AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Tiera?" he called after her. "Are you sure that's all you're planning to do?"
"Yes."
He trailed her from the hallway to the living room. "Don't try anything that will put you in danger."
"I won't."
She wanted to add that she'd taken care of herself far longer than he had the past week. Much of what he was doing was overkill. He had a private investigator and a security team for a guy who'd gone silent. He hadn't tried anything in over a week. Hadn't done any media stunts. No popups at Fitzgerald and Wright or at Caleb's condo. He'd probably regained his senses and moved on with his life. Therefore, it was time for her to move on with hers.
While she waited for the elevator, Caleb stopped to talk to Dimir. They spoke in a hushed tone, so she had no idea what they were saying. Unconcerned by their conversation, she tapped the rideshare app on her phone and placed an order for around lunchtime. All she could think of was that she wouldn't have to deal with the stuffy guard or Caleb after today.
Lunchtime came fast, considering Tiera spent her day doing image clean-up work for Caleb. Every time he was rude to someone, she'd soften the blow by offering concessions. She'd given the complaining front desk receptionist a day off for the long hours he requested she work the week prior. She'd approved two free college courses for Maggie, the accountant Caleb had yelled at for not having the company's financial reports ready on time.
She'd done several other good deeds to keep employee relations in order until Terrance and Vivian were back and able to manage their teams. She felt bad about what she was about to do, but sometimes a woman had to save herself. And she was saving herself from falling for Caleb. Again.
She tossed her bag over her shoulder and looked around. Dimir stood guard outside of the receptionist area. To onlookers, it appeared he was office security. But he was there to keep an eye on her. Which meant she couldn't leave without being followed.
"Dimir, I have to go to the bathroom."
"Let me check it out, then you can go inside." Dimir strode over to the bathroom and went inside. He was in there less than a minute before he returned and nodded. "It’s clear. I’ll be right here. Yell if you need me.”
“I will. Thanks. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
She darted to the staff restroom, thankful for the privacy. She checked each stall and realized she was indeed alone. She locked the door and went to the window. Sliding it open, she was thankful none of Dimir’s guards were outside. She tossed her bag out and proceeded to climb out of the window.
She walked a few blocks over and caught the Uber she’d ordered. She blew a breath as she rode to a hotel in the next city. Vivian would forgive her for leaving Fitzgerald and Wright in Caleb’s hands. Besides, he was part owner. And there hadn’t been a real media scandal since she started working as his secretary. Unless you count Caleb being an asshole to everyone in his path as a scandal. She couldn’t do anything about that.
She arrived at the hotel and checked into a suite. She used an alias and instructed the staff not to let anyone know she was there. When she arrived on her floor, she walked down the hall toward her room. Freedom was a few steps away, and she couldn’t wait.
Stepping inside her hotel room, she set her bag down and put the extra locks on the door. She went over to the bed and flung herself down onto it. “Finally! I’m free from him!” belted from her mouth. She felt free. Freer than she had in a long time.
The suite was cozy, with a desk and a nice chair for writing. There was a lounger and a queen bed with a fluffy mattress. This hotel would be her home away from home until she could get situated at her mother’s. She stood up and rushed to her bag, happily bringing it over to empty the contents on the bed. She put her laptop on the desk, then placed some items in the bathroom.
A knock at the door caused her to freeze. No one knew she was there, so no one should be knocking at her door. She tiptoed over and placed her hand on the wooden frame. She peeked out of the peephole and saw the last person she expected to see on the other side. By his side was none other than Dimir Gusev, her security detail.
“Open up, Tiera. I know you’re in there.” It was Caleb.
Shit.
Why couldn’t she escape him?
He’d gone too far.
Apparently, Tiera couldn’t handle witnessing his raw desire for her. What she observed in his bedroom had made her run. When she came out of the guestroom to go to work with an overnight bag, he’d warned Dimir she might be a flight risk. Dimir paid close attention to her, and when she took her bag into the restroom at lunchtime, he was on alert. Dimir had heard the window slide open and tried to enter the bathroom, but the door was locked.
He’d kicked in the door and found her gone and the window ajar. He’d radioed his team to be on the lookout for Tiera fleeing the building and called Caleb to let him know the situation. Dimir explained that Tiera had gone into the restroom, locked the door, and left through the window. One of the guards patrolling the building in his SUV saw her running away from the building and followed her.
“We have eyes on her. Do you want my guy to grab her and bring her back?” Dimir had asked Caleb.
Caleb’s jaw ticked at the thought of another man putting his hands on her. He didn’t want another man to touch her. He didn’t want her to be afraid for her life. Yet, he couldn’t get her to understand how dangerous it was for her to leave. Even he didn’t know how far Stuart would go to enact his revenge.
“No. Just follow her and let me know where she goes.” Once they had her location, he’d go and bring her back to his condo.
“A member of my team is on her trail, and I’m about to head that way now.”
“Are you still in the building?”
“No. I’m in the parking lot, in my car.”
