Fuck.
“That’s need to know. And you don’t need to know the why, baby. You just need to do what I tell you.”
“And that is what? Exactly?”
“Get Sloane to the party. Get him and Parker in the same fucking room, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“Why does that sound ominous?” I ask. “You’re not going to hurt the guy, are you?”
Robbie’s tone softens, but there is nothingsoftabout him or his words.
“Aw, what’s the matter, baby? Are you worried I’ll break your new toy?”
“No,” I bite. “I just…”
I watch the door, my heart in my throat. I glance down at my crepe. My stomach twists into knots.
“Get him to agree. That shouldn’t be hard, considering you can be so fucking persuasive.”
I swallow hard as the door clicks.
“I have to go," I say, not bothering to hear his goodbye. I lock the phone as the door opens. A mixture of relief and sadness floods me when I see it’s not my boss.
It’s Chicora.
I sit up straighter as she smiles warmly at me.
“Made it to day two, I see," she says.
“Is that a record or something?” I ask, my voice strangely despondent.
She shrugs. “For him? Yes.”
She laughs. “The last one barely made it a full eight hours.”
I swallow. Hard.
“Can I, uh… help you with something?” I ask.
“Yes, actually.” She heads to my seat, and that’s when I notice the thick folder in her arms.
“What’s that?”
“Paperwork. The usual stuff. 401K, Insurance, and your tax information. Oh, and Sloane put in the paperwork to have your company benefits… extended and expedited.”
“Company… benefits?”
She sets the folder down on the table in front of me.
“Mhm. Gym memberships. Flex spending account.” She smirks at me as if she wants to say something, but the way she twists her lips is almost mischievous. “The works. Only thebestfor his best, of course.”
“I will take care of it as soon as I can," I say, forcing a smile.
“Mhm.” She grins. “Sooner the better. See you in a few hours, sweetheart.”
She’s halfway to the door when I stop her.
“Thank you,” I say.
