I’m truly glad Saffron’s attacker is dead, but at what cost? Am I an accomplice to mass murder because I told Red 7 a name? Will the police show up at my door one day and haul me away in handcuffs because of my involvement?
I do my best to smile through my anxiety as I walk through the doors of LoveBytten HQ, hoping Sherry doesn’t see through my shaky facade. I blow out a breath as soon as the elevator doors slide shut, thankful for the brief reprieve.
There’s no way for people to know about my involvement in the murders. No one is aware that Red 7 visited me, or that I was the one who gave him Gregory Wright’s name. If I just play it cool, I’ll make it through this.
The elevator doors slide open, and I’m greeted by the sight of Corey’s smiling face. He’s standing a few feet away, two massive cups of coffee in his hands.
Amazing. Just what I need.
“Oh… Hi Corey.” I step off the elevator, shuffling to the side in an attempt to get around him. “See you later.”
“Wait!”
I stop mid-step, schooling my features before turning back around to face him. “Yes?”
His smile grows wider as his arm outstretches with the second cup of coffee. “Here. I got this for you.”
“Oh.” I gaze down at the offering, not having the heart to tell him I hate the stuff. “Thank you. That’s thoughtful.”
“This could be a regular thing, you know,” he says with a wink. “I like to treat my women right. One of the many perks of being with me.”
“Corey…” My gaze shifts over his shoulder, desperate for a way out of this conversation. “We’ve talked about this before…”
“I know, I know.” He rolls his eyes. “Fucking company policy.”
“Right.” About a month ago, I’d had enough and told Corey I was straight up not interested in him as anything more than a work colleague. No matter how many ways I spun it, Corey refused to believe me. Eventually, I got so frustrated that I made up some bullshit about company policy keeping us apart. It was a lie, but I knew Corey wouldn’t bother to double-check, and it got him off my back for a while.
It seems that time has come to an end.
Corey leans in with a heated grin. “I’m down to break some rules with you, killer.”
My stomach churns. “Listen, Corey…”
“Good morning, Grace.” My gaze skirts over Corey’s shoulder, landing square on Mr. Graves's sinful smirk.
“Morning, Mr. Graves.” I fight against the heat creeping up my neck as my boss approaches, looking as handsome as ever. He’s dressed in a charcoal-gray suit with a deep-red tie that brings out the color of his eyes, and I can’t help but think how dangerous he looks.
“Good morning, Mr. Graves,” Corey echoes, his tone sharper than it was before.
“Penboot.” Mr. Graves doesn’t take his eyes off me as he addresses Corey.
Corey clears his throat. “Actually, it’s Pembrook?—”
“Cody, would you mind if I stole Grace away? I need to speak with her about a work related project in my office.”
“We were kind of in the middle of a conversa?—”
“Great. See you around, Connor.”
Corey’s mouth presses into a thin line. “See you later, Grace. Mr. Graves.” Shoving his hand into his pocket, he stomps off toward his cubicle, leaving me all alone with my super-hot boss.
Mr. Graves gives me a heart-stopping smile and gestures toward his office. “After you, Grace.”
The back of my neck heats in awareness as I walk into Mr. Graves’s office. I stand in the middle of the room, breathing in the pleasant notes of leather and aftershave that cling to every surface of the space. All masculine. Very him.
“I feel I should apologize for lying earlier,” he says, closing the door with a soft click. Mr. Graves turns to me with a crooked smile, and my core heats with desire.
“Wh-what do you mean?” I ask, unable to take my focus off his full lips. “Lied about what?”
