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“Shit,” I snarled under my breath. Giving the office a quick scan, I confirmed everyone was hard at work, which was perfect because I needed everyone minding their own damn business. Needed them doing anything but focusing on me.
“Relax,” I coached myself before tapping my code into the keypad that granted entry to Max’s office.
When the indicator light flashed red for the third time, signaling that my code had been rejected, my hands began to shake. Both Max and Raven had rushed out about an hour ago. I was hoping to get inside and be waiting for him upon his return-naked, simply to test how committed he was to this fraud ass engagement. No way he was so head over heels in love with that bitch if he still needed to chase outside pussy.
I tiptoed back to my desk but before I could sit down, Max stepped off the elevators. He moved with precision head high and back erect with the authority that let you know he ran shit around here.
“Need to see you in my office,” were the first words he’d spoken to me all day. I didn’t know whether to be excited or anxious as I followed him in and closed the door behind myself. He took a seat behind his desk, signaling that this summons was far from personal and I’d be keeping my clothes on.
“I guess congratulations are in order,” I mumbled. He shot an icy glare my way, steepling his hands to rest at his chin before replying.
“Are they?”
Awkward silence consumed us, so much restless energy dancing between us, so much said without either of us speaking.
Doing my best to force a smile, I decided to steer things in a different direction. If my plan was going to work, I needed to take control at some point.
“Look, about earlier—”
“I know you’ve been in here...in my office...going through my shit without permission,” he interrupted. He leaned forward, resting his forearms against his desk, a venomous glare fixed on me.
“I have you on surveillance, not only in my office without permission, but hacking into my system, accessing files you have no business tampering with. Both felonies. We both know the recourse for such actions.”
A knot formed in my chest as the reality of the situation set in. Damn, that’s why my key code didn’t work.
“Max, I can explain,” I tried to buy myself some time to ward off what I knew was coming next.
“No need.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “You’ll have your things removed from your desk by the end of the business day. Any questions about benefits, your final paycheck, anything else, don’t call me. Call HR. Now—”
“You can’t fire me,” I hissed. “I know all your dirt. So much shit about you. All your dirty little secrets.” Now on my feet, I slapped the desk for emphasis because this dude really had me fucked up if he thought he was going to just dismiss me like a used napkin. “I know all about your wife...and how you killed her.”
Max’s eyes darkened and his expression hardened.
“And I know about your little recon mission with Sonia. Don’t be fooled by what she thinks she knows. If I wanted her or my wife dead, it would be done.”
My blood ran cold as I stared this man down. The longer I held his gaze, the more I could see the demon Sonia referred to. I saw someone through the window, choking her... Sonia’s words were on repeat as I tried to figure out what my next move should be.
“So, your fiancée is cool with you having a wife...
Stone-faced, Max didn’t even bother with a response. Instead, he snatched up the phone receiver, mashed in a four-digit extension, and looked me dead in the face as he barked orders.
“Send security up. Ms. Rowe seems to have forgotten the route to the front entrance. Let’s help her find her way.”
“Max, wait...you can’t be serious.” The grim glare he hit me with said it all: this man was dead ass serious. I’d be damned if I went quietly, though!
“Sexual harassment, hostile workplace. Oh, I’m telling it all. I will sue the shit outta you!” Blinded by the sting of my tears, my eyes darted all around, looking for something to launch at him.
“Try it. I’ll be waiting.” A grin of malice stretched across his face as a depressing realization set in: I just might be forced to go crawling back to Andre...and motherhood. That was the last thing I wanted after all this time.
“Max, please. We can talk about this. I need this job. I...I just—”
Before I could finish, two massive, statuesque beasts in designer suits burst through the door to Max’s office, giving the door hinges a run for their money. I ducked just out of reach of the one closest to me, who’d attempted to snatch me up by the arm.
“Fine, I’ll go! Just let me get my shit,” I spat, floored at how shit went left so quickly. “You’re really going to do this, huh?” A futile last ditch effort, but it was worth a try.
When he turned his attention to his computer, giving a cold dismissal, Beast #1 seized my arm and yoked me up like a ragdoll.
“Let’s go,” Suge Knight’s twin growled.
Utter embarrassment was what I felt as I exited the office. All eyes in the building found their way to the spectacle of me being dragged out like yesterday’s trash. Even Ricardo’s gaze was set on me and when he quickly dropped his head to avoid eye contact with me, shame washed over me.
Grabbing up whatever I could, I shoved my meager belongings into my purse, shifting the strap to my shoulder as Beast #1 and #2 flanked my sides, making sure I didn’t take any detours on my way to the elevator bank.
Complete humiliation, that was the parting gift Max bestowed upon me as compensation for being a willing accomplice to his twisted, sadistic fetishes.
I’d been pissed off too many times to count in my life, but the venom coursing through my veins at the mere thought of Max was some next level shit. Beyond mad, I hated Max right now. I made a decision right then and there that he’d pay...in blood, if need be.
Game on, motherfucker.