CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ELISE
I WOKE UP wrapped in silk sheets and the ghost of Nathan’s warmth. The imprint of his body still lingered, but he was gone.
For a few drowsy seconds, I laid there, my fingers tracing the faintest outline of where he had been.
The scent of his bodywash clung to the pillows, wrapping around me like a second skin.
Last night was a blur after I peeled myself out of my dress and into one of Nathan's shirts, the fabric swallowing me whole. The last thing I remembered was the solid weight of Nathan’s arms caging me against his chest, his lips brushing against my temple before I drifted off.
A soft yawn escaped my lips just before my cellphone rang, effectively shattering the quiet morning.
It was Nathan.
“Hi handsome,” I greeted upon answering the phone.
“Good morning, Cupcake,” His voice was deep and rich, laced with a satisfaction that made my stomach flip. “How’d you sleep?”
“Like a baby. Where are you?” I turned my head towards the bedroom door, half expecting to see him walk in the room.
“Half way to Santa Barbra.” Nathan answered. “Sutter is throwing one of his fits again, so I’m gonna smooth things over.”
Malik Sutter, an Edge Records artist, who was known for his temper and selling records. If it wasn’t for the fact that he had such a loyal fanbase, I’m sure Nathan would’ve dropped him from the label a long time ago.
“Sounds like you have a lovely morning ahead of you.” I teased. “I wish you would've woken me up before you left.”
“I wanted you to get some rest after what happened last night.”
Last night. When I found a threat painted on my living room wall left by my ex-boyfriend. First the rose and now this. Jax was leaving a message, one that I was receiving loud and clear.
“If I’m being honest, I could use a distraction from all of that.” I admitted.
“I know. Which is why I called Kelsey and Alessia. They’re on their way now so you guys can go shopping. Ryan will take you.”
“Ryan? He’s not with you?”
“I can take care of myself. My only concern right now is your safety.”
I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Knowing he was looking out for me, making sure I was safe, sent a warm flutter through my chest.
“Stay with them,” Nathan added. “Don’t go anywhere alone.”
“I won’t.” I promised.
There was a brief pause before he spoke again. “Look at the dresser,” he instructed. “Do you see it?”
His Amex card? Hard to miss.
“I have my own money, you know.” I replied.
“I want you to spend mine.”
“You're spoiling me.” I argued.
“Cupcake, I’m just getting started.”
***
THE SCENT OF coffee seeped into my senses as I padded downstairs after getting off the phone with Nathan. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, coating the sleek, modern kitchen in a golden glow.
Ryan stood near the island, broad-shouldered and sharp-jawed, a quiet storm of a man.
He had the kind of presence that made people do a double take, the type of attractiveness that didn’t just stem from his chiseled features but from the lethal confidence he exuded.
His light brown eyes swept over me once before he returned his attention to the phone in his hand.
“Morning,” I greeted, pulling a mug from the cabinet.
Ryan inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Morning.”
“Coffee?” I held up the pot in a silent offering.
A rare flicker of amusement ghosted over his face. “Sure. Thanks.”
I poured him a cup, sliding it across the counter. “Thanks for keeping an eye on me today.”
Ryan took the mug, his fingers brushing mine for the briefest second. “Just following orders.” His voice was even, but there was something steady and reassuring beneath it. “You don’t need to be afraid. Your ex won’t touch you again.”
A shiver ran through me, but not from fear. From the weight of certainty in his tone.
Before I could respond, a soft chime sounded through the penthouse.
I glanced toward the elevator just as the doors slid open, revealing Kelsey and Alessia stepping inside, both looking as effortlessly stunning as ever.
Kelsey wore an oversized off-the-shoulder sweater with fitted biker shorts and designer sneakers.
Her braids were styled into a high ponytail while Alessia chose a soft pink fitted dress that hugged her frame, paired with delicate heels and gold jewelry.
Her curls looked extra curly and full this morning.
Taylor appeared behind the both of them, dressed in her signature black skinny jeans and vintage t-shirt and black combat boots.
“Finally!” Alessia pulled me into a hug. “How are you? Are you okay? I know we talked a little bit last night, but I just had to see with my own eyes.”
“I'm okay.” I answered softly. “The police are looking for Jax and Nathan is gonna keep me safe.”
“You know I won't let that asshole hurt you, either right?" Taylor locked gaze with me.
“I know.” I would hug her, but the former army vet hated to be touched.
