“Let’s find out,” he answered darkly as he pulled his cell out of his pocket.
I didn’t listen to what he said as he spoke on the phone, probably to Cooper. I thought back on every conversation I ever had with Judd Christie. He was arrogant, had a huge chip on his shoulder, and he used his fists more than his words. He would have been a nightmare client. PR would be troublesome, and he was unlikely to encourage sponsorships. I didn’t see a future where Judd and I could work together. He had talent, and he would be drafted, I was sure — he’d just need another agent.
It happened all the time. I didn’t need to feel guilty for not working with someone.
Onyx ran his hand over my hair. “This isn’t your fault,” he told me quietly. “Cooper’s on it. He may be a bit slower, but he’s looking. I think you need to go home.”
“Are you coming?” I asked as I looked up at him, and I saw he was going to refuse, and then he nodded. “Yeah, let’s go once Charlie gets here.”
“You don’t need to,” I corrected myself. “You have work and meetings, and shit,Ihave meetings—”
“Angel, we’ll cancel the meetings. It’s why we have PAs,” he added with his usual smirk, and I smiled.
“Okay.”
Charlie came in about thirty minutes later. Onyx had gotten his PA to get me a hot water with lemon, and I was ignoring all the whispers and the looks from my co-workers as they passed my office far more frequently than they ever had before.
I didn’t listen as Charlie spoke quietly to Onyx, but soon, a firm hand was on my elbow, and I was being led to the elevator.
“One more person walks past me and speculates,” Onyx suddenly said very loudly, “will get their desk packed for them.”
Lifting my head and looking back, I saw several people dive into the nearest office, and I looked up at him. His eyes flicked down to mine, but he returned his attention to the doors of the elevator. When it came, he led me inside and hit the button for the parking garage.
“I think I’m freaked out,” I said quietly.
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
That earned me a look, and he frowned. “Let’s not get crazy,” he murmured.
I gave a little laugh, which surprised himandme. “Sorry,” I said, covering my mouth.
“Fuck, it has to be depressing if you’re apologizing for laughing,” he said grimly as we walked to his car.
“He’s just a boy,” I told him as I got to the passenger side door.
Onyx stepped into me and tilted my head back to look up at him. “And he needs to be stopped.”
“But not hurt,” I whispered. “We should tell the police.”
His thumb brushed my cheek, but he said nothing as he opened the car door for me. We were quiet on the drive back to Belle Meade, and halfway there, I threw caution to the wind and reached over and took his hand.
“What is it?” Onyx asked me softly.
“Just let me,” I countered.
He gave a grunt in reply, but he didn’t move his hand away, and as I lay my head back on the headrest, I closed my eyes. With my eyes closed and my hand in his, I could forget that there was a stalker prowling through my life, seeking revenge for something — I still wasn’t sure exactly what — that had happened.
“We’re here.”
It took me a moment before I let his words register, but I let go of him and exited the car. Onyx met me at my door, and without a word, he took my hand and led me inside.
It was nice.
Normal.
The feeling of safety he gave me was as shocking as it was comforting.
