Chapter 15 #3
“I normally do, but the bitch quit and now I’m stuck here till they find a replacement.” She sighs clearly annoyed and exhausted. She has dark circles around her eyes.
I don’t envy her. At least on my floor I can openly sulk and not have to plaster a fake smile on my face. But she has the first point of contact when coming into the office; she has to be the perfect model employee.
“Where are Tobias and Theo?” Her eyes dart around looking for them. That fake smile stretches her lips, though it looks more like a grimace from this close up.
“Why does everyone do that? Look around nervously at the mention of them?” I ask her.
“You for real? The vibes they give off, girl.” She shakes her head.
“I don’t know how you work all day up there with them.
Especially Theo. I don’t envy you having to work under them.
I still remember the last time when Theo went postal and nearly strangled Max for interrupting him during a meeting, poor bloke quit, and I transferred to the tech floor.
I was originally one of their secretaries, but I couldn’t handle the hours or tension of working up there.
They are way too intense for my taste. I don’t know how you do it. ”
“Max?” I don’t remember that name.
“Oh, he was here just before you started. Apparently he works for a rival company now, they used to be friends but after that? Yeah, not so much.”
Jealousy courses through me hot and heavy, knowing she worked for them, although I can tell she feared them.
Were they attracted to her? She is beautiful.
Was I just a second choice? I shook the thought away wondering where my sudden jealousy surged from.
I didn’t want to think of them with another woman, though Merida didn’t seem like she was involved with them sexually.
“So, what brings you down here? I know it isn’t for a friendly chat.” She states, gazing up at me from her seated position. I completely forget my original intention of coming down here, consumed with my jealousy as I had been.
“I was actually looking for Tom, have you seen him?” I peer around like he might magic ally pop up around the corner.
“He’s probably in the back office,” she chirps with a shrug.
Back office? I thought he was a cleaner. Did they have offices now?
“The cleaner’s office?”
“Huh, what are you talking about? Tom works in publicity, a little OCD if you ask me. I sometimes see him cleaning up around here, and I caught him mopping the floors the other day. I actually thought he was demoted.” She chuckles.
Now that’s weird… Tom told me he was a janitor. What the hell was going on around here?
“Just follow that corridor down and you should see his office on the left.” She points to the corridor next to the stairs. I turn and head toward it when I’m stopped by the last person I want to hear.
“Imogen, wait up.”
Oh for goodness sake, I groan. I like Mark but I was really hoping I didn’t run into him today.
Not after all the jealousy vibes from the guys.
I only want to speak to Tom. I stop and turn around to him.
Mark jogs over to me from wherever he just came from, a goofy smile on his lips.
He can be such a flirt, the absolute last thing I need.
I know he is harmless and overly friendly, but I don't want Theo and Tobias tearing him apart.
Mark stops in front of me, his brown eyes light up and he smiles before running a hand through his black hair.
He’s a good-looking bloke with his strong build, but I don’t find him attractive like Theo or Tobias.
He embraces me in a hug before I can deflect, and I step back glancing around nervously.
“I haven’t seen you at the hospital in a while. How is your mom?” he asks.
I swallow. No one other than a handful of people know my mother was even in the hospital and I haven’t really spoken to Mark or seen him to let him know what happened.
The darkness threatens to overtake me, drowning me in grief, but I have to fight, I need answers.
“Um the hospital pulled the plug… she passed away.” I look away trying not to show how much her death has hurt me.
“Oh, Imogen I’m sorry to hear that, if you need someone to talk to you have my number.” He tries to pull me into another hug, but I tense in his grip.
I pull my hand away before speaking. “And your sister, how is she doing?” I ask, changing the topic from my life. Shit if they catch me with Mark I know there will be trouble.
“She’s doing better, still a long way to go but they have started her on a trial drug now, hoping the results come back good.”
“That’s great, Mark. Well, I have to go see someone,” I say, turning away when his hand takes my elbow gently. I turn back to him.
“I’ve been wondering if you would, like…” He trails off, eyes wide and staring behind me.
Strong warm arms wrap around my waist tugging me toward them.
I flinch. I know it is Tobias, from the heat of him.
He sweeps my hair over my shoulder, then leans down kissing my neck with feather soft kisses.
Marks eyes ping back and forth between me and Tobias.
His brows furrow, the words he'd been about to say long forgotten. He takes a step back.
I shoot him an apologetic look. Damn it, Tobias! Why can't this fucker keep his jealousy in check? Mark continues to stare at the both of us, clearly not sure what to say or even think at this point. Now everyone is going to think I have my job because I’m fucking a boss.
“I was wondering where you went,” Tobias hisses. There is no gentleness in him. His rage simmers through me, threatening to boil me from the inside. He speaks through gritted teeth and his eyes are focused on Mark. I can see a reflection of their challenge in his eyes.
"I've got to get back to work. I'll catch you next time, Imogen," Mark mutters quickly. He eyes Tobias the entire time as he retreats a safe distance and all but runs away.
I wait until he is out of sight. I whirl on Tobias, sticking a finger into his chest. "Did you have to do that? You can be way too much sometimes. You're going to make half the office think we're fucking," I hiss the last few words. Maybe he doesn't care about my reputation, but I sure as hell do.
Tobias lets me go, but his glare follows me.
"You're ours, I don't care what they think.
And if knowing that we fuck keeps them away from you, I'll announce it to the entire building.
" I want to object, but that glitter in his eyes tells me he is being completely serious.
"I don't want you talking to him again. Is this why you slipped away without telling either of us?
To come see Mark?" He says the name with a growl and the jealousy surges through me again.
I roll my eyes but Tobias takes my chin, wrenching it so I stare up at him.
"You are ours, and nobody else's, and if anyone gets close to you, we'll handle it. "
His threat makes my stomach clench into knots. I don't doubt any of it, from him making a public announcement just so he can humiliate me, to taking care of anyone who gets close to me.
"Why were you down here without us?" His grip on me tightens. Theo strolls over, taking a stance next to Tobias, clearly invested in the conversation. When Tobias notices him he lets me go, and I stumble back a step.
"I was looking for Tom, geez. Why the hell would I be dumb enough to try to do anything sordid in your fucking building?
" I snap at him. I’m well aware of Merida's eyes on us.
She has heard all of this shit. It makes me want to thrust my head into a pile of sand and never come out.
They are determined to ruin any normal aspect of my life.
I don't think she'll blab though. At least she isn't a gossip.
I really would be screwed if it was anyone else.
Tobias and Theo both study me with calculating eyes. Determining if I’m telling them the truth. Can't they figure this shit out by our bond?
Tobias lets out a pent up breath. "Come on, time to go home." He takes my hand, jerking me to his side. I stumble over in my damn heels.
"Can I just see Tom really quick? I'll only be a second," I beg, pulling away from his tight grip. I take a few tiny steps toward where Merida said his office is. Theo catches my other hand, pulling me back until I’m nestled between the two of them.
“You aren’t to go wandering without us, Imogen. You can see Tom another time, when we are present, understood?” Theo questions me.
A wave of red rolls over me, and I tug to get away, but quickly give up when they yank me back toward the exit. If I cause a scene over this it won’t matter how great of a day we've all had, I'll be punished. Tobias won't stand for any of it. I let them tug me to the car waiting out front.
Tobias opens the passenger door, waiting for me to enter.
Sighing, I do as expected and slide in. He slams the door behind me.
So even though I did everything he said, I still ruined it all?
I don't speak as he hops in through the driver's side and starts the car. If I am already in trouble anyway, it’s time to handle this.
"Was it really necessary to act like that, Tobias?
And I don't understand why you two won't let me see Tom. "
Tobias sighs, fingers tightening on the wheel. "I don't want you talking to someone clearly interested in being more than friends. You will do as I say. Put your fucking belt on," he snarls at the end.
I go to do as he says, but then freeze. Why should I? If he is going to punish me anyway, why should I just listen to what he says all the time? He won't let me explain, won't let me get a word in. There is no fucking way I’m just going to do whatever he wants.