“And who’s this?” Alessia asked, her eyes locked on Ryan.
“Ryan.” I turned toward him. “He’s Nathan’s bodyguard. He’ll be with us today.”
Alessia’s lips curled into a smirk. “Does that mean we’re getting into trouble?”
Ryan, ever stoic, remained unfazed. “Not on my watch.”
“Let me freshen up then we can go.” I told them as I stepped back so they could enter more.
“Take your time.” Alessia called over her shoulder, never taking her eyes off Ryan.
Taylor, Kelsey and I all laughed before I left them to their own devices and jogged upstairs to get ready.
Thirty minutes later, the five of us headed out, piling in Kelsey’s SUV, with the two bodyguards in the front, Ryan behind the wheel.
Music filled the space between us, with Alessia and I laughing at Kelsey whose face burned when a Rhodium song came on the radio before she quickly changed the station; she was always shy about hearing herself sing.
I was going to switch the station back to the Rhodium song when I caught sight of Edge Records as we drove by and something occurred to me.
Shit.
I looked at Ryan. “We need to make a stop before we go to the mall.”
His gaze sharpened. “Where?”
“Edge Records. There’s a contract amendment in my old computer that could help Nathan with Sutter. It outlines a clause in his agreement about distribution rights that Sutter keeps trying to use against him. If I send it to Nathan, it could save him the rest of his morning.”
Ryan’s jaw tightened. “He didn’t ask for it.”
“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t need it.”
“Elise.”
“It’ll take two minutes. I’ll be in and out.”
A long silence stretched between us before he exhaled sharply and made a sharp turn towards the building. “Fine. But I’m going up with you.”
I shook my head. “That’s not necessary.”
Ryan’s jaw worked, his hands tightening on the steering wheel like he was seconds away from locking me inside the SUV. “My orders were clear.”
“It's okay. It's a Saturday, it's practically deserted today.” I defended myself.
His silence stretched. The muscle in Ryan's cheek ticked once, twice. Finally, with obvious reluctance, he nodded. “Text me the second you’re done.”
“I will,” I promised, reaching for the door the second we got there before he could change his mind.
The lobby of Edge Records felt different on a Saturday.
The security desk was manned by only one guard, his chair tipped back, eyes glued to his phone.
Usually, there were three of them, badges checked twice, visitors signed in, cameras scanned like hawks.
Today? Barely a glance when I scanned my card.
I pressed the elevator button and shifted my bag higher on my shoulder. The soft ding filled the empty space, but it was the squeak of a wheel that made me look up.
A janitor pushed a cart past me, the mop handle jutting out at an angle, the bucket of water sloshing with each step.
His cap was pulled so low I couldn’t see his eyes, only the strong set of his jaw and the rough shadow of stubble along his cheek.
He didn’t meet my gaze, didn’t nod, didn’t even acknowledge me.
Something about it snagged on my instincts.
The way his shoulders carried too much tension for a man doing routine work.
The way he angled his face away like he didn’t want me to get a good look.
My pulse skipped once, but the elevator doors slid open, pulling me out of it.
I brushed it off, telling myself I was being paranoid.
It was the weekend, after all. Fewer people, fewer distractions.
Still, I exhaled with quiet relief once the doors closed behind me.
When the elevator deposited me on the executive floor, the silence was sharper than I remembered. I walked the familiar hallway toward my old desk, heels clicking softly against the polished floor. It felt strange to be here as Nathan’s girlfriend and not his assistant.
My desk looked both familiar and foreign. A plant in a pale pink ceramic pot sat near the phone. The pens were neatly organized in a holder I didn’t recognize. Even the chair had been pushed in at a perfectly straight angle, something I never once managed during my time here.
A smile tugged at my lips despite myself. His new assistant had clearly made herself comfortable.
And I liked her. She wasn’t twenty-four and starry-eyed or secretly attracted to her boss. She was older, grounded, and spoke about her husband like he hung the moon. She was good for Nathan. And, selfishly, she was good for me.
Dropping into the chair, I booted up the computer and leaned back as the system whirred to life.
The familiar desktop greeted me, files exactly where I’d left them.
Buried somewhere in here was the project Nathan needed.
It was the only copy tucked into a folder from my last months here. Something only I could dig out.
I logged in, pulled up the document, and sent it to Nathan before shutting the computer down.
Quick and easy.
As I stepped into the elevator, I pulled out my phone again.
Elise: