“Ms.Tripp, are we going to have an issue?”she challenges.
My patience snaps.I step forward and close my fist around the top of my tote, preventing her from unzipping it.
“We will if you insist on invading my privacy.These are my personal belongings, Ms.Baker,” I scold.
Her scowl deepens.
“Is there a problem?”
Every hair on my nape lifts as Brennan’s low, smooth voice travels up my spine from behind me.
Ms.Baker opens her mouth to speak, but I answer first.
“No, Mr.Diamond, there’s no problem.Ms.Baker agreed to give me a few minutes to empty and clean the desk for her,” I say.
A few tense moments pass.I hold Ms.Baker’s gaze until she looks over my shoulder.Whatever she sees in her boss’s eyes changes her attitude.She releases my tote and steps back.
“Bring your things into my office when you’re done, Ms.Tripp,” Brennan says.
I stiffen and turn to argue, but he already strides past me and into the CEO’s office.When I turn back toward my desk, Ms.Baker’s glare promises retribution.I pause, but she huffs and stomps down the hall.
After sorting my things into the box so they won’t break, I finish emptying the desk of everything except basic office supplies and wipe everything down with the disinfectant wipes I keep on the ledge behind the desk before flinging my purse and tote bag over my shoulder.
A massive set of arms swoops down and lifts the box of my personal items before I can grab it.I stifle my yelp even as I jump backward and bump into the wall.
My stepfather’s tie and suit fill my vision.I can’t move.His hands reach for me.He’ll hurt me again.
My name rings in my ears.
I dart out from behind the desk, too panicked to think of anything but escape, and whack my hip on the corner so hard I lose my balance.
I crash into a muscular chest.Strong arms wrap around me.A familiar mix of cinnamon, clove, and man fills my nostrils.
Brennan.
My nose recognizes him before I do.I was too distraught earlier to process how delicious he smells.
Deep down in my soul, relief pours through me, but adrenaline and embarrassment won’t allow me to relax.I push against his chest.
“Be still, Ms.Tripp.”His respectful use of my surname clears my mind of my memories and roots me in the present.“You hit the desk hard enough to knock the monitor off the edge.Are you okay?”
I blink at the genuine concern in my stepbrother’s tone.
Ex-stepbrother, I remind myself.
I nod and force my lungs to expand.
“Do you have your balance?”he asks.
I clear my throat and cringe as my voice emerges raw and uneven.
“Yes.I’m fine, thanks.”
He cups my shoulders for a moment before stepping back.
I don’t dare lift my gaze to meet his even though my skin tingles from his perusal.
When he takes the box from the desk again and stalks into the CEO’s office without a backward glance, I finally lift my head and freeze.
