe,” he says, like the answer should be obvious. “When have I ever been formal with you?”
“You’re my boss,” I stammer, and he laughs lightly. “Don’t laugh at me, Sterling! I’m trying to be respectful.”
He grins. “You are the most respectful woman I know. Hell, the most respectful omega. Maybe tied with Lia, I suppose. But hell, you’re much sweeter to me than Emme is.”
I giggle, shaking my head in amusement, before reality catches back up to me—where I am, and why I’m here.
“I take it you’ve heard about… everything?” I murmur, glancing to the door, before looking at my cousin again.
His expression shifts before I can track it, and then he’s already moving, crossing the distance between us in a few quick strides. I flinch before I can stop myself—a small, stupid thing— and he catches it.
He drops to his knees in front of me in a way that should feel soothing, but somehow makes everything worse.
“What’s going on, Cassidy?” he asks softly. “Has someone hurt you? Mistreated you?”
I shake my head quickly, tears welling up in my eyes. “Oh my gosh, no of course not. I was… I thought…”
I trail off, and I hate how overwhelmed I am right now. He reaches for a blanket from the coffee table that I missed, but I shake my head.
“You don’t want it?” he asks gently.
“No, thank you,” I say, trying to compose myself properly.
No matter my relationship with Sterling—he’s my boss right now. He’s not someone I get to break down in front of and cry to about my failures. This is something I’ve done, and something I need to own.
He needs to know I am capable, and I’m not just going to cry like some pathetic omega who can’t handle the business world.
I can’t let him know how useless I am.
“I’m okay, honest,” I lie, and he nods carefully. “I thought you wanted to check in about my meeting with HR.”
“HR brought you in?” His frown is immediate, and I reach forward to smooth out the v between his brows, causing him to laugh. “You’ve not changed, Cass.”
“Neither have you,” I say brightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to cause issues.
I think… I know that I haven’t been doing my best here, and that’s why I’ve been shifted.
But I promise you, Sterling, I won’t make the same mistakes, and I’ll do everything I can so you don’t regret letting me work here. ”
Sterling opens his mouth, but I railroad past it, trying to get this off my chest before he tells me how he already regrets it.
“I’ve been working with Director Mercer, and I’ve done everything he’s asked, and not failed yet. I’ve got all my files for this weekend to get up to speed on the Aurelian campaign, and I promise I won’t embarrass you or the company.”
“CeCe—”