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When I don’t sense her leaving, the smell of her perfume getting stronger as she moves closer, instead, I take a deep breath before turning to my right and finding her staring me down. She’s wearing a yellow blazer with a matching skirt and a white shirt with nude heels. Her hair is twisted back into a bun and her makeup is set to perfection, from her bright pink lip to the highlighter dusting her cheekbones, she definitely put effort into coming into the office today.
It’s almost on the tip of my tongue to offer her a mug of goodness, but the way she folds her arms over her chest, pursing her lips as she flicks her gaze from me to my chest, I refrain. When she still doesn’t speak though, I can’t hold back the need to check in with her.
“Can I help you?” The irritation is clear in my voice and I don’t attempt to cover it up. She’s been rude to me every time I’ve seen her. It’s annoying, and I really don’t have time for it right now, so the quicker we get this over with, the better.
She doesn’t startle at my question, but her eyes remain fixed on my chest and I glance down to see her staring at the necklace Alexi gave me. Before I can repeat my question, her eyes flash to mine.
“When I was asked for my opinion on the necklaces brought to the office, I assumed that it was for me. Me. So imagine my disappointment when I see it around your neck. If I had known that’s where it was going, I wouldn’t have chosen that one.”
I squint at her, watching as her eyes blaze with anger. “I’m sorry, what?”
In a flash, her hands are at my neck, gripping the pendant tightly in her hand as she keeps her gaze fixed on mine. “I. Picked. This. Out. With. Alexi,” she spells out slowly, her tone deep as she practically snarls at me. “I picked it out for me, not you.”
This woman is insane. Lifting my hands, I push her away without thought. To my dismay, she doesn’t release her grip on the necklace. It all happens so fast, but I feel the tightening of the chain on the back of my neck moments before it tears from my body, clattering to the floor as Greta drops it in surprise.
“Are you fucking crazy?” I bite, my body tense as I stare her down. I watch her gaze flick from me to the necklace, and as much as I want to reach down and grab it, I refrain, not wanting to give her any opportunity to do anymore damage.
Her hands fist at her sides as she scoffs in response. “Please, the only crazy person here is you, for thinking you are going to last more than two minutes around here. If anything, I’m doing you a favor. You’re. Welcome.”
My face scrunches in confusion as I gape at her. Is she for real? She clearly doesn’t know that my soul is fucking sealed to theirs, and I rather like it that way, but she doesn't get to go around making assumptions about me.
Rolling my shoulders back, I take a deep breath as I take a step toward her, the necklace now at my feet as I tilt my head to the side. “What the fuck is your problem? I really dont have time for your playground bullshit, and your incessant whining is giving me a fucking headache.”
Folding her arms over her chest again, she taps her foot as she shakes her head at me. “Did you not hear the part where I said I chose the necklace you were wearing?” My chest tightens, not wanting to fall for her bullshit, but she’s not wrong. Something about it makes my gut twist in disappointment. Maybe distaste? Fuck, I don’t know what because I don’t have a moment to process it. “Now listen, bitch,” she pushes, but I raise my head, cutting the remaining distance between us as I interrupt her incessant voice.
“Let me stop you right there. I’m not joking when I say I really don’t have time for your bullshit. If you want drama, you’re going to have to get it from somewhere else.” I’m slightly impressed that I’m not encouraging this craziness when the magic floating through my veins is eager to beat a bitch. But it’s short-lived as she starts wagging her finger in my direction in the next moment, and I've reached my limit.
Before she can do a single thing, I thrust my powers at her, freezing her in place from head to toe. My teeth clench together as my nostrils flare. “Fuck. Off. Greta.” She can’t respond in any way and my shoulders relax with the quiet and calm that follows. Releasing another breath, I smile wide at her. “Now, you can stay right there while I take a minute and get some much needed air.” I offer her a small wave as I completely disregard the coffee machine and step back into the reception area.
My body is still tense and my mind is going a mile a minute. I spot the guys in the conference room and I know I need a second before I go back in there. I need to sort through my thoughts and feelings after the bullshit she just pulled.
As much as I don’t want her words to get to me, they did their job perfectly on her end.
I need some real fresh air, just a moment outside to regather myself.
With my mind made up, I step to my left toward the portal, letting the billowing smoke consume me for a second before I appear on the ground floor. I try to remain as calm as possible, but the longer I’m in the building, the tighter my chest gets. Thankfully it’s quiet down here and I don’t have to clamber through a herd of people to get outside.
The second I step through the glass doors I inhale a huge breath, finally feeling a sense of relief. Stepping to the side, I let my eyelids fall closed as I take in another and another.
Am I mad that Alexi asked for help picking out my necklace? I don’t know, but I can’t deny that out of all the people in the world I wish it wasn't her. Why couldn’t he have asked his mom, or fuck, my mom, gods, even Rhea for goodness sake.
As much as it irritates the Hell out of me, is it really that important when we’re dealing with everything else?
Shit.
I hate that she’s making me make an issue out of this. I just need to go back inside and talk it over with them.
Shaking my head, I open my eyes, the sound of the cars and people finally filtering into my brain as I become more present in the here and now and not so trapped in my head. But as my vision clears, I know I’m not alone.
The man standing in front of me with a sneer on his lips is someone I’ve only seen once before. The man that appeared in the office before Malik got me out of there. The man I now know is the leader of the Redvellions.
Noose.
Fuck.
“Ah, good. The little bitch told me that she could definitely rile you up enough to get you outside alone. I didn’t think she had it in her, but here you are,” he says with a cunning smile on his face. “Pity she won’t last more than five minutes once the Furies realize what she’s done.” His grin only widens as he tucks his hands into the tattered jeans he’s wearing. The leather jacket covering his black tee underneath looks like it’s seen better days too.
As much as my insides are trembling at his sudden presence, I bottle it up and stand tall. He clearly planned on getting me out here alone, but for what? “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I blurt, quirking an eyebrow at him as he simply laughs in response.
