“Boss?” Cory asks, bringing my attention back to him as he raises his brows, cutting through my thoughts. His worried expression hasn’t wavered, and Macy’s tears haven’t stopped. She’s just crying silently. “What do you want us to do?”
“First, this shit ends now.” I wave my hand between them. “For the sake of company policy. Also, not that it’s my business, but I don’t get down with cheating. You should tell your wife, and I wouldn’t blame her if she left you for this shit. If I catch you, or if Rhys does,again”—I hold up the stack of photos—“you’re both fired. But for now?” I drop the pictures on the table. “You’re off the story.”
The pictures scatter across the glass, Cory’s affair on full display under the dim lights of my office. The entire floor outside of this room is covered in darkness, the hollowness of a dead newsroom echoing through the thin walls.
“Holt, I don’t know if I can.” Cory’s voice tightens.
“Don’t know if you can what?” I jerk back. “Which part don’t you think you can do?”
Cory swallows thickly, then shifts his eyes toward Macy. “I don’t know if I can… if I want to...”
“Seriously?” I trade confused glances between the two of them. I don’t understand their affair, and if I’m honest, I don’tgive a fuck.
“I know, it’s all confusing.”
“Honestly.” I hold my hands up. “I don’t want to know. Just figure your shit out, but if you’re going to be together, one of you needs to leave. I can’t have you both working here if you’re doing whatever the fuck this is. It causes too much drama.”
I would know. Years ago, before I was appointed head of Scribe Magazine, I had a run with a fellow reporter atThe New Yorker. Our affair didn’t end well when our editor-in-chief caught us fucking in one of the storage closets.
Part of me can sympathize with Cory and Macy for their affair, but there are differences between us. For one, I wasn’t fucking married.
The memory of fucking the reporter and all the other women I have in my past has my stomach roiling. It’s difficult to think of other women when the only one on my mind now is Selene. I thought kissing her had made my head spin, but now I’ve had the privilege of touching her, I’m ruined for all other women.
“We understand.” Cory nods, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “But, hey, if you decide to continue this story, Holt, I urge you to be careful. These fuckers aren’t messing around.”
I stare at Cory. His stark warning pulls me back to when Julianna made the same comment in this room only days ago.
His warning and the echo of my sister’s sends an eerie chill down my spine.
I don’t know how far Rhys is willing to go. He hasn’t physically hurt us or even spoken to any of us at Scribe, but him sending these photos to Cory is a clear message—one I can’t and won’t ignore.
Panic sets in, and once Cory and Macy leave the office, I’m pulling out my phone.
Holt: Are youstill with Selene?
Howard: Just watched her walk into her building. She’s safe. About to head back to your place to drop the car off.
Holt: Can you stay a little longer? Watch to make sure she doesn’t leave on her own, and if she does, follow her? I’ll send Knox to relieve you soon.
Howard: Knox? Didn’t you just cut back on his surveillance?
Holt: Yes, but circumstances have changed.
It takes several seconds before Howard is responding. Three bubbles appear then disappear before his message eventually comes through. He knows what this means.
Howard: Of course, Boss. I’ll keep an eye on her. You have my word.
I send Howard a quick thanks before sending Knox a message, asking if he doesn’t mind also tasking another one of his security detail to my sister as well—a request I didn’t think I’d need to make. The thing is, I’ve always watched over those that I love. Despite what some might believe, it’s in my nature. There’s never been any other option.
FIFTEEN
SELENE
My body hasn’t stopped burning since my date with Holt. It’s a monstrous fire. I’ve told myself over and over again that this isn’t me. I’m not the one to feel this way after one date.
Holt is just like the other few I’ve dated in the past. He’s just like Adam, too.
I’m numb to their touch. Numb to the words they speak. Numb to their lips against my skin.
