“Get out of my office.” Ansel takes a step toward him, and Damon actually backs up. “Before I forget we’ve been friends since college, and throw you out that window.”
Damon laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “You’re going to choose her over me?”
“You threatened an employee.” Ansel’s control is cracking, fury bleeding through.
“I told you that I wasn’t actually going to do it!”
“I don’t care.” Ansel moves closer, and I see Damon swallow hard. “If you were anyone else, you’d be fired. Escorted out by security. But because we’ve been friends for so long, I’m giving you one chance. One.” He leans in, and his voice drops to something lethal. “If you ever threaten her again or if you so much as look at her the wrong way, I will destroy you. Professionally, financially, personally. Do you understand me?”
Damon’s eyes widen. “Are you serious right now?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Damon glances at me, then back at Ansel, trying to gauge if this is real. I’m wondering the same thing. The violence inAnsel’s voice sends a shiver down my spine that isn’t entirely fear.
Damon laughs, nervous and uncertain.
Ansel doesn’t blink. “Get. Out.”
Damon looks between us one more time, then turns and leaves. The door closes with a soft click that feels louder than a slam.
Ansel stands there, breathing hard, staring at the door like he’s debating going after him.
I’m too shocked to say anything.
He turns to me, and the intensity in his gaze steals my breath. He crosses the space between us in three strides, then stops, like he’s physically restraining himself from getting closer.
“Are you okay?” His voice is rough.
“I’m fine.” It’s not entirely true, but it’s all I can manage.
He turns away, shoulders tight. “He had no fucking right.”
I get up and walk over to him, standing in front of him. We’re in each other’s space now, the professional distance gone. I have to look up to meet his eyes.
“Remy.” My name on his lips is almost a warning.
“Ansel.”
His hand comes up, and for a second, I think he’s going to touch me. His fingers hover near my face, close enough to feel the heat, before he drops his hand and takes a step back.
“You should go.” His voice is strained. “I have calls to make.”
“What kind of calls?”
“The kind that make sure Damon’s threat stays buried.” He moves to his desk, putting distance between us. “That university incident? It’ll never see the light of day. I’ll make sure of it.”
“You can do that?”
He looks at me, and there’s something raw in his expression. “I can do a lot of things.”
I swallow hard. That sentence is going to replay in my head later. Probably at an inappropriate time.
And watching him wield that kind of power, and knowing he used it for me? I liked it way more than I should.
“Thank you.” My words are inadequate, but coherent sentences are beyond me right now.
I walk to the door on shaking legs. My hand is on the handle when he speaks again.
