I stumble back until the cold press of floor-to-ceiling glass stops me, my breath hitching as he looms closer, his eyes fixed on me like I’m on trial before my jury, judge, and executioner.
“Turn out your pockets,” he growls, impatience in his tone.
“I’m not a thief,” I protest, lifting my chin to meet the blackest eyes I’ve ever seen. A rich mahogany that complements his tan skin. Even though they’re the color of dark chocolate, there’s nothing warm about them. They’re devoid of any emotion.
“I was at a meeting on this floor, and I couldn’t find the bathrooms,” I stutter, my chest rising in quick, uneven breaths.
“There’s no way I would employ someone dumb enough to think they could use my office like a public restroom.” His hand snaps to the lanyard around my neck, yanking it tight. The tight pressure makes me gasp.
“Violet Harper,” he says, reading my name like poison on his tongue. “Do you know how many times people have tried to cross me? How many liars and cheats I’ve dealt with?”
“I—I don’t know, sir,” I manage, swallowing hard.
He leans in, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger, his breath brushing my cheek—his voice soft, but lethal.
“Enough times to know I never give second chances.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering just long enough to leave a maddening tingle in their wake.
“So, Miss Harper, if I were a reasonable man, what do you think should happen next?”
“Well,” I stammer, my pulse pounding like a war drum. “If you were feeling nice, sir, perhaps we could call this a misunderstanding?” My laugh comes out shaky, my half-smile more plea than charm.
His dark smile cuts through my feeble attempt like a blade. He moves closer, lips grazing the shell of my ear.
“The problem is, Violet, I’m the furthest thing from fuckingniceyou’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.”
He steps back, straightening his cuffs with chilling composure, dismissing me like trash.
“You’re fired,” he says, his tone like ice cracking underfoot. “Now get out of my building before I have you thrown out.”
An anger like I’ve never experienced powers through me like lightning. The warped way he toyed with me before squashing me like a fly.
“You know what?” I spit, the fire in my belly giving me the courage to fight back. “Screw you and screw your dirty empire built off the back of ruining decent people.”
His eyes flash with surprise before the sneer returns. “You better stop talking right now, Violet, if you ever want to work in this city again.”
“Or what are you going to do?” I laugh bitterly. “Run crying to all your little friends about how Violet Harper had the nerve to step foot inside my office.”
He’s on me in an instant, slamming me back against the cool glass. His arms cage me like a fortress on either side, blocking any chance of escape.
“Oh, silly me,” I say, feigning innocence as I meet his gaze head-on. “I forgot—you don’t have any friends.”
For a split second, something flickers in his eyes, dark and raw, before it vanishes, replaced by his mask of control.
“This is your last warning, Violet.”
I tilt my head, scorn dripping from every syllable. “I bet it gives you a raging hard-on, doesn’t it? Crushing a nobody like me. Or were you hoping I’d beg? Drop to my knees for you?”
His jaw tightens, the muscle ticking furiously as his chocolate-brown eyes darken to something feral. “Violet,” he hisses, his tone laced with danger like he’s on the verge of losing control. “You’ve got five seconds...”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of finishing.
I rip the lanyard from my neck and shove it against his chest, the impact barely moving him, before brushing past him, my shoulder grazing his as I storm out.
Tears sting my eyes as I march toward the elevator, but I force them back.
I won’t give this man one drop of my hurt.